First published January 2017 | Words and photos by Vietnam Coracle

INTRODUCTION | GUIDE | MAP | RELATED POSTS

Filled by the calm, glistening waters of the East Sea, Cam Ranh Bay, just south of Nha Trang, is a splendid natural harbour surrounded by hills. From its southern shores, a finger of land points northwards into the bay: This is Cam Lap Promontory, one of those rare places that’s easily accessible yet undeveloped and utterly beautiful. It’s the kind of place you fall in love with, and one that, for the time being, really does deserve the overused epithet of ‘hidden gem’. Beaches don’t get much better than this in Vietnam, and yet, if  you visit on a weekday (avoiding weekends and national holidays), you will probably have the chalky, white-sand, boulder-studded beaches and mirror-flat, jade-blue sea all to yourself. This is my guide to one of my favourite corners of coastal Vietnam.

Cam Lap Promontory: a beautiful but undeveloped corner of coastal Vietnam

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GUIDE: CAM LAP PROMONTORY

Often dubbed ‘Vietnam’s Maldives’, Cam Lap Promontory is in the perfect stage of development: fairly easily accessible but far enough from the beaten track to ensure that few travellers make it here; a handful of good accommodation options but large-scale construction has yet to arrive; locals are welcoming and friendly to foreign travellers, not cynical and predatory as they can be in the more popular beach towns. Cam Lap Promontory makes a rewarding day trip from Nha Trang or Phan Rang, or as a destination in itself for those who like their sandy beaches less trodden. Weather in Cam Ranh Bay is pretty good year-round and it receives less rain than Nha Trang, just 70km to the north. My favourite time to visit is the height of the dry season, from January to April.

I’ve divided this guide into 4 sections: click an item below to read more about it:

CONTENTS:

• THE LOCATION

• ACCOMMODATION

• FOOD & DRINK

• TRANSPORTATION
  

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Easily accessible yet rarely visited by foreign travellers, Cam Lap Promontory has plenty of local charm

MAP:

Cam Lap Promontory, Cam Ranh Bay

View in a LARGER MAP

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THE LOCATION:

Almost equidistant from Nha Trang (75km to the north) and Phan Rang (65km to the south), Cam Lap Promontory is a rugged horn of land projecting into Cam Ranh Bay. Accessed via a steep, narrow, paved lane leading north from the spectacular Nui Chua Coast Road, the promontory is made up of giant boulder piles which rise from the calm, blue waters of the bay. Despite all this rock, the entire peninsular is cloaked in foliage: eucalyptus plantations occupy the high-ground, giving way to shady groves of cashew and mango trees on the low-ground. The trees and boulders continue right to the waters’ edge, where the waves have slowly eroded the rocks into fine white sand.

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Cam Lap is a rocky promontory covered in fruit plantations that continue up to the white-sand beaches

The eastern side of the promontory boasts a series of gently arcing bays with excellent white-sand beaches separated by giant boulders lying in the sand like unfinished sculptures; there’s even some decent coral just offshore. The western side is more rugged, characterized by a handful of sheltered coves which provide natural harbours for small fishing fleets and remote settlements. Although the sand is not as dazzling on this side of the promontory, the water is exceptionally calm and blue, and there are a couple of wonderfully secluded bays. There are places to stay and eat on both sides of the peninsular.

Boulders lie in the sand, eroded by the seawater, looking like unfinished sculptures

There’s only one road on the promontory, which splits into two branches: eastern and western. The former leads through fruit orchards, past white-sand beaches (generally referred to as Binh Lap Beach), and all the way to a small village near the tip of the promontory, known as Mũi Sộp. The western branch leads through a pleasantly sleepy fishing hamlet, called Binh Lap Village, from where the road climbs over to another remote hamlet in a sheltered cove. Exploring the fishing communities, fruit plantations and beaches on two wheels or on foot is a very rewarding way to spend a day or two. This is a peaceful, calm, friendly, warm and welcoming, and extremely pretty place to be. (Note that, although the water quality, beaches and general level of cleanliness and sanitation on Cam Lap Promontory is good, prepare yourself for the build-up of trash in the fishermen’s bays; a common sight all over Vietnam).

