With its clear blue waters and preserved landscapes, Vinh Hy Bay in Ninh Thuan is one of the four most beautiful bays in Vietnam, the other three being Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province, Lan Ha Bay in Hai Phong City, and Lang Co Bay in Thua Thien-Hue Province.

Vinh Hy Bay is located in Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district, Ninh Thuan Province (Central Vietnam), approximately 42 km from the city of Phan Rang-Thap Cham. The bay is almost entirely surrounded by mountains, with only the southeast side facing the sea.

When in Ninh Thuan, one should not miss the opportunity to visit Vinh Hy Bay and go swimming or scuba diving among coral reefs or take a tour on a glass-bottom boat.

Things to Know About Vinh Hy Bay

Vinh Hy Bay is a beautiful destination, offering sublime landscapes all around. Vinh Hy is also a small destination! There are plenty of things to do, but then you might want to venture a bit further to explore the nearby areas (~30 minutes away).

It's quite a touristy destination, especially on the weekends, but it's mostly just Vietnamese people. 2 days should be enough for you to comfortably explore Vinh Hy Bay. If you have 4 to 5 days on your hands, I highly recommend looking into the province of Ninh Thuan because the province is packed with beautiful destinations and interesting attractions!

You'll find numerous hotels in Vinh Hy Bay and the nearby areas; there's something for every budget—affordable homestays, nice seaside hotels, and even the Amanoi at €1200 per night (yes, you read that correctly).

It’s also important to note that Vinh Hy is more of a coastal destination! Even though it's possible to engage in beach activities in the nearby areas of Vinh Hy, you should consider other options like Nha Trang if you want to do nothing and lounge for 4 days while drinking coconut water. However, if you want to do other stuff as well, then Vinh Hy Bay is the place to go.

What to See and Do at Vinh Hy Bay

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is an activity that you shouldn’t miss out on while visiting Vinh Hy Bay. With a diverse ecosystem, Vinh Hy Bay is home to over 300 different coral species. You will be provided with breathing tubes, goggles, diving suits, and detailed instructions before starting the experience. Moreover, you can also rent a boat to join the local fishermen in fishing.

If scuba diving isn’t your thing, you can opt for a glass-bottom boat tour in Vinh Hy Bay. Each boat can accommodate up to 10 people, great for a group of friends. Otherwise, you may have to wait until there are enough people to go with you.

Hang Rai (Rai Cave)

If you come to Vinh Hy Bay in Ninh Thuan without visiting Rai Cave, you will miss the opportunity to be in the presence of a breathtaking landscape. Situated in the middle of a calm and blue sea, it is not a cave but, in fact, a former coral reef facing the ocean, composed of rocks with unique and naturally overlapping shapes. Hang Rai in Vinh Hy, Ninh Thuan, is particularly beautiful at dawn when the sun rises, casting a rosy glow over the picturesque rock formations.

Nui Chua National Park

Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan is the only dry forest in Vietnam and has recently been awarded the title of a World Biosphere Reserve. It consistently captivates and charms people with its blue sea, white sandy beaches, colorful coral reefs, stone parks with myriad shapes, and vast wild forests.

As of now, the biosphere reserve covers a total area of over 106,000 hectares. With this expansive area, Nui Chua National Park encompasses forests, a sea, and a semi-desert. The park houses rich flora and fauna, including over 1,600 plant species, nearly 600 animal species, and more than 350 coral systems. Nui Chua National Park, with its vast green forest and the pure refreshing air, offers amazing trekking opportunities. Inside the national park is Nui Chua (Mount Chua), at 1040 meters above sea level. You can climb or hike to the top of the mountain, from where you can see the desert below and the clear sea right next to it.

How to Get to and Around Vinh Hy Bay

Getting to Vinh Hy Bay

By Motorbike: A popular choice, the travel time is approximately 8-10 hours from Saigon.

By train: To reach Vinh Hy Bay, you can start from Thong Nhat Station and travel to Thap Cham Station with ticket prices ranging from 150,000 VND to 245,000 VND per ticket. From Thap Cham, you can then take a motorbike taxi or a regular taxi to reach Vinh Hy.

By bus: Also a common option, many tourists opt for buses departing from Mien Dong Bus Station, such as Tuan Tu, Phuoc Thien, and Thanh Van, with prices starting from 150,000 VND per one-way trip.

By airplane: If you prefer convenience or if you are traveling from the North, flying is the better choice. You can easily book a flight from Hanoi or Saigon to Cam Ranh and then travel from the airport to Vinh Hy Bay, which is about 60 km away.

Getting Around in Vinh Hy

Once you arrive in the Vinh Hy area, you can get around by bus, taxi, or the most popular option, renting a motorbike, with prices starting from only 100,000 VND per day.

Conclusion

The Vinh Hy Bay in Vietnam is a must-visit destination when traveling to the province of Ninh Thuan. It possesses a wild and majestic aspect that is rarely found elsewhere. The coastal destination offers a variety of unique landscapes, caves, rocky beaches, and an amazing national park. With its pleasant climate and delicious cuisine, Vinh Hy Bay attracts thousands of tourists each year.

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