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“Trekking to Mui Doi is seen as an opportunity to escape from a busy life and enjoy peaceful time amidst pristine nature and the sea.” That's why Nguyen Van Ngo (33 years old, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province), a freelance photographer passionate about travel and experiences, was determined to conquer the easternmost point on the mainland of Vietnam.
Trekking to Mũi Đôi is a popular destination for many young travelers. It's an exciting journey, traversing diverse terrains, offering adventure enthusiasts a thrilling experience and a sense of pushing their limits. Especially noteworthy is the feeling of touching the granite peak inscribed with the yellow lettering "Mũi Đôi - Hòn Đôi (Hòn Đầu), the easternmost point on the mainland, coordinates 12˚39'0" North latitude - 109˚28'0" East longitude" and watching the stunning sunrise at this first sunrise spot in Vietnam.
Nature has generously bestowed upon us picturesque natural landscapes and dreamy seascapes.
Footprints imprinted in the sand
Departing from Dam Mon in the morning, Mr. Ngo and his tour group began their trip by traversing a challenging road with sand dunes. In the scorching, dry summer heat, walking on the desert sand with no trees and not a single breeze was a significant test.
Despite having previously undertaken many challenging trekking trips across rugged terrain, Ngo still encountered difficulties on his journey. “Trekking nearly 5 km on desert sand under the scorching sun was a test of both physical and mental strength. The harsh conditions of the desert sand can be more exhausting than mountain climbing, but it also provided a memorable experience,” Ngo confided.
It took about three hours for the caravan to traverse the towering, continuous sand dunes, feeling exhausted from the burning sensation of the hot sand clinging to their feet. However, the experience was one of enjoying the pristine beauty of the desert with its white sand and vast blue sky. The challenging terrain and harsh climate are the memories Ngo cherishes most from his trip. Along the way, he always kept his camera with him to personally capture photos to preserve the memories.
A journey to conquer the scorching hot desert terrain.
After conquering the scorching hot desert terrain, the group continued their challenge by wading through streams, trekking through forests, and navigating narrow trails. As a nature lover and trail runner, this forest trail was all too familiar to the photographer. The sandy terrain, along with steep, rocky sections, demanded considerable effort. However, in return, Ngo felt overwhelmed by the breathtakingly beautiful and poetic natural scenery. Here, the mountains, forests, and sea blended together in a vibrant blue, helping the group forget all their fatigue.
After successfully completing the challenging 8km trek, a breathtaking natural landscape unfolds before your eyes: the idyllic, pristine beach of Bai Rang. It boasts crystal-clear turquoise waters and long stretches of fine white sand.
Immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters, enjoy the sea breeze, and lie stretched out on the long, soft white sand.
As dusk fell, the group began setting up camp for the night. Enjoying delicious fresh seafood by the campfire, immersing themselves in the fresh air, breathing in the breeze carrying the faint salty scent of the sea, and looking up at the dark sky full of twinkling stars… there was no smog or noisy traffic, just us and nature, all creating unforgettable memories.
Camping under a starry sky is an unforgettable experience.
Chasing the sun
To reach Mũi Đôi in time to catch the sunrise, Mr. Ngọ had to wake up at four o'clock and set off very early while it was still twilight. The challenge of catching the sunrise continued with the journey of conquering rocky paths. The distance from Bãi Rạng to Mũi Đôi is only a few hundred meters – not too far, but it still took a lot of time for this journey.
Ngo recounted: “After 30 minutes of climbing, jumping, and crawling, we finally reached the ‘top’ of the Easternmost Point. To get there, everyone needed to use a rope ladder over 2 meters high; it looked quite precarious, but everything was fine.”
Standing on the beach, watching the boats bobbing in the distance as the sun rises.
Greeting the new day with the warm morning sunlight casting a golden glow on every rock, the idyllic beach scene at the first sunrise spot in Vietnam becomes even more magical and captivating. Standing on the beach and watching the boats bobbing in the distance, everything unfolds into a picture of peaceful, simple life rarely found in the bustling, hectic city life.
Mui Doi is an attractive destination that every traveler dreams of conquering at least once in their lifetime.
Offering advice to young people also interested in exploring the easternmost point of Vietnam, the photographer added: “Mui Doi is a pristine area where access to amenities and services may be limited. When trekking and traveling to places like Mui Doi, you will have to adapt to simple and basic living conditions such as camping, no electricity, and very little clean water for personal needs. The campsite is quite windy and hot at night, so you should bring mosquito repellent and a personal mini-fan.”
