A verdant oasis in the dunes

      Amid the immense sand dunes not far from the center of Phan Thiet on the lower central coast lie Bau Trang (White lake) and Doi Trinh Nu (Virgin hill) shimmering in the bright sunshine.
Located in Hoa Thang Commune, Bau Trang, also known as Bau Sen (Lotus lake), is a freshwater lake filled with lotuses and bordered along one edge by evergreen pines.
Unsurprisingly, it has become one of the most popular tourist haunts in Binh Thuan Province.
Bau Trang is actually two connected bodies of water - Bau Ong (Lord lake) and Bau Ba (Lady lake) totaling 70 square hectares. As they provide fresh water for the region, Bau Ong and Bau Ba were so named in gratitude for this gift from Mother Nature.
Freshwater fish thrive in the water, especially huge carp, making Bau Trang ideal for fishing. Apparently, there used to be crocodiles living there but the last one was caught 25 years ago and none have been sighted since.
Just to the south of Bau Trang once stood temples built by the Cham people to worship Po Nagar, the divine wife of the Hindu god Shiva, but they too have gone the way of the crocodiles.
To the east rises the prominent Doi Trinh Nu, perfect for sand skiing and sliding. For now it remains untouched by the developers.
The best time to visit Bau Trang and Doi Trinh Nu is when the lotuses bloom and the water turns a pale blue. It’s so picturesque that many betrothed couples go there to be photographed for their wedding albums.
There are two ways to reach Bau Trang: by coach or car from Hon Rom 12 kilometers away, or by driving from Phan Thiet along Highway 1A and taking the sign-posted turnoff at Luong Son. The second route is longer but much more scenic.
Bau Trang and Doi Trinh Nu are on the itinerary of several local tour operators, and some of the resorts in Binh Thuan run their own day trips there as well.