Ke Ga Lighthouse, Vietnam’s oldest lighthouse, is not only a historical architectural landmark but also a captivating destination for travelers who love exploration and unique experiences. Located on a small, pristine island, Ke Ga Lighthouse boasts a unique beauty, blending classic French architecture with majestic natural scenery. In particular, witnessing the sunrise here is an unforgettable experience, as the dawn’s light paints the space in gold, creating a stunning picture on the sea.
Ke Ga Lighthouse: A Mark of Time
Ke Ga Lighthouse is situated on Hon Ba Island, a small island belonging to Tan Thanh commune, Ham Thuan Nam district, Binh Thuan province. This lighthouse was constructed from 1897 and completed in 1899 during the French colonial period. The name “Ke Ga” originates from the shape of the cape jutting out to sea, resembling a rooster’s head. With over a century of history, Ke Ga Lighthouse is not only a unique architectural work but also a historical witness, associated with the development of Binh Thuan.
Ke Ga Lighthouse, standing as a historic landmark against the sky
This lighthouse plays a crucial role in ensuring maritime safety for ships passing through the Phan Thiet sea area. Simultaneously, it is also an attractive tourist destination, drawing visitors with its pristine, ancient beauty and unique experiences.
Ideal Time to Catch the Sunrise at Ke Ga Lighthouse
To have a fulfilling trip and enjoy the most beautiful sunrise moments at Ke Ga Lighthouse, you should choose the appropriate time. The dry season, from November to April of the following year, is the best time to visit. During this time, the weather is dry, the sea is calm, and the sky is clear blue, very favorable for traveling by boat or canoe to the island.
Tourists enjoying the sunrise at Ke Ga Lighthouse from a boat
If you want to avoid crowds and enjoy a peaceful space, come here on weekdays or early mornings. In particular, don’t miss the opportunity to witness the brilliant sunrise over the sea, when the first rays of sunlight shine down, painting the entire space in gold, creating a stunning picture.
Journey to Ke Ga Lighthouse
To reach Ke Ga Lighthouse, you need to go through two stages: traveling to Phan Thiet and from Phan Thiet to Ke Ga Island.
Getting to Phan Thiet
You can reach Phan Thiet by various means of transport, depending on your starting point and personal preferences.
- From Ho Chi Minh City: Buses are a popular option with many reputable bus companies operating the Saigon – Phan Thiet, Mui Ne route. In addition, you can also rent a private car or drive yourself to be proactive with your schedule and comfortably enjoy the scenery along the way.
- From other provinces and cities: If you are in the North or Central regions, you can fly to Ho Chi Minh City, then continue to Phan Thiet by bus or private car.
A map showing the route to Phan Thiet
From Phan Thiet to Ke Ga Lighthouse
From the center of Phan Thiet city, you can travel to Ke Ga by the following means:
- Bus: Bus route number 6 Lagi – Ke Ga is a cost-effective option.
- Taxi or motorbike taxi: Suitable for small groups and those who want to travel quickly and conveniently.
- Motorbike rental: If you like exploring and experiencing the coastal road, renting a motorbike is a great option.
A boat taking tourists to Ke Ga Lighthouse from the mainland
When you arrive at Ke Ga, you need to rent a boat or canoe to get to the island. The distance from the mainland to the island is only about 500m, and the boat or canoe rental price varies depending on the number of passengers and type of vehicle.
Explore the Unique Architecture of Ke Ga Lighthouse
Ke Ga Lighthouse is built in classic French architecture, with an octagonal tower shape standing majestically amidst the sea and sky. The lighthouse is 35m high, equivalent to a 12-story building. The tower walls are built of granite imported from France, meticulously carved and fitted together without mortar.
Close-up view of the stone architecture of Ke Ga Lighthouse
To reach the top of the lighthouse, you have to climb 183 spiral steel steps. At the top of the tower is a high-capacity light bulb, capable of illuminating within a radius of 22 nautical miles (about 40km), helping ships navigate and move safely in the dark. Standing on top of the lighthouse, you can take in the panoramic view of the vast ocean and feel the majestic beauty of nature.
Unforgettable Sunrise Experience at Ke Ga Lighthouse
Watching the sunrise at Ke Ga Lighthouse is an unmissable experience when visiting Binh Thuan. When the first rays of sunlight appear, the whole space brightens up, painting the sea and sky in gold. The sunlight shines on the water surface, creating sparkling, magical streaks of light.
The golden sunrise over the sea as seen from Ke Ga Lighthouse
Standing on top of the lighthouse, you can feel the peace and tranquility of the early morning, listen to the gentle sound of waves lapping, and breathe in the fresh air. This is a wonderful moment for you to temporarily forget the worries and busyness of life and immerse yourself in beautiful nature.
Other Interesting Activities at Ke Ga Lighthouse
In addition to watching the sunrise, you can participate in many other interesting activities at Ke Ga Lighthouse:
- Strolling around ancient frangipani trees: Surrounding the lighthouse are rows of ancient frangipani trees that are hundreds of years old. In the blooming season, frangipani flowers bloom white, creating a romantic and poetic scene.
A path surrounded by ancient frangipani trees at Ke Ga Lighthouse
- Conquering the lighthouse peak: Climbing to the top of the lighthouse and admiring the panoramic view of the ocean is a memorable experience.
- Overnight camping on the island: If you are an explorer and want to experience a pristine life, try overnight camping on the island.
Tents set up for camping on Ke Ga Island near the lighthouse
- Squid fishing, fishing: Evening is the ideal time for you to experience squid fishing and fishing at sea.
Nearby Attractions
In addition to Ke Ga Lighthouse, this area has many other attractive tourist destinations:
- Da Nhay Bay: Famous for its large and small rocks with strange shapes, creating a unique landscape.
Unique rock formations at Da Nhay Bay
- Co Thach Beach: Impressive with its unique seven-color pebble beach, sparkling in the sunlight.
Colorful pebble beach at Co Thach Beach
- Wind power field: With giant turbine pillars rising high against the blue sky, creating a modern and poetic scene.
Wind turbines in a field near Ke Ga Lighthouse
- Ong Dia Rock Beach: One of the prominent destinations in Phan Thiet, with pristine beauty and unique rocks jutting out to sea.
Rocky shore and beach at Ong Dia Rock Beach
Conclusion
Ke Ga Lighthouse is not only a historical architectural work but also an attractive tourist destination with pristine, ancient beauty and unique experiences. In particular, the sunrise moment here is an unforgettable experience, when you are immersed in beautiful nature and feel peace in your soul. If you have the opportunity to come to Binh Thuan, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Ke Ga Lighthouse and enjoy the wonderful moments here. Are you ready to witness the beautiful sunrise at Ke Ga Lighthouse?