Ke Ga Lighthouse - The Oldest Lighthouse in Vietnam

Ke Ga Lighthouse - The Oldest Lighthouse in Vietnam

Do you know which lighthouse has the longest history in our country? That is Ke Ga lighthouse. If you have the chance to travel to Phan Thiet, you definitely must see this majestic lighthouse with your own eyes. This is not just an ordinary light to illuminate the sea but also a historical testament, a name recorded in the Vietnam record books. Let's follow NVK Travel for the latest information right after this.

Sharing about Ke Ga lighthouse 

Ke Ga lighthouse is located in Tan Thanh commune, Ham Thuan Nam district, Binh Thuan province. The lighthouse was built by the French in early 1897 and officially went into operation in 1899. Since then, this lighthouse has been over 125 years old, and the designer of this great structure was a French engineer named Chnavat.

The total height of the lighthouse reaches over 65m above sea level. The lantern is 35m high and the base width is 3m, tapering to 2.5m at the top. The wall thickness of the lighthouse ranges from 1m to 1.6m, thicker at the base and gradually thinner towards the top.

The daily mission of the lighthouse is to guide ships navigating through the waters of Hon Ba and part of Phan Thiet Bay. The installed bulb has a capacity of 2000W and can illuminate over 40km of coastline. Because it is located at a cape that resembles a chicken's head and the rocky terrain is treacherous, the lighthouse is named Ke Ga lighthouse.

Summary of information about Ke Ga Lighthouse

Summary of information about Ke Ga lighthouse

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For over 100 years, the lighthouse has been considered a historical witness, witnessing countless ups and downs and changes of the country. It is now recorded in the Vietnam record books as the tallest and oldest lighthouse in Vietnam. Because of this, more and more tourists are curious to explore this special lighthouse, turning it into an attractive tourist destination in the journey to Binh Thuan.

When is the best time to visit Ke Ga lighthouse?

This lighthouse is characterized by not being on the mainland but is isolated in the vast sea, so you need to travel by boat or canoe to reach it. Therefore, on rainy and windy days, when the weather is unfavorable, it will not be an ideal time for tourists to visit here.

According to NVK Travel's travel experience, the best time for tourists to fully enjoy the grandeur of Ke Ga lighthouse is from February to July and from September to January of the following year. These are all times when the weather in Phan Thiet is favorable, with calm seas for easy travel.

In addition, you can also visit Ke Ga Cape early in the morning. By around 1 PM, you can start taking a boat to the lighthouse, and after exploring the surroundings, you can prepare to capture the most beautiful sunset at around 3 PM. If you only plan to go for a day, leave the island as early as possible because the temperature at the lighthouse will drop in the evening, and the waves will be larger.

It is recommended to visit the lighthouse at the beginning or end of the year

It is best to visit the lighthouse at the beginning or end of the year

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Guide to getting to Ke Ga lighthouse

If you want to visit Ke Ga lighthouse, you need to travel to Phan Thiet and then from Phan Thiet to the lighthouse:

How to get to Phan Thiet

Tourists coming from the northern provinces need to book a flight to Ho Chi Minh City and then travel to Binh Thuan by land transportation. From Ho Chi Minh City to here, you can go in two ways:

  • Take the bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet. The bus will stop at Suoi Cat tourist area, and the journey will take about 4.5 hours. Ticket prices range from 170,000 - 250,000 VND/person.
  • Using a personal vehicle or renting one will be less tiring and more flexible, suitable for families or large groups.
The way to get to Phan Thiet is extremely simple

A very simple way to get to Phan Thiet

How to travel from Phan Thiet to Ke Ga

Note that Ke Ga lighthouse is about 30km from the center of Phan Thiet city, and the road is relatively simple. Tourists can take bus number 6 on the Lagi - Ke Ga route. The fare is about 15,000 VND/ride, suitable for students. You can also travel by motorbike taxi or taxi.

Many young people starting from Vung Tau can also travel by motorbike if they wish. The motorbike route starts from Ba Ria to Long Hai, then through Phuoc Hai, past Loc An fishing port and Ho Tram. Next, you move to Ho Coc and follow the coastal road to Binh Chau, then turn right to Lagi, Ham Tan. Continue past Dinh Thay Thim for about 20km, and then go straight to Ke Ga.

