Especially in the summer and for those living in the city, the beach is almost an automatic and irresistible calling. But instead of finding solace in the supposed clear waters and peaceful environment, crowded and highly commercial beach destinations can in fact bring more stress than relaxation. That is why for the genuine nature enthusiasts, they would rather embark on a little adventure in search of the perfect beach, that is, pristine and in its purest form.

Binh Ba Island is one location in Vietnam which cradles not only one, but several of the most beautiful beaches in the country, if not the whole world. Located at Cam Ranh City, Cam Binh Commune, in the central province of Khanh Hoa, Binh Ba is home to white sand, blue waters and fresh seafood. It is composed of a small community with only about 700 households or 5,000 residents living on the island. The primary source of livelihood is raising lobsters, which gave Binh Ba Island the monicker “Island of Lobsters.”  The people are warm and hospitable, another reason for tourists to want to visit the place.

From Cam Ranh airport, visitors have to take another 15-kilometer ride to Ba Ngoi Port and take a boat to Binh Ba Island, the only way to reach the island. But the effort is all worth it as one is greeted by nature in its true, untouched beauty. The beaches of Chuong, Nom and Nha Cu are some of the most must-see treasures of the island, with their untouched beauty and crowd-free atmosphere. And as the place is nicknamed, guests are always assured of fresh lobsters, prepared in varying ways for complete satisfaction.

An old block house and a tunnel built during the French period are also popular tourist spots in the island, perhaps mostly because they provide a spectacular view of the sea. Visitors can rent a motorbike to go around the island or hire the services of the local residents who also work as tour guides.  

Through time, primarily by word of mouth, news of the enchanting Binh Ba Island caught up all around the globe, attracting more and more visitors. Tourism in the area naturally progressed, with hotels, restaurants and tours continually rising to please its guests. Breeding of lobsters has also been developed in order to ensure the constant supply of the locality’s specialty for its visitors.

Although generally happy with the advancement of their tourism district, the local residents of Binh Ba are concerned with the effect progress may bring to their island in the future. Especially since this aspect is not covered by their government, there is a fear of not being able to keep up with the increasing needs and wants of the tourists. More people could also translate to the disruption of natural resources and overall state of the island, so local residents are also regularly pushing for public awareness and preservation. After all, the conservation of Binh Ba Island is for the benefit of everyone, residents and visitors alike.