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The beauty of Central Vietnam extends beyond its beaches; it boasts numerous enticing new destinations that beckon travelers from afar.
Discover All 19 Unique Destinations in Central Vietnam
Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Thanh Hoa
Located in the northwest of Thanh Hoa province, spanning the districts of Quan Hoa and Ba Thuoc, Pu Luong Nature Reserve preserves rich natural landscapes and diverse flora and fauna, offering an appealing destination for nature enthusiasts.
For adventure seekers, conquering the peak of Pu Luong, the highest mountain in the area at 1700 meters, promises an unforgettable experience. Despite the challenges and exertion of a more than 5-hour mountain climb, the breathtaking beauty of the Pu Luong valley from above makes it all worthwhile. Pu Luong is renowned for its 'rice' and 'villages.' The best time to visit Pu Luong is during the rice ripening season, typically mid-June to October each year.
Lan Chau Island, Nghe An
Lan Chau Island, also known locally as Rú Cóc Island, is situated near Cửa Lò Beach, resembling a giant frog stretching out into the sea. Its unique terrain divides Cửa Lò Beach into two distinct areas. During high tide, the entire island appears submerged underwater, while during low tide, the western side of Lan Chau connects to the mainland, forming a peninsula. The eastern side features rugged cliffs extending out into the open sea, shaped over time by wind and waves into fascinating formations.
Mooc Water Stream, Quang Binh
Mooc Water Stream is located along the 20 Quyet Thang route, a branch of the Ho Chi Minh Highway, approximately 10 km northwest of the Phong Nha tourist center. Following the winding road amidst lush greenery, visitors will encounter the stream nestled amidst the valley of towering limestone mountains, stretching along the Chay River for about 3 km. The central area of the stream spans approximately 350 meters, offering a vibrant display of nature with lakes, rivers, streams, and rocky waterfalls.
Hai Van Pass – Dam Lap An – Bach Ma National Park Route, Hue
Starting from Hai Van Pass in Thua Thien Hue province, the route extends to Bach Ma National Park, covering less than 60 km but guaranteeing awe-inspiring scenery. Descending from Hai Van Pass, travelers can overlook Lang Co Bay and the entrance to Hai Van Tunnel from a high vantage point.
After conquering the pass, you will reach a junction to the National Highway 1A. However, it's recommended to avoid this road and instead turn left onto Nguyen Van Street to admire the picturesque and romantic Lap An Lagoon. Along the way, there are several seafood stalls set up right on the lagoon where you can rest, enjoy delicious seafood, and marvel at the stunning scenery.
From Nguyen Van Street, continue until you reach the National Highway 1A again. Passing through Phuoc Tuong Tunnel, you will arrive at the Cau Hai Market intersection. Turn right here to enter Bach Ma National Park. Exploring Bach Ma National Park will bring you many surprises. Don't forget to visit the park's most beautiful spots like Vong Hai Dai, Do Quyen Waterfall, Five Lakes, Tram Sao Waterfall, Black Forest, and Slide Waterfall.
Ho Hoa Trung Lake, Da Nang
Ho Hoa Trung Lake, located in Hoa Lien Commune (Hoa Vang District, Da Nang), is approximately 20km from the city center. It's likened to the Tibetan plateau amidst Da Nang with vast stretches of lush green flat grasslands surrounding the artificial lake.
This is an ideal place for you to experience traditional wooden boat rowing on the emerald river. The wooden boats are handmade by local fishermen who use them for fish farming and transportation around the lake.
Seven Beauties Coconut Forest, Hoi An
Seven Beauties Coconut Forest is located in Cam Thanh commune, just about 5km from Hoi An, resembling the Mekong Delta of the ancient town. There seems to be little explanation for the name Seven Beauties, just that this vast expanse of lush coconut forest spanning hundreds of hectares and hundreds of years old is a precious asset, enriching the beauty of Hoi An.
Tam Thanh Mural Village, Quang Nam
Located in Trung Thanh hamlet, Tam Thanh commune, Tam Ky City, Quang Nam Province, about 70km from Da Nang via National Highway 1A. This village has been adorned with over 100 murals by Korean artists on the walls of local houses. It's now a must-visit destination in Quang Nam. Besides admiring and taking photos with the murals, tourists can also enjoy the beach and experience the life of the local fishing village.
