Ninh Thuan Travel Guide

Ninh Thuan is located in the South Central region of Vietnam. Its provincial capital is Phan Rang - Thap Cham city, 340km from Ho Chi Minh City. It borders Khanh Hoa to the north and Binh Thuan to the south. Ninh Thuan is home to Nui Chua Mountain, which has recently been recognized by UNESCO as a new World Biosphere Reserve.

Vinh Hy Bay - Ninh Thuan. Photo: Nguyen Van Quang

What is the best time of year in Ninh Thuan?

Ninh Thuan is often called the "land of sunshine and wind" because of its dry, hot climate with little rainfall. The rainy season usually lasts only about two months, from September to November, while the rest of the year is dry and arid, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius.

Move

There are many ways to get to Ninh Thuan. If you travel by train, you can get off at Thap Cham station. If you travel by plane, the nearest airport is Cam Ranh ( Khanh Hoa ), about 70km from Phan Rang - Thap Cham city. Other means of transportation such as cars or motorbikes can be easily accessed via National Highway 1 or the coastal road.

Accommodation

Ninh Thuan does not yet have as many hotel systems as more famous tourist destinations. Some 3-4 star hotels along Ninh Chu beach, such as Hoan My, Saigon - Ninh Chu, Aniise, Long Thuan, etc., cost from 1 to over 2 million VND per night. In the center of Phan Rang - Thap Cham city, most hotels are 2-star or budget guesthouses, with prices ranging from 300,000 VND to about 500,000 VND per night.

Amanoi Resort. Photo: Nguyen Thanh Tung

However, Ninh Thuan does have a 6-star luxury resort, Amanoi, located in Vinh Hy Bay, with room rates starting from 20 million VND per night. Alternatively, if you prefer to immerse yourself in nature, you can visit the Tanyoli resort and spend the night in Mongolian yurts.

Where to play

Nui Chua National Park , located in Ninh Hai and Thuan Bac districts, covers a total area of ​​nearly 30,000 hectares. The park is home to 330 species of terrestrial vertebrates, including 84 species of mammals, 163 species of birds, and 83 species of reptiles and amphibians. It also boasts over 1,500 species of vascular plants belonging to five different plant divisions, many of which are listed in national and international Red Books. The national park also has hundreds of coral species and a population of sea turtles. Ninh Thuan province is developing ecotourism in the Nui Chua area, with activities such as mountain climbing and camping, limited in number and requiring prior registration.

Vinh Hy Bay: Vinh Hy Bay is a must-see destination when visiting Ninh Thuan. It has recently been recognized as a National Scenic Landscape Monument by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In Vinh Hy, you can rent a motorbike and cruise along the Nuoc Ngọt road winding along the coast. Glass-bottom boats are also available for rent to explore the coral reefs. Hang Rai: Located about 35km from Phan Rang city, Hang Rai is part of Nui Chua National Park. Not only does it boast stunning caves formed by overlapping mountains acting as a natural barrier against waves, but it is also home to otters, the origin of its name. It also has the most beautiful coral reef in the region, stretching for kilometers, with many species and colors creating a vibrant tapestry. Hang Rai is a favorite spot for photographers. The entrance fee to Hang Rai is 20,000 VND per person.

Sunrise at Hang Rai cave. Photo: Nguyen Van Hop

Coastal route

Phan Rang - Vinh Hy - Cam Ranh and Phan Rang - Binh Thuan are two coastal routes with beautiful natural scenery. From Phan Rang city, traveling along the coastal road north and south, visitors can enjoy the view of turquoise beaches, white salt fields, sheep pastures, vineyards, etc. Part of the newly recognized UNESCO Nui Chua Biosphere Reserve is also located along this route. Bau Truc Pottery Village , an ancient pottery village, is located 10 km south of Phan Rang - Thap Cham city center. It is considered a museum of the traditional pottery craft of the Cham people in Ninh Thuan province and is a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. At the village, visitors can try their hand at pottery making or buy pottery as souvenirs for 30,000 - 100,000 VND. Poklong Garai Tower and Cham Culture: Located on Trau Hill, the tower was built by the Cham people in the late 13th century to worship King Poklong Garai (1151-1205), a king who made significant contributions to the country's governance. Symbolizing Mount Meru in Hinduism, the tower complex boasts a sturdy architecture despite enduring many historical upheavals in the ancient Panduranga region. Visiting the towers in the 7th month of the Cham calendar, tourists can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Kate festival with its many rituals, traditional Cham dances, and music.

