Buzz
Summer is always the perfect time for families and friends to embark on a journey, escaping the heat and relishing in wonderful moments. The beaches are the ideal destination to visit and immerse yourself in the scorching summer days.
1. Early Seaside Marvel
The most serene view of the coastal city that you can feel through all senses, even the least sensitive skin, must resonate like the deep tones of a cello, brimming with desire. It's the moment you welcome the radiant sunrise over the sea.
There, the land and water embrace as one – the mother of the nation, where the horizon disappears, leaving only the bright rays of sunrise illuminating the tranquil faces of people leisurely cycling, jogging on the beach; the elderly engaging in careful exercises, breathing for a total of 1,800 breaths; young couples with badminton rackets in hand, preparing their souls to follow the white shuttlecock; the radiant faces of excited children welcoming summer; bare feet touching the rolling waves...
2. Learning with the Sea
When your body is concealed in the crystal-clear water, you silently affirm that here, humanity undergoes rebirth, love finds renewal, purity finds solace, and peace takes flight. Thus, Vietnamese children cannot be without the sea – the nurturing motherland.
Upon the sparkling golden sandy beaches, innocent children acquire their first life lessons:
About the vastness of the East Sea sands but still clinging to life until the end;
About the dream of a castle, taking a whole day – a lifetime to build, yet a small wave can wash it all away. So, do not clutch onto transient worldly dreams;
About the first swimming lesson, with long arms reaching out, surging atop the waves to survive, persist, and grow;
And the lesson of sharing and joining hands to preserve what nature bestows upon us. When nature provides everything, we must hold onto it as a part of our existence. Humanity, once savage, becomes lonely and desolate on its own mother Earth, all due to greed leading to self-destruction of its own homeland.
3. Nha Trang's coastline is adorned with plentiful bang trees. Every summer, children eagerly rise early to head to the shore and collect fallen bang fruit. Occasionally, they find perfectly ripe bang fruit, untouched by harsh waves, allowing them to enjoy the outer part. They then search for a stone to crack open the seed, revealing a nut, small as a pea, with a rich, crisp taste. After collecting dozens, they run to the sea, swim a few hundred meters offshore, indulge in their bounty, and then return to savor hot soybean milk or boiled corn from the local vendors, making for a nutritious breakfast without the need for noodle soup or fish vermicelli.
In the first few days, the Saigon kids were reluctant to wake up early. However, after joining the locals in banging on the shore, they became like clockwork, changing clothes and rushing to the beach by 4 a.m. Last year, a ten-year-old proudly shared how they sat for almost an hour, collected a bagful, shared with each other, and even distributed to tourists, especially those from foreign lands, who loved the delicacy. Unbeknownst to them, the tiny bits of bang peel from the stone added an exotic touch, and even if swallowed during a swim, it was like a saltwater rinse!
4. Stretching from Ca Pass (Phu Yen) to the tip of Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa's beaches unveil the most magnificent beach in Vietnam: Dai Lanh, then Ninh Hoa with Doc Let, leading to Nha Trang. These are three traditional beaches where locals of Khanh Hoa, from young to old, almost everyone has had to 'dip into the sea' at some point in their lives. Meanwhile, Cam Ranh, once a sought-after military bay, has transformed into a vibrant area for swimming and seaside feasting. Expectations of finding an untouched, resort-like haven for reading were shattered.
The once rumored secluded area has turned into a lively seaside bathing and dining spot. If you're here to satisfy sunbathing, beach swimming, and indulging in fresh seafood, the afternoons are perfect. But if you expect it to be a remote resort for reading, consider that dream shattered.
From Nha Trang, heading towards Cam Ranh airport, about 20 kilometers, past Cu In Pass, turn left to reach Bai Dai, turn right to enter the lively dining area. The choice is simple: if you want to combine beach bathing with savoring fresh seafood, turn left. The beach here is shallow, not plunging like Nha Trang's, ideal for children and non-swimmers to linger in the sun, wade in the water, and play beach games. For swimmers, it might be a bit dull, not to mention rumors of dangerous whirlpools when swimming far. Dozens of makeshift stalls are on the sandy beach, once rumored to guard the golden glow of the sun.
But now, that golden glow illuminates makeshift structures on the sea. If anyone reminisces about Doc Let a few decades ago, witnessing the hustle with boiling snails on the spot, boats pulling nets delivering fresh catches, it is still the same. This is shared for seafood enthusiasts to bring their families here.
At least 20 seafood restaurants (all equally rustic in setting and service) proudly advertise seafood caught on the spot by early morning fishing boats. From the foot of Cu In Pass, turning right into the seafood restaurant area, you'll find an abundance of fresh and somewhat 'selected' seafood, albeit at a slightly higher price.
Suggestion: Before taking a plunge into the sea, order a dish of grilled barramundi and baked crab with tamarind. A 2-3 kg barramundi and 2 kg crab are sufficient for a family of 4-5. As soon as you finish swimming, the feast awaits. After the meal, take another dip, and when you resurface, you can enjoy a refreshing crab head cocktail. Don't assume seafood here is cheap; prices are reasonable, but freshness is guaranteed.
5. Summer beach outings are a fitting choice, especially for a country where the sea covers at least two-thirds of the area of cities, villages, and mainland areas intertwined. For Saigon residents choosing a destination, Vung Tau has the upper hand due to its short distance. For adventure seekers who prefer journeys with many choices, Nha Trang is the only option. The term 'coastal people' has been adorable since ancient times, and it remains endearing. Travelers always hope to encounter friendly, gentle, and genuine locals in unfamiliar places. No one embodies this better than the 'coastal people.' However, anyone attempting to harm or disturb their seas will face a wrath more powerful than a tsunami, so be wise!
According to One World
