Bich Dam Island: A pristine destination, cinematic scenery in the heart of Central Vietnam
WVR - In recent years, Bich Dam Island has become known to tourists for its cinematic, pristine, and peaceful scenery.
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| Bich Dam Island is peaceful and poetic, winning the hearts of tourists. |
The pristine island, with intermittent electricity, scarce shops, and homestays without air conditioning, has become the favorite destination for Nguyen Hong Nhat's family (Hanoi) during their 10-day, 9-night journey exploring Central Vietnam.
In early June, Mr. Nhat, his wife Phuong, and their two children (aged 11 and 8) drove from Hanoi through Central Vietnam, exploring various destinations in Quang Tri, Da Nang, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, and Khanh Hoa.
Throughout the trip, the family visited many beautiful beaches and famous routes. However, the place that left the most lasting impression on them was Bich Dam Island—a small island in the Hon Tre archipelago (Khanh Hoa), about 30 minutes by canoe from the mainland.
In recent years, Bich Dam has become known to tourists for its cinematic, pristine, and peaceful scenery. However, when it comes to Bich Dam tourism, many people are hesitant because the island still lacks many services, residents mainly use solar power, which is unstable, and clean freshwater is limited.
Nevertheless, with a love for exploring untouched, less crowded places, Bich Dam excited Mr. Nhat's family to experience it.
From the pier in Nha Trang, the family traveled by canoe to the island at a cost of about 120,000 VND per adult per trip. As soon as the canoe docked, the distant visitors were greeted by clear blue sea water, simple fishing village houses, and winding paths shaded by trees.
Mr. Nhat and his wife rented a homestay from a local resident on the island, without air conditioning, basic furniture but spacious, with a small yard where a hammock was hung for guests to rest at noon. From the house, just a few steps away, the Hanoi family could meet local residents, hear children playing, or chat with fishermen returning from the sea.
“The island is small, so we walked around and almost memorized all the paths in the village,” Mr. Nhat recounted.
During their two days on Bich Dam, the family had no specific itinerary, leisurely enjoying the local lifestyle. In the morning, the whole family went to the pier to swim, had breakfast at modest eateries. After that, they rented motorbikes to ride around the island. The place seemed to “lack the presence of mass tourism” and retained the slow pace of fishing village life.
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| Bai De with crystal-clear water. |
“The island is small, so we walked around and almost memorized all the paths in the village,” Mr. Nhat recounted.
During their two days on Bich Dam, the family had no specific itinerary, leisurely enjoying the local lifestyle. In the morning, the whole family went to the pier to swim, had breakfast at modest eateries. After that, they rented motorbikes to ride around the island. What Mr. Nhat liked most were the winding paths amidst nature.
“There are sections that cut through lush green trees, others that follow rugged mountain slopes but offer a direct view of the vast blue sea, and some are quite poetic with sprawling grass fields and leisurely grazing cattle. With each turn, it felt like opening a secret gift box, not knowing what scenery awaited ahead,” he shared.
The family visited Bai De, Bai Da Trung, Hon Lon Lighthouse... In the afternoon, they sat watching the sunset and enjoying the rare peaceful rhythm of life away from the city.
Mr. Nhat shared that on the island, power outages happen unexpectedly, often “like daily meals”. At night, the island’s lights usually go out early, leaving a quiet atmosphere. But it is precisely this that gives Bich Dam a sense of peace and nostalgia for visitors.
Every night, the island breeze is refreshingly cool. Even without air conditioning, the small family slept soundly to the steady hum of the fan and the gentle lapping of waves.
Not only is the scenery impressive, but what also touches Mr. Nhat’s family is the simple, genuine people on the island. Mr. Nhat still remembers a local asking him, “Wouldn't living on the mainland with all its conveniences be better? Why do you keep coming to the island for several days to endure hardships without electricity?”
Mr. Nhat just smiled and replied, “But here, there is a peaceful life that we can never have at home.”
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| Bich Dam is not a place to seek convenience but a place to find a sense of living close to nature, rediscovering the simplest, most peaceful life. |
The woman laughed, thinking the guest was joking. Just as the two were chatting animatedly, the island’s power suddenly went out. “That moment was both funny and made my wife and I feel more sympathy for the islanders. I hope they soon have grid electricity to ease their hardships,” he shared.
Mr. Nhat was also impressed by the sun-kissed, dark-skinned but well-behaved and carefree children on the island. Sometimes, the couple would just sit quietly in a corner, watching their children play with the local kids. The sound of the children’s laughter melted away all their worries.
The island’s cuisine also embodies the true spirit of a fishing village. Seafood such as crabs, squid, and sea urchins are caught daily by fishermen and simply prepared to retain their natural sweetness. Visitors can dine at small eateries or buy seafood and have it cooked at the homestay for a reasonable fee.
“Two days on the island felt like a round-trip ticket back to our childhood. Bich Dam is not a place to seek convenience but a place to find a sense of living close to nature, rediscovering the simplest, most peaceful life,” the Hanoi guest shared.
