Bich Dam Island, Near Nha Trang, Vietnam: A New Hub for Sustainable Community Tourism

Bich Dam Island, located off the coast of Nha Trang city in Vietnam's central Khanh Hoa province, is emerging as a new destination for sustainable community tourism. The island, part of the Hon Tre archipelago and belonging to the Bich Dam settlement in Vinh Nguyen ward, is home to over 200 households, many of whom rely on fishing and freelance work. In March 2025, the Nha Trang City People's Committee approved the development of Bich Dam Island as a green and sustainable community tourism site. From central Nha Trang, visitors can reach Bich Dam Island via the Phu Quy public ferry terminal in Vinh Nguyen ward. The ferry ticket costs VND 45,000 per person. Only one trip departs for the island daily and returns the next morning, so visitors should arrive at the pier about 30 minutes in advance to avoid missing the boat. The wooden boat journey takes approximately 1.5 hours. Alternatively, private canoes offer a faster journey of about 30 minutes but at a significantly higher cost, about 10 times that of the wooden boat. On the island, tourists can rent motorbikes for VND 150,000-200,000, with options for self-driving or being chauffeured. Bich Dam Island currently lacks formal hotels or guesthouses. Residents are developing a community tourism model, offering homestays for around VND 100,000 per person per night. This allows visitors to experience the islanders' living spaces, meals, and daily rhythms. Key attractions include the communal village house (Dinh lang Bich Dam) with a 150-year-old, 21-meter-tall Bàng tree, recognized as a heritage tree in June 2024 by the Vietnam Association for Nature and Environmental Protection. Bai Trung (Egg Beach) is notable for its smooth, round rocks resembling eggs, offering a natural landscape ideal for sightseeing and photography. The Hon Lon Lighthouse, built around 1890 at an altitude of 102 meters, requires a 1.5 km hike through the mountains along a well-marked trail. The lighthouse building covers over 750 sq m, with a 16-meter-tall tower, and its light can be seen up to 26 nautical miles (47 km) away. The lighthouse station offers a resting area with sea views. Bich Son Pagoda is another serene spot on the island, where residents offer prayers for peace. Visitors can combine a visit to the pagoda with cycling around the island. For panoramic views of the fishing village, Nui Gieng Mon mountain is recommended. Cycling around the island is a pleasant way to explore its simple beauty, with houses nestled on hillsides and fishing boats anchored in the bay. While Bich Dam Island is suitable for swimming, it lacks long sandy beaches, primarily having rocky and pebbly shores. Local children often swim near the pier. The island does not have seafood markets or fishing villages like other tourist spots. Seafood can be ordered in advance at homestays. Several eateries offer breakfast and light meals such as duck noodle soup, rice cakes, and beef noodle soup. Seafood meals are a highlight, prepared with fresh catches from the Khanh Hoa sea. Dishes include shrimp, crab, squid, and fish, often served with garden vegetables. Local specialties like seafood rice cakes (Banh can hai san), cooked on charcoal stoves with fresh seafood, and fish cake noodle soup (Banh canh cha ca) are popular. Bich Dam Island is not connected to the national power grid; most residents use electricity from generators or solar power systems. Visitors are advised to fully charge their electronic devices before arriving. The island is more suited for travelers seeking an authentic local experience rather than a resort vacation. Many paths on the island are rough and stony, making it advisable to use local drivers for safer and more convenient travel.