Located within Van Phong Bay, Doc Let Beach - also known as Doc Lech - in Dong Ninh Hoa Ward, Khanh Hoa province, lies about 49km south of the former Nha Trang city center.

The beach is famed for its untouched beauty, long stretches of fine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, earning comparisons to Hawaii among visitors.

According to locals, the name Doc Let comes from the terrain itself. To reach the sea, visitors must cross soft, steep sand dunes, at times having to “crawl” their way forward.

Le Quynh, born in 1995 and based in Ho Chi Minh City, recently spent three days and two nights exploring the area. Alongside visiting scenic spots, she also immersed herself in local culture and cuisine.

Five years earlier, her boyfriend had visited Doc Let and was deeply impressed by its landscape, prompting him to return with her in March.

The couple traveled nearly 500km by motorbike from Ho Chi Minh City. However, Quynh noted that visitors could opt for more convenient options such as taking a coach to the former Ninh Hoa district or flying to Cam Ranh Airport before renting a motorbike to reach Doc Let.

Her first impression was the soft, expansive white sand and the dramatic backdrop of rolling hills stretching into the distance.

“The sea here is incredibly clear, with a shade of blue unlike any beach I have seen before,” she said.

Based on her experience, the ideal time to visit is during the dry season, from November to early May, when the weather is sunny, rainfall is minimal and the sea remains calm and clear - perfect for outdoor activities.

During their trip, the couple explored several picturesque spots including Ganh Phong, Hon My Giang and the fishing village of Ninh Van.

One of the most memorable moments was watching the sunset from the “dinosaur spine” ridge at Hon My Giang, where Van Phong Bay glowed in shades of red under the evening light.

Beyond its natural beauty, what surprised Quynh most was the affordability of the experience.

Accommodation cost just VND300,000 (US$12) per night for two people at a beachfront local hotel offering spacious, clean rooms with full amenities.

Food was equally budget-friendly. Some local dishes started from just VND10,000 (US$0.40) per portion, such as banh day - a rice-based cake served with tuna dipping sauce.

One standout experience was enjoying squid banh can at sunrise.

Quynh visited a seaside seafood market to buy freshly caught squid, priced between VND160,000 and VND180,000 (US$6.50-7.30) per kilogram, depending on size. She and her boyfriend bought half a kilogram and brought it to a local stall, where it was cooked into five generous plates of banh can.

The cooking fee was just VND30,000 (US$1.20), enough for both to eat their fill.

Over the three-day trip, she also sampled other dishes such as banh day, cha ram and a variety of fresh local seafood including blood cockles, snails, oysters, scallops and sea urchins.

“I was most impressed by the seafood fried rice. It was packed with squid and shrimp - filling and delicious,” she said.

In total, the couple spent around VND2.2 million (US$90) for the entire three-day, two-night trip, covering VND1.3 million (US$53) for food, VND600,000 (US$24) for two nights of accommodation and fuel costs.