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Exploring the bays, coves and beaches on foot or on two wheels is very rewarding

Unsurprisingly, the main industry here is fishing, specifically squid and lobster. The squid fishermen go out into the bay in the evenings, returning early to mid-morning, when they can be found in the narrow back-streets of the fishing hamlets, eating snacks and drinking beer and rice wine before going to bed. At some of the accommodation options you may be able to arrange a night out on-board one of the squid fishing vessels. The lobsters are farmed in cages submerged in the seawater; you’ll see (and smell) the barnacled cages drying in the sun on the beaches. Most of the bays on Cam Lap Promontory are still working beaches: they haven’t been cleaned up for tourists, so you’ll see boats coming ashore with their catch, and woven coracles floating just offshore tending to their fishing nets. Needless to say, both the squid (mực) and lobster (tôm hùng) are fantastic here: look for them on the menus in the places to eat.

Several fishing hamlets occupy the small natural harbours, particularly on the west side of the promontory

Because Cam Ranh Bay is such a good natural harbour, it has a history of military importance: both the USA and the USSR had naval stations here in the 20th century, and today the Vietnamese navy control it tightly. This is one of the reasons given to me by local people when I ask why such a beautiful place has yet to see significant development (not that I’m complaining about it, of course). Although tourism has reached Cam Lap Promontory, it’s still in its infancy, and this is a big part of its appeal. Accommodation ranges from beach camping to cozy dormitories to plush villas on stilts above the bay. Personally, I find the scenery here intensely pretty, the seafood fresh and delicious, the fishing villages charming and laid-back, and the people warm and welcoming: I was smitten from my very first visit.

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I was smitten the first time I visited this area, and I’ve been coming back ever since

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ACCOMMODATION:

There are only a handful of places to stay on Cam Lap Promontory, but between them there’s enough variety to suit all budgets. (Note: all prices in all categories increase by around 30% on weekends and public holidays.)

• Budget
• Mid-range
• High-end
  

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Budget: 

Dao Hoa Vang; (50,000-500,000vnd); www.facebook.com/daohoavang; 090 991 7881; [MAP] The newest addition to the spattering of accommodation options on Cam Lap Promontory is great news for budget travellers. Dao Hoa Vang has excellent dorms for 120,000vnd per person. The comfortable bunk beds are arranged in a clean room with a decent shared bathroom, just a couple of minutes’ walk for the beach. There are also private bedrooms sleeping 2-5 people (500,000vnd) set in a shady garden. The beach belonging to Dao Hoa Vang has a few wood and canvas beach huts (500,000vnd) for couples. In addition to this, you can camp on the beach: 50,000vnd to pitch your own tent, or 200,000vnd to rent a tent. It’s all pretty good value and there’s an appealing young-Vietnamese-backpacker vibe to this place.

The clean and cosy dormitory at Dao Hoa Vang is great value for budget travellers

Ngoc Suong Yen Bay Resort (camping); (300,000-700,000vnd); www.ngocsuong.com.vn/yen-resort; (+84) 58 2222 892; [MAP] Although the rooms at this spectacularly located resort are upwards of $100, there’s a great deal for budget travellers if you camp here. Accessed via a dirt road from the eastern side of the promontory that leads over to the western side, the resort allows you to pitch your own tent on the beach for 300,000vnd (up to 3 people per tent) or rent a 2-person tent for 500,000vnd (or 700,000vnd if you want to include breakfast). You must also pay a 50,000vnd entrance fee. It may sound a bit dear for camping but, trust me, once you see the ‘campsite’ you’ll immediately change your mind. There’s lots of sandy space under coconut palms leading onto a glorious double beach where you can set up camp. Bathrooms aren’t great, but who cares. What’s more, if you visit on a weekday, you may have it all to yourself. Inquire at the resort reception for camping equipment and payment.

Camping in style: a night under the canvas at Ngoc Suong Yen Bay is memorable

Bai Tam Anh Tu; (50,000-150,000vnd) 0163 585 9541; [MAP] Further up the concrete lane, beyond Dao Hoa Vang and Binh Chau, there’s see a sign on the right for Bai Tam Anh Tu. A cashew and mango orchard on raised ground above a boulder-strewn beach bursting with tropical colour, camping here is very atmospheric indeed. In theory, you can pitch your own tent anywhere on the grounds (including under the thatched gazebos), or swing yourself to sleep in one of their hammocks, or lie out on the ground in a sleeping bag under a mosquito net (50,000-150,000vnd for any of the above). However, last time I visited, the friendly family in charge were a little unsure of their prices and policies for foreigners staying here. But, after a polite chat and sitting down for a drink with them, I would expect everything to work out fine.

