Only a few kilometers from the mainland, Tri Nguyen Island (Hon Mieu) in Nha Trang ward, Khanh Hoa province is one of the nearest islands to the shore of Nha Trang Bay. Not only possessing blue sea, gentle sandy beaches and peaceful space, this place also attracts tourists with a rustic fishing village and a bustling seafood market every morning.
From the center of Nha Trang ward, tourists move to the Cau Da port area to take a wooden boat or canoe to the island. If taking a wooden boat, the travel time is about 20 minutes, the ticket price ranges from 150,000 - 200,000 VND/person/trip. Meanwhile, a canoe only takes about 10 minutes to dock on the island, with a cost of about 300,000 - 500,000 VND/person/trip.
In addition, tourists can also take a domestic ferry from Phu Quy wharf to the island at a cost-saving price. The ferry has continuous trips, waiting time is about 10 - 30 minutes, ticket price is only 5,000 VND/person/trip, bringing a rustic experience like local people.
The island is divided into two distinct spaces. One side is a residential area with peaceful fishing villages of local people, the other side is resort-style resorts facing the sea.
Stepping on Tri Nguyen Island, the first thing that impresses visitors is the fresh air and the slow pace of life of the coastal fishing village. Wandering around the fishing village, visitors will feel a rare nostalgia. Small houses nestled on the island's slope, basket boats and wooden boats lying still on the water.
Morning is the busiest time when fishing boats and seafood farming rafts bring freshly caught or harvested shrimp, fish, squid, and crabs ashore at night. The small market right near the wharf is always bustling with buyers and sellers. Seafood here is famous for its freshness and affordable price.
Not only seafood, the market on the island also sells all kinds of rustic dishes such as banh can, banh xeo, bun ca, bun rieu... at very affordable prices. It only costs from 20,000 VND to have a full bowl of bun, while many snacks or drinks only range from 5,000 - 10,000 VND. Note that tourists should prepare cash because many small eateries on the island have not yet accepted payment by bank transfer.
In addition to visiting the fishing village, visitors can also visit seafood farming rafts located along the coast. This is both a place to raise lobsters, grouper, cobia, fragrant snails..., and also "floating restaurants" for diners to choose live seafood and request processing right on the spot.
Another famous destination on the island is Tri Nguyen Aquarium (Tri Nguyen fish pond) with an architecture simulating a giant ship facing the sea. The project consists of many floors, of which the basement is an area displaying aquariums with hundreds of marine species, from fish, corals, sea turtles to many rare aquatic species. The upper floor is a souvenir sales area and a culinary area serving tourists.
In addition, the island also owns clear blue beaches, fine sand and quite gentle waves, suitable for swimming, playing with young children or experiencing coral diving.
The ideal time to explore Tri Nguyen Island is from 8am - 4pm. This time frame is enough for you to visit the highlights, enjoy local cuisine and return to the mainland in time before late afternoon.
