Tranquil Tra Co Beach
Around 10km away from Mong Cai city, Tra Co is the first beach seen on Viet Nam map, closest to the border and also the longest one (17km). Tra Co is still largely intact thanks to its pristine qualities observed through its flat and fine white sands along the tidal tracks. Just near the beach are undulating dunes around lush rows of casuarina screening salty breezes and the surprising primordial mangrove.
Just 6km off the center of Tra Co, Con Mang is the first place to embrace the sunrise, where visitors are dazzled with lustrous and dark grey rocks weathered over time by the sea, or just loosen up by fishing.
There is even on Tra Co beach a wharf of hundreds of sampan boats and coracles that speak volumes of the grueling life of local fishermen. Visitors can stroll to discover old and genuine fishing villages that embrace the shoreline of Tra Co beach, immerse themselves in the ordinary life of coastal inhabitants, savor fresh seafood bought aboard when fishermen reach the harbor, or steal a glance at Tra Co church (constructed in the 80s of the 19th century).
Untouched Vinh Thuc island
Once in Tra Co – Mong Cai, don’t miss out on a hotspot – Vinh Thuc and Vinh Trung islands in the south of Mong Cai city and just over ten kilometers off the shore. These islands are quite largely rudimentary without any modern tourist services, but these are what shape their captivating look, involving peaceful fishing villages and authentic and hospitable inhabitants…
Visitors can stop by Vinh Thuc lighthouse, the international lighthouse literally at the forefront of Viet Nam’s maritime territory (constructed in 1962 with a cylindrical body and lit with solar energy). From this eastern offshore island, one can extend his view up to Sa Vi cape, the first dot of brushstroke to paint the S shape on Viet Nam map.
Cultural and shopping delights
Maritime trips in Mong Cai aside, visitors can also take a stroll through various archeological sites and cultural and historical sites such as Xa Tac temple, Xuan Lan pagoda, Nam Tho pagoda, Van Ninh titular temple, Bau tillage titular temple… or Ka Long bridge – a symbol of Viet Nam – China diplomatic ties.
For long, Mong Cai is also famed as a shopping haven for every visitor because they can go shopping in 14 markets and big department stores or wander around the bazaar quarter. Mong Cai by night is a vainglorious realm with the pedestrians’ streets and recreational areas in the downtown. An integral feature of this borderline city is its quintessential cuisine, which combines and adopts in harmony Chinese cuisine and unique northeastern essences, including rice crepes of cù kỳ (a crab species), mixed porridge or grills served with purely Vietnamese sauce…
Vi Le