Buzz
As the dawn breaks, only the rustling of the forest and the rhythmic waves create a symphony of nature that four dreamers are fortunate to savor.
Four intrepid souls embark on a dusty road trip to catch the sunrise in Vietnam
Starting from the Victory Monument in Buon Ma Thuot, the quartet of dreamers decides to treat themselves to a backpacking adventure. The journey begins with a simple question from one in the group: 'Where's the best place to admire a truly beautiful sunrise?'. Packed up and ready to roll on two Minsk motorbikes, weathered but reliable, reserved for such long journeys like this trip to Phu Yen.
Dai Lanh Cape, also known as Mui Dien (Sensitive Cape or Ba Cape), located in Phuoc Tan hamlet, Hoa Tam commune, Dong Hoa district, Phu Yen province. This cape is a branch of the Truong Son range extending straight into the sea. Along with Mui Doi (Van Ninh, Khanh Hoa), it is recognized as the Easternmost point of Vietnam due to having the same coordinates. Due to its higher elevation, Mui Dien is also considered the first place to catch the earliest sunrise in Vietnam.
Bid farewell to the chilly atmosphere of the Dak Lak highlands in the midst of the early winter of October, we followed National Highway 26 and turned onto Route 19C, passing through Ea Kar district. After over 5 hours of driving through various terrains, from rough rocky roads along the mountains to the beautiful straight paths with lush green grass on both sides. As evening approached, we reached the section of National Highway 1A under the foot of Cau Pass, heading from Tuy Hoa. Stopping temporarily at a nearby gas station, the whole group quickly devoured instant noodles before heading up the pass.
The winding Cau Pass road twists and turns, with bends almost reaching 180 degrees. Rows of buses and large trucks speed through energetically. Over the 12-kilometer stretch, we couldn't help but skip a beat numerous times, witnessing the artistic steering maneuvers of North-South bus drivers. Lost in the majestic scenery of Cau Pass, we drove straight through the pass into Khanh Hoa province, only to be astonished and turn the vehicle around. In the middle of Cau Pass, there's a crossroad known as Vung Ro junction. This is also the only road leading to Vung Ro Bay and the Dai Lanh lighthouse.
Route 29 is the stretch of road leading from Vung Ro junction to Mui Dien, with rocky terrain at the beginning and a smoothly paved asphalt in the latter part. The road sees minimal traffic, with only us leisurely enjoying the sunset. Around 4:30 PM, with the sun tilting at a 90-degree angle, everything stands out distinctly. Although we didn't know how the 'first sunrise of Vietnam' would be, I assure you, the sunset there is equally captivating. Mother Nature has generously gifted this land with priceless wonders.
Standing on the narrow road, I wondered how everything here could harmonize so perfectly. A stretch of fine golden sand extends with a few small rowboats upside down, swaying in the gusty wind near the beach entrance. In the distance, layers of fishing boats belonging to fishermen spread their nets in the evening against the backdrop of the azure sea. This picturesque scene is embraced by tall mountains covered in the green of the forest. After a long and challenging journey, this is indeed a reward worthy of our efforts. Pausing to capture a few memorable photos, we continued our journey on Route 29 to the next stop, Bai Mon.
Even though we were aware that this place is considered one of the most pristine and beautiful beaches in Vietnam, we couldn't help but be surprised. The smooth, golden sand stretches for about 400 meters, nestled between two tall mountains, forming a unique crescent shape, with Dai Lanh Cape atop one of these mountains along with the Dai Lanh lighthouse. Below the mountain's base, the terrain is challenging with sharp rock formations shaped by thousands of years of relentless waves. The beach is entirely flat and spacious. Due to minimal tourist exploitation, the sea here remains quite pristine and clean. To reach Bai Mon and continue to Mui Dien, we had to pass through the Bai Mon ticket checkpoint. Here, we had the opportunity to meet Mr. Muoi.
Mr. Muoi, aged over 50, serves as the guardian of Bai Mon and the Dai Lanh lighthouse. He is lean and has a sun-kissed, tanned complexion. Welcoming us in faded khaki attire, he cheerfully initiated a conversation in the distinctive Phu Yen accent: 'Where are you guys riding from?'. We replied: 'We're from Saigon, sir!'. Kindly, he said: 'Quite a long way, come inside, wash up, and take a break.'
Pointing towards the single house on the right-hand side, Mr. Muoi explained that it's his residence and a small eatery run by him and his wife. According to him, tourists usually flock to visit the Dai Lanh lighthouse from April to August. Occasionally, there are motorcycle groups that come for a visit. Tourists typically stay in hotels in Tuy Hoa city, waiting for the early morning sunrise to start their journey. 'No electricity, no water here; staying long is difficult, let alone visitors,' shared Mr. Muoi.
In the serene dawn, only the sound of the rustling wind through the forest leaves and the rhythmic waves gently lapping on Mon Beach blended, creating a fascinating symphony of nature that four dreamers, wandering by chance, were fortunate to savor. Five minutes into the dawn, the sun, tinged with red, slowly rose above the sea. Inside, each fan-shaped wave continued to rhythmically caress the stretch of white sand, as it has done for thousands of years.
Dawn marks the beginning of a new day, the first rays of the sun symbolizing a fresh start. This journey, beyond a simple travel escapade, served as a stress-relieving potion after a period of racing through the mundane hustle and bustle of daily life. Standing before the radiant dawn on the distant horizon, my soul felt cleansed of all burdens. At that moment, all that remained was the sound of the whispering wind, devoid of the noise of the streets and any motorcycle dust, complete serenity. Taking a deep breath, a sense of freshness and invigoration permeated both the body and the spirit. Enjoying the first sunlight of the day at the easternmost point of the country turned out to be worthwhile.
Dai Lanh Lighthouse is also an intriguing destination on the journey to conquer the Far East on land. Nestled amidst the enchanting scenery with many majestic mountains, this lighthouse, built by the French in 1890, is the oldest in Southeast Asia. Despite a history full of ups and downs spanning over 100 years, Dai Lanh Lighthouse still stands tall, becoming a familiar spot for travel enthusiasts. The path leading to the lighthouse is quite spacious, approximately 1km long, sturdily built with stones. The long white fence peacefully stretches amid the rhythmic sound of waves, guiding the way for travelers. The Dai Lanh Lighthouse structure consists of a 5m tall building with an area of 320m2, and the stairway leading to the light is a 110-step wooden spiral staircase. Standing atop the tower, you can gaze far into the vastness of the open sea, marveling at the grandeur of nature, feeling like a tiny grain of sand between land and sky. A little deeper, you'll find a small path leading to a stone monument engraved with the longitude and latitude of Mui Dien, officially recognizing this as the Far East on the mainland of Vietnam.
Taking a deep breath of the sea breeze, I bid farewell to Dai Lanh Sea to return to the bustling city life. We didn't forget to express our gratitude to Chú Mười for providing the conditions for our group of young people to have many unforgettable experiences amidst nature, as well as the hospitality of the people of Phu Yen.
Source: H.N/Vnexpress
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourJanuary 26, 2018
