hanging on the wall behind her and
visible through the open front door.
Where to stay
One is spoilt for choice in terms
of accommodation in most Asian
beach retreats these days, but often
the competing hosts inadvertently
spoil their stomping ground to some
degree. Vinh Hy Bay is a babe in arms
in comparison, currently offering
only two options – the budget Vinh
Hy Resort, which has yet to develop
its website, and Amanoi. There are
more hotels in Phan Rang, the capital
of Ninh Thuan province located a
40km/60-minute drive south of Vinh
Hy Bay, outside the boundaries of Nui
Chua National Park.
Amanoi would certainly be first
choice if your budget can stretch to
it. Aptly named after the Sanskrit-
derived word for “peace” and
noi
meaning “place”, the resort offers
a central pavilion (housing the
restaurant, bar and library) and a
breathtaking cliff-top pool overlooking
the bay from the property’s highest
point. Thirty-one guest pavilions
(16 with private pools and all with
impressive views) are situated along
a ridge or next to a lake covered in
lotus blossoms, and five Aman villas
(ideal for families) dot the property.
The lakeside Aman Spa offers a
Pilates studio, gym, yoga pavilion
and hydrotherapy suites, while the
Beach Club backs a private beach
and provides another swimming pool.
The resort also features two tennis
courts and, more importantly for a
family travelling with small children,
a resident doctor who is available 24
hours a day.
What to do
Snorkelling the reefs of the marine
reserve fringing Vinh Hy Bay and
the East Sea leave you humbled by
nature’s creativity. For scuba divers,
the National Park at present offers
two options: dives with shore entries
and two- or four-hour dive trips by
boat. Dive sites abound in the area,
and an independent PADI-certified
dive operation is soon to set up shop.
Fishing is the main industry in Vinh
Hy Bay, and those keen to throw out
a line can easily arrange a spot on a
fishing boat with local fishermen.
Hiking is an attraction,
considering the National Park’s size
and beauty, but the sport is still in
its infancy. The National Park offers
two hikes guided by National Park
Rangers: The 5km route to Red Rock
(300m above sea level with stunning
views) goes via a Raglay ethnic village
and past Lo O Spring, while the
second trail takes in Rock Park, with
its striking rock formations, and Thit
Beach, where turtles lay their eggs in
season.
Cultural excursions in the vicinity
of Vinh Hy Bay take in several
historic Cham sites. Forming an
important ethnic group in Vietnam,
the Cham are the remnants of the
Kingdom of Champa, which ruled
the region between the seventh and
18th centuries. Noteworthy sites
include 13th-century Poklong Garai, a
collection of ancient towers; Bau Truc,
a traditional Cham pottery village;
and My Nghip, a Cham brocade
village.
A Vietnamese cooking class with
one of Amanoi’s chefs is a superb
way to engage with local culture, as
you learn how to make the dishes
that constitute this world-renowned
cuisine.
Banh xeo hai san
(rice pancakes
with seafood and bean sprouts) is a
popular dish in the province, and you
can’t go wrong with a traditional bowl
of
pho bo
(noodle soup with beef) with
handfuls of fresh herbs.
While Wikipedia and Trip
Advisor are still rather stumped when
you search “Vinh Hy Bay”, it won’t be
long before the birth announcement
is out. Don’t miss your chance to
get in before the crowds! And while
you’re there, why not toast this new
destination with your
ca phe sua da
(iced
Vietnamese coffee), and hope the area
retains every nuance of its current
natural beauty as it develops apace.
November 2013
95
