The call of Binh Lap

A view of Binh Lap Beach

I have no plan to travel to Binh Lap at first. Then, I see several young adults preparing for a motorbike journey. I simply decide to follow them to the breathtaking Binh Lap Beach, which is more than 90 kilometers from the seaside city of Nha Trang.

Reaching the milestone between Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan provinces on the south-central coast, we head for a newly-opened road to Vinh Hy Bay in Ninh Thuan and keep on going.

We pass through a blue sea channel with a stunning landscape which is worth my long trip. Traveling 10 more kilometers, we see a pass ahead with a sign reading “Binh Hung fishing village”. On its left is another pass which is smaller and leads to Binh Lap Beach.

“Take that path and you cannot miss Binh Lap,” said a local.

I say to myself, “Finally we are there.” Things are not that easy, though; we have to go up and down the path for dozens of kilometers. But the long ride pays off as we see a beautiful forest from which we can smell fresh leaves and go through several mountains before reaching a T-junction.

A sign there shows Ngoc Suong Beach and Binh Lap Beach on the right and Binh Lap fishing port on the left.

Binh Lap Beach is called Ngang Beach by local people. The beach is clean, the sand is white and the seawater is blue. Some of us choose an area near large rocks and small caves to set up tents, and grill food which they bring along.

Others choose to spend time at Ngoc Suong Beach, which is smaller than Binh Lap Beach. Paying VND50,000 (US$2.3) to enter the beach, they also pay for hiring tent, tarp, stove and motorbike parking.

The small path paved with cement and under the shades of cashew trees leads us to Binh Lap fishing village.

There, the mountains tower towards the sea and seawater is crystal clear. Local people are friendly and sociable.

At the end of the day, I feel no regret since Binh Lap is worth my time and energy.

SGT