Drive from Phan Thiet to Ke Ga

Driving from Phan Thiet to Ke Ga

Traveling from the mainland to Ke Ga lighthouse 

To set foot on Ke Ga lighthouse, you need to travel by canoe, basket boat, or canoe from the mainland. Due to the increasing number of tourists, the transportation services here have also developed quite well. The sea route of about 500m only costs 15,000 - 20,000 VND/ride.

Travel by boat to the island

Traveling by boat to the island

What interesting things are there at Ke Ga lighthouse?

Below are some interesting features of Ke Ga lighthouse that you can refer to:

Take photos with the century-old frangipani trees

To reach the lighthouse, tourists need to pass through a path with steep stairs and century-old frangipani trees planted on both sides. At the end of July each year, the trees bloom beautifully, creating a stunning scene. The sweet fragrance of frangipani flowers wafting in the sea breeze will captivate tourists, and this will surely be a must-visit check-in spot.

Admire the beauty of the hundred-year-old soursop trees

Admire the beauty of the century-old frangipani trees

Unique architecture over time

The main construction material used for the structure is granite blocks brought from France, which have an everlasting beauty. Each block is intricately carved and fitted together without any adhesive.

The most special thing here is that after more than a decade, each granite joint remains tight, demonstrating the skill of the French architect. Whenever the sunlight shines on it, Ke Ga lighthouse seems to sparkle, more dazzling like a sword of the Phan Thiet sea. At the entrance, there is a large granite slab engraved with the year of completion, which is 1899.

Conquering the spiral staircase

To reach the top of the lighthouse, you will need to conquer a spiral staircase with 183 steps made of reinforced concrete. Because the interior area is only about 3m and narrows towards the top, some people may feel a bit dizzy.

This is a worthwhile challenge to conquer the tallest tower in Vietnam at 65m, and then you will receive a truly worthy reward. An indescribable feeling as the clouds and sky blend together, capturing your eyes.

Conquer the challenge of 183 spiral steps

Conquering the challenge of 183 spiral steps

Admiring the rocky beach

Surrounding Ke Ga lighthouse are scattered rocky beaches that seem to be arranged but are actually random. They are all natural stones of different sizes and shapes, worn down by the waves over time, creating a magnificent scene. This is also a special spot chosen by many tourists to sunbathe or sit on a large rock to relax.

Watching the beautiful sunset at the end of the day

The most beautiful time at the lighthouse is when the sunset descends. The evening sky is dyed red, reflected on the sea surface, creating a picturesque and interesting scene. This is also when the tide recedes, revealing white sandy beaches and rocky areas surrounding it. The magnificent natural scenery at this time will surely give you countless beautiful photos, no matter which angle you take.

Admire the beauty of the sunset as night falls

Admire the beauty of the sunset as night falls

Catch seafood and enjoy it at the beach

In the afternoon when the tide goes out, the large rock formations become the favorite fishing spots for locals. If you have this elegant passion, you can also try your hand at fishing; otherwise, you can visit the shore to buy seafood from the locals and then host a party right on the beach.

Experience overnight camping on the island

When visiting Ke Ga Lighthouse, many groups of young friends also organize overnight camping. To camp, you need to contact in advance and get permission from the border guards on the island. All equipment and food must be prepared beforehand as no services are provided on the island.

What should you pay attention to when visiting Ke Ga Lighthouse?

To enjoy the panoramic view of the sunrise at the lighthouse, you need to camp overnight. However, since the island does not provide tent rental services, you also need to prepare and bring your own. Additionally, visitors should bring food, flashlights, and other items for staying overnight.

The sunrise will occur relatively early around 4:30 AM, and you need to wake up early beforehand to catch the moment the sun rises. When you leave, remember to clean up all the trash and dispose of it in the designated area.

Moreover, if you bring small children to visit Ke Ga Lighthouse, you need to pay close attention to them, especially when climbing to the top of the tower. The stairs are relatively narrow and slippery, which can be dangerous for young children.

A small note when visiting the lighthouse

A small note when visiting the lighthouse

Above are all the information about Ke Ga Lighthouse that NVK Travel wants to share with you. We wish you lots of joy on your Binh Thuan trip, if you are still unsure about how to plan your itinerary, please contact us immediately for detailed advice.