Where should we travel after the pandemic is over?

Van Hoi Lagoon (Phu Tho)

If you're looking for a peaceful, cool, and quiet place to relax on the weekend, a trip to Van Hoi Lagoon is a very worthwhile option. Formed nearly half a century ago as a result of the construction of an irrigation system, Van Hoi Lagoon is almost 10 km long, nearly 2 km wide in some places, and has a surface area of ​​410 hectares.

What makes Van Hoi Lagoon so valuable is the presence of 40 islands of varying sizes within its heart, all covered in lush vegetation year-round. The greenery also provides a habitat for many native and migratory bird species, which perch densely on the trees surrounding the islands. Large streams such as Van, Linh, Chanh, and Ha bring water from the surrounding primeval forests to Van Hoi Lagoon, ensuring the lagoon is full of water throughout the year. The large amount of plankton also contributes to the lagoon's abundance of fish.

The area surrounding Van Hoi Lagoon has historically been inhabited only by the Tay and Dao ethnic groups, resulting in a diverse and unique cultural heritage of these minority groups. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy ethnic cuisine and specialty dishes skillfully prepared from characteristic aquatic species such as fried fish, snakehead fish, and black carp.

Lang Van Beach (Da Nang, Quang Nam)

Da Nang is famous for attractions like Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountains, and My Khe Beach, but in another corner, it also hides a small, pristine valley with rich natural beauty – Van Village.

Van Village is a small village nestled at the foot of Hai Van Pass. Connected to Isabella Point, this village forms an arc embracing the legendary Hai Van Pass. Previously, the village was a refuge for a group of people suffering from leprosy; after leprosy became curable, the villagers reintegrated into the community, while Van Village continued to be home to a small, isolated community, separate from the rest of Da Nang city. Its quiet and tranquil atmosphere is a prominent characteristic.

Van Village is an interesting choice for those who want to immerse themselves in nature and explore the hidden corners of life. Camping overnight, catching shrimp and fish near the shore... are some of the fun experiences in this small village. The landscape combines the sea, natural mountains and forests, interspersed with the rumbling of North-South trains, all creating a dreamy and fascinating atmosphere.

Vinh Hy Bay (Ninh Thuan)

As part of Ninh Thuan province – a region with many breathtakingly beautiful places that still retain the pristine beauty of nature – Vinh Hy Bay offers a dreamlike, surreal landscape.

Vinh Hy Bay is surrounded on three sides by green mountains and large limestone rocks with many strange shapes, along with a long stretch of pristine white sand. In Vinh Hy Bay, there are many places as beautiful as paradise: Rai Cave, Ba Dien Beach, Tron Beach…

The cuisine in the bay is also a reason why tourists are drawn to this place. Hand-shaped snails, fragrant snails, lady's breast snails, fresh squid, live shrimp, sea urchins... are all famous delicacies at incredibly cheap prices. Tourists can enjoy seafood to their heart's content without having to worry too much about the cost.

Cu Lao Cau Island (Binh Thuan, Phan Thiet)

From the mainland, Cu Lao Cau resembles a battleship anchored at sea with its bow facing east. During World War II, Cu Lao Cau was a refuge for pirates who frequently plundered and sank passing Japanese ships.

Cu Lao Cau Island is home to many rare marine species, making it a great place for snorkeling and coral viewing. Additionally, it features the Yen Cave, where hundreds of swallows nest. Right next to the Yen Cave is the Ba Hon Cave, formed by three large, vertically standing rocks, a fascinating sight that everyone takes photos of. The Nam Hai Temple (dedicated to the Whale God, a place for fishermen to pray) hosts a festival on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month every year…

Cu Lao Cau Island is under the management of the border guards, so if you want to stay overnight, you must ask permission from the border guards on the island. However, there are no accommodation services on the island, so if you want to stay overnight, you need to bring a tent and sleeping bag, or you can ask to sleep at the border guard station.

Binh Lap Island (Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa)

Despite being located in the Tu Binh - Cam Ranh sea area, Binh Lap is little known to tourists because of its almost completely isolated location.

The weather in Binh Lap is quite pleasant. In spring and summer, the seawater is crystal clear, allowing you to see the seabed. Here, tourists can explore Binh Chau Beach, Ngang Beach, and other beaches with many shops and restaurants, or rent a boat to go to Con Beach and other pristine beaches around Binh Lap. Don't miss the small fishing villages near the Sao Bien Eco-tourism Area; these places are mostly inhabited by locals and... stray tourists.

Binh Lap doesn't have any local specialties, only fresh seafood caught from the sea such as shrimp, squid, and fish... In addition, there's a dish called "chicken by choice" - meaning customers are led to where the chickens are living, point to the one they like, and the restaurant will prepare it according to their request. Most restaurants in Binh Lap are concentrated on Binh Chau Beach and Ngang Beach, offering a wide variety of dishes, or you can choose a restaurant within a resort to enjoy the food.

Binh Lap is simply a small, secluded, and tranquil peninsula with gentle, honest fishermen and pristine beaches; there are no rows of resorts or expensive luxury services. Therefore, traveling to Binh Lap is not too expensive and offers you an almost completely unspoiled experience.

Diep Son Island (Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa)

Famous for its unique sea-side walkway, fine white sand beaches, and deep blue waters, Diep Son Island is gradually becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in Khanh Hoa province.

One of the must-do things when visiting Diep Son Island is exploring the unique sea-crossing path in Vietnam. When the boat stops near the middle island, you can disembark and begin your journey to conquer the nearly 700-meter-long path that stretches across three islands. The white sand path, about 1 meter wide, lies in the middle of the clear blue sea, leaving visitors feeling both overwhelmed and thrilled.

Besides immersing yourself in the turquoise waters of Diep Son Island, you can also go kayaking, explore the surrounding small islands, or experience the local life at the markets. If you arrive in the morning, you can visit the seafood market along the coast to enjoy noodle soup, bread, porridge, and seafood pancakes…

If you wish to stay overnight on the island, you can ask to stay with a local family (homestay) or bring a tent to camp on the beach, as accommodation services such as guesthouses and hotels are not yet developed here.

Lan Oanh