What it is
The "canh dong dien gio" — literally wind power fields — are clusters of industrial wind turbines spread across the dry, scrubby coastal plains in the area formerly administered as Ninh Thuan province, now part of expanded Khanh Hoa. The turbines started going up around 2019-2021 during Vietnam (베트남 / 越南 / ベトナム)'s renewable energy push, and within a couple of years the stark white towers against red-earth landscapes and grazing sheep became one of the most photographed roadside scenes on the south-central coast.
The main concentrations sit along and off National Highway 1A (QL1A) between Phan Rang and Cam Ranh, particularly around the Ninh Thuan wind power projects near Phuoc Huu and Mui Dinh. There's no single fenced "park" — the turbines are scattered across working agricultural land, which is part of what makes the experience feel unmanufactured.
Why travelers go
Three reasons, mostly. First: photography. The combination of enormous turbines, empty fields, wandering sheep and goats, and harsh golden light produces images that look nothing like the rest of Vietnam. Second: it breaks up the drive between Nha Trang (냐짱 / 芽庄 / ニャチャン) and Mui Ne or Saigon nicely. Third: the surrounding area has its own low-key appeal — salt fields, grape vineyards, Cham towers, and genuinely uncrowded beaches.
This isn't a half-day destination. It's a 1-2 hour stop that rewards people already passing through, or a reason to base yourself in the area for a night and explore the wider coastline.
Best time to visit
The dry season runs from roughly November through April. January to March is ideal — skies are reliably clear, the wind is strong (turbines actually spinning makes for better photos and sound), and the landscape is at its most arid and dramatic. The light between 4:30-5:30 PM is particularly good, with the sun low and the earth glowing orange-red.
Avoid September-October if you can. The tail end of rainy season means overcast skies and muddy access roads to some of the better vantage points.
How to get there
The nearest major hub is Nha Trang (Cam Ranh airport), roughly 60-70 km south depending on which turbine cluster you're targeting.
By motorbike: The most flexible option. Rent in Nha Trang for 120,000-180,000 VND/day (automatic scooter). Take QL1A south — the first turbines appear around the 50 km mark past Cam Ranh. Total ride time: about 1-1.5 hours depending on traffic.
By car/private driver: A return day trip from Nha Trang with a Grab car or hired driver runs 800,000-1,200,000 VND. Worth it if you want to combine with other stops (Vinh Hy Bay, the salt fields near Phan Rang).
By bus: Intercity buses between Nha Trang and Phan Rang cost around 60,000-80,000 VND. Ask to be dropped at the wind farm area along QL1A. Getting around once you're off the highway requires a xe om (motorbike taxi) or pre-arranged transport.
From Da Nang or Hoi An, it's a longer commitment — 450+ km south. Most travelers hit this area as part of a coastal road trip rather than a standalone day trip from that far north.
Photo by Sun God Apolo on Pexels
What to do
Walk among the turbines
The turbines near Phuoc Huu (accessible via a dirt road off QL1A) are spread across open land with no fencing. You can walk or ride right up to the base. The sound of the blades cutting air overhead is surprisingly loud and slightly unnerving — the scale only registers when you're standing beneath one. Early morning or late afternoon for the light.
Photograph the sheep flocks
Local herders graze sheep and goats around the turbine bases. The combination of livestock, red soil, and white towers has become the signature image of this area. The herders are generally fine with photography — a friendly wave goes further than sticking a lens in someone's face without acknowledgment.
Drive the coastal road toward Mui Dinh
Head east from the turbine fields toward the coast and Mui Dinh lighthouse area. The road passes through increasingly empty terrain with ocean views. Mui Dinh itself is a rocky headland with a functioning lighthouse and very few visitors.
Stop at the salt fields
Between the wind farms and Phan Rang, the salt evaporation ponds are active from January through June. Workers rake salt into white pyramids starting around 5 AM. It's honest labor, not a tourist attraction — keep a respectful distance and ask before photographing people at work.
Visit Po Klong Garai Cham tower
Just outside Phan Rang town, this 13th-century Cham temple complex sits on a hill with views over the plain. It's one of the better-preserved Cham sites in Vietnam and takes about 30 minutes to explore. Entry is 15,000 VND. The architecture shares DNA with Po Nagar in Nha Trang but draws far fewer visitors.
Where to eat nearby
Phan Rang is the food hub for this area. Two things worth seeking:
Banh canh cha ca Phan Rang — thick tapioca noodles in a fish-based broth with fried fish cake. This is the local signature dish. Quan Banh Canh 68 on Ngo Gia Tu street is reliable. A bowl runs 35,000-45,000 VND.
Com ga Phan Rang — chicken rice with a distinctly local preparation, the chicken often grilled rather than steamed or boiled. Several places along Thong Nhat street serve this for 40,000-55,000 VND.
For vietnamese coffee (베트남 커피 / 越南咖啡 / ベトナムコーヒー), any roadside "ca phe" shop along QL1A will do — the area isn't precious about specialty roasts, but the "ca phe sua da" is strong and cheap (15,000-20,000 VND).
Where to stay
Budget (300,000-500,000 VND/night): Nha nghi (guesthouses) in Phan Rang town. Basic but clean. Try the area around the central market.
Mid-range (600,000-1,200,000 VND/night): A few newer hotels on the Phan Rang-Ninh Chu beach road offer ocean-facing rooms. Saigon (사이공 / 西贡 / サイゴン) Ninh Chu is decent.
Higher end (1,500,000+ VND/night): Amanoi resort is technically in this area (Vinh Hy Bay) if budget is irrelevant. Otherwise, most travelers base in Nha Trang for more hotel variety and visit the wind farms as a day trip.
Photo by Vung Nguyen on Pexels
Practical tips
- Wear a hat and sunscreen. There is essentially zero shade among the turbines. The coastal plain is brutally exposed, especially midday.
- Bring water. There are no shops or vendors at the turbine sites themselves.
- Fuel up in Cam Ranh or Phan Rang. Petrol stations get sparse on the smaller roads between clusters.
- The dirt access roads to some turbine groups get rutted after rain. A standard scooter handles them fine when dry, but after heavy rain you'll want something with clearance.
- Don't fly drones near the turbines without checking — wind farm operators don't appreciate it and there may be restricted airspace.
Common mistakes
Going midday: The light is flat, the heat is brutal, and the photos look washed out. Arrive before 8 AM or after 4 PM.
Treating it as a full-day destination: Unless you're combining with Vinh Hy Bay, Mui Dinh, and the salt fields, the wind farms alone are a 1-2 hour stop. Plan accordingly.
Expecting infrastructure: There are no ticket booths, cafes, bathrooms, or designated parking at the turbine sites. This isn't a tourist attraction — it's working energy infrastructure on agricultural land that happens to be photogenic.
Practical notes
The wind farms work best as part of a Nha Trang-to-Mui Ne coastal drive or a dedicated day trip from Nha Trang. Pair with "banh canh (반깐 / 粗米粉汤 / バインカイン)" in Phan Rang and a sunset at Ninh Chu beach for a full day that justifies the detour south.
Last updated · May 21, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
