Super-hot yet still wonderfully unspoilt destinations to check in this summer

11 super-hot yet still wonderfully unspoilt destinations to check in this summer

Mui Dinh, Ninh Thuan

On road DT701 from Ca Na to Phan Rang you pass a stunning coastal stretch, and Mui Dinh is a perfect camping spot along it. From the main road to Mui Dinh you have to cross about 2 km of sand desert, which is quite tiring – but the sea views will make you forget all your fatigue.

Photo: @laingocthuyduong

Photo: @ngoctram_____

Photo: @minh.h0a

Mui Dinh used to be deserted with few services, but now there are plenty of food stalls, fresh-water showers, off-road rides over the dunes… All you need is a tent to sleep on the beach and enjoy everything this place has to offer. The crystal-clear blue sea and the majestic view from the lighthouse will win over anyone visiting Mui Dinh for the first time.

Mang Den, Kon Tum

Mang Den is a town in Kon Plong district, Kon Tum province, with primeval forest and many lakes and waterfalls. The climate is cool and fresh, ideal for escaping the summer heat. At 1,100 – 1,400 m above sea level, surrounded by endless pines and wild flowers, Mang Den is always pleasantly chilly.

A beautiful road lined with pine hills in Mang Den. Photo: sodababy

Photo: @chian1986

Bamboo-tube rice and grilled chicken are Mang Den's famous specialities. Photo: vien_travel_tips

In Mang Den you travel along winding roads lined with deep-green pines and the faint scent of resin, with birdsong all around and a cool, wild, majestic mountain climate. That's why travellers lovingly call Mang Den the Da Lat of Kon Tum.

Hon Cau, Binh Thuan

Hon Cau, also called Cu Lao Cau island, is one of Binh Thuan's two marine protected areas, about 100 km from Phan Thiet. Seen from the mainland, Cu Lao Cau towers like a "kingdom of rocks" with strange shapes, and attracts visitors with water so clear you can see right to the bottom – which is why it is considered a diving paradise.

Photo: Trang Do

Photo: Kim Loc

Photo: Mong Kha

By day you can admire the varied, beautiful natural vegetation and corals. In the evening you can hold a beach BBQ with friends, light a campfire and play team-building games. Sometimes just lying listening to the waves, with the salty sea breeze on your face, is enough to stir the "wandering heart" of anyone who loves to travel.

An Binh mural village, Quang Ngai

This "brand-new" mural village on An Binh island (often called Little Island) in Ly Son has officially taken the crown from the Tam Thanh mural village in Quang Nam. Old seaside houses on a poor island now wear a new coat, colourful and full of life.

Photo: Nguyen Hong Minh

Photo: Nguyen Hong Minh

While the Tam Thanh mural village was a gift from Korean friends to Vietnam, the An Binh mural village is 100% "made in Vietnam". A group of 10 young artists – 5 from Hanoi and 5 from Ho Chi Minh City – came together here to create unique, beautiful and meaningful paintings for the island commune.

Road DT716 from Luong Son junction to Phan Ri, Binh Thuan

Almost 40 km long, DT716 deserves a place among Vietnam's classic routes, passing Binh Thuan's two famous freshwater lakes, Bau Sen and Bau Trang. Turn right at Luong Son junction and after about 20 km you reach Bau Ong, followed by Bau Ba stretching for several kilometres.

Photo: @nguyenthilan_huong

Photo: @mrbiand

Photo: @agorooms

The route follows wild sand dunes and hills with beautiful scenery. In addition, the coastal section TL716B, completed at the end of 2015 and linking Phan Thiet and Phan Ri, makes the route easier than ever.

The coastal walkway at Eo Gio, Binh Dinh

In Nhon Ly commune, about 20 km from Quy Nhon, Eo Gio is a new destination that every visitor to Quy Nhon wants to see. The name ("windy strait") comes from its geography: from the surrounding rocks you look down on a small strait sheltered by two mountain ranges, like arms embracing the beautiful beach.

Photo: @dd.trang

Photo: @ngocthuy2104

Notably, Eo Gio now has a stunning walkway halfway up the mountain, with thousands of steps and safe handrails, striking in brick red and white.

