Northern Central Vietnam Thiˆn C<m Beach

Proclaimed by locals to be the most beautiful beach in Hà Tænh province, Thiˆn C<m is a popular beach resort in the initial stages of development. Cut off from the eastern coast by mountains to the north and the south, Thiˆn C<m’s golden shores entertain weekend vacationers looking to escape the hassle of city life and provide unprepared short-term visitors with every necessity to enjoy both the sand and the water. Sitting atop a mountain at the northern tip of the beach is the C<m S£n Pagoda, built in AD 600 on the Thiˆn C<m mountain. Though the pagoda itself is a simple structure, the view of the beach below is worth the climb to the top, especially at sunset. At the beach itself, you can rent a bathing suit (5000) and leave your things to be watched with the attendant next to the showers (5000). When you’re done, a shower and mini-shampoo will cost 3000 and a small towel 10,000. To take a 30min. boat ride to a small island that rests amid the crashing waves, stop by the reception at the Thiˆn Hotel (250,000 for 25-55 people). On the island, you can wine and dine or simply splash around.

Still in its first stages of becoming a major resort, Thiˆn C<m’s secluded atmosphere and relatively undisturbed shores come with a price: a lack of affordable or diverse housing options. Air-conditioned triples (250,000) with private baths but no hot water can be found in guesthouses 3 hidden in the woods along the beach. To the right of the post office stands the bright green Thanh L¢ch Hotel 3. Bare but brightly lit, rooms with a twin and queen bed, air-conditioning, TV, private baths, and pleasant service cost 250,000-290,000 for one person and 300,000 for two (☎862 520). For higher-quality rooms and significantly higher prices, stop by the Thiˆn Hotel 4. The staff speaks English, and the rooms have air-conditioning, TV, and phone. (☎862 345; thienyhotel@yahoo.com. Breakfast included. Check-out noon. Deluxe singles and doubles with brand-new shower and bath 360,000; comfortable triples 410,000.) For deluxe meals and big portions of cooked eel (38,000), stewed chicken (8000), or simple but delicious boiled spinach (6000), grab a seat at the beachfront restaurant 2 of the Thiˆn Hotel. (Open daily 6am-11pm.) A few ph and c£m shops line the beach walk, while others can be found near the steps that ascend to the pagoda and in the village which lies about 500m southwest of the beach resort.

Though accessible by paved roads, the beach lies 9km away from the closest bus stop on Hwy. 1, and as such, must be reached by motorbike (one-way from Hà Tænh 35,000). To reach the beach on your own, turn right out of the bus station and head south along Hwy. 1. Continue for about 20km until you reach the center of a town and a sign that signals a left turn to Thiˆn C<m. A 9km drive leads to another sign marking a left and a 1.4km drive that lands you at the beach. The road that runs along the sandy bank hosts guesthouses, cafes, and ph and c£m shops. There is no bank or ATM, but you can exchange money at the Thiˆn Hotel, across the street from the post office, at a decent rate. While there is no pharmacy or Internet access, a post office stands across from Thiˆn Hotel on the road that leads to the beach. (☎862 205. Open daily 7am-9:30pm.)