Van Phong Bay is a wide, sheltered strait with many pristine bays and islands. Visiting Van Phong, tourists can immerse themselves in the vastness of the sea, discover famous local dishes, or unleash their energy with adventurous water sports. When traveling to Nha Trang  (formerly a city in Khanh Hoa province) and visiting Van Phong Bay, be sure to take note of these tips!

1. 3 reasons why you absolutely must visit Van Phong Bay, Nha Trang

It’s no coincidence that Van Phong Bay is a destination that travel enthusiasts recommend to each other as a “must-visit at least once in a lifetime.” Here are the reasons why you should visit Van Phong Bay to satisfy your travel passion this summer:

Van Phong – a place you “must visit at least once in your lifetime” (Photo: Collected)

• One of the most beautiful bays in Central Vietnam: Van Phong Bay is always associated with the title “one of the most beautiful bays in Central Vietnam”. You will be able to admire the picturesque, pristine, yet captivating natural scenery. 
• Discover the unique walking path in the middle of the sea: The most special feature of Van Phong is the one-of-a-kind path in Vietnam, approximately 1 meter wide and 700 meters long, where you can walk right in the middle of the sea at Diep Son Island – Van Phong Bay.
• The cost of travel is quite affordable: Compared to other luxurious tourist destinations, traveling to Van Phong Bay in Nha Trang is quite inexpensive. This is also an advantage, making it very suitable for travel enthusiasts who love to explore. 

2. Where is Van Phong Bay located? How do I get to Van Phong Bay?

Which province does Van Phong Bay belong to? How far is Van Phong Bay from Nha Trang? These are undoubtedly questions many tourists planning to visit and experience this place are asking.

• Location: Van Phong Bay is located in Khanh Hoa province, about 60km north of Nha Trang. To the north, Van Phong borders Vung Ro Bay in Phu Yen province, and to the south, it borders Nha Phu Bay and Nha Trang Bay. It is a relatively wide and sheltered strait, comprising 28 bays and surrounding small islands. 

The beauty of Van Phong Bay, Nha Trang (Photo: Collected)

• How to get to Van Phong Bay: Depending on your starting location, you can choose to travel to Nha Trang by bus, train, or plane. From Nha Trang to Van Phong Bay, simply follow National Highway 1A for about 60km to Van Gia village. From there, you will take a boat to reach the islands in the bay. The sea journey to Van Phong is about 30km, crossing Nha Phu Bay. With this mode of transportation, you will be able to admire the vast ocean scenery and breathe in the fresh sea air. 
• Best time to visit: As a large strait, Van Phong Bay enjoys a mild, pleasant climate year-round. The area is divided into two distinct seasons: the rainy season (from May to November) and the dry season (from December to April of the following year). The best time to visit Van Phong Bay is from December to the end of June of the following year . During this time, the sea is calm, the weather is quite beautiful, and the waves are not too strong. If you want to visit Van Phong Bay during other times, please check the weather forecast beforehand. On days with rough seas, it will be very difficult to find boats to go out to sea. 

3. The most beautiful islands in Van Phong Bay

Upon arriving at Van Phong Bay in Khanh Hoa, you will be surprised by its pristine and peaceful beauty.  There are many small islands surrounding it , each with its own unique characteristics, offering visitors plenty to explore.

Watching the sunrise at Mui Doi (Photo: Collected)

3.1. Mui Doi – An ideal spot to watch the sunrise on Van Phong Bay

Mui Doi, the easternmost point of Vietnam, is where the first rays of sunlight appear, making it an ideal destination for those who want to watch the sunrise. Witnessing this sacred and meaningful moment, visitors will be captivated by the beauty of nature. This area has many strangely shaped rock formations and towering, dry rocky slopes, perfect for those who want to explore. In 2005, Mui Doi was recognized as a national scenic site. At this tourist destination, you can participate in trekking, camping on the beach, watching the sunrise, or swimming in the sea – all are incredibly ideal. 

Mui Doi – A stunning spot to watch the sunrise (Photo: Collected)

3.2. Ong Island – The pearl island of Van Phong Bay

Hon Ong, also known as Whale Island, is uninhabited and completely isolated from the bustling surrounding area. It’s a small island, little known to tourists. Therefore, it retains its pristine natural beauty with crystal-clear waters and breathtaking scenery. The ideal time to visit Hon Ong is from February to August each year. Here, visitors can relax in the clear blue water, experience snorkeling to admire the coral reefs, and hike around Hon Ong Island… 

Hon Ong – a stunningly beautiful, unspoiled beach in Nha Trang (Photo: Collected)

3.3. Diep Son Island (Hon Bip)

No need to travel to distant South Korea; in Van Phong, you can witness a unique road in the middle of the sea. Starting from Van Gia, after a one-hour boat ride, you’ll see the beautiful Diep Son Island with its picturesque natural scenery. This is also a popular destination for tourists to visit, take photos, and explore. 