Swing yourself to sleep in one of the hammocks at Bai Tam Anh Tu….if you’re allowed to

Bai Tam Hai Teo; (100,000vnd) 097 830 0884; [MAP] Signposted to the right, 8km after turning off the coast road, a dirt track leads through cashew trees to a gated garden: this is Hai Teo. Let yourself in and close the gate behind you. The family here allow camping on their beautiful, powdery beach for 100,000vnd with your own tent. They can provide food and drink if you ask in advance. (You can also pay 25,000vnd just to access the beach.)

Bai Tam Binh Chau; (100,000-700,000vnd) 090 5166 629; [MAP] Next door to Dao Hoa Vang, Binh Chau is a simple place with lush gardens and a glorious beachfront. There are a few clean rooms with air-con (400,000-700,000vnd) or you can pitch your own tent on the sand for 100,000vnd, or rent a tent for 200,000-300,000vnd for 2-4 people. If you’re camping, the showers are a bit rustic, and on weekends and public holidays the peace is occasionally disturbed by groups playing loud music. But most of the time it’s quiet, pristine and laid-back.

Binh Chau offers clean rooms and camping on its lovely patch of white-sand beach

Nha Nghi Kim Xuyen; (300,000vnd) 01663 027 982; [MAP] If you look hard, you’ll find this little, local guesthouse right at the end of the road, in the last fishing village on the promontory. It’s not especially clean or cheap so there’s not really any reason to stay here. There are a couple of other nhà nghỉ (local guesthouses) and nhà trọ (local inns) on the promontory, but again I don’t see why you’d choose to stay in them when you can either rent a tent for 200,000vnd at Binh Chau or a bunk bed for 120,000vnd at Dao Hoa Vang.

Wild Camping; (free) [MAP] Before reaching Binh Lap Village, the road passes over a hill covered in eucalyptus forests and cashew plantations. You’ll see dirt paths leading off the road and into the trees on both sides of the road. Several of these paths reach sandy clearings on high-ground with superb views over Cam Ranh Bay. If you have your own camping equipment, nothing quite compares to setting up camp under a tree and boiling a brew to watch the sunset over the bay. If you do camp, make sure you are as discreet as possible, and set an example for other travellers – both foreign and domestic – by not leaving your trash behind.

Wild camping in the eucalyptus & cashew forests with views over Cam Ranh Bay is wonderful

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Mid-Range: 

Sao Bien Cam Ranh; (500,000-1,000,0000vnd); www.saobiencamranh.com; 090 366 9363; [MAP] On the western side on the Promontory, take the road beyond Binh Lap Village following the signs for Sao Bien (also known as Starfish). Remote and hidden, this cluster of accommodation options is accessed by a very steep downhill pathway – something to bear in mind if you have small children or trouble walking up and down steep hills. The bay here is gorgeous; a bit like a smaller and more secluded version of the one at Ngoc Suong Yen Bay Resort. The sandy cove is bisected by large, smooth boulders from which steps have been cut and slides attached. The water is beautiful and calm; the swimming is excellent. Accommodation ranges from fan-cooled, hobbit-sized, wooden A-frame beach huts with shared bathrooms (500,000vnd for 1 or 2 people) to air-conditioned, white-washed brick bungalows and villas (800,000-1,000,000vnd). The beach-side gardens are beautifully landscaped and it’s all very cosy and nicely set up, but prices are just a little bit too high, in my opinion. However, the room rates include use of all the activities on site including, among other things, kayaking which is great fun in the calm bay.

