The sun casts its first beams over Dau Islet, which is near Vietnam’s easternmost land tip of Mui Doi in Khanh Hoa Province.

Many tourism documents identify Dai Lanh or Dien Cape, in the central coastal province of Phu Yen, as the easternmost inland part of Vietnam. The reason is that this cape is easily accessed by coaches and cars, particularly since an 11-kilometer-long road linking National Highway 1A to the cape was opened to traffic three years ago. But geographical documents and our GPS Garmin 60CS x instrument confirm that Mui Doi is indeed the eastern tip of Vietnam, as it is located at 109° 27’ 53.94" E and 12° 38’ 56.46" N, while the Dien Cape is situated at 109° 27’ 42.24" E and 12° 53’ 40.92" N.

Mui Doi is also where visitors can see the first light of day. Unfortunately viewing this magnificent scene is rare experience as there are no tours to the area due to the difficult accessibility.

To reach Mui Doi in Van Thanh in Van Ninh District, one must hire and board a fishing ship or vessel for a two or more hour journey on the bubbling waters of Van Phong Bay and the East Sea from Mon Lagoon. The alternative is a two hour trek through sand dunes under the scorching sun.

Since Mui Doi is rarely visited there are no facilities for tourists. Visitors who plan to stay overnight must bring water, food, sleeping bags or tents and other necessities with them, as did participants of an exploratory tour organized by VietmarkCo. to the cape early this week.

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Approval is required from the coastguards who oversee the area before departing for Mui Doi. lt is preferable to arrive at the twin cape long before the sun sets to ensure adequate time for setting up camp on the unspoiled Rang Beach and to collect dried wood from the forest for a fire to cook dinner and provide warmth at night.

Visitors to the cape should travel in groups of two or more to share the work that must be done on arrival. They can then get an early night and be up before dawn to watch the sun-rise, or spend a sleepless night by the fire and see the moon rising, and the wonderful scene of lit fishing boats in the distance.

There is a famous lighthouse at the Dai Lanh Cape which stands 112 meters above sea level. The top of the lighthouse offers a base for visitors to view the beautiful beaches, including Mon, and rock formations along the coastline. Moreover, the lighthouse, which was reopened for the third time in 1997, is also a great location to see the sunrise and sunset.

In fact the easternmost land in Vietnam is actually an additional 30 minute trek from Rang Beach. For visitors who have made it to Hon Gom Peninsular, the hike along the coast, climbing up and down the different shaped boulders and rocks after watching the sun rise is an experience not to be missed.

(Source: SGT)