Vinh Hy Bay is beautiful like a dream in the sunshine and wind of Ninh Thuan

Vinh Hy Bay is a tranquil stretch of blue sea nestled quietly along the sun-drenched coast of Ninh Thuan. Not as bustling as Nha Trang, nor as familiar as Vung Tau, the name Vinh Hy echoes like a whisper from the ocean, gently brushing the minds of those yearning for a peaceful escape into untouched nature, where the hands of mass tourism have yet to reach. Just one glance, and it lingers. Just one visit, and a silent promise is made.

Located about 40 kilometers northeast of Phan Rang, Vinh Hy is embraced on three sides by wild forests and mountains, while the other side opens out to a sea as clear as the gaze of early summer. From above, the bay resembles a giant basin, cradling small boats drifting silently on jade-green waters. The sea here is not only clear but also calm, so calm that the seabed is visible, with sunlight piercing through each wave layer, illuminating coral reefs tinged with magical hues.

Tucked away in what seems like a hidden corner of the map is a place that stirs deep emotions, Hang Rai. Visit at dawn, when the sun hesitantly peeks over the mountain ridges, and golden light paints the stacked rock layers like strata of time. That place transforms into another world. The rock surface, worn smooth by the waves, forms soft grooves like flowing hair. Seawater weaves through every narrow crevice, and foamy surf splashes like silk skirts brushing marble stone. Some say that standing before Hang Rai is to stand before nature in its purest and most original form. Each wave is not a roar but the gentle breath of the ocean, whispering stories long asleep in the deep.

No one truly knows when Vinh Hy came to be. According to local fishermen, there is a story passed down through generations about a young man named Hy, who lived by fishing in this peaceful bay. One moonlit night, as the sea sang its lullaby, he met a girl with flowing hair and eyes that shimmered like water, believed to be a mermaid. They fell in love, but could not stay together. Legends do not need logic, only beauty enough to be remembered. So that, when drifting alone in the vast sea, one might feel as if they too are touched by magic-light and glimmering.

Few know that Vinh Hy is one of the four most beautiful bays in Vietnam, alongside Ha Long, Lang Co, and Nha Trang. But its greatest difference is that it has preserved a rare, wild beauty. Its seclusion and the natural embrace of mountains and sea have kept it untouched by the concrete rush. Imagine a late summer afternoon, sitting on a humble basket boat, circling rocky shores, watching seabirds glide across the amber sky, catching the scent of salty waves mingled with forest breeze. That is not just travel, it is a slow-living ritual in a hurried age.

For the adventurous, diving to see the coral reefs is a must. Vinh Hy hosts an incredibly diverse marine ecosystem, with over 300 species of coral, something few expect from the arid, sunny lands of Ninh Thuan. Just dip your face into the water and a vivid world opens like a dream come true. Coral in mushroom shapes, fan shapes, branching like trees, all dance in silent rhythm beneath the crystal surface, where schools of vibrant fish swim like living patterns embroidered onto the ocean's silk.

Each season, Vinh Hy wears a different robe. But the best time to visit is from May to August, when the skies are deep blue, the sunlight pours like golden honey, and the sea reflects the mountains like a giant mirror. It is a season of serenity and brightness, even the breeze seems tender.

The journey to Vinh Hy is filled with shifting emotions. One can fly to Cam Ranh, then follow the stunning coastal road between Nha Trang and Ninh Thuan, where towering mountains rise on one side and endless ocean stretches on the other. As you wind through cliff-hugging bends, it feels like floating among the clouds, while below, waves endlessly tell a nameless love story.

The cuisine here is not fancy, but it wins hearts with its freshness and simplicity. Squid grilled straight from the net sizzles with the scent of charcoal. Shellfish, oysters, and crabs taste naturally sweet like sun-drenched salt. A unique experience is dining on floating fish farms, where the gentle waves surround you and small fish leap like falling stars. “To have a meal in the heart of the sea, with waves as background music and sunset pouring into your glass like heavenly wine”, even a few seconds in that moment can turn all worries to mist.

Still, for a complete journey, a bit of gentle preparation is needed like getting ready for a date with nature. Even on sunny days, bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and easy-walking shoes, because the paths to the most beautiful spots are not meant for haste. Set out early to catch the moment the sun rises from the sea, glowing like young silk. And if possible, stay one night to hear the wind sing under moonlight, as the bay rests under a silvery, dreamlike glow.

A little-known wonder is the discovery of ancient stone moss that appears only during the rainy season, for about two weeks. It blankets the rocks in lush green, making Hang Rai seem otherworldly like a strange new planet. For this reason, the site has become a pilgrimage spot for photographers across the country every October.

Perhaps what defines Vinh Hy is not grandeur, but simplicity. A beauty that needs no show, no polish, just its presence is enough to leave one speechless. “Among countless beautiful beaches, there is one place that makes you not only want to visit, but to stay.” No one knows who wrote this line, but it might have been meant just for Vinh Hy.

And if one day you feel worn down by the smoky city, remember there is a bay lying quietly among Ninh Thuan’s mountains and forests, waiting for your return. There, the wind will call your memories by name, and the waves will soothe your soul. And when the sunset slowly touches the water’s surface, you will understand some places need no promises to make us want to come back.