Sao Bien has several accommodation options dotted around a beautiful bay

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High-End:

Ngoc Suong Yen Bay Resort; ($100-$150); www.ngocsuong.com.vn/yen-resort; (+84) 58 2222 892; [MAP] This is one of those places that leaves you open-mouthed the first time you see it. The location has to be among the loveliest of any beach resort in Vietnam and, considering this, the prices aren’t so bad (although the rooms could do with some maintenance and TLC). As you take the eastern branch of the road leading along Cam Lap Promontory, there’s a small sign on the left for Ngoc Suong Yen Bay. Pass the guard in the kiosk (paying the 50,000vnd entrance fee) and continue on the dirt road through cashew trees to the western side of the promontory. Here, you’ll lay eyes on a stunning double bay, divided by a chain of boulders sculpted into strange shapes by the sea. Yen Bay Resort is famous among Vietnamese travellers for it’s position and its seafood, but foreign travellers rarely make it here. There are only 8 rooms, most of which are standing on concrete stilts over the glistening, calm waters of Cam Ranh Bay or nestled among the boulders. It’s possible to jump into the sea from your balcony and the swimming is great. Rooms are nicely furnished but showing their age: indeed, much of this resort needs attention (the raised wooden-plank walkway between the villas is extremely rickety and pretty dangerous for children). But these ‘faults’ are part of what keeps prices relatively low, making Ngoc Suong Yen Bay the ‘poor man’s’ Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, or as I prefer to say, ‘it’s got character’.

Ngoc Suong Yen Bay Resort has 8 rooms on stilts over Cam Ranh Bay: it’s a stunning location

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FOOD & DRINK:

Although Cam Lap Promontory has relatively few places to eat and drink, the quality of the seafood is terrific and the location – think tables and chairs on white-sand beaches with waves lapping just a few feet away – makes up for the lack of variety on the menus. All of the accommodation options listed above either have a restaurant, cafe or bar, or at the very least can arrange food and drinks for their guests. (Remember that you can just have a drink at any of these places and then take a dip in the sea and relax in the deck chairs on their beach.) In addition to this there are several informal local eateries and street food vendors in the fishing hamlets.  

Ngoc Suong Yen Bay Resort; (starting from 100,000vnd per dish) [MAP] The company which owns this resort, Ngoc Suong, is famous for its seafood restaurants, most of which are in glamorous locations around Vietnam. The menu at Yen Bay Resort is not as extensive as other Ngoc Suong locations, but the seafood is fresh, beautifully presented, and delicious. Prices are pretty reasonable for standard dishes, but most of the fresh seafood is sold by the kilo, changing each day according to the catch. Beer, soft drinks and juices are a couple of dollars each (adding a few cocktails to the menu would be a good idea). Food and drink aside, this has to be one of the most beautifully situated restaurants in Vietnam: even if you’re not staying in the rooms or camping on the beach here, drop by for a drink just to gawp at the gorgeous location.

Food & Drink at Ngoc Suong Yen Bay Resort is good & the restaurant’s setting is fabulous

Binh Lap Village; [MAP] Take a stroll around the small and quiet streets of this fishing village and you’ll see a handful of quán ăn (local eateries) and bánh mì (baguette) stalls. In particular, look out for Quán Cây Xoài, Quán 3 Chị Em, and Quán Làng Biển Bình Lập, all of which are located just after the 3-way intersection before entering the village proper. Venture further into the narrow streets, towards the fishing harbour, and you’ll stumble upon a couple of street food vendors selling soups, baguettes and other snacks. I’ve had some lovely little meals in this village over the years. Try to visit during Vietnamese meal-times otherwise everything will be closed: 7-8am, 11am-12.30pm, and 5-6.30pm. The other fishing hamlets on Cam Lap Promontory also have local eateries, so it’s worth doing some exploring.

Explore Binh Lap village during meal times and you’ll find some great street food snacks

Binh Chau & Dao Hoa Vang; (starting from 100,000vnd per dish) [MAP] Both of these accommodations have attractive, informal restaurants on a good stretch of chalk-white beach. Fresh seafood – including lobster, shellfish, and fish – is available for around $5 upwards. In my experience, the quality at Binh Chau is hit and miss, but Dao Hoa Vang is better, although it’s hard to ignore the musty smell coming from the lobster cages drying on the beach.

Bãi Tắm Anh Tư; (starting from 50,000vnd per dish) [MAP] The friendly family at this beachside shack can cook you up simple noodle and rice dishes for a couple of dollars, or splash out on freshly caught lobster, squid and other seafood. It’s all cooked in the family kitchen next to the hammocks swinging under thatched huts by the beach. This is a no-frills seafood bonanza that would cost an arm and a leg in most Western countries.

