Unlike the bustling tourist hotspots of Khanh Hoa, Ninh Van fishing village offers a pristine and tranquil charm, ideal for travelers seeking peace and a retreat from the urban chaos.

About 60 kilometers from downtown Nha Trang lies a modest fishing village known as a haven of serenity, marked by many “nos”: no supermarkets, no modern entertainment venues, no ATMs, and many shops that do not accept bank transfers.

This is Ninh Van fishing village, part of Ninh Hoa Town in Khanh Hoa Province, where nature beautifully blends mountains and sea.

Traveling from Nha Trang to Ninh Van takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the mode of transport. Arriving here feels like stepping into an entirely different world - calm, rustic, and a stark contrast to the vibrant, modern Nha Trang.

“In recent years, more travelers have turned to nature-based healing trips, which is why Ninh Van has gained more attention,” said Thieu Sang, a long-time tour guide in Khanh Hoa.

According to Sang, tourism in Ninh Van remains very authentic. He often takes visitors on bicycle tours around the village, harvesting peanuts, vegetables, garlic, and sugarcane with the locals, squid fishing at night, paddleboarding at sunset, snorkeling, and exploring the historical site of Hon Heo’s secret military port.

Ngoc Le, who lives in Ho Chi Minh City, once traveled nearly 200 kilometers from Da Lat to Ninh Van with her boyfriend and their pet dog.

Enduring a long, hot journey under the blazing sun, Le felt instantly refreshed upon arrival when the cheerful shopkeeper warmly greeted them and complimented their dog.

“The women of Ninh Van all have sun-kissed skin and wear faded shirts, shaped by the harsh coastal weather. But their bright smiles and lively greetings made me feel like I had come home,” Le recounted.

She described the village as consisting of simple tiled-roof houses, a few small convenience stores, juice and milk tea stalls, and eateries that operate by schedule - once sold out, they close for the day.

Elderly villagers sip tea or local wine, while women watch over grandchildren playing at the beach. “This scene touched me deeply... The long journey over mountain passes was absolutely worth it,” she added.

Le spent two days and one night in the small village, embracing the healing atmosphere.

Another delightful surprise was the incredibly cheap food, which made Le feel like a “tycoon” with just 100,000 VND (around $4). A glass of sweet herbal dessert cost 7,000 VND ($0.28), a plate of steamed rice cakes was 5,000 VND ($0.20), milk tea was 10,000 VND ($0.40), and a hearty bowl of fish noodle soup or thick rice noodles with seafood was only 25,000 VND ($1).

The road leading into the village is lined with flame trees in full bloom and vibrant golden bells. At the end of the road, the vast, untouched sea stretches out, its waters a crystal-clear turquoise surrounded by undulating mountain ranges.

Visitors can camp in the Hon Heo forest or along the beach.

“Ninh Van is very clean, and the locals are environmentally conscious. Trash bins are placed throughout the village and waste is collected daily. Every Thursday, I often see students taking part in clean-up activities as part of their extracurricular programs,” Sang shared.

A limitation of Ninh Van is the limited number of accommodations and dining services, which means it can currently only host small groups of fewer than 30 visitors.

Linh Trang