Diep Son Island 2026: Walk on the Sea in Van Phong Bay

Diep Son Island (Đảo Điệp Sơn) is a cluster of three small islands in Van Phong Bay, about 60 km north of Nha Trang. It is famous for a sand bar of roughly 700–800 m that links the islands just below the surface, so at low tide you seem to walk on the sea. There is no entrance ticket; you pay for a boat from the Van Gia area, about 30–40 minutes away.

Status (checked October 2026): open; there is no ticket office or opening time. October to December is the rainy, windy season in Khanh Hoa, when boats may not run and the sand path can stay under rougher water; the best months are roughly January to June. Diep Son is now in Dai Lanh commune, Khanh Hoa (the former Van Thanh commune, merged in July 2025).

Why Diep Son Island is worth seeing:

The “road through the sea”: a narrow sand bar, ankle- to knee-deep at low tide, joins the islands across open water.
Van Phong Bay scenery: one of Vietnam’s National Tourist Areas, with calm turquoise water and green hills.
A real fishing community: about 90 households live from fishing, farming and aquaculture.
Undeveloped and quiet: no resorts, just beaches, rocks and village life.
Easy to combine: pairs well with Doc Let Beach on a long day trip from Nha Trang.

Diep Son Island at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Đảo Điệp Sơn (islands Hòn Bịp, Hòn Giữa and Hòn Đuốc)
Location	Van Phong Bay, Dai Lanh commune (formerly Van Thanh commune, Van Ninh district), Khanh Hoa province
Distance	About 60 km north of Nha Trang to Van Gia, then about 30–40 minutes by boat
Known for	Sand bar of about 700–800 m that appears at low tide; fishing village; clear water
Recognition	Part of Van Phong Bay, one of Vietnam’s National Tourist Areas
Opening hours	No set hours; boats run in daylight and are timed to the tide
Entrance fee	None; private boats from about 200,000–300,000 VND per boat (about 6 people), or join a day tour from Nha Trang
Time needed	A full day from Nha Trang (half a day on the island)
Best time	January to June; around low tide
Nearby	Doc Let Beach, Hon Khoi salt fields, Dai Lanh Beach
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor · Wikipedia (Van Phong Bay)

Is Diep Son Island Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you like natural, undeveloped places and do not mind a long day. Walking the sand bar with water on both sides is a genuinely unusual experience, and the bay is beautiful. Facilities are very basic, and the day involves about two hours of driving each way plus a boat ride.

Best for: photographers, adventurous travellers, repeat visitors to Nha Trang, couples looking for quiet beaches.
Skip if: you need resort comforts, travel in October–December, or have only one or two days in Nha Trang.
Short on time: join a combined Diep Son and Doc Let day tour with transport included.

About Diep Son and Van Phong Bay

Three islands and a sand road

The Diep Son group consists of three small islands, Hon Bip, Hon Giua and Hon Duoc. A narrow ribbon of sand, about 1 m wide and roughly 700–800 m long, links them across the sea. At high tide the path lies under the water (local reports say up to waist-deep at the highest tides); at low tide the water is only ankle-deep and the line of sand shows clearly from above. Sources describe a second, shorter sand bar of about 400 m that stays above water.

Van Phong Bay

Van Phong Bay, in the north of Khanh Hoa, is one of Vietnam’s 21 National Tourist Areas. It is sheltered by the Hon Gom peninsula, which keeps the water calm for much of the year. Historically the bay hosted the Russian fleet in 1905 on its way to the Battle of Tsushima, and today it is also the site of a planned deep-water port.

Island life

About 90 households live on Diep Son, working in fishing, aquaculture and small-scale farming. Lobster and fish cages float in the bay, and the village is a close-packed row of houses along the shore.

What to See at Diep Son Island

1. The road through the sea

The highlight is walking the sand bar between Hon Giua and the main island. Go at low tide, when the water is only around your ankles and the path is easiest to follow; wear water shoes, because broken coral and shells are sharp.

2. The view from the hill

A short climb on the main island gives a view of the sand bar curving through the turquoise water, the best photo of the trip.

