By Hoàng Linh

Việt Nam’s famous crystal clear blue waters draw millions of tourists, so finding a quiet beach in the middle of a hot summer is a tall order.

But there is no need to despair.

Welcome to Mũi Dinh (Dinh Headland) in Ninh Thuận Province where the rare pleasure of ocean-side solitude awaits you.

Backpackers “discovered” the headland just three years ago, and the difficult-to-reach beach remains pristine and unspoiled.

Getting there

Mũi Dinh lies in Phước Dinh Commune, Thuận Nam District, 30km away from Phan Rang City and about 300km northeast of HCM City.

To get there, board an air-conditioned sleeper train from Hà Nội to Tháp Chàm Station in Phan Rang City. The trip is long at 27 hours, but provides a great opportunity to see some beautiful countryside. From HCM City, the trip takes about seven hours by train.

From Phan Rang City, National Highway 1A winds its way for 15kms to Văn Lâm Village. Another 15km on the road takes you to Sơn Hải, and you can drive straight to a sand dune. Park your bike (tourists can hire a bike from a hotel on 16/4 Street) at the last milestone and walk 1km to the Mũi Dinh Lighthouse.

Cheap digs

Many hotels and guesthouses are located on 16/4 Street near Ninh Chữ beach, offering rooms for VNĐ200,000 to 250,000 ($9-12). Try bargaining to get the price down to VNĐ180,000. The standard room is relatively fine for the price. Receptionists can help you hire a bike for VNĐ150,000 a day, and tourists can take a taxi or an Uber to reach the hotel and hire a bike from the hotel.

In Mũi Dinh, catering services are not diverse. Most of the time, tourists ask local residents to provide food for them. Aunt Sáu is quite famous for her seafood and grilled spring rolls at favorable prices.

Mũi Dinh entertains

The Mũi Dinh sand dune is fabulously amazing. Strong winds blow constantly, creating different shapes and lines. Right at the foot of the sand hills are immense, untouched grass fields.

Mũi Dinh has two different beaches. The water is clear blue, the sand white. You can easily see fish swimming in the water. Even if you come here on a Friday, you are unlikely to see more than a few people. Here, there is only you, the wind, the sea and the sand. If you go in a small group, try camping on the beach and enjoying a quiet night on the water.

Not far from Mũi Dinh, the Chàm Temple Tower beckons to history buffs, a relic of Ninh Thuận’s typical style of Chăm art and architecture. Nearby, the Ba Mọi Grape Garden offers apples, grapes and grape syrup. Last but not least, An Hòa Sheep Farm, the largest in Ninh Thuận, provides a glimpse into the sheep herding nomadic lifestyle.

For those wanting a quiet beach getaway, or even a birthday party on the beach, Mũi Dinh is an ideal destination. It will be a trip to remember. — VNS