Vinh Thuc Lighthouse is located on Vinh Thuc Island, Mong Cai City, Quang Ninh Province. The lighthouse is the first lighthouse counting from the north on the beloved S-shaped strip of land!
Vinh Thuc Lighthouse – The first lighthouse on the S-shaped strip of land
Vinh Thuc Island holds a strategic position guarding the maritime border with neighboring countries and opening up rich fishing grounds in the Northeast region. With this location, Vinh Thuc Lighthouse also became the first lighthouse on Vietnam's maritime chart.
Vinh Thuc Lighthouse. Photo: Mong Cai City.
Lighthouses always play an extremely important role; not only that, their light in the dark of night is also a good omen for seafarers.
The road up to the lighthouse. Photo: mongcai.gov.
Commissioned in 1962, having shone to guide the way for over half a century, Vinh Thuc Lighthouse has always fulfilled its important mission. The lighthouse shines, creating a maritime safety corridor, helping passing vessels orient and position themselves, while fulfilling maritime and island sovereignty obligations.
Vinh Thuc Lighthouse seen from afar in the morning dawn. Photo: mongcai.gov.
From Mui Ngoc, Tra Co in Mong Cai, it takes just a 10-minute speedboat ride for visitors to set foot on Vinh Thuc Island. On the journey from Mui Ngoc to Vinh Thuc, you will be impressed by the salty sea scent, the sound of the wind rushing by, and the lush green expanse of sea and sky.
The tree-shaded road across the island. Photo: La Nghia Hieu.
Vinh Thuc Island comprises two communes, Vinh Thuc and Vinh Trung, with an area of 5,000 ha and a population of over 4,000 people. The islanders still maintain the traditional lifestyle of coastal people, living mainly by fishing, farming, and aquaculture.
Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The road leading up to the lighthouse is nearly 15 km long, passing through forests, ponds, and houses characteristic of the coastal region. Before visitors' eyes lies the sea cliff on one side and a steep precipice on the other; in the distance atop Dau Tan Mountain is Vinh Thuc Lighthouse.
Photo: Northern Maritime Safety Assurance Company.
The lighthouse is under the Northeast Maritime Safety Assurance Enterprise. It features ancient French architecture, consisting of two distinct, harmoniously combined structures: an auxiliary building below and a cylindrical white light tower above.
The sea around the lighthouse area. Photo: La Nghia Hieu.
The auxiliary building complex features arched curved roofs connected to the tower base by a short corridor. The lighthouse has a height of 18m from the foundation base to the top of the lantern tower, and the tower height from sea level to the top is 86m.
Vinh Thuc Lighthouse is always an attractive tourist destination. Photo: La Nghia Hieu.
With a focal plane height of 84.5m, at night the lighthouse emits a single flashing white light with a 5-second cycle and a 360-degree illumination range, having a luminous range of 21 nautical miles.
A corner of the island. Photo: La Nghia Hieu.
Standing at the top of the lantern tower, visitors can admire the vast sea and sky, with Dau Dong beach on one side and Sa Vi cape on the other—the northernmost point, where the sacred homeland begins.
Admiring the view from Vinh Thuc Lighthouse. Photo: La Nghia Hieu.
Steps leading up to the lighthouse. Photo: La Nghia Hieu.
Visiting Vinh Thuc Lighthouse, visitors not only arrive at a beautiful destination, but also embark on a journey toward the fatherland to see just how magnificent the frontier seas and islands are. The lighthouses scattered across Vietnam's waters stand as enduring milestones affirming national border sovereignty.
