Tourists play with deer on Hon Thi Islet in central Khanh Hoa Province.

Spanning 500 hectares, the islet in Ninh Hoa District’s Nha Phu Bay is a popular destination for tourists visiting the beach town of Nha Trang.

With lush, verdant forests and valleys, Hon Thi is an idyllic escape from urban life. Its white-sand beaches surrounded by rugged cliffs make for terrific photo opportunities while the seawater is calm all year round and perfect for swimming.

The roads on the islet are shaded by scores of mango trees and in the summer months, a range of other fruit can be found including pomelos and oranges. Locals sell the fruit for VND15,000-20,000 (US$0.80-1.10) a kilo, as well as other products such as local honey, ostrich eggs, and even deer horn.

While visiting Hon Thi, tourists can take an eco-marine tour that offers the chance to get up-close and personal with wild animals such as deer, monkeys and ostriches. Visitors can feed the deer and ostriches or have a photograph taken with them. In addition, flower aficionados will appreciate the vast array of spectacular, fragrant wild orchids.

For adventure-seekers, boats can be rented to go sightseeing around the islet to explore the primeval forest and mystical caves.

To reach Hon Thi, situated in Ninh Ich Commune, depart from Da Chong Boat Station about three kilometers north of Nha Trang Town. The Long Phu Tourism Company operates boats that transport tourists to the islet. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

Tours of Hon Thi are also provided by the Long Phu Tourism Company, which is based out of Da Chong, Vinh Luong Ward, Nha Trang Town. You can book a tour by calling (058) 383 9436 or emailing longphutourist@dng.vnn.vn.

VNN/TN