Fresh lobster is on the menu in most places on Cam Lap Promontory because it’s farmed here

Sao Bien Resort; (starting from 100,000vnd per dish) [MAP] The beachfront restaurant and bar here are very good. From fresh and fancy seafood dishes to good old Vietnamese classics, the quality and variety is excellent. Prices are a little higher than you’d pay in Nha Trang for similar food, but just look at the bay you’re eating next to and you’ll soon come to terms with the extra few dollars. Pop music is sometimes played at an irritating volume from the bar – a common nuisance in Vietnam, especially in places like this, where surely nature is the only soundtrack you need.

Local Shops; [MAP] If you’re camping on the promontory then you can find supplies – such as instant noodles, snacks, bottled water, batteries – in the small local stores in Binh Lap Village.

View from the restaurant at Sao Bien which serves a good range of tasty Vietnamese classics

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TRANSPORTATION:

There is no direct transportation to Cam Lap Promontory, and this is partly what saves it from mass tourism. However, there are plenty of relatively easy ways to get here; you just have to make a little bit of effort (which is a little bit more effort than most people are willing). Cam Lap Promontory is almost equidistant from Nha Trang (75km to the north) and Phan Rang (65km to the south), or 470/370km from Saigon (via the Ocean Road/Highway 1). Like many places that I write about, Cam Lap Promontory is ideally visited as part of a motorbike road trip, but there are other ways to get here too depending on where you’re coming from. I’ve outlined all the options below:

• From Nha Trang
• From Phan Rang
• From Saigon
  

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From Nha Trang: 

Cam Lap makes a good day trip from the popular beach town of Nha Trang. You can either take a taxi (expensive but easy) or hire a motorbike and ride there yourself. It’s a 150km round trip, which is a fairly long ride for a day, but it’s a beautiful and exciting road trip. Take the clifftop ocean road (DT6571) south out of Nha Trang towards Cam Ranh Airport. Continue past the airport and turn right (due west) over a bridge until you join Highway 1 (QL1A). Turn left (due south) onto the highway and continue for 25km before turning left (due east) onto the Nui Chua Coast Road (DT702). Just after the road skirts the bay, turn left (due north) on a small, paved lane that leads up and over to Cam Lap Promontory. Journey time is around 90 minutes to 2 hours.

If you like your beaches ‘less trodden’, Cam Lap Promontory makes a great day trip from Nha Trang

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From Phan Rang: 

Although few people choose to stay in Phan Rang, it’s a great place with a good beach and lots of seaside accommodation. It’s also the gateway to the Nui Chua Coast Road (DT702), which winds east and north of Phan Rang around a spectacular headland, before dropping down into Vinh Hy Bay and continuing westwards to the turning for Cam Lap Promontory. This is a fabulous 90 minute (65km) ride in either a taxi or a rented motorbike from Phan Rang. Alternatively, you could take Highway 1 (QL1A) which ploughs west of the headland, and meets the Nui Chua Coast Road at its northern tip. From here, turn right onto the Nui Chua Coast Road and then left (due north) just after the road skirts the bay. Although this is the shorter route (45km), you’ll miss all the great coastal scenery.

From Phan Rang follow the spectacular Nui Chua Coast Road all the way to Cam Lap Promontory

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From Saigon: 

You can reach Cam Lap Promontory from Saigon by motorbike, bus, or train. By motorbike it’s a long but beautiful road trip on the Ocean Road (470km) or a shorter but horrible ride on Highway 1 (370km). Either way, it’s at least a 2-day ride, depending on your level of motorbiking experience and stamina. Alternatively, you can also take any of the regular buses that ply Highway 1 from Saigon to Nha Trang, and ask to be dropped off at Cam Ranh City. From here you’ll need to get a taxi or xe ôm (motorbike taxi) to take you the last 25km to Cam Lap Promontory. The other option is to take one of the several daily trains from Saigon to Nha Trang and get off at Thap Cham (Phan Rang) station. From here you’ll need to get a taxi, xe ôm, or rent your own motorbike to cover the last 50-60km to Cam Lap Promontory (as outlined in the ‘From Phan Rang’ section above).

Take the bus, train or motorbike from Saigon to Cam Lap Promontory: it’s always a worthwhile trip 

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• VUNG RO BAY

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