Salute the sun at the easternmost point of the country

Everyone will surely want to step their foot in Lung Cu flagpole - the northernmost point located in Dong Van rock upland - Ha Giang province, the westernmost point at Ta Mieu village in the highland commune of Muong Nhe district - Dien Bien province, the southernmost point of Ca Mau cape, Ngoc Hien district - Ca Mau province and Doi Cape - the easternmost point located in Van Phong Bay, Khanh Hoa province, the first place in our country bathed in the morning sunlight.

Doi Cape is located in Dam Mon fishing village, gently embraced within Van Phong Bay, Van Thanh commune, Van Ninh district, Khanh Hoa province, which about 80 km from Nha Trang city along National Highway 1A to the North and about 35km from Tuy Hoa city (Phu Yen province) to the South.

Previously, Dai Lanh Cape (Phu Yen) was considered the easternmost point of Vietnam. This place even had a landmark imprinted with the text “The first place to salute the sun on Vietnam mainland”. However, when Doi Cape (Khanh Hoa) was discovered, based on the coordinates, it was recognized exactly the easternmost point of our country on the mainland. Measured data shows that Doi Cape welcomes the sunrise 4 seconds earlier than Dai Lanh Cape. At this location, a stainless steel spike was attached on 4 August 2012 to mark it the easternmost point. The journey to Doi Cape was also much more arduous and challenging than that to Dai Lanh Cape. However, this is a place that young people who love backpacking really want to conquer.

In the year beginning from January to May is the best time for discovery  because the weather is not too hot nor rainy, helping you maintain your energy. During the rest of the dry season (June to August), temperatures may reach 35-39oC, making the journey even more harsh. Meanwhile, September to December is the rainy season, which is not ideal for our adventure.

Among the 4 furthermost points, the easternmost point is the most challenging one. Walking through sand dunes in the midst of the burning heat makes it harder than ever. Under the blazing sun, you have to cross the super-hot sand, like the resilient Compassion flower that conquers the white sand here.

Journey to the easternmost point is not only an exciting experience but also a chance to challenge yourself. After crossing more than 2km of sandy desert, you have to climb the high steep mountains standing upright in front of you. There are 4 mountains that you have to pass to reach Doi Cape, including Cat Tham, Co Ong, Suoi Tom, and Bai Rang. The way to the mountain is terribly steep, full of gravel and sea grass which is as hard as thorns. Have you ever climbed a mountain with sand covered over rock? Doi Cape is an opportunity for you to experience that, dehydration and loss of energy will happen immediately from the first steps. Despite this obstacle, trekking Doi Cape brings you many unforgettable moments. After conquering each mountain peak, you will be compensated by the wonderful scenery like in heaven.

As shared by the backpackers, you should start your journey to conquer Doi Cape early in the morning after breakfast, around 6:30 to drive from Nha Trang to Dam Mon (about 80km). When you come to Dam Mon, do not forget to take a commemorative photo with “Dam Mon 0 km” landmark. Then, going back about 30 meters, on the right hand you will see

a wide highway with immense sandy space and marvelous hills on its two sides, making us feel like we are in Texas.

After this section, you will begin to really “taste” the hardship. Contrary to the dreamlike highway is the difficult pathway. Passing steep mountain-like slopes becomes more difficult than ever when the sand layer is as thick as in a desert, which makes our motorbike sink deeply into the sand. After about 1.5 hours “struggling”, we got out of the sand hill, totally exhausted. You will continue to ride your motorbike cautiously on a dry, cracked

road with deep holes of 10cm width. But when the wonderful sea scene gradually appears in front of your eyes, you will forget all the hardship. Great excitement is all that’s left. After eating and having lunch at Uncle Hai's house (familiar name of the tour guide), you will have to conquer 8km of diverse terrains to reach the easternmost point. After about 2-3 hours (depending on your health status) of going through the forest and crossing the mountain, you will reach the Wind beach. Many people choose this place for camping (due to its flat surface and cool wind), and then get up early the next morning to go to Doi Cape. The last challenge before touching the stainless steel spike is to cling to the rope to climb the largest rock, about 7 meters high.

After tireless efforts, you will be rewarded extreme happiness and excitement when setting your foot on the easternmost point of the country - the first place bathed in the sunlight on Vietnamese mainland, a place that any backpackers want to conquer. Note that the sun rises very quickly, it takes just more than a minute from the moment it starts to rise up until it comes over the horizon, so get your camera ready before 6am or you will miss the most valuable moment of the whole journey.

The journey to the easternmost point will be difficult and tiring, but standing on a large rock in the middle of the sea to catch the first sunlight on an S-shaped land is a moment of indescribable joy. Most importantly, this is the journey of self-discovery.