Nha Trang is an undoubtedly famous destination, but I often find myself craving more peaceful places, away from the crowds and the hustle and bustle. This is how I discovered Vinh Hy, a bay that piqued my curiosity like a hidden treasure, nestled between the sea and the forest.

► Guide to Vietnam's Must-See Beaches in 2025
 

Timo and Mr Linh having a discussion about Nui Chua National PArk - Mr Linh's Adventures

While I was considering Mr Linh's Adventures' annual team retreat, I finally chose this destination that a Finnish friend, Timo, had described to me as “a peaceful place with a forest, the sea, fresh fish, and welcoming people”. True to our belief in experiencing the destinations we offer to our travelers, this expedition was a perfect opportunity to venture off the beaten path!
So off we went, my son Long and I, heading for Nha Trang, that chic, trendy, and overcrowded seaside resort.

► Nha Trang travel guide
 

Whale Island Resort is the ideal destination for those who want to return to nature!Mr Linh's Adventures

Preferring calm and authenticity, we stopped at Whale Island Resort, a rustic resort on… an island, built by a French/Vietnamese couple (Michel and Lan Phương, a big thank you to both of you !). The lack of air conditioning and television was more than made up for by the simple luxury of a peaceful sky caressed by a gentle sea breeze.

Sharing the same passion for diving, the call of the sea quickly became irresistible for both father and son! We had two diving sessions. The first, during the day, allowed us to discover the richness of the seabed, and the second, at night, was a truly magical experience. Under the water, in the silence of the darkness, our heartbeats seemed louder than the sea itself.

Equipped with headlamps, we saw luminescent fish darting between rocks embroidered with corals, an unforgettable experience that transformed this familiar world into a universe populated with strange creatures and mysterious glows.

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Pure magic of the underwater world of Whale Island - Mr Linh's Adventures

Once the team from Hanoi arrived, we took the coastal road towards Vinh Hy.
I had heard about the beauty of the Khanh Hoa province, which is off the main tourist routes. But the splendor that unfolded along the coastline, between waves and rocky cliffs, exceeded all my expectations. Far from the congested highway, the journey offered panoramas that made you want to stop and simply contemplate the hypnotic landscape, where the deep blues of the ocean blended with the milky whites of the clouds and rocks. After winding around a few cliffs, Vinh Hy Bay suddenly appeared, like a bird's nest nestled in the arms of the mountain. The soft sky and light breeze instantly created a sense of tranquility and well-being, as if time itself had decided to take a break to savor the moment.
 

Awe along the coastal road to Vinh Hy - Mr Linh's Adventures

The next day, my son and I rented a motorbike to venture into the immensity of the Núi Chúa National Park.
The red dirt road, sand, rocks, and forest intertwined, creating a landscape that was both arid and vibrant. We stopped at Hang Rai, a strange rock field that looked like an extraterrestrial landscape. There were no crowds, no loudspeakers, and no one trying to sell you anything. Just the two of us and the sound of the wind on our helmets. An old woman who was selling drinks there told us that if there was fog, the place would look like a real fairy tale. That day there was none, but we had the pleasure of watching tiny crabs scurry at high speed between the rocks.

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Nui Chau Biosphere Reserve includes the National Park and the Marine Protected Area - Mr Linh's Adventures

As we would later learn from our guides, Nui Chua is one of Vietnam's 11 global biosphere reserves, featuring three distinct landscapes: forest, sea, and semi-desert. This creates a unique diversity of natural environments that transport visitors to another world.

Joining the group, we set off to explore a little more of this wild nature, hiking with forest rangers and villagers, some of whom were members of the Gia Rai people. The Gia Rai are a community mainly present in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. These Jarai, or Cho Ray, ethnic groups are known for their matriarchal system and are also famous for their rich traditions, such as their epic tales and musical instruments. Before the 11th century, the Jarai were commonly referred to as "Rang Day" in association with the Ede. Our guides were full of this kind of anecdotes, to our delight. We almost forgot the effort of the walk. The climb to the peak of Da Do (Red Rock) was not long, but under the sun and wind, it put the endurance of my colleagues, who were used to air-conditioned offices, to the test. At the summit (252m over sea-level), we savored our reward: the entire bay stretched out beneath our feet, the sea and the forest blending into a single vast canvas, in a silence barely broken by a wandering breeze sneaking through the trees.

► Learn more about the 54 Minorty Groups in Vietnam
 

Hang Rai offers some of the most astonishing seaviews in whole Vietnam !Mr Linh's Adventures

In the evening, dinner on the beach turned into a real celebration.
Villagers joined us, immediately making us feel like family, even though we had only met that morning. Around an improvised feast of fresh seafood caught that morning and a few beers, stories mixed with laughter. A fisherman shared legends of the Cham people about the sacred rocks near the cliffs. The warm simplicity of these moments, the sincere conversations, and the shared laughter spontaneously embodied the true essence of this trip. When one of my colleagues asked our host if he would like us to promote his village, he simply replied, "Having guests here is already enough".
 

Sharing a seafood BBQ on the beach - Mr Linh's Adventures

When leaving Vinh Hy, I did not feel nostalgic. Perhaps because I knew I would come back. This place is not for those who are in a hurry, but for those who want to take their time, breathe deeply, and savor the calm.

As we started on our way back, I made a wish that Vinh Hy would preserve its tranquil soul, because, as our host so perfectly put it: "Simply the sea, the forest, a few sincere stories, and evenings filled with laughter around the fire, that is enough for a memorable journey".
 

A happy team on the top of Red Rock ! Mr Linh's Adventures