Mihai Constantinescu, 38, a foreign language teacher, has called Vietnam home for 18 years. Passionate about traveling and exploring the history and culture of the country, he has completed three cross-country trips, visiting all provinces. 

His beautiful destinations and memorable encounters are regularly shared on his YouTube channel, "Mihai Travel Vlog".

Mihai has visited six of Vietnam's most famous islands: Cat Ba, Cu Lao Cham, Ly Son, Phu Quy, Con Dao, and Phu Quoc. Among them, Cu Lao Cham is his absolute favorite. Despite visiting multiple times, he still yearns to go back. 

Cu Lao Cham is a cluster of eight islands in the East Sea, preserved with a rich marine ecosystem. Recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2009, it is a magnetic destination for nature lovers and those seeking a rustic lifestyle or outdoor activities like snorkeling and camping.

In his 18 years here, Mihai has visited Hoi An and Da Nang countless times. On clear days, looking out from the mainland beach, he often saw the faint silhouette of an island in the distance.

“At first, I thought it was just a small island suitable for a day trip. Many times, I imagined going there, staying overnight, opening the window in the morning to see the ocean, hearing the waves, birds singing, and insects chirping,” Mihai recalled.

However, it was not until just before Lunar New Year in 2022 that he finally had the chance to visit. At that time, during a cross-country trip from HCMC to Hanoi, he stopped by Hoi An and was surprised by how quiet the town was.

“People were still hesitant to travel after the Covid-19 pandemic. I thought if Hoi An was quiet, the island must be even quieter. I imagined being alone among the blue sea and white sand, like Robinson Crusoe on a deserted island,” he said.

After asking locals for directions, he rode his motorbike to the harbor. Instead of taking a 20-minute speedboat, Mihai chose a 90-minute wooden boat ride so he could bring along his beloved motorbike.

“The moment I got off the boat, I fell in love with the island at first sight. Everywhere was covered in green mountains, white sand, and picture-perfect sea views. I dropped my luggage at the homestay and immediately set off to explore,” he said.

Riding through scenic winding roads, he eventually reached narrower paths surrounded by wild bushes and forests instead of houses. Along the way, he even encountered several large monkeys.

“I was worried it might be dangerous to enter the forest alone, so I turned back toward the center of the island. Then I spotted a beautiful beach, stopped the bike, and walked down a few steps. In front of me was Bai Xep Beach with white sand, crystal-clear water, and not a single person around - a beauty beyond words,” Mihai said.

Due to work commitments, he stayed on Cu Lao Cham for only one night. Yet images of Bai Xep, Bai Ong, fresh seafood dishes, and the sound of waves from the homestay balcony stayed in his mind, making him eager to return and explore further.

In August 2022, when his parents and sister visited Vietnam from Romania, Mihai decided to take them to Central Vietnam to explore Hue, Hoi An, and Cu Lao Cham. According to the original plan, the family would stay one night on the island and three nights in Hoi An.

They arrived on the island by speedboat on a beautiful sunny day. The beaches were stunningly blue and transparent, “so beautiful that just looking at them made you feel happy.”

But that evening, the weather suddenly changed and heavy rain poured down. The next morning, huge waves and strong winds accompanied the storm.

“Sometimes bad luck brings good moments. We had three full days together: waking up, drinking coffee, and sharing meals on the homestay balcony just a few meters from the sea.

“I joked with my family: ‘Look, the people on the mainland are the ones trapped because they can’t come here. We’re actually in paradise,’” he said.

Recently, Mihai returned to Cu Lao Cham for the third time, staying for two nights and spending most of his time riding around the island to revisit its roads and landscapes.

Linh Trang