Buzz
1. Optimal Means of Transportation
Departing from Hanoi, it's best to take a flight from Hanoi to Cam Ranh to reach the island. If you're coming from Saigon, aside from the Saigon - Cam Ranh route, you can also take a Phuong Trang bus to Cam Ranh or Nha Trang, or a Hoang Anh bus to Phan Rang. It's advisable to travel in the evening to save the most time.
It's optimal to rent a motorbike whether you're starting from Nha Trang, Cam Ranh, or Phan Rang as the road to the island is DT 702, one of the most beautiful coastal routes in Vietnam. Enjoy the adventurous feeling with the sea on one side and mountains on the other before reaching Binh Hung Island.
Driving along stunning beaches like Binh Tien, Freshwater, Banana, you'll reach Kinh Beach, which is also the departure point for Binh Hung Island. From here, you'll take a boat to the island, which takes about 10 minutes and costs 10,000 dong per person each way. If guests want to ride motorbikes around the island, it's an additional 10,000 dong, very cheap.
2. Convenient and Economical Accommodation
If you're up for the adventure, bringing along a beach tent is ideal. However, if there are female companions or family members in the group, this option might not be the most convenient. Mytour suggests staying at guesthouses or with local residents on the island. Some fishermen offer rooms for rent at around 70,000 dong per person per night. Additionally, you can easily find guest rooms with fans, air conditioning, and good amenities. Staying in a homestay, you'll be amazed by the hospitality and warmth of the locals in this coastal region.
4. Top Attractions of Binh Hung Island
Chut Lighthouse: Following a small path up Mount Bu, in no time you'll arrive at Chut Lighthouse, a beacon that has been guiding ships in Cam Ranh Bay for over 100 years. From atop the lighthouse, you can observe the bustling life of cargo ships at Cam Ranh Port to the west and gaze out over the vast expanse of the East Sea, dotted with small fishing boats.
Egg Rock Beach: The first thing that catches your eye here is the giant, round rocks resembling dinosaur eggs. This is a sightseeing spot as swimming is not safe due to the rocky terrain. To reach the beach, you walk along the path to Chut Lighthouse, near the top there's a road on the right to descend. The descent path is mountainous but not overly difficult. With a bit of stamina and excitement, it only takes 10 minutes to reach the beach.
Me Tree Beach: Located on Binh Hung Island, but to reach this beach you need to hire a boat as there's no road access. This beach is relatively small, mostly sandy with coral, so it's very clean. The water here is crystal clear, even at 5 meters deep, you can still see the bottom. In the middle of the beach, there's a large rock, perfect for standing and taking photos. Besides Me Tree Beach, there's also Sane Beach, Old Man Beach, Robinson Beach, and more.
And there are some traditional landmarks you shouldn't miss like Nam Hai Tomb, Binh Hung Village Temple, Lady Temple, Binh Hung Pagoda, and more.
5. Ultimate Experiences
Arriving at Binh Hung, the ultimate experience begins as you ride a motorbike along the coastal road until you leave the island, still tasting the salty flavor of the sea. Camping on Binh Hung Island, gazing at a starry sky amidst the sound of crashing waves, detached from the hustle and bustle of life, is surely something you'll never forget.
Chut Lighthouse is the ideal spot to admire the reddish sunrise reflecting sparklingly under the sea amidst the drifting mist along the mountainside.
Embraced by a blue sky and white sand, savoring fresh seafood at unbelievably affordable prices, and being warmly assisted by the locals to the fullest extent possible. Surely anyone who has been to Binh Hung has felt this to some extent. So if you haven't been to Binh Hung yet, then plan your trip now and allow yourself to enjoy the most amazing things without having to go far into the Western sky.
6. Finest Delicacies
Binh Hung is not much different from Binh Ba in terms of delicacies, but the prices are unbelievably cheap among the Four Bays. Lobsters in Binh Hung are usually prepared very simply such as steaming, grilling, or cooking porridge... but are enough to delight diners with a taste that is both rich and fragrant. For culinary enthusiasts, extracting lobster blood and mixing it with alcohol creates a very special and enticing flavor.
Sea urchins, also known as sea grapes, are very easy to prepare, can be eaten raw with a tangy, lemony taste, grilled with butter or lard. Especially the sea urchin porridge and sea urchin with egg are the perfect combination of colors, flavors creating a nutritious dish and an effective health tonic.
Apart from the two dishes above, seafood pancakes, fishcake noodles, and squid pancakes in Binh Hung will also satisfy the cravings of travelers. Rest assured, the seaside flavors you get to enjoy in Binh Hung will be unmistakable from anywhere else.
7. Souvenirs to Bring Back
If you're only going to Binh Hung and back, lobster would be the first choice. But if you're traveling to other places as well, then the fresh and delicious seafood specialties from the coastal region will be meaningful gifts you can bring back after this trip.
By Tiểu Duy
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
TravelGuide.comNovember 24, 2015
