Lighthouses of Vietnam

Long independent, Vietnam was colonized by France from the mid 1800s until 1941, when the country was invaded and conquered by Japan. After the end of World War II in 1945, French attempts to re-establish control triggered 30 years of warfare, leading to the reunification of the country in 1975. Fortunately, the lighthouses were not usually seen as targets during the Vietnam War, and most of them survived the fighting without major damage. A few of the historic French lighthouses have been replaced, but most remain in service and are regarded as historic monuments. In general, Vietnamese lighthouses have resident keepers.

Vietnam is long and narrow, with a coastline measuring some 3000 km (1875 mi) in length. The northern third of the coast faces the Gulf of Tonkin, and the rest faces east and southeast on the open waters of the South China Sea. Aids to navigation are maintained by the two Maritime Safety Companies (Cong Ty Bao Dam Dam An Toan Hang Hai, or MSC). MSC I maintains lights in the northern half of the country and MSC II the lights of the southern half. I am indebted to Klaus Huelse for locating the web sites of the two companies.

Note: Vietnam also operates a number of lighthouses in the Spratly Islands.

The Vietnamese words for a lighthouse are hai dang or den bien. Dao or hon is an island, mui is a cape, cua is a river.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume F of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112.

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Hon Dau Light, Hai Phong
photo copyright Peter and Carolyn Vehslage; used by permission

General Sources
Maritime Safety Company I - Lighthouses
Information on lighthouses of northern Vietnam, with small photos. The text is all in Vietnamese.
Maritime Safety Company II - Lighthouses
Information on lighthouses of southern Vietnam, with somewhat larger photos. The text is all in Vietnamese.

Northern Coast (Gulf of Tonkin) Lighthouses

Quang Ninh Province Lighthouses
Vinh Thuc
1962. Active; focal plane 85 m (279 ft); white flash every 6 s. 18 m (59 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a colonnaded 1-story keeper's house. Entire structure painted white. Vinh Thuc is one of Vietnam's largest islands, about 25 km (15 mi) in length, parallel to the coast a few miles south of the Chinese border. There are efforts to develop tourist facilities on the island. Located at the eastern tip of the island. Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-007; Admiralty F3315; NGA 20216.5.
* Co To
1961. Active; focal plane 116 m (381 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 12 s. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Lighthouse painted ochre with gray trim, as shown on a more recent photo, a closeup, and the tourism agency photo at right. An April 2007 closeup is also available. The light may have been moved to a small skeletal tower atop the keeper's house. Co To is an inhabited island about 40 km (25 mi) east of Cam Tha. Located on the highest point of the island. Site open; the photo suggests the lighthouse may be open for tours at some times. ARLHS VIE-002.
Khong Phai
Date unknown. Active; characteristics unknown. Approx. 24 m (79 ft) octagonal cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. Lighthouse painted (top to bottom) with green, white, red, and gold horizontal bands. A 2007 photo is available. This lighthouse is apparently located on one of the extremities of Co To; we need more information!
Dao Tran (Lo Chuc Dan)
1996. Active; focal plane 201 m (659 ft); four white flashes every 15 s. 18 m (59 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a keeper's house. Entire structure painted white. Dao Tran is an island about 30 km (20 mi) off the coast of Quang Ninh province in northernmost Vietnam. The island and its surrounding waters have been proposed as a protected marine reserve. Located on the highest point of the island. Site and tower closed. ARLHS VIE-032; Admiralty F3314.5; NGA 20213.5.
* Ha Long (Hong Gai)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 17 m (56 ft); flashing red light (?). Approx. 16 m (52 ft) hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Paul Tuyen has a closeup photo, and a second photo shows the lighthouse standing next to a ferry landing. Ha Long (formerly called Hong Gai) is the capital of Quang Ninh Province. Located on the west side of the entrance to Ha Long Bay, near the city's tourist hotels. Site open, tower closed.
Soi Den (Le Cancrelat)
1964. Active; focal plane 47 m (154 ft); white flash every 5 s. 13.5 m (45 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with a large round watch room structure and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. This light replaced a 5 m (17 ft) tower. Located on a rocky islet about 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Ha Long (Hong Gai). Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-031; Admiralty F3306; NGA 20214.

Co To Light
Vietnam National Administration of Tourism photo
Ha Mai
2005. Active; focal plane 181 m (594 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete block tower, painted yellow. No photo available. Ha Mai is the southernmost island of Quang Ninh, about 50 km (30 mi) southeast of Hong Gai. Located on the southern end of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown.

Hai Phong Province Lighthouses
Long Chao (Xuy Nong Chao, Grande Norway Island)
1894. Active; focal plane 110 m (361 ft); white flash every 4 s. 30 m (98 ft) round stone tower rising from the center of a square 2-story masonry keeper's house. The tower is unpainted gray stone; lantern painted white with a dark metallic dome. The traditional landfall light for Hai Phong, this is a staffed station. Located on the highest point of Xuy Nong (or Long) Chao, the largest of the Long Chao Islands, about 60 km (37.5 mi) southeast of Hai Phong. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS VIE-020; Admiralty F3232; NGA 20216.
Van Chau (Song Bach Dang)
1900. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); one long flash and three short ones every 6 s, white or red depending on direction. Skeletal tower atop a small house, mounted on piles. No photo available. Located on the Nam Trieu River at the mouth of the Bach Dang River, in Hai Phong. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS VIE-040; Admiralty F3280.4; NGA 20264.5.
 

