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Nguyen Quang Viet Huy (born 1991, Khanh Hoa province) is currently involved in e-commerce in Ho Chi Minh City. He has traveled to many countries and recently explored the Siargao Islands in the Philippines with his wife. The total cost per person, including airfare, for a 4-day, 3-night trip was just over 15 million VND, a very reasonable price for such a wonderful experience in the Philippines.
For beach lovers, surfing enthusiasts, scuba divers… or seafood enthusiasts, the Philippines is an absolute must-visit destination. According to Viet Huy, in terms of beauty, unspoiled nature, and excellent conservation, the Philippines consistently ranks number one.
Siargao Island was voted the most beautiful island in the world by many readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine in the US.
Surfing at Cloud9
The Philippines also offers visa-free entry to Vietnamese citizens. The locals speak good English, and the country's proximity to Vietnam makes it suitable for short trips. While the Philippines boasts many famous destinations like Boracay, Cebu, Coron, and El Nido, Siargao is relatively unknown to Asian travelers, despite its popularity among European and American travel groups.
Sharing with Travellive, Viet Huy said: “I was most impressed by Sugba Lagoon, which looks like a miniature Ha Long Bay from above. However, the special feature lies in the turquoise seawater lagoons interspersed among the islands, and the natural pathways connecting them to the white sand beaches. Here, each visitor is only allowed a maximum of 3 hours and is not allowed to bring food or drinks. Therefore, it's not too crowded, and it's extremely clean with not a single piece of trash.”
In addition, Siargao Island is a fantastic surfing paradise that you shouldn't miss when visiting the Philippines.
Catangnan Bridge, a beautiful spot to watch the sunset.
Siargao Island is located 800 km southeast of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, in Surigao del Norte province, and covers an area of 437 square kilometers.2Furthermore, this place was also voted the most beautiful island in the world by many readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine in the US.
According to Viet Huy, there are countless experiences to enjoy on Siargao Island, such as: bungee jumping at Sugba Lagoon; boating on the Maasin River, where the scenery along the riverbanks resembles a miniature Amazon rainforest; bungee jumping on the Massin River; riding a motorbike along the DaPa road, surrounded by coconut groves; swimming, snorkeling, and diving at Guyam, Daku, Naked, and Secret Beach; watching the sunset at Catangnan Bridge; learning to surf at Cloud9…
Sugaba Lagoon
Siargao travel experience
"Currently, Siargao Island is only famous among Western tourists and not yet has many Asian visitors. If you want to enjoy its pristine and peaceful beauty, you should go early, because when the island becomes famous, there will definitely be more tourists flocking here," Viet Huy emphasized.
Best time to visit Siargao:The best time to visit Siargao is from March to November. However, it's recommended to go between May and July to avoid peak surfing season; hotels are also cheaper and there are more options. Eating at restaurants is also easier, with fewer queues and reservations.
The boat carrying tourists on the island.
Traveling from Vietnam to Siargao:You need to fly to Manila and then take a connecting flight from Manila to Sayak Airport. Popular airlines include Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines. Getting around Siargao Island is easy and safe; you can rent a van, tuk-tuk, or motorbike. Motorbikes are quite affordable, costing around 350-400 pesos per day (approximately 150,000 VND), and are easy and safe to use on the island.
Places to have fun:Sugba Lagoon; 3-island tour: Guyam - Daku - Naked Island along with Secret Beach (underwater beach); Coconut forest along Maasin River; Cloud9 surfing area; Catangnan Bridge, a beautiful sunset viewing spot. In addition, there are several other famous locations such as: Alegria Beach (the most beautiful beach on the island), Sohoton Cove (jellyfish lagoon), Magpupungko Rock Pool (a secret pool revealed at low tide), Tayangban Cave, Hagukan Cave (glowing cave).
Hotel:Tourists should choose hotels in General Luna near Cloud9, as it offers plenty of entertainment options and convenient transportation. Rooms can be booked in advance through websites like Booking, Airbnb, and Agoda.
Eat and drink:Filipino food is quite easy to eat and similar to Vietnamese food. Seafood is fresh but not as diverse as in Vietnam, mainly fish.
The peaceful scenery in Siargao
Siargao covers an area of approximately 437 square kilometers, with a population of just over 200,000 people. The small population also contributes to preserving its pristine character, as many similar locations have lost their natural beauty due to the tourism boom.
“There’s a restaurant we absolutely love, so much so that we’ve eaten there three times. They especially love their mango and chili smoothie – it’s incredibly delicious when you’re thirsty after swimming at the beach. You can search the restaurant on Google as CEV: Ceviche & Kinilaw Shack,” Viet Huy said.
However, nowadays, restaurants in Siargao still overcharge tourists, so be sure to ask for prices beforehand. June is often rainy and gloomy at midday, so plan your sightseeing and photography trips for early mornings and afternoons, and rest or eat lunch during lunchtime. And remember to bring a raincoat, jacket, or waterproof backpack.
Kayaks are available for rent at 300 pesos per hour (approximately 130,000 VND).
