20km away from the borderline city of Mong Cai, the journey to Vinh Thuc navigates visitors through fishing villages screened to the sea by rows of eucalyptuses. Getting aboard at Mui Ngoc wharf, you can catch Vinh Thuc island in your sight just after 10 minutes. Visitors from here are spoiled for traffic choices, from electric cars and public buses to motorbikes for rent to explore this island.
Venturing further, visitors will be increasingly overwhelmed. The road meanders around rustic houses, or crosses verdant paddy fields or embraces lush forests and precipitous passes that seem to head for the abyss. The island comprises two communes of Vinh Trung and Vinh Thuc spanning around 5,000ha. Despite their modest number of destinations, the two communes are deeply striking for their unique beauty.
The two ends are capped by two wonderful beaches racing to infinity. Ben Hen beach (Vinh Trung commune) and Dau Dong beach (Vinh Thuc commune) stretches over 1km each, with glistening and fine gold sands and murmuring gentle waves. A beach resembles an arch fully wrapped in lush eucalyptuses, while the other is adjacent to a rapid of colourful rocks.
A notable landmark is Vinh Thuc lighthouse. Looked up from the sea, the lighthouse overhangs to the sky and looks both old grave and tranquil. It was one of the first offshore lighthouse in Viet Nam and constructed in 1962 with peculiar architecture. Climbing spiral staircases to the cylindrical lamp, visitors will be stupefied and equally proud of the panoramic view of the vast sky gracing the sea below.
And don’t forget to stop by peaceful fishing vilages where the locals are extremely hospitable, not to mention their signature local dialects. If time doesn’t matter, let’s join a tour with fishermen in fishing and catching snails or squids or simply staying adrift to marvel at the dawn or the sunset on the borders.
A new plus of Vinh Thuc is colourful murals on residential houses. Nearly 20 murals portray the landscape of the commune, seas, islands, fishing vessels, robust fish market on the shore or fishermen pulling nets… to add idyllic colors to the landscape, and cordial vitality to the ambience as a whole.
At the end of our journey to Vinh Thuc is definitely fresh and delectable newly caught seafood. The island is famous for its spider crabs, Mantis shrimps, shrimps, squids and a variety of snails… that keep you craving over and over.
Facts for visitors Vinh Thuc has adopted homestay and community tourist models to offer visitors catering and accommodation services. Visitors can easily look up for info and routes to Vinh Thuc at travel agencies in Mong Cai city downtown. Vinh Thuc island is suitable for intraday or short trips, which can be combined with visits to Tra Co beach, Sa Vi cape or Mong Cai International Border Gate. |
Truong Giang