Photo: @jay_miin95

Getting to Eo Gio: from Quy Nhon, follow Vo Nguyen Giap road across Thi Nai bridge onto the Phuong Mai peninsula, then National Road 19B to the Nhon Ly sports and culture centre, and on to Eo Gio. After Eo Gio you can also hire a boat to explore Ky Co.

SEE MORE: QUY NHON TOUR 3 DAYS: EO GIO – KY CO ISLAND AT GREAT PRICES FROM IVIVU.COM

Hon Son, Kien Giang

Hon Son island, also called Hon Son Rai (because many otters once lived here), belongs to Lai Son commune, Kien Hai district, Kien Giang province. Lying between Nam Du and Hon Tre islands, it is considered one of the most unspoilt and charming islands in Vietnam.

Photo: @ngtan.tai

Hon Son has clean beaches with white sand, deep-blue water, coconut palms and wild rocks – a quiet, comfortable place to relax and unwind.

Photo: @thuongthuong.rii

Photo: @terawhuynh

The island has 5 beaches: Bai Bang, Bai Nha, Bai Thien Thue, Bai Gieng and Bai Bac – all still very unspoilt and clean. Bai Bang is considered the most beautiful, with a 1 km crescent-shaped shoreline sheltered by rocks of all sizes on both sides and long stretches of smooth, flat sand in between. Float in the clear, quiet water, watch the coconut palms swaying in the wind and breathe the cool, fresh sea air, and you will feel completely at one with nature.

Hang Mua, Ninh Binh

Hang Mua lies at the foot of Mua mountain, in an eco-tourism complex in Khe Dau Ha village, Ninh Xuan commune, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.

Photo: @trannhim93

Photo: @__thanhhuyen3105__

At Hang Mua you can test your stamina by climbing 486 stone steps to the summit, from where you can admire the whole beauty of Tam Coc with its vast, lush green rice fields.

From National Road 1A towards Ninh Binh city, turn left towards Trang An or Bich Dong and follow provincial road 491C to reach Hang Mua.

SEE MORE: NORTHERN VIETNAM TOUR 4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS: HANOI – HA LONG – NINH BINH AT GREAT PRICES FROM IVIVU.COM

Van Gia fishing village, Khanh Hoa

Van Gia fishing village has existed for a long time, but since Diep Son island became well known it has become busier than ever. Almost every visitor wanting to experience Diep Son's path under the sea sets off from this village. Van Gia's speciality is oysters – delicious and cheap.

Peaceful life in the fishing village. Photo: M.Truong

Photo: @thoconmongmanh

You can't swim in the sea here, but the air is very pleasant. In the afternoon you can stroll along the seafront enjoying the breeze, drink a cool coconut and listen to the waves. Today, besides boat-building and fishing, the villagers of Van Gia also run tourism services such as restaurants and boat hire to the islands, giving the village a lively rhythm.

Nuoc Mooc spring, Quang Binh

Nuoc Mooc spring is on road 20 Quyet Thang, on the western branch of the Ho Chi Minh road, about 10 km north-west of the Phong Nha tourist centre. Following the winding road through green forest, you find the stream in a valley between towering limestone mountains, stretching about 3 km along the Chay river. The centre of the spring is about 350 m wide, bringing together all the colours of nature with lakes, rivers, streams and rock waterfalls.

Photo: @juliet_kute

Photo: @kemnosugar

Ha My beach, Quang Nam

Not Phu Quoc, Ha Long or Nha Trang – a brand-new spot in Quang Nam has just made the Telegraph's list of the 16 most beautiful beaches in Asia: Ha My beach. It has travellers eagerly adding it to their list of places to check in this summer.

Photo: Tri Thuc Tre

Though quite new to domestic travellers, Ha My has already been chosen by many foreign visitors for a private getaway. It is conveniently located on the coastal road linking Da Nang with the old town of Hoi An (Quang Nam), 6 km from the Marble Mountains.

Photo: Tri Thuc Tre

Many people wonder what this little-known beach has that caught the eye of international travel experts, ahead of Vietnam's famous names. Set foot here once and you will understand. Like Vietnam's most beautiful beaches, Ha My has long, gently sloping white sand, soft gentle waves and water clear to the bottom.

Photo: Tri Thuc Tre

But what Western visitors love most about Ha My is how unspoilt, quiet and peaceful it is. Because it is not yet well known, visitors here mostly stay in nearby resorts or hotels, and you won't face the crowds and jostling stalls of other famous beaches.