Lam Dong's marine ecological gem: 'Sleeping beauty' yet to be awakened

Rare biosphere in Lam Dong sea

Binh Thanh marine eco-zone in Lien Huong commune, Lam Dong province (formerly Binh Thanh commune, Tuy Phong district, Binh Thuan province) has all three elements of an ideal marine biosphere: spirituality, relaxation and ecology. However, these potentials have not yet been awakened.

Khám phá khu sinh thái biển Bình Thạnh: Cô gái đẹp đang ngủ quên ở Lâm Đồng - Ảnh 1.

The tower in Co Thach Pagoda looks out to sea

PHOTO: QUE HA

For a long time, tourists from near and far have known that in Binh Thanh there is an ancient pagoda over 100 years old located on Co Thach mountain, that is Co Thach pagoda. According to the stories of the elders of the fishing village, the pagoda was built over 170 years ago by a Zen master in the 19th century.

The temple is hidden among strangely shaped rocks, overlooking the ocean. Legend has it that the old people here say that Co Thach Pagoda contains sacred elements, because it has a dragon vein of the sea and mountains, and from here you can see the whole Binh Thanh Strait area.

It is the combination of spiritual elements and unique scenery that makes Co Thach Pagoda an attractive destination for thousands of tourists every year.

Khám phá khu sinh thái biển Bình Thạnh: Cô gái đẹp đang ngủ quên ở Lâm Đồng - Ảnh 2. — Tourists swimming at the seven-color rock beach

Not only does it possess a sacred ancient pagoda as a cultural "treasure", Binh Thanh biosphere reserve also stands out with its unique 7-color stone beach.

Located in the south of the coast, this rocky beach consists of hundreds of meters of round, colorful pebbles created thousands of years ago by geological processes combined with sea hydraulics. In the dry season, when the sea breeze washes away the surface layer of sand and soil, the rocky beach appears brilliant, sparkling in the sun like a multi-colored carpet stretching along the coast. That beauty makes countless visitors admire and linger every time they visit. This is probably the only unique 7-color pebble beach in the South Central Coast region that nature has bestowed upon Binh Thanh.

Khám phá khu sinh thái biển Bình Thạnh: Cô gái đẹp đang ngủ quên ở Lâm Đồng - Ảnh 3.

Seven-color stone beach in Binh Thanh beach

PHOTO: TUAN NGUYEN

Right below the seven-color rock beach is another wonder, a lush green moss carpet covering the coastal rocks. After being nourished by the sea for days, the moss begins to appear in the spring, which is also the time when the south wind blows strongly (from February to April). At that time, the entire beach seems to be covered with a layer of pure green carpet, shimmering under the sunlight.

The moss beach has become an ideal destination for those who love photography and exploring natural beauty. Every weekend, this place attracts a large number of tourists to take photos and immerse themselves in the poetic scenery between the sea and sky of Binh Thanh. The fresh air, pristine landscape and strong sea breeze are also ideal conditions for developing marine sports activities.

Khám phá khu sinh thái biển Bình Thạnh: Cô gái đẹp đang ngủ quên ở Lâm Đồng - Ảnh 4. — Green moss beach in Binh Thanh beach on the reef, only appears from February to April every year

Wake up 'sleeping beauty'?

With a diverse near-shore ecosystem and unique seascape, however, Binh Thanh is still like a "beautiful girl" sleeping and revealing many shortcomings.

Similar to how Mui Ne has developed, Binh Thanh can open sea-related experience tours such as SUP, scuba diving, fishing village experiences, seaweed harvesting, coral viewing... In particular, good wind all year round is a great advantage for developing sea sports such as kite surfing, windsurfing, paragliding.

Khám phá khu sinh thái biển Bình Thạnh: Cô gái đẹp đang ngủ quên ở Lâm Đồng - Ảnh 5. — Binh Thanh sea water is clear blue, this is the area right at the foot of Co Thach mountain

On the other hand, this is a clean, less polluted sea area, suitable for developing green, sustainable tourism. However, according to actual records, Binh Thanh Biosphere Reserve has not yet received systematic investment. Tourism and service activities are mainly developed by local people, small-scale and lacking long-term orientation.

Khám phá khu sinh thái biển Bình Thạnh: Cô gái đẹp đang ngủ quên ở Lâm Đồng - Ảnh 6. — Spiritual stone slab on Co Thach mountain

The Binh Thanh Biosphere Reserve still lacks detailed planning, fundamental and systematic development of tourism infrastructure. Hotels and motels are built close together on both sides of the road down to the sea, but there are no large-scale projects capable of serving professional tourist groups.

Restaurants and eateries encroach on the beach, leaving no comfortable path for tourists. Many small businesses occupy the road, making it difficult for visitors to move around. The area leading to Co Thach Pagoda is surrounded by chaotic trading, affecting the solemnity of the cultural and spiritual space.

Khám phá khu sinh thái biển Bình Thạnh: Cô gái đẹp đang ngủ quên ở Lâm Đồng - Ảnh 7. — Tourists explore the pristine beach in Binh Thanh

According to tourism experts, to “awaken the girl of Binh Thanh”, a comprehensive and systematic plan is needed for the entire coastal route. Specifically, it should connect from Phan Ri Cua to Ganh Son beach, extending to Binh Thanh, Hon Cau island and connecting with coastal tourist destinations bordering Khanh Hoa.

Khám phá khu sinh thái biển Bình Thạnh: Cô gái đẹp đang ngủ quên ở Lâm Đồng - Ảnh 8. — Binh Thanh beach like "sleeping beauty"

In this planning, it is necessary to focus on keeping the seven-color stone beach intact, beautifying the space around Co Thach Pagoda, reducing pressure on the beaches. At the same time, reorganizing the trading order, relocating the shops encroaching on the sea, creating public space and opening access for strategic investors.

This direction not only helps increase tourism attraction, but also opens up sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.

Khám phá khu sinh thái biển Bình Thạnh: Cô gái đẹp đang ngủ quên ở Lâm Đồng - Ảnh 9.