Day trips · south of the province (former Ninh Thuận province)
Original name: Khu dự trữ sinh quyển thế giới Núi Chúa
A UNESCO reserve in the south of the merged province: semi-desert coastal mountains, dry tropical forest, coral reefs and beaches where sea turtles nest. A long trip for those for whom the city bay is not enough.
Núi Chúa joined UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2021. According to the Man and the Biosphere programme, it covers 106,646 hectares, of which 7352 are marine. UNESCO describes semi-arid coastal landscapes, dry tropical forest, diverse coral reefs, seagrass meadows and turtle nesting beaches, and mentions Vĩnh Hy bay. Before the 2025 reform this was Ninh Thuận province; the area is now part of Khánh Hòa.
The reserve lies far south of Nha Trang, beyond the airport and the city of Cam Ranh, so a single day of daylight is barely enough; it is more relaxed to stay overnight. You need a car with a driver or a tour. Since June 2025 intercity bus No. 105 has run between Nha Trang and Phan Rang, but it does not take you to the reserve's bays and trails themselves. A typical programme: the coast road, Vĩnh Hy bay with a boat trip, short trails.
We have not confirmed from primary sources the rules for visiting the reserve's zones, boat prices or the conditions for turtle watching — ask the management of Núi Chúa National Park. The climate here is semi-arid and noticeably drier than in Nha Trang: water, a hat and sun protection are essential in any season.
Access, opening hours and prices can change. Confirm the conditions right before you pay or leave.
Day trips →nature · dry forest · Vĩnh Hy bay
Editorial navigation, not a paid recommendation.
21 September 2026
Before your visit
A UNESCO reserve in the south of the merged province: semi-desert coastal mountains, dry tropical forest, coral reefs and beaches where sea turtles nest. A long trip for those for whom the city bay is not enough.
Plan for roughly “full day or overnight”. Add time for the road, weather, queues and an unhurried break.
It belongs to the “south of the province (former Ninh Thuận province)” area. Open the map before leaving and check the actual entrance or meeting point.
Plan the trip with a night in the south: going there and back in one day leaves too little time for the reserve itself. Opening hours, prices, access and weather can change, so confirm them right before you leave or pay.