Not as bustling as Nha Trang nor as famous as Phan Thiet, Ninh Thuan welcomes visitors with its wild and somewhat harsh beauty. As the driest place in the country, this land of wind, sun, and blue sea offers captivating scenery. It is a haven for photographers in search of prize-winning shots. Ninh Thuan contains the rugged edges of nature, as fierce as the idiom, “Wind like whips, sun like ovens” that Phan Rang people use to jokingly describe their homeland.
These conditions formed the Nam Cuong Sand Dunes near the city, where the wind erases people’s footprints every night and draws winding grooves in the sand. The sand seems to burn under the sun. No plants besides thorny cacti can grow on the sand, but the dunes are an exciting setting for photographers. Bau Truc pottery village and My Nghiep weaving village are charming accents in this region, having preserved their traditional crafts for hundreds of years.
Leaving the craft villages, visitors to Vinh Hy Beach and Nui Chua National Park appreciate how wild this region remains. The sea is blue and clear, so you can see the fish swimming under your glass-bottomed boat. Unlike Nha Trang, where tourism is more developed, around Vinh Hy Bay, tours are limited to leisurely outings on small boats. Tourists can admire the rows of rocky mountains jutting into the sea and stop at a few floating fishing rafts to enjoy fresh seafood. Some tranquil spots along the coast are perfect for swimming and snorkeling, although there are no renowned diving companies operating here yet. Vinh Hy’s water is the colour of jade. The vast space captivates the soul, immersing nature-lovers in the sky and sea.
Cultural features are another highlight, with the most unique Cham tower in the Central region and special art performances. The Po Klong Garai Tower stands tall in the sunshine, showing its graceful beauty and impressing visitors with its artistic features and the craftmanship of folk artists. Attending a performance by a local art troupe performing ancient music and dances is a delightful experience. As the sun sets, it’s possible to catch romantic scenes of elderly musicians playing a Xaranai oboe and beating a Paranưng drum beneath the shadows of the tower in the twilight.
It would be remiss to overlook the vineyards, where visitors can admire the lush grapevines, try local grape-based beverages, and visit Rai Cave, a unique scenic spot with jagged rock ledges where photographers arrive in the dark of night to capture long-exposure shots of water flowing over the mossy green carpet in the dawn light.