Photo: Bao Nghi

The Stone Park , located within the Nui Chua National Park complex, is situated in Thai An village, Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district, about 30km east of Phan Rang city. The entire park covers an area of ​​2 hectares and was discovered around 2014, retaining its pristine, untouched natural beauty. The park is located near the coast, amidst a low-lying thorny forest. There is a forest ranger station here, so advance registration is required for visits. Ninh Thuan province , with its year-round hot weather, is ideally suited for growing grapes and apples. Besides the two main grape varieties, red and green, the people of Ninh Thuan also cultivate black grapes for winemaking. Along the Ninh Thuan - Nha Trang route, tourists will see vast vineyards and apple orchards. They can combine their trip with a stop to visit An Thai and Ba Moi vineyards, take photos, pick grapes, and purchase grape products.

Thai An Vineyard. Photo: Huy Khang

Nam Cuong Sand Dunes : Located about 8km southeast of Phan Rang - Thap Cham city center, spanning nearly 700 hectares, the Nam Cuong sand dunes are likened to a mini-desert. The area remains largely unspoiled, nestled in the quietude of the sky and earth. Here, visitors can choose to dress up as Cham girls for beautiful photos. Mui Dinh ( Dinh Cape): Due to its remote location and difficult access, Mui Dinh has only become known in recent years, so its scenery remains pristine. Mui Dinh features a lighthouse built in 1904, an ideal spot to watch the sunrise and sunset over the sea. Reaching the top of the lighthouse will allow you to admire the majestic natural landscape. On the way to Mui Dinh, you will pass the unspoiled Ca Na beach and can check in with the unique stacked rocks.

What to eat

Banh Can

A specialty of Ninh Thuan, banh can is made from rice flour with toppings including eggs, meat, shrimp, and fresh squid. Depending on the diner's preference, the banh can is taken out when just cooked and placed in a bowl with finely chopped scallions. In Ninh Thuan, diners can enjoy banh can with a bowl of light fish sauce (made from fish, onions, and pickles) or fermented fish paste, a different way of eating it in Da Lat.

Lamb

Sheep are one of the most widely raised animals in Ninh Thuan. Their diet consists of natural grasses and plants. Ninh Thuan lamb meat is tender, sweet, and delicious. There are many diverse lamb dishes you can enjoy, such as grilled, fried, and steamed lamb.

Fish cake noodle soup

In Ninh Thuan, enjoying a bowl of fish cake noodle soup in the morning is perfect. You'll experience the natural sweetness of the clear broth, made from the bones of various types of sea fish. The fish cakes are soft, chewy, and flavorful, stimulating your taste buds.

Phan Rang Chicken Rice

Phan Rang chicken rice is one of the most popular dishes among locals and tourists. The special thing about this dish is that it's cooked with fragrant, sticky rice mixed with a little turmeric powder for color. The chicken meat is firm and naturally sweet because the chickens are free-range. Before cooking, the rice is washed clean and marinated with crushed ginger and garlic to create a fragrant aroma. The special dipping sauce is made with crushed chili and garlic or with dry roasted chili salt.

Seafood

Ninh Thuan boasts beautiful beaches and delicious seafood that rivals any other region in the country. You can find a wide variety of snails, squid, shrimp, crab, sea urchins, and more, all at relatively affordable prices. Fresh seafood is best steamed or grilled; adding a little scallion oil makes it even more delicious. It's best not to add too many extra ingredients, as this will detract from the fresh and unique flavors of each type of seafood.

Mai fish salad

Wet-marinated scad fish salad in Ninh Thuan. Photo: Tam Anh

Anchovies are a type of small, translucent fish, about the size of an index finger, similar to sardines but less fishy, ​​making them suitable for salads. There are two types of anchovy salad: dry and wet. For dry salad, you squeeze some lemon juice over the fish to cook it, mix it with herbs and roasted peanuts, and scoop it up with grilled rice paper. For wet salad, you soak the fish in a special dipping sauce made with peanuts and spices, then wrap it in rice paper and eat it with various vegetables.

Highlights

- Rent a boat to explore Vinh Hy Bay, with glass-bottom boats available, or go snorkeling to see coral reefs. - Trekking and camping on Mount Chua for 2 days and 1 night. - Taking photos at Rai Cave, the rock park, the wind farm, the coastal road... - Visiting vineyards, sheep farms, Poklong Garai Tower, salt fields, green moss fields... - Camping at Binh Tien Beach.

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