Buzz
Spending over 16 hours on the TN1 train from Hanoi, we were 'compensated' with an endless beach, the azure beauty of Lập An lagoon, and the majestic Bạch Mã mountain range in Lăng Cô.
1. The Lăng Cô journey - a spontaneous decision by the club of the world's most beautiful bays - just two days before departure. All seven of us agreed to take the slow TN1 train to save costs. Many in the group felt time come to a standstill when sitting in hard, non-air-conditioned seats for the first time.
Over 16 hours on the train from Hanoi, we were 'compensated' with an endless beach, the turquoise Lập An lagoon, and the imposing Bạch Mã mountain range in Lăng Cô. An infinite stretch of coastline extends from the foot of Hải Vân Pass to Chân Mây Bay in the north, revealed in the early morning light.
Immediately after discarding all our belongings in the hotel room, the seven of us sprinted to the beach, immersing ourselves in water bluer than the sky and feeling each wave wash over us.
That's all it takes—all the chaos, noise, and even the dust washed away. For me, simple happiness is surrendering to the rhythm of each wave, tilting my head back to let the green of the sky fill my eyes.
2. But Lăng Cô has more to offer. Traveling in a group doesn't always allow for endless beach dips. On the deserted Chân Mây beach, hermit crabs have found their homes, running swiftly and digging burrows right on the shore.
We eagerly joined a race with the crabs. It wasn't easy to catch them as they swiftly retreated into their burrows at the slightest hint of human presence.
Diligently digging and carefully avoiding pinches with our improvised large pincers, we managed to catch over a dozen crabs. Though not a large quantity, each of us was delighted and triumphant. We brought our spoils back to be turned into fermented fish sauce, following the advice of the locals.
Savoring the crabs we personally caught is more than just the rich taste of the sea; it's the flavor of hard work, the taste of victory in the race against the eight-legged, two-clawed species.
3. Nature has generously gifted Lăng Cô with a long stretch of beach, kilometers of smooth and fine sand. It would be a miss not to explore its entire length.
Fortunate to borrow a bicycle from the accommodation, I wasted no time and headed straight to the beach, pedaling joyfully on the beautifully arranged strip of sand recognized globally.
Under the gentle evening light, with the sea breeze constantly whispering, I slowly walked from Lăng Cô beach in the town center towards Chân Mây port.
The terrain transitions from flat in the south to rugged beaches with more aggressive waves in the north. I felt like I had stepped into a fairyland, a place where it's just me and the vast sea.
As the night fell, people scrambled to prepare equipment and firewood to start a beach campfire. Around the crackling fire, we raised our voices in song, sipped local beer, and lay back, listening to the sea's melody.
The feast continued into the late night amidst the intoxicating blend of beer and sea breeze.
4. To the west, separated from the eastern sea by the town of Lăng Cô, Lập An Lagoon is a closed water area teeming with a rich variety of seafood over approximately 800 hectares. People rented motorcycles to explore the lagoon in the early morning.
The sunrise painted a corner of the sky red. In the distance, local residents' tents dotted the landscape. Occasionally, boats arrived with nets full of shrimp and fish. As the tide receded, Lập An revealed itself as a muddy marshland with mangroves stretching their roots.
After two hours exploring Lập An, we followed winding paths, tackling the steep ascent of Hải Vân Pass. Slowly conquering over 10km of uphill road, the group reached Hải Vân Quan with a sense of accomplishment.
Standing at the pass's peak, a clear view of the pristine Lăng Cô beach unfolded. Turning 180 degrees, skyscrapers, elegant bridges spanning the Hàn River, and the sweeping curve of Đà Nẵng Bay came into sight.
The sky stretched endlessly...
As reported by Tuổi Trẻ Newspaper
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourJuly 30, 2015