Trang Minh Long Waterfall, Quang Ngai
The waterfall is located in Thanh An commune, Minh Long district, about 23km southwest of Quang Ngai City. Surrounding the waterfall are rolling hills covered in lush green foliage, creating a picturesque, tranquil scene. Trang Minh Long Waterfall is over 40 meters high, with cascading white water rushing over the rocks below.
Water flows down into the lake at the foot of the waterfall before flowing along a stream about 20 meters wide, meandering through rocks and winding through the valley before joining other streams. The lake at the foot of the waterfall is home to many 'ca nieng,' a specialty fish favored by many tourists.
Ky Co, Quy Nhon
Located about 25km away from Quy Nhon city, Ky Co Beach in Nhon Ly island commune boasts a pristine beauty that few know about. It's considered the 'first paradise' of Nhon Ly with a beach stretching over 1km², featuring shallow, calm waters. The beach is a perfect combination of crystal-clear seawater, majestic rocky cliffs, and untouched golden sand.
Mai Nha Islet, Phu Yen
Mai Nha Islet is likened to a Robinson Crusoe island in An Hai commune, Tuy An district, Phu Yen province. Despite its proximity to the mainland, it's undoubtedly an intriguing destination to explore the pristine beauty of Phu Yen that few people know about. The ideal time to visit Mai Nha Islet is from March to August each year when the weather is calm and the sea is tranquil.
Visiting Mai Nha Islet, travelers will be overwhelmed by its pristine and fascinating beauty, with very few people around, and lush green mountains covered in moss-like layers of time. There are no tourist services on the island, no electricity, no guesthouses, and fresh water is scarce. You should prepare thoroughly with food, drinks, camping gear, and supplies when coming here.
Windy Pass, Quy Nhon
Located in Nhon Ly commune, about 20km from Quy Nhon city, Windy Pass is a tourist destination that everyone visiting this coastal city in Central Vietnam wants to explore. The name Windy Pass originates from the geographical shape of this area. When standing on the surrounding rocky cliffs and looking down, you'll see a small strait shielded by mountains, like a loving embrace around the beautiful beach below.
It takes about 30 minutes from the city center of Quy Nhon to reach Windy Pass. Along the way to Windy Pass, travelers will be amazed by the majestic and poetic mountainous scenery, the sound of the wind blowing gently, and the golden sandy beaches rolling lightly with the wind creating beautiful patterns along both sides of the road.
Yen Islet, Phu Yen
Yen Islet is located in An Hoa commune, Tuy An district, 20km northeast of the city center of Tuy Hoa. At the foot of the rocky mountain are deep sea waves carving into the base of the mountain, leaving marks of time. Above are winding twists and turns, created by the hand of nature hundreds of millions of years ago.
Surrounding Yen Islet is a cluster of coastal landscapes. Next to Hon Sun is a scene that can be divided into three parts, with the main center being the rocky mountain range stretching out to sea closest to Yen Islet, called Ganh Yen. Especially, on the first days of the month during the ebbing tide, a sea path will emerge connecting the shore to Hon Sun, straight to Yen Islet. You will have the opportunity to walk between the sea, admiring the colorful coral system here.
Ba Ganh – Xep Beach, Phu Yen
Just about 16km from Tuy Hoa city, Ganh Ba and Bai Xep seem to be completely separate. A majestic sight to behold, especially for first-time visitors who will be overwhelmed by the harmonious combination of mountains and vast blue sea. Moreover, when visiting Ganh Ba on windy days, you can witness the dance of the sea with thousands of white waves stretching along the endless coastline, leaving an unforgettable impression. But beware of the sharp cactus plants here.
Inner Islet, Khanh Hoa
Taking more than an hour by boat from Cau Da port, you'll reach Inner Islet – a swallow islet belonging to Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa. The unique feature of Inner Islet is that it has the only double beach in Vietnam. Standing on the smooth white sand, no matter which direction you look, you'll see the deep blue sea. Not stopping there, this double beach also has one side with hot water and the other with cold water created by the currents, making it unforgettable for any visitor.