3. Beaches and swimming

Small sandy coves around the islands have clear, calm water in the dry season. Keep an eye out for sea urchins on rocky patches and seasonal jellyfish.

4. The fishing village and floating farms

Walk through the village to see nets drying and boats being repaired, and ask your boatman to pass the floating lobster and fish farms on the way.

5. Kayaking

Some local operators offer kayaks, a lovely way to explore the coves and the edge of the sand bar when the sea is flat.

Diep Son Island Costs (2026)

Item	Details
Entrance fee	None
Private local boat	About 200,000–300,000 VND per boat for around 6 people (agree price and return time first)
Day tour from Nha Trang	Includes car, boat and usually lunch; price varies by operator and group size
Food and drink	Very limited on the island; bring water and snacks or arrange lunch with your boatman
Accommodation	No hotels; some visitors camp, check local rules first

There is no official ticketing body for Diep Son; prices are set by local boat owners and tour operators.

How to Visit Diep Son Step by Step

Check the tide table for Van Phong Bay and plan to be on the island around low tide.
Drive about 1.5 hours north from Nha Trang on National Highway 1 to Van Gia (Van Ninh commune).
Take a pre-arranged local boat from the Van Gia area; the crossing takes about 30–40 minutes.
Walk the sand bar first, then climb for the view, swim and visit the village.
Return by mid-afternoon and stop at Doc Let Beach on the drive back if time allows.

How to Get to Diep Son Island

From	How	Time
Nha Trang	Private car or tour van north on Highway 1 to Van Gia	About 1.5 hours (60 km)
Nha Trang	Motorbike (experienced riders only)	About 1.5–2 hours
Van Gia area pier	Local boat or speedboat	About 30–40 minutes
Doc Let Beach	Car north to Van Gia	About 45–60 minutes

For drivers, buses and motorbike rental see our Nha Trang transport guide.

Best Time to Visit Diep Son Island

When	What to expect
January – March	Dry, pleasant temperatures; sea calming down after the monsoon
April – June	Calm, clear water and sunshine; the best months for the sand bar
July – September	Hot; usually still possible, with occasional storms
October – December	Rainy season with storms and rough sea; boats often cancelled
Time of day	Around low tide; tide times change every day

Local Expert Tips for Diep Son Island

These tips come from years of arranging Nha Trang tours for international travellers.

Plan around the tide, not the clock; the sand bar is the reason to come.
Wear water shoes and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch while crossing.
Bring cash, water, snacks and sun protection; there is little shade on the sand bar.
Agree the boat price and pick-up time clearly before you leave the pier.
Combine with Doc Let Beach for a full day in the north of Khanh Hoa.
See our Nha Trang travel tips for weather and safety advice.

Diep Son Island vs Hon Noi Island

Feature	Diep Son	Hon Noi
Signature sight	Sand bar you can walk across	Double beach split by a sand bar
Getting there	60 km drive + 30–40 minute boat	30–90 minute boat from Cau Da Port
Access	Free; independent or tour	Official day tour only, about 100 visitors a day
Facilities	Very basic, village life	Meals included in the tour
Best for	Adventurous, independent travellers	A well-organised beach day

Our view: choose Hon Noi for a simple, organised day from the city; choose Diep Son if you want the more unusual experience and are happy with a longer, rougher-edged trip.

Nearby Attractions

Doc Let Beach: white sand and calm water, about an hour south.
Monkey Island: on the way back towards Nha Trang, in Nha Phu Lagoon.
Hon Noi Island: the double beach in northern Nha Trang Bay.
Po Nagar Cham Towers: Cham temples at the northern edge of Nha Trang.
Long Son Pagoda: the big white Buddha above the city.

Sightseeing in Nha Trang for First-Time Visitors: Where Diep Son Fits

Diep Son is best on a fourth or fifth day in Nha Trang, after you have covered the bay islands and city sights such as the oceanographic museum and the cathedral. Leave early, return for a seafood dinner (our Nha Trang food guide has ideas), and choose a base from our hotel area guide.

Plan your trip with our Nha Trang travel guide and Nha Trang tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.