Photo: The emerald-colored 'rough gem' of Vinh Hy Bay

NINH THUAN Possessing a pristine landscape and emerald green sea water, Hon Tai is like a "rough gem" located in Vinh Hy Bay.

Hon Tai (also known as Hon Rua beach) is located in Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district, Ninh Thuan province. This is a small beach in Vinh Hy bay, ranked as a national scenic relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in April 2022, according to the electronic information portal of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ninh Thuan.

Located in one of the most beautiful bays in Vietnam, Hon Tai also possesses its own wild beauty. With white sand beaches, rugged cliffs and clear blue sea water, but not yet exploited much for tourism , Hon Tai is no different from a "rough gem" of Ninh Thuan sea.

Showed pictures of Hon Tai by a local friend and impressed by the wild scenery, travel blogger Tai Pham (28 years old) came here at the end of June.

From Saigon, Tai traveled along the Phan Thiet - Vinh Hao highway to Vinh Hy, taking about 5 and a half hours. Then, he rented a canoe from Vinh Hy wharf to Hon Tai for 200,000 VND one way (ticket price divided by number of people), taking about 15 minutes.

Sightseeing and playing on the beach requires an observer to ensure safety and rescue in case of emergency. If visitors want to dive, there are also guides and diving equipment for rent, so it is quite safe and convenient, Tai said.

Setting foot on Hon Tai, Tai’s first impression was the beach, sheltered and surrounded by cliffs, forming a separate area. In addition to the blue sea and white sand, there is also a natural turquoise swimming pool with clear and cool water, suitable for relaxing.

In Tai’s opinion, going to the beach must be on a sunny day. Exploring Hon Tai at around 9am is the most suitable time, when the sunlight is warm, not harsh, the wind is strong, the water level is not too high and the beautiful turquoise color is clearly visible. At that time, just standing in one place can take beautiful photos, bringing the atmosphere of the sea.

Ninh Thuan is influenced by a typical tropical monsoon climate, hot and dry all year round. October to December is the rough sea season, and February to May is the most beautiful time of the sea. In the summer, there are some times when the waves are big but only last for about 5 to 10 days. Therefore, before coming here, visitors should carefully check the weather forecast, Chau Tin, who is currently working in tourism at Hon Tai, shared.

Hon Tai still retains its original wildness. There are no people living here, no electricity, phone signal or wifi.

The scenery of Hon Tai beach is beautifully colored by nature when viewed from above. The yellow-brown rocks are surrounded by emerald green sea water, accented with the white color of the sand. There are few trees on the beach, but the fresh air, the deep blue sea and sky amidst the Ninh Thuan sun and wind add to the wildness of this place.

Here, Tai had two main experiences: swimming and diving. At first, Tai did not expect much from a small beach located near the mainland. But when he saw it with his own eyes, he was overwhelmed by the blue and clearness of the sea water.

"The sea water is so beautiful that it reminds me of Gili, a beach paradise in Indonesia, on my trip last year. I thought it would be difficult to find a place in Vietnam with such clear sea water, but I never expected to see this wonderful scene again at a small beach in Vinh Hy," Tai said.

On every trip to the beach, Tai brings swimming and diving equipment such as goggles, snorkel, and fins. If not available, tourists can also rent a diving tour for 200,000 VND.

Thanks to the rare clarity, Hon Tai's underwater visibility can reach up to 4 meters. The waves are quite calm and there are no rip currents, and there are staff on duty, so it is quite safe. However, the diving experience was not what Tai expected.

The seabed of Hon Tai has many rocks, few coral reefs and mostly dead coral. Luckily, under the sunlight from above shining down on the seabed forming rays of light, he was able to admire schools of small fish swimming back and forth.

Compared to the diving spots he had been to such as Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Phu Quy, Tai felt that the seascape was not as beautiful. But for a small beach like Hon Tai, without much investment in tourism, a trip of a few hours like that made him satisfied.

Tourists can spend more time on Hon Tai Island, strolling on the cliffs, soaking in the cool, clear lake, and enjoying a beach party under a makeshift shelter at the beach. However, overnight camping is not possible in this area because the water rises during high tide, and the beach is far from shore, making it unsafe, Chau Tin added.

Tourists can camp at inshore beaches such as Thung Beach (pictured) and Chuoi Beach. "At night, the sky is full of stars, and the sunrise from the sea is also a feast for the eyes," Tai shared.

Accommodation and tourist services are concentrated in Vinh Hy. Visitors should book rooms before arriving because this place is often crowded on weekends and holidays.

"If you are looking for a clean, pristine beach with blue water like the one in the open sea but don't want to spend a lot of time traveling because you're afraid of getting seasick, Hon Tai is a destination not to be missed," Tai said.