Buzz
Riding a motorbike from the foot of the mountain to the summit of Hon Ba, you will be greeted by the beauty of the crystal clear lake, winding streams, cascading waterfalls, and the chilling breeze.
Nha Trang travel: experiencing the thrill of driving on the road to Hon Ba - ‘Nha Trang's seaside Dalat’
Hon Ba Mountain stands tall at 1,578 meters above sea level, situated between Khanh Phu commune, Khanh Vinh district, and Suoi Cat commune, Cam Lam district, Khanh Hoa province. In 1915, the French explorer Alexandre Yersin came to live and work on Hon Ba for a period of time. Today, his house and herbal garden are preserved on the mountain peak.
Getting from Nha Trang to Hon Ba
You can visit Hon Ba at any time of the year. However, if you enjoy exploring waterfalls, streams, and trekking through the forest, it's best to avoid the rainy season (October-November).
To reach Hon Ba, from Highway 1A, turn onto Suot Cat commune road (Cam Lam district). After about 1 km, you'll encounter the first milestone indicating the road to the summit of Hon Ba is 37 km away. The travel time from downtown Nha Trang to the summit of Hon Ba is approximately two hours.
With a height of nearly 1,600 meters, the narrow, winding road with many twists, steep slopes, and cliffs from the foot to the summit of Hon Ba mountain is considered dangerous by adventurers. However, you'll be rewarded with views of the lush Suoi Dau lakes, waterfalls, streams with scattered large rocks...
Food, Accommodation
This area only has a few households selling dishes like boiled chicken, grilled chicken, soup, vegetables... To be proactive, you can buy seafood, food, and drinks at the market and bring them along.
You can request to stay overnight at a local's house, rent a room at the only guesthouse, or camp overnight. The nighttime temperature here is quite low, so if you're camping, make sure to bring warm clothes.
If you're starting from Nha Trang, the cost for a day trip to Hon Ba is around 200,000 VND (including fuel and food).
Points of Interest
Hon Ba is shrouded in clouds year-round. The summit of Hon Ba offers panoramic views of the beauty of Nha Trang city.
Suoi Dau Lake is located at the foot of Hon Ba mountain, in Dien Khanh district, Khanh Hoa province. This artificial lake is designed to meet the irrigation needs of the surrounding residents. The lake is expansive, with stunning green water. Experiences here include photography and exploring the surrounding forests. Note that the lake is deep and swimming is not advised.
Suoi Dau originates from the summit of Hon Ba, flowing down the mountainside. In some areas, the water forms expansive lakes, while in others, it flows over rocky terrain creating waterfalls. Visitors can take photos, swim in the streams, enjoy lunch, or relax on large rocks.
Source Waterfall is a waterfall along the road to Hon Ba. The area is vast and beautiful with large rocks, flowing water, and areas of blue-green water. Note that the water flow is complex, with varying depths. Caution is advised when swimming.
Near the waterfall is Uncle Hiep's house. He has built small huts and offers some dishes made from hill chickens to serve visitors.
Suggested Day Itinerary for Exploring Hon Ba if Visiting Nha Trang
7:00 AM: Depart from 2/4 Square.
9:00 AM: Arrive at the summit of Hon Ba. Rest, relax, and take photos.
11:00 AM: Set up meals, cooking, and enjoy.
1:00 PM: Explore the mountain's streams and waterfalls.
2:00 PM: Swim in the streams.
3:00 PM: Depart from Hon Ba, return to Nha Trang city.
If You Want to Camp Overnight
3:00 PM: Set up camp. Explore the forest.
5:30 PM: Watch the sunset.
6:30 PM: Light a campfire, enjoy dinner. Group activities.
10:00 PM: Rest for the night.
5:00 AM: Wake up to watch the sunrise. Admire the clouds from the mountain peak.
7:00 AM: Breakfast.
8:00 AM: Pack up camp, leave Hon Ba mountain and return to Nha Trang.
Additional Information
There are no gas stations on the mountain, so you need to fill up or prepare gas before starting your ascent of Hon Ba.
Some local households along the road offer rice, noodles, vegetables, pork, beef, and chicken. However, advance booking is required.
Use fire carefully to prevent forest fires.
Currently, the mountain summit is closed for exploitation. However, you can explore lower points such as Suoi Dau, Suoi Dau hydroelectric lake, or various waterfalls.
Source: Huynh Hang/ Zing News
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourMarch 20, 2017
