PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES; 4CORNERS IMAGESthe harmonic intonation of nature, vibrating
alongwithEarth’sownheartbeat.
As an anchorage, Nam Hai presents a perfect
base for adventurers to enjoy further exploits
on land – bike riding in the rice paddies at
dawn, a visit to the Marble Mountains for
staggering views of the coastline or to the
templesofMySon,anotherUNESCOWorld
Heritage Site. The temples were built between
the4thand14thcenturiesbutbadlydamaged
by American bombs. It is in these moments,
gazing at a beautiful, half-standing temple in
a humid jungle clearing, that the memory of
war feels palpable.
Wildness pervades any journey here.
Vietnam’s still untamed nature makes it inviting
to travellers, and to the superyacht community.
“At the moment, cruising Vietnam is still in the
‘adventurous new destination’ category,”
Kimman concedes, “but if a yacht is prepared
to accept the bureaucratic procedures and fees,
it is an exciting destination. Not many yachts
havevisitedVietnam,andthosewhohaveare
very upbeat about their encounters.” Captain
De Kock agrees: “It’s not easy cruising, but for
the adventurous person, it’s well worth it.”BCaves in the Marble
Mountains near Da Nang
contain Buddhist temples,
statues and dragonsThose who do
take the time
to visit are
rewarded, finding
a destination that
is still raw but
with plenty to
do beyond the
water’s edge
194