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Bau Trang boasts crystal-clear, cool, blue waters amidst the scorching sun.
Bau Cat – also meaning "sand lake" (bau means lake in the local dialect) – is located in Hoa Thang district, Binh Thuan province. To get to Bau Cat, you should choose the route passing through the Mui Ne – Hon Rom tourist area if coming from Phan Thiet. If coming from Phan Rang, at the Luong Tay intersection, turn onto road 716, and continue for about 20 kilometers through red earth hills. When you see the color of the soil gradually lighten and then turn into sparkling white sand, you have arrived at Bau Cat, where you can see Hoa Thang beach in the distance, behind a long sandbar.
Bau Cat is quiet and pristine, surrounded only by white sand. Vast stretches of sand dunes extend endlessly, their waves undulating in a hazy mist as winds from the sea carry dust that clings to the silvery white hills. Everything is dry and cracked, seemingly incapable of growth or survival in this harsh land. Yet, amidst this vast, arid expanse of white sand, Bau Cat stands out, crystal clear and refreshingly green.
Initially, locals built a road across the lake for transportation. Later, the road was gradually filled with sand and wind, forming a large sandbar that divided Bau Cat into two smaller lakes: Bau Trang (White Lake) and Bau Sen. During the lotus blooming season in June, Bau Sen transforms the entire lake into a romantic pink hue. While Bau Sen is once a massive lake, its lush greenery provides a refreshing escape from the heat and stuffiness, while Bau Trang remains a silvery white year-round, true to its name. A short distance past Bau Trang, wind turbines rotate, catching the sea breeze.
Bau Sen is imbued with a romantic atmosphere during the summer days of June.
In the afternoon at Bau Cat, herds of cows, goats, and sheep walk across the desert, kicking up clouds of white sand under the setting sun, creating a vivid and impressive scene. The most beautiful time of day is sunset, when the sun sinks behind the white sand dunes. In the twilight, the sun-kissed grains of sand glisten with a reddish-silver hue. In the distance, the silhouettes of ships blend into the twilight. Visitors will be amazed by a shimmering lake in the desert, under the brilliant sun, with pink lotus blossoms peeking out from behind green leaves in a dreamy evening setting.
The scenery on Bau Cat is like a vibrant painting.
When visiting Bau Cat, don't hesitate to rent a boat, as exploring, strolling, swimming, and fishing on the lake will be a delightful experience. The cool, fresh water of Bau Trang year-round soothes the scorching heat of the vast sand dunes. Enjoying dishes made from fish caught in the lake will create unforgettable memories of exploring this unique lake in the desert.
