Ho Song Trau sits in the arid interior of what was formerly Ninh Thuan province, now part of the expanded Khanh Hoa. It's a man-made reservoir surrounded by low, sun-bleached hills and sparse vegetation — the kind of landscape most travelers blow past on the train between Saigon and Da Nang. That's exactly why it's worth a stop.

What it is

Ho Song Trau is an irrigation reservoir built to serve the dry farming communities in one of Vietnam's least rainy regions. The area around it looks more like the central highlands (중부 고원 / 中部高原 / 中部高原) of Myanmar than the lush green most people picture when they think of Vietnam. Rocky red earth, thorny scrub, goat herds. The lake itself is modest — maybe 2 km across at its widest — but it catches light in a way that makes the barren surroundings feel oddly cinematic.

The reservoir feeds into a network of canals that irrigate grape vineyards and garlic fields downstream. If you've eaten grapes or drunk wine anywhere in southern Vietnam, there's a decent chance the water started here.

Why travelers go

Honestly, most don't — yet. Ho Song Trau draws Vietnamese anglers and the occasional photographer chasing golden-hour shots over the water. For travelers, the appeal is the landscape itself: dry, open, and completely unlike the coast just 40 km east. It pairs well with a day exploring the Cham towers and vineyards in the surrounding area, giving you a reason to get off the coastal highway and into the interior.

If you've spent a week bouncing between beach towns, this is a palette cleanser.

Best time to visit

The dry season runs roughly from January to August, and that's when you want to be here. The reservoir is fullest from October to December after the short rainy season, which makes for better photos, but the roads can get muddy and the humidity spikes.

Sweet spot: February to April. Water levels are still reasonable, the sky is reliably clear, and daytime temperatures hover around 30-33°C. Mornings are cool enough to be comfortable on a motorbike. Avoid June-July if you hate heat — this part of Khanh Hoa regularly pushes past 37°C with no shade to speak of.

How to get there

The nearest major hub is Nha Trang (냐짱 / 芽庄 / ニャチャン), about 100 km to the northeast. From Cam Ranh (the airport area), it's closer to 75 km.

From Nha Trang

  • Motorbike: The most practical option. Take the QL1A south toward Phan Rang-Thap Cham, then cut inland on provincial roads. Total ride time is about 2-2.5 hours depending on how aggressively you pass trucks. Rental bikes in Nha Trang run 120,000-180,000 VND/day for a Honda Wave or similar.
  • Bus + xe om: Catch a bus from Nha Trang's southern bus station heading toward Phan Rang (around 60,000-80,000 VND, 1.5 hours). From Phan Rang, you'll need a "xe om" (motorbike taxi) or a Grab bike for the remaining 30-ish km inland. Expect to pay 80,000-120,000 VND for that leg, and negotiate the return trip in advance — Grab coverage is thin out here.
  • Private car/driver: Arrange through your hotel in Nha Trang. A day trip with a driver typically costs 1,200,000-1,500,000 VND round trip, which is reasonable if you're splitting with someone.

Sweeping aerial view of vibrant rice fields with wind turbines and mountains in the background.

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels

What to do

Walk the reservoir perimeter

There's no formal trail, but a dirt track follows about two-thirds of the shoreline. It takes roughly 1.5-2 hours at a relaxed pace. Bring water — there is zero shade for long stretches. Early morning is best. You'll pass fishermen setting nets, and possibly a few goat herders.

Visit the Cham towers near Phan Rang

On your way in or out, stop at Po Klong Garai — a cluster of Cham temple towers sitting on a granite hill just outside Phan Rang-Thap Cham. They date to the 13th century and are some of the best-preserved Cham ruins in Vietnam, on par with Po Nagar up in Nha Trang but with a fraction of the visitors. Entry is 15,000 VND.

Try the local grape vineyards

The Ninh Thuan grape-growing region is the only one of its kind in Vietnam. Several family vineyards between Phan Rang and the reservoir let you walk through the rows and taste fresh grapes for 20,000-30,000 VND. The red grapes here aren't going to rival Bordeaux, but they're surprisingly sweet and make for a good break on a hot ride.

Fish

If you're into it, the reservoir has tilapia and snakehead. Local anglers use basic rods and live bait. You can sometimes borrow gear from nearby households if you ask nicely — a few thousand dong as a gesture of thanks goes a long way. No permits needed.

Catch sunset from the dam wall

The concrete dam on the eastern side gives you an unobstructed westward view. When the sun drops behind the dry hills, the water turns copper. Bring a beer from a roadside stall and sit on the wall. That's it. That's the activity.

Where to eat nearby

You won't find restaurants at the reservoir itself. Eat in Phan Rang-Thap Cham before or after.

  • "Banh canh" — Phan Rang is known for its thick tapioca-flour noodle soup, often served with fish cake or pork. Look for the cluster of "banh canh" stalls near the central market. A bowl runs 25,000-35,000 VND.
  • Grilled goat — The dry climate here supports goat farming, and grilled goat ("de nuong") is a local specialty. Most places along the main road through town serve it. A shared plate with herbs and rice paper for wrapping costs around 150,000-200,000 VND, enough for two.

Where to stay

There's no accommodation at Ho Song Trau itself. Your options are Phan Rang-Thap Cham or back in Nha Trang.

  • Phan Rang: Basic guesthouses ("nha nghi") from 200,000-350,000 VND/night. A few mid-range hotels in the 500,000-800,000 VND range with air conditioning and hot water. Nothing fancy, but clean and functional.
  • Nha Trang: Full range from 250,000 VND dorm beds to beachfront hotels at 2,000,000+ VND. Makes sense as a base if you're doing this as a day trip.

Serene view of a traditional fishing boat on a tranquil Vietnamese lake with mountain background.

Photo by Nhi Huynh on Pexels

Practical tips locals would tell you

  • Bring your own water and snacks. There are no shops near the reservoir. Buy supplies in Phan Rang.
  • Sunscreen and a hat are non-negotiable. This isn't a shaded forest lake. The terrain is exposed and the UV is brutal, especially midday.
  • Fill up on fuel in Phan Rang. Petrol stations thin out fast once you leave the main highway.
  • If you're on a motorbike, check your tires. The last stretch of road to the reservoir is unpaved and rocky in places. A flat out here means a long walk.
  • Carry cash. No ATMs, no card readers, no mobile payment terminals anywhere near the lake.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Treating it as a full-day destination on its own. Ho Song Trau is best as part of a longer loop — combine it with the Cham towers, the vineyards, and lunch in Phan Rang for a solid day trip from Nha Trang.
  • Arriving midday. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. there's no shade and temperatures are punishing. Go early or go late.
  • Expecting facilities. No toilets, no ticket booth, no parking lot. This isn't a managed tourist site. It's a working reservoir that happens to be in a beautiful spot.
  • Skipping Phan Rang entirely. The town itself isn't glamorous, but the food is good and the Cham heritage is genuinely interesting. Don't just blow through.

Practical notes

Ho Song Trau works best as a half-day detour on a motorbike trip between Nha Trang and points south, or as a deliberate side trip for anyone who wants to see a drier, quieter side of coastal Vietnam. It's not a destination you fly across the country for — but if you're already in Khanh Hoa and want something beyond the beach, the drive inland is worth the dust.

— FIN —

Last updated · May 21, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.