Northern Central Vietnam C¸a Lò

A short distance northwest of Vinh, C¸a Lò is a beautiful resort-filled beach town. Nearly all of the restaurants and hotels lie on one main road, Bình Minh, just steps away from the shoreline covered in bamboo-hut cafes and the warm, wavy ocean. Though the water lacks the crystal-clear quality of some of Vietnam’s other beaches, the tranquil ocean sounds and the view of the nearby islands make for a pleasant getaway. Come during the weekends to see the beach dotted with locals; during the weekdays, you can have the beach to yourself. Prices of accommodations and food are considerably higher than those of Vinh; it might be more affordable to make a daytrip to this beach town.

Transportation. Only 20km from Vinh, the new beach resort is easily accessible by motorbike. From the bus station, take a left onto Lˆ Li and continue for two kilometers until it spills into Nguy[n Trãi. Continue north on this road for another two more kilometers until you see a big blue sign directing you to take a right on Hwy. 46. After 16km, you will be staring at the ocean as the road comes to a stop at C¸a Lò’s main drag, Bình Minh. A one-way trip to or from Vinh on by motorbike costs 25,000-35,000. To take the bus to C¸a Lò, just stand along Nguy[n Trãi or Lˆ Li, north of the bus station, and flag one down as it heads northwest to C¸a Lò. The bus to the beach runs about every hour 7am-5pm (6000). Be advised that the bus returns less frequently, with the last bus passing through Bình Minh at 6pm. An abundance of motorbike drivers, though, guarantees you won’t be stranded.

Orientation And Practical Information. Simple in structure, most of the town of C¸a Lò lies along the main street Bình Minh, which flows parallel to the beach. The town’s twin islands lie to the north, while a small palm forest stretches to the south. The town bank, 66 Bình Minh, lies near the post office across the street from the shore. Exchange your money here or take advantage of the ATM in front. (Bank and ATM open 6:30-11am and 1-5pm.) For Internet access, continue north on the road to 26 Bình Minh, just across the street from the post office. (☎951 224. Open daily 7am-10pm. 5000 per hr.) Next door, at 32 Bình Minh, there are fewer computers, but the connection is cheaper. (☎949 854. 3000 per hr. Open 7am-10pm.) The post office, 1 Bình Minh, lies on the beach side of Bình Minh. (☎824 106. Open daily 7am-9pm.)

Accommodations And Food. Peace, beauty, and inflated prices are a package deal in C¸a Lò. While lodging below 200,000 is difficult to find—especially in the hot summer months—the comfortable rooms in Vinh rarely rise in price, so you might be better off daytripping to the beach. Those who would rather avoid the commute can find a good value at the L®c Anh Hotel 3, 26 Bình Minh, across from the post office, with extremely clean, green-and-white tiled floors in breezy rooms with nice views. (☎038 824. Doubles 200,000.) The best prices on the beach can be found at Hotel H·ng T+n 3, 46 Bình Minh, 100m south of the post office, which offers small, clean, and mostly viewless rooms. (☎824 387. Doubles with air-A/C, TV, and baths 180,000 for 1 person and 200,000 for 2.) If the owner gives a higher price, bargain until it comes down. Smack in the middle of the hotel-packed Bình Minh is the family-friendly Hotel Vi_t c 3, with tiny but well-groomed double beds and small balconies. To reach the hotel, make a left onto Bình Minh when coming in from Vinh, then hook a left into the small alley filled with food shops around 90 Bình Minh. The Vi_t c is 50m down and to the right. (☎824 557. A/C, TV, and private baths. Doubles 200,000.) Ph and c£m shops are scattered every 20m on Bình Minh. A large cluster of these restaurants can be found on the alley near 90 Bình Minh on the way to Hotel Vi_t c. (,000; rice and beef 30,000; beer 9000. Open 7am-11pm). For a more tropical atmosphere, settle down at the ph and c£m shop of L®c Anh Hotel 2, 26 Bình Minh, where you can eat sitting underneath a palm tree in the semi-outdoor lobby. (☎824 788. Open daily 5am-11pm. Entrees 12000-35,000.) Food, refreshment, and snack stands dot both Bình Minh and the beach pathway. A chair on the beach, rented from one of the bamboo refreshment huts, costs 10,000. The cafe also has a water well where you can rinse yourself off before leaving the beach (5000).