Northern islands are like 'rough gems', cheap seafood, 10 minutes by boat from the mainland

Vinh Thuc Island, located in Vinh Thuc Commune, Quang Ninh Province (formerly Mong Cai City), has a total area of nearly 5,000 hectares and is 10-20 minutes away from the mainland by boat (depending on weather and means of transport). The travel time is fast, so visitors will not have to worry about "seasickness".

Vinh Thuc Island is considered a "rough gem" as it still retains its pristine beauty amidst the deep blue sea and sky, with fresh, peaceful air, completely different from the modern life and bustling trade of the old border city of Mong Cai.

On the island there are long, gently sloping beaches with very fine sand and clear, cool water, typically Dau Dong beach and Ben Hen beach.

The beauty of Vinh Thuc island. Video : Anh Do Sky

Dau Dong Beach is 5.5km long, with a long stretch of white, yellow, brown sand, softly curving, surrounded by lush green casuarina forests. In season, visitors can see patches of wild pineapple, cactus or sea morning glory blooming along the shore.

Imaginative people say the beach is shaped like a dragon's head. The clear blue water surrounded by casuarina forests resembles a dragon's mouth, the high mountain is the dragon's nose and the round white pebbles scattered at the foot of the mountain can be seen as dragon's teeth.

There are long beaches on the island. Photo: My hometown Mong Cai

A special destination that visitors cannot miss when coming to Vinh Thuc Island is the lighthouse relic built in 1962 - the first lighthouse among more than 90 lighthouses stretching along the S-shaped strip of land.

According to the Vinh Thuc Commune Electronic Information Portal, with a light center height of 84.5m, at night, Vinh Thuc lighthouse has a 360-degree lighting range with a light range of 21 nautical miles. This place has an ancient French architecture consisting of two separate blocks.

The road leading to the lighthouse is nearly 15km long. Visitors will pass through hills, ponds, peaceful houses, and then reach a slope with the sea on one side and a steep cliff on the other.

Vinh Thuc Lighthouse. Photo: Vinh Thuc Island Fanpage

Standing on the lighthouse, visitors will see the vast, green sea and sky, and the soft curves of Dau Dong beach. Photo: Thanh Tuyen

Coming to Vinh Thuc Island, visitors can also go fishing, squid fishing, and crab hunting with the islanders. Many diners say that the seafood on the island is quite diverse, fresh, and cheap, with no overcharging or haggling.

If departing from Hanoi , visitors can take a bus or drive a private car to Mong Cai. Travel time by private car is about 4 hours.

From here, visitors can book a package service including a pick-up car to Mui Ngoc wharf, a speedboat to Vinh Thuc island, and a shuttle bus to the island's guesthouse for 120,000 VND/person. The speedboats run on a fixed schedule, 2 trips in the morning and 2 trips in the afternoon.

Visitors can also go to Mui Ngoc to park their vehicles and then book a private or shared canoe to go to the island.

"Currently, the way to get to the island is very convenient. Summer, the sea is calm, the weather is beautiful, it is the ideal time to welcome tourists to Vinh Thuc. The islanders are simple and honest," shared Mr. Do, a son of the island.

In addition, visitors can join a tour connecting Cai Chien Island and Vinh Thuc Island. Both islands are peaceful, rustic, with fresh seafood at affordable prices.

"Vinh Thuc Island is larger but has fewer food and accommodation services, so many tourists choose to go to Cai Chien and take a canoe to explore Vinh Thuc during the day," said Ms. Thanh Tuyen, a person working in tourism services in Cai Chien - Vinh Thuc.

The cost for this connecting tour is from 500,000 VND/person, including transportation and local tour guide.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/dao-o-mien-bac-nhu-hon-ngoc-tho-hai-san-gia-re-cach-dat-lien-10-phut-di-tau-2421364.html