Long Chao Light; Hai Phong City photo
* Hon Dau (2)
1894 (station established 1876). Active; focal plane 63.5 m (208 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 23 m (75 ft) octagonal masonry tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story masonry keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white with blue trim; the blue on the angles of the tower has the effect of narrow blue vertical striping. Lantern dome is gray metallic. Thanks to Peter and Carolyn Vehslage for the use of the photo at the top of this page; Do Son Duong has a 2007 closeup photo, and a second closeup is available. The original 1° Fresnel lens has been removed from the lantern and is apparently on display under the portico. Located on an island on the south side of the entrance to Hai Phong, about 40 km (25 mi) southeast of the city; transportation should be available to resorts on the island. Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS VIE-024; Admiralty F3236; NGA 20268.
Dao Bach Long Vi (Nightingale Island)
1995. Active; focal plane 80 m (262 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 23 m (75 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, centered on a keeper's house. Lighthouse painted gray with white trim, keeper's house yellow with white trim. Bach Long Vi is an isolated island in the middle of the Gulf of Tonkin, halfway between Vietnam and the Chinese island of Hainan. Sovereignty over the island was disputed between France and China, but China has now acknowledged Vietnamese ownership of the island. Located on the highest point of the island. Site and tower closed. ARLHS VIE-016; Admiralty F3230; NGA 20273.

Thai Binh Province Lighthouses
* Diem Dien
1997. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); white flash every 5 s. 23 m (75 ft) round concrete tower with 8 buttresses, lantern, and gallery. Lighthouse painted gray, buttresses white. Diem Dien is a fishing port on the Gulf of Tonkin about 40 km (25 mi) south of Hai Phong. Located on the Diem Dien waterfront. Site probably open, tower closed.
* Ba Lat
1962. Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); four white flashes, in a 3+1 pattern, every 20 s. 34 m (112 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the center of a 1-story keeper's house. The tower is painted gray; lantern and gallery painted white, keeper's house yellow. Nguyen Trang has a good 2007 photo. Located on an island off the mouth of the Ba Lat River, the principal branch of the Red River, about 55 km (35 mi) south of the Hon Dau Light. Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS VIE-009; Admiralty F3233; NGA 20272.5.

Nam Dinh Province Lighthouses
Quat Lam
1966. Active; focal plane 25.5 m (84 ft); white flash every 4 s. 22 m (72 ft) square steel skeletal tower with gallery, painted gray. 1-story keeper's house. Quat Lam is a fishing port about 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Nam Dinh city. Site status unknown.
* Lach Giang
2001. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 10 s. 17 m (56 ft) round hourglass-shaped tower centered on the roof of a1-story building. Tower painted with red and white horizontal bands, building painted yellow with white trim. The building appears to be a harbormaster's office. Located on the waterfront of Lach Giang, a small port about 35 km (22 mi) south southeast of Nam Dinh city. Site open, tower closed.

Lach Giang Light
MSC I photo

Thanh Hoa Province Lighthouses
* Lach Trao
1965. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 22 m (72 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted gray, lantern yellow. 1-story keeper's houses, painted yellow. Lach Trao is the seaport associated with Thanh Hoa, located about 13 km (8 mi) east of the city. Site open, tower closed.
Hon Me (2?)
1977. Active; focal plane 154 m (505 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 15 s. 18.5 m (61 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white. Hon Me is an island about 15 km (9 mi) offshore and 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Tinh Gia. Located on the highest point of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-026; Admiralty F3225; NGA 20274.
Bien Son (2)
1962 (station established 1904). Active; focal plane 31.5 m (103 ft); white flash every 5 s. 11.5 m (38 ft) square skeletal tower mounted on a 1-story square concrete service building. Tower painted black, building yellow. Bien Son is an island just of the coast of southern Thanh Hoa Province. Located on the northern tip of the island. Site status unknown.

Nghe An Province (Vinh Area) Lighthouses
Hon Mat
2004. Active; focal plane 202 m (663 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 10 s. 12.5 m (41 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery. Lighthouse painted yellow with white trim. 2-story keeper's house, also painted yellow with white trim. Hon Mat is an isolated high island about 20 km (13 mi) off the coast just north of Vinh. Located on the highest point of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown.
Cua Hoi (Vinh River)
1966. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 17 m (56 ft) square steel skeletal tower, painted gray. Located on the north side of the entrance to the Hoi River estuary about 12 km (7.5 mi) northeast of Vinh. Site status unknown. Admiralty F3220; NGA 20276.

Ha Tinh Province Lighthouses
Cua Sot
1969. Active; focal plane 90 m (295 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 13 m (43 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with three galleries, painted yellow with white trim. Located on a headland on the north side of the entrance to the Sot River estuary. Site status unknown.
Cua Nhuong
1967. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white flash every 6 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, rising from or adjacent to a 1-story keeper's house. The tower is painted with red and white horizontal bands. Another version of the MCS photo is available (near the middle of the page). Located on the south side of the entrance to the Nhuang River about 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Ha Tinh city. Site status unknown.
Mui Ron
1999. Active; focal plane 205 m (673 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 16 m (52 ft) round concrete tower with an expanded upper section. Lighthouse painted gray. 2-story keeper's house painted yellow with white trim. Mui Ron is the cape at the end of a 5 km (3 mi) long peninsual that projects suddenly into the South China Sea, forming a significant hazard to navigation. Located on the headland at the tip of the peninsula. Site status unknown.

Cua Nhuong Light; MSC I photo

Quang Binh Province Lighthouses
* Cua Gianh
1970. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 10 s. 20 m (66 ft) round concrete tower with gallery. The tower is unpainted gray concrete; gallery painted white.1-story keeper's house. Located on the north side of the entrance to the Gianh River about 10 km (6 mi) north of Ly Hoa. Site appears open, tower closed.
Nhat Le
1974. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 12 s. 20 m (66 ft) hexagonal concrete tower with lantern and two galleries, painted yellow with black trim. A 2007 photo is available. Nhat