Tam Hai: An untouched island waiting to be awakened
DNO - Tucked away off Da Nang’s coast, Tam Hai is a pristine island of black cliffs, coral reefs, and timeless fishing culture, yet its natural beauty still waits for the spark to truly awaken.
More than a year after the Ban Than - Hon Mang - Hon Dua complex in Tam Hai Commune, Da Nang, was recognized as a national scenic site, this island gem remains largely undiscovered.
Tam Hai is blessed with an abundance of assets: dramatic black cliffs and unique rock formations, nearly untouched coral reefs, and a rich fishing culture preserved almost intact. The turquoise waters still lap against pristine coral reefs, the wind still whistles over rugged rock formations, and fishing boats still glide in and out of the harbor as they have for generation.
The first thing that strikes visitors to Tam Hai is the coconut palms. Yes, every island has coconuts, but few can rival the sheer abundance here, a distinctive charm of its own.
Most remarkable is Ban Than, a one-kilometer stretch of black rock rising and dipping with the sea. Each step reveals a new shape: jagged like fortress walls, ridged like seashells, or soft and flowing like waves in stone.
From Ban Than, a boat ride will take you onward to the beaches of Hon Mang and Hon Dua, where submerged reefs glimmer beneath crystal-clear waters.
The island’s seafood is fresh, distinctive, and bursting with flavour could rival any coastal destination in Vietnam. According to Tran Minh Tap, head of Thuan An Village, a growing number of small eateries and homestays have begun to reshape the fishing village at the foot of Ban Than Mountain. In 2025 alone, tourism and related services are expected to bring in over VND 60 billion (about US$2.4 million).
Some investments have been made. A VND 3.7 billion project has upgraded the Ban Than – Hon Mang – Hon Dua landscape. Plans for a pier, parking facilities, restrooms, and land clearance, worth VND 6.7 billion, are on the books for 2025. Local authorities have even envisioned a signature experience, the 'One Day as an Island Fisherman' tour.
Tam Hai is more than ready to welcome the world. What it needs now is the determination and vision to awaken its natural treasures, turning potential into a sustainable tourism story that benefits both visitors and the island’s proud community.