To visit Swallow Island, you go to Cau Da port, Nha Trang, buy a boat ticket to the island. Since this is an island under the management of Khanh Hoa Swallow Nest Company, you cannot visit independently but must purchase tickets. Visitors are only allowed to visit during the day, with a price of 350,000 VND per person, including breakfast, swallow's nest soup, pastries, lunch, and light fruit in the afternoon.
Double Cape, Khanh Hoa
Double Cape – Head Island, or commonly known as the Farthest East Cape, is located on Hon Gom Peninsula, under the jurisdiction of Van Ninh district, about 80km from Nha Trang. From the city center of Nha Trang, backpackers can either ride a motorbike or take a boat from Dam Mon fishing village.
Conquering Double Cape is a challenging yet fascinating journey. The long and steep roads, scorching sand dunes, and rocky cliffs along the coast are all the challenges you must overcome to set foot here. The arduous journey, however, will be rewarded by the impressive seascape that gradually unfolds before your eyes. Here, you can pitch a tent, enjoy on the gleaming white sandy beach, swim, or dive to admire the coral reefs. Evenings are perfect for bonfires, seafood feasts, singing, and chatting together.
Dinh Cape, Ninh Thuan
On the DT701 route from Ca Na to Phan Rang, you'll pass through breathtaking coastal roads, among which Dinh Cape is an ideal camping spot. To reach Dinh Cape from the main road, you have to traverse about 2km of sandy desert, which can be quite exhausting. However, the seascape here will make you forget all the fatigue.
While Dinh Cape used to be deserted with few services, it now has many food stalls, freshwater bathing, off-road biking on sand dunes... All you need to do is carry a tent to sleep on the beach and experience all the beauty this place has to offer. The crystal-clear blue sea, the majestic scene on the lighthouse will captivate anyone who sets foot on Dinh Cape for the first time.
Vinh Hy Bay, Ninh Thuan
Following provincial highway 702, you'll traverse spectacular and poetic mountain passes. The roads lead you close to the sea, sometimes so close that it feels like you can touch the abundant waves. However, they occasionally lead you deep into rocky cliffs, mountain ranges, and moments later you're delighted to see the villages along the mountain slopes, the vast white salt fields... Vinh Hy Bay appears as a watercolor painting, drawing you in and enchanting you from afar.
Visiting Vinh Hy, besides taking a glass-bottom boat to explore coral reefs, tourists can wander around, immerse themselves in Ba Dien Beach, go diving, enjoy fresh seafood at local eateries, or experience adventurous sports like surfing.
Cau Island, Binh Thuan
Cau Island, located in Phuoc The commune, Tuy Phong district, resembles a large battleship, surrounded by tens of thousands of rock blocks with different colors and shapes. It's a remote island, about 10km from the nearest point of the mainland, and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes by boat from the mainland. The island features thousands of uniquely shaped rocks interspersed with lush green grass. It's planned as a marine conservation area and an eco-tourism destination.
Yen Cape, Binh Thuan
Yen Cape is a rugged rocky promontory, about 30m above sea level. You can camp right on this rocky promontory to admire nature. Under the vast sky, beneath your feet is the vast sea with strong waves crashing against the large rocks, creating a majestic and breathtaking scene. Camping overnight at Yen Cape, you'll feel perfectly immersed in nature. The beach here is very secluded, allowing you to relax, frolic in the clear, cool water, but please note that there are no freshwater showers here.
On a clear moonlit night, with the tranquil sea, there's nothing better than going to the rocky promontories by the sea, fishing, catching and grilling fish right on the spot. If you're lucky, you'll catch parrotfish, a type of fish that only lives in coral reefs. After removing the charred outer layer, savor the firm and sweet flesh of the fish, absolutely delicious. The next morning, it will be wonderful to enjoy the feeling of just sitting in the tent, opening the flap to welcome the first rays of sunshine. In the distance, the red sun gradually rises above the sea, casting a brilliant golden light over Yen Cape.
Phong Chau (overview)
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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourApril 10, 2017
