1. General Introduction to Vinh Hy Bay

Where Is Vinh Hy Bay Located?

Vinh Hy Bay is situated in Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district, Ninh Thuan province – approximately 40 kilometres northeast of Phan Rang-Thap Cham city centre.

The bay sits directly on the coastal highway renowned as one of Central Vietnam's most beautiful routes, connecting Ninh Thuan and Khanh Hoa provinces. Thanks to its proximity to Nui Chua National Park, Vinh Hy Bay embodies a unique harmony between azure seas, pristine forests, and limestone mountains, creating a diverse and captivating ecological landscape.

What Makes Vinh Hy Bay Special?

It's no coincidence that Vinh Hy Bay is celebrated as the "emerald jewel" of South Central Vietnam's coastline. This remarkable destination boasts:

• Crystal-clear seawater with visibility to the ocean floor
• Vibrant and intact coral reefs located close to shore, perfect for diving and glass-bottom boat excursions
• Expansive stretches of fine white sand beaches combined with serene, untouched beauty
• Towering limestone cliffs surrounding the bay, creating a distinctive arc shape while providing natural protection for the marine area
• Diverse marine and forest ecosystems, preserved through its location adjacent to Nui Chua National Park's core zone – one of Vietnam's rare areas featuring characteristic dry deciduous forests

Vinh Hy Bay isn't just beautiful during summer; it remains suitable year-round for those seeking tranquillity, escape from urban noise, and connection with pristine nature.

2. Unmissable Experiences When Visiting Vinh Hy Bay

Scenic Bay Tours by Boat or Speedboat

Taking a boat or speedboat around the bay is an essential activity when visiting Vinh Hy Bay. From the water's surface, you'll witness the complete panorama of the emerald bay embraced by winding limestone mountain ranges and fishing rafts scattered across the sea. Many tours will take you past Hang Rai, Bai Coc, Mui Ca Heo (Dolphin Cape), or nearshore coral areas.

Reference costs:

• High-speed boat (group tour): 150,000 - 200,000 VND/person/trip
• Private boat rental (for groups): from 1,300,000–1,600,000 VND/boat

Exploring the Coastal Highway and Panoramic Views from Above

On the route to Vinh Hy Bay, you'll encounter two turning points: one leading to the fishing village, another winding upward along the coastal mountainside. Following this scenic route, visitors can stop at several ideal viewpoints that reveal the entire emerald Vinh Hy Bay below, with its peaceful fishing village and boats glistening under the sunlight.

Swimming at Pristine Beaches

Vinh Hy Bay is renowned not only for its spectacular bay scenery but also for its numerous untouched, tranquil beaches with crystal-clear waters and minimal tourist footprints. These beaches maintain their natural character, perfect for those seeking private relaxation spaces close to nature.

• Bai Hom (Turtle Beach): Located deep within the bay, featuring turquoise waters clear as jade, gentle waves, and gently sloping sandy bottoms. This beach is ideal for swimming, relaxation, or snorkelling among coral reefs right offshore.
• Mui Ca Heo (Dolphin Cape): A unique destination featuring a rocky promontory extending into the sea, shaped like a dolphin's head. Beyond being an ideal swimming spot, this location serves as a popular check-in point thanks to its magnificent and expansive scenery.
• Bai Coc, Bai Chuoi, Bai Binh Tien: These white sand beaches feature calm waters with very few visitors and no commercial establishments. They're perfect choices for private picnics, camping, or relaxation amidst peaceful nature.

Underwater Activity Experiences

Here, you can choose from various experiences ranging from gentle to adventurous, suitable for all ages and preferences.

Coral Reef Snorkelling

Vinh Hy Bay represents one of the rare marine areas that has maintained its rich and intact coral ecosystem. Visitors can register for diving tours with boats taking them to diving areas, complete with life jackets, masks, snorkels, and accompanying guides.

• Shallow diving (snorkelling): 150,000–250,000 VND/person
• Deep diving (scuba diving): 600,000–900,000 VND/person
• Experience duration: 45–90 minutes

Glass-Bottom Boat Tours

For those preferring not to enter the water, glass-bottom boats offer a gentle yet equally fascinating alternative. Seated on the boat, visitors can observe coral reefs and colourful fish schools through the transparent glass floor. This experience suits children and elderly visitors perfectly.

• Cost: 100,000–150,000 VND/person
• Duration: 30–45 minutes

Kayaking and SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard)

Another way to explore the bay's beauty involves kayaking or SUP on the crystal-clear waters, weaving between fish farms and majestic limestone mountain ranges.

• Rental cost: 200,000–300,000 VND/hour
• Popular locations: Turtle Beach, areas near floating farms, or bayfront resorts offering support services

Adventure Water Sports

Vinh Hy Bay also offers high-speed activities like speedboat rides, banana boat rides, and jet skiing, providing thrilling sensations on the open sea. These activities are typically organised for groups, particularly suitable for young friends or families with sports enthusiasts.

• Cost range: 150,000–300,000 VND/person/session depending on activity type and duration
• Ideal timing: Morning or late afternoon when seas are calm with gentle sunshine

Regardless of which underwater experience you choose, all activities at Vinh Hy Bay provide opportunities to connect with nature and enjoy the rare beauty of one of Central Vietnam's most pristine bays.