The sea-crossing road is a must-see check-in point when traveling to Nha Trang (Photo: Collected)

3.4. Hon Lon Island with its wild beauty

Similar to Hon Ong, Hon Lon boasts a wild beauty that captivates anyone who visits for the first time. This area is sheltered from the wind, making it a safe haven for boats during storms. Hon Lon features treacherous, sharp rock formations that can be a heart-stopping experience for adventurous young people. Some notable activities on Hon Lon that you can enjoy with friends include: swimming, snorkeling to admire coral reefs, challenging yourself with rock climbing, and taking photos with the stunning, pristine seascape. 

Hon Lon beach is still very pristine, almost untouched by human activity (Photo: Collected)

3.5. Dam Mon Peninsula and its beautiful natural scenery

Dam Mon consists of 20 islands of varying sizes nestled together in an arc shape, surrounded by Hon Gom and Hon Lon. Here, the seawater is always crystal clear and refreshing. The area possesses many ideal conditions for developing into an ecotourism destination, including mountains, forests, coastline, environment, climate, scenery, and abundant seafood resources. With its beautiful natural landscape, Dam Mon is also an attractive tourist destination, drawing a large number of visitors. 

The peaceful scenery at Dam Mon (Photo: Collected)

3.6. Son Dung Village – a peaceful coastal fishing village

If you’ve visited Van Phong Bay, you should definitely visit Son Dung village – a coastal fishing village with only 11 households of the Ha Dang ethnic minority. Son Dung attracts tourists with its picturesque scenery and rare solitude and tranquility. The seawater is crystal clear, allowing you to see the bottom. Remarkably, when you dig in the sand about 1 meter from the saltwater boundary, a stream of freshwater slowly flows out. To this day, no one has been able to explain this fascinating phenomenon. 

The picturesque Son Dung fishing village is as beautiful as a painting (Image source: Collected).

4.  Exciting activities in Van Phong Bay

4.1. Snorkeling and coral viewing in Van Phong Bay

Van Phong Bay in Nha Trang boasts many unique islands and rich marine vegetation. It features numerous beautiful rocky cliffs and coral reefs that captivate visitors. A visit to Van Phong would be incomplete without participating in outdoor activities. Among them, snorkeling and coral viewing at Dam Mon and Bai Tay in Van Phong Bay is always a favorite among tourists. 

Snorkeling to admire the coral reefs at Dam Mon is a fascinating experience (Photo: Collected)

Dam Mon boasts a diverse array of corals in various colors and sizes. The crystal-clear water allows you to see the seabed; just a few steps away, you’ll find small coral reefs. Diving deeper or swimming further out, visitors can admire the rich marine life with large, colorful coral formations. Schools of blue and red fish swim around, a truly delightful sight. Starfish rest peacefully. Everything is pristine and untouched, as if untouched by human presence. 

4.2. Surfing, waterskiing

For those seeking thrills, surfing and paddleboarding shouldn’t be missed. With its long coastline, Van Phong Bay offers many ideal water sports opportunities. Not only does it improve your health, but it also allows visitors to satisfy their passion for adventure. 

Experience the thrill of water sports (Photo: Collected)

4.3. Kayaking – a fun activity when traveling to Van Phong Bay

One of the must-do activities when visiting Van Phong is kayaking to admire the scenery. You’ll get to move around in cute little kayaks, floating on the vast waters, exploring the majestic beauty of nature. 

Kayaking is a fun activity chosen by many people (Photo: Khanh Hoa Newspaper)

4.4. Camping on the beach

A fantastic activity for romantics or large groups is camping on the beach. You can listen to the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore at night and enjoy a lively campfire. The best part is you can witness the sunrise over one of Vietnam’s most beautiful bays.

Overnight camping by the sea is suitable for travel groups with friends (Photo: Collected)

However, don’t forget to prepare essential items such as sleeping bags, camping tents, and food… We are confident that you will have a meaningful and enjoyable trip to Van Phong Bay. 

4.5. Play Sky-Board

Sky-boarding is not for the faint of heart. You’ll be gliding across the sea, riding through big waves. This is also a sport well worth trying when visiting Nha Trang and Van Phong Bay. 

Sky-Board is very popular with tourists (Photo: Collected)

4.6. Swimming in the sea

One of the most attractive features of Van Phong Bay is its long stretches of fine sand beaches with crystal-clear water. Therefore, swimming is always a popular activity. Visitors can float in the clear blue water, feeling the rhythmic beat of the waves. Some famous beaches, chosen by many tourists, include Tay Beach and Me Beach…

Van Phong has many beautiful beaches that attract tourists (Photo: Collected)