Ham Ninh and the east coast

The east coast is the island's working side. It faces the Gulf towards the mainland, so there is no sunset over the sea, and it is quieter than the west. Ham Ninh is a fishing village at the foot of the Ham Ninh range, described as one of the oldest on the island. Its long wooden jetty, once the thing everyone photographed, is closed because of damage, so do not plan a visit around walking it.

South along the same coast are Ho Quoc pagoda, on the hillside above the sea, and Bai Sao and Bai Khem, the white-sand beaches of the south-east. Bai Vong, a few minutes from Ham Ninh, is the port where ferries and speedboats from the mainland arrive.

All ferries and speedboats from the mainland land at Bai Vong. These timetables and fares come from a single 2025 travel article, and the operators' own sites could not be read, so confirm with the operator before travel. The free VinBus route 20 links Bai Vong with Duong Dong and Grand World from 05:30 to 16:00 for holders of a VinWonders, Safari or Grand World ticket.

The east coast's season runs opposite to the west's. From May to October, the south-west monsoon pushes waves onto the west coast while east-coast beaches such as Bai Sao and Bai Khem stay calm. From November to April the west coast is the calm one, and the east is simply quieter. July to September can bring storms with heavy rain and strong wind to the whole island.

• If sunsets over the sea matter to you; the sun goes down behind the island here.
• If you want to walk the old Ham Ninh jetty; it is closed because of damage.
• If you need nightlife and restaurants within walking distance; Duong Dong has them.
• If you are joining several of our join-in tours; you will be collected by arrangement rather than in a zone.