First published September 2016 | Words and photos by Vietnam Coracle
This post was last updated 8 years ago. Please check the comments section for possible updates, or read more on my Updates & Accuracy page.
INTRODUCTION | REVIEW | MAP | RELATED POSTS
Vinh Hy is a gorgeous natural harbour between Phan Rang and Nha Trang. Accessed via the spectacular Nui Chua Coast Road, the bay is a perfect crescent of blue water hemmed in by rocky cliffs covered in forest. A fishing fleet of blue wooden boats occupies the bay, around which clusters the tiny village of Vinh Hy. At the centre of this pretty coastal scene is the excellent-value, unpretentious Vinh Hy Resort. [You can check current rates, availability & make a reservation for Vinh Hy Resort HERE]
*Please support Vietnam Coracle: I never write a review for money: all my content is free & independent. You can support the work I do by searching & booking your hotels via the Agoda links & search boxes on my site, like the ones on this page. If you make a booking, I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Any money I make goes straight back into this site. Thank you.
Vinh Hy Resort is in a fabulous position, right in the middle of this bay: not bad for $15 a night
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REVIEW: VINH HY BAY RESORT
Address: Vinh Hy Village, Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province [MAP]
Price: $10-$20 | Phone: (+84) 68 3771 999
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MAP:
View in a LARGER MAP
Located on a thumb of land poking into the bay, with the river on one side and the harbour on the other, this small resort boasts sea views, clean rooms, two swimming pools, and excellent food. Rates average around $15 a night, which represents very good value for money, especially considering the other accommodation option in the area: the thousand-dollar-a-night Amanoi Resort.
The bayfront pool, cafe and restaurant is a great place to relax and enjoy the views across the bay
Vinh Hy Resort (the name is misleading; it feels more like a classic Vietnamese guesthouse) consists of a few dozen concrete bungalows arranged around a very large pool. Architecturally, it’s fairly basic and functional. But inside, the rooms are tidy, spacious, comfortable and well-furnished. TVs, mini-bars, bathrooms with bathtub, and all other basic comforts are a feature of all the rooms. Most rooms have windows facing onto the central pool, but some front the bay instead, which is much nicer.
Concrete bungalows at Vinh Hy Resort: functional from the outside but clean & comfortable on the inside
The bayfront restaurant, cafe and pool is a delightful place to be at dawn or dusk, when the light in the harbour is beautiful. Breakfast (not included in the room price) is simple but good, consisting of bread and eggs or noodle soup, and coffee. The dinner menu has a range of classic Vietnamese dishes, all of which are very good. Try the thịt kho tộ (caramelized pork stew), khổ qua xào trứng (bitter gourd fried with egg) and cá biển chiên (fried ocean fish) all served with plenty of steamed rice and local fish sauce.
Breakfast at Vinh Hy Resort: the dinner menu also offers lots of good, classic Vietnamese dishes
Although Vinh Hy Bay is bound to become a major draw for tourists, for the moment it only gets busy on weekends and public holidays. If you come during the week, you’re likely to have the resort and the bay mostly to yourself. The resort can easily arrange a ride on a glass-bottomed boat to view the coral in the bay, or a seafood dinner on a floating fish farm. Other attractions include strolling along the bayside at dusk, soaking up the atmosphere in the dusty but colourful morning market, and sampling the local wine, made from red grapes grown in the region.
Worth waking up for: Vinh Hy Bay at dawn, seen from the front door of my bungalow at the resort
The surrounding area, including Nui Chua National Park and the coast road, is incredibly scenic. It’s best explored by motorbike or, if you don’t have wheels, there are several good (but steep) walks in the hills behind the bay and into the forests to fresh water springs. I love this stretch of coastline and I often stop at Vinh Hy Resort for a day and a night while riding the Ninh Thuan Loop. This is a great example of budget accommodation in a fabulous position: long may it last. [You can check current rates, availability & make a reservation for Vinh Hy Resort HERE]
*Please support Vietnam Coracle: I never write a review for money: all my content is free & independent. You can support the work I do by searching & booking your hotels via the Agoda links & search boxes on my site, like the ones on this page. If you make a booking, I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Any money I make goes straight back into this site. Thank you.
Enjoying a morning coffee on the bayfront terrace at Vinh Hy Resort
Disclosure: I never receive payment for anything I write: my content is always free and independent. I’ve written this review because I want to: I like this hotel and I want my readers to know about it. For more details, see my Disclosure & Disclaimer statements here
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Hi Tom. I have gone to Vinh Hy Bay once time so I think your Vinh Hy’s blog is a great suggestion for the next time. I usually looking forward to your next blogs. Thank you and Good job Tom <3
Thank you, Bui Duc Anh.
I think Vinh Hy is a very beautiful area.
Tom
Hi Tom, we are thinking of going Vinh Hy in December. We ride mopeds in London. Is it safe to ride mopeds in Vinh Hy and the local national park? Is it possible to hire a car? Thank you, Tom
Hi Tom,
You can’t hire a car in Vietnam to self-drive – only if you hire a driver as well.
But riding around Vinh Hy by motorbike or scooter is very nice indeed. Check out the Nui Chua Coast Road, Cam Lap Promontory, and Dragon’s Graveyard Road – they’ll all in the area.
Tom
Hi Tom
We are travelling South to North as you know (we’ve spoken previously) – and we are travelling to the following destinations. What would you recommend is the best route?
Phan Rang
Vinh Hy
Cam Ranh
Dalat
Obviously Dalat is on it’s own in an entirely different direction, so would be good to know where you’d place it.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks
Chelsea
Hi Chelsea,
Follow the Nui Chua Coast Road from Phan Rang to Vinh Hy to Cam Ranh, then take either the Burnt Road or the River Road from Cam Ranh and join up with Route Ql 24 at Tam Son and take it all the way up to Dalat.
I hope this helps,
Tom
That’s really helpful. Thank you very much Tom!