Local Culture and Cuisine Experiences

• Visiting Vinh Hy Fishing Village: Vinh Hy fishing village nestles beside the bay, preserving the simple and authentic lifestyle of Ninh Thuan's coastal communities. Here, visitors can:

• Take morning walks through the village to witness boats arriving at harbour and quick fish markets forming beside the water
• Interact with local fishermen to learn about traditional occupations such as nearshore fishing, cage aquaculture, and fish drying
• Visit fish, lobster, and snail farming areas on floating rafts and directly participate in activities like fish feeding and seafood harvesting
• Stay at homestays within the bay to experience the fishing village's rhythm more intimately.

• Enjoying Fresh Seafood: One of Vinh Hy Bay's most impressive experiences involves dining directly on floating houses in the middle of the sea. The seafood here is incredibly fresh, caught daily and prepared on-site, delivering the authentic flavours characteristic of Central Vietnam's coastal cuisine. You can select ingredients directly from farming cages: dried squid, grouper, snapper, blue crab, lobster, sea snails, rock oysters, etc., then request chefs to prepare them according to your taste preferences.

3. Notable Attractions Near Vinh Hy Bay

• Ninh Thuan Stone Park is a natural area featuring distinctive coral rock and limestone terrain located seaside, formed through thousands of years of weathering. The rugged rock formations with unusual shapes create unique, wild landscapes perfect for walking, geological exploration, and landscape photography.
• Hang Rai (located not far from Vinh Hy Bay) stands out as a prominent destination featuring fossilised coral rock layers arranged like terraced fields. When waves crash, seawater flows across each rock groove creating mystical scenery, particularly beautiful at sunrise. This serves as a famous check-in location for visitors to Ninh Thuan.
• Nui Chua National Park surrounds Vinh Hy Bay and houses one of the world's rare dry deciduous forest ecosystems. Visitors can trek through forests, explore natural streams like Lo O Stream, or climb mountain slopes to view panoramic bay and ocean vistas from above.
• Vineyards provide interesting stops for those wanting to learn about Ninh Thuan's characteristic agriculture. You can stroll among lush green grape vines, experience grape picking, take photos, and sample products like grape wine, grape syrup, and dried grapes directly at the vineyard.
• Vinh Hy – Binh Hung Pass represents one of Vietnam's most beautiful coastal highways, featuring gentle curves hugging cliff faces while opening views to the vast blue sea. This route is ideal for exploration enthusiasts, mountain pass touring, or nature photography.
• Bai Kinh and Bai Binh Tien are two beaches near Vinh Hy Bay compared to Ninh Thuan's "miniature Maldives." With crystal-clear waters, fine sand, and fresh air, these locations are perfect for swimming, relaxation, or combined visits to nearby Binh Hung Island.

Additionally, when travelling toward Phan Rang city, visitors can explore other locations such as Ninh Chu Beach, Ca Na Beach, wind turbine fields, Cham towers, etc.

4. Vinh Hy Bay Travel Tips

Ideal Timing

March through September represents the most ideal time to explore Vinh Hy Bay, when the weather is sunny and beautiful, seas are calm, and waters are crystal clear. Specifically, April–June offers perfect conditions for swimming, coral reef diving, sunrise viewing at Hang Rai, and outdoor activity experiences. Visitors should avoid October through December when this area typically experiences rain and rough seas, affecting sightseeing itineraries.

Transportation

Since Ninh Thuan province lacks its own airport, visitors from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or other cities can take flights to Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) – approximately 60km from Vinh Hy Bay. From the airport, you can take private taxis (costing approximately 700,000 - 1,000,000 VND/trip) with travel time around 2 hours.

Book flights to Cam Ranh early with Vietnam Airlines to enjoy preferential rates and 4-star standard service, ensuring your journey begins comfortably, conveniently, and completely.

Overland Travel from Ho Chi Minh City

From Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can choose high-quality coaches or limousines travelling directly to Vinh Hy Bay, with journey times of approximately 6–7 hours and ticket prices ranging 250,000–400,000 VND per direction depending on the day. During peak season (April–August), booking tickets 5–7 days in advance is recommended to secure seats.

When direct tickets are unavailable, you can book tickets to Phan Rang-Thap Cham city, then continue by taxi or rented motorbike for approximately 40km to Vinh Hy Bay.

Accommodation

At Vinh Hy Bay, you can choose from:

• Homestays and guesthouses by the bay: Prices from 250,000–500,000 VND/night. Suitable for visitors wanting nature proximity and budget savings.
• Resorts and leisure complexes: Several upscale resorts near Vinh Hy Bay or along the Binh Tien – Binh Hung route offer sea views, swimming pools, and comprehensive packages. Prices from 1,000,000–2,000,000 VND/night. Additionally, there are luxury resorts with private beaches and spaces providing completely relaxing experiences close to nature.
• Hotels in Phan Rang: For those wanting to combine city exploration, you can stay in Phan Rang and visit Vinh Hy Bay as a day trip.

Additional Notes

• Prepare personal items: Bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, beach sandals, swimwear, and towels.
• Carry cash: Some seaside and fishing village services don't yet support QR or card payments.
• Book tours in advance: For diving, glass-bottom boat rentals, or Binh Hung Island trips, advance booking ensures better prices and time flexibility.
• Respect the environment: Vinh Hy Bay remains very pristine, so please limit littering, avoid stepping on coral reefs, and don't illegally harvest seafood.

Travelling to Vinh Hy Bay isn't just a journey to discover Ninh Thuan's pristine coastal beauty, but also an opportunity to live slowly, connect with nature, and experience simple fishing village culture. From magnificent rock faces to fresh seafood feasts on floating houses, every moment at Vinh Hy Bay brings indescribable peace. This summer, join Vietnam Airlines in planning and taking a flight to Vinh Hy Bay – where you'll discover a different, greener, more memorable Vietnam.