Khanh Hoa’s beachfront house offers stunning views

By Vi Yen March 1, 2021 | 07:01 pm PT

Wooden windows opening up to various views of Doc Let Beach has made a guesthouse in Khanh Hoa a big draw for travelers.

Doc Let Beach in Ninh Hai Ward, Ninh Hoa Town in south central Khanh Hoa Province is special partly due to its tranquil and calm white sand beach but also the origin of its name. In the past, the beach lied behind undulating sand dunes which made it difficult for people to access, hence the name Doc Let (literal translation: trudge slope). It seems like the owner was being aware of and take advantage of the land’s favorable position which has a beach as a backyard and greenery and palm trees on the front and on both sides. Guests who stay here while discovering the central coast of Vietnam can enjoy what the nature has to offer in Doc Let and catch the gorgeous sunrise and sunset of Van Phong Gulf.

Doc Let Beach in Ninh Hoa Town in the south-central province is renowned for its tranquil, white sandy beach while the origin of its name is intriguing. In the past it used to lie behind sand dunes which made it difficult to access, hence the name meaning ‘trudge slope.’
The guesthouse has the beach for its backyard and palm and other trees in the front and sides. Guests staying here can enjoy what nature has to offer in Doc Let and catch the lovely sunrise over Van Phong Gulf.

Thuy, the current owner of this homestay said the house used to belong to a Frenchman who loved Vietnam culture. Interior furniture and decorations were his collection of old items that he brought from various parts of the country. Thuy managed to keep the house in its original condition as a tribute to the previous owner but has made slight changes in room design incorporating the differences among regions such as of Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Tay Nguyen or Saigon. Another plus for the house is that guests here get to relax and close their eyes to immerse in the cool breezes from the ocean and wake up to the sound of waves.

Its owner Thuy said the house, named 4be Doc Let, used to belong to a Frenchman who loved Vietnamese culture. So for furniture and interior decoration he had collected old items from various parts of the country.
Thuy has kept the house in its original condition as a tribute to the previous owner though with slight changes to room designs by incorporating the features of various places like Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, the Central Highlands, and Saigon.

A picture painted by the nature. The ideal season to travel to Khanh Hoa is in dry season which last from January to around September. It is hard to resist doing nothing but enjoying the mild weather with sunshine all day long. The homestay is suitable for those who wish to have a good time in a private space staying away from overcrowded tourist destinations. The house is ran by a considerate owner who is also well versed in interesting corners around Doc Let Beach.

A picture painted by nature.
The ideal time to travel to Khanh Hoa is during the dry season from January to September.

A rustic frame for guests either stretch out in a carefree manner or to jump in for a pose. The owner tries to reduce carbon footprint by installing solar energy system and using recyclable glass materials or ceramics for shampoo, body wash, water bottles instead of using plastic.

A rustic frame for guests to stretch out or pose for a picture at the backyard of the homestay.
Thuy has reduced her carbon footprint by installing a solar energy system and using materials like glass and ceramic for shampoo, soap and drinking water instead of plastic.

The backdoor leading to Doc Let Beach.

Crystal clear water and white sand stretching for kilometers at Doc Let.

Crystal clear water and white sand stretch for kilometers at Doc Let.

Catching sunrise of Van Phong Gulf from the back of the house. Since Khanh Hoa is the easternmost province of Vietnam, guest staying in the house can set the clock to wake up early to welcome the first ray of sunlight in the country.

Catching the sun rise over Van Phong Gulf from the back of the house.
Since Khanh Hoa is among the easternmost provinces in Vietnam, guests can virtually welcome the country’s first rays of sunlight of the day.

Seafood market in the morning and late afternoon is only a few hundreds of meters away from the guesthouse. The house is equipped with a charcoal stove awaiting fresh shrimp and fish. Although the soil and the weather are disadvantages for plant cultivation, the owner still manages to reserve and grow a small garden with flowers and vegetables for guests.

A seafood market that opens in the morning and late afternoon is just a few hundred meters from the guesthouse, which has a charcoal stove for cooking fresh shrimp and fish.
Though the soil and weather are not ideal for growing plants, Thuy has a small garden with flowers and vegetables for guests.

Photos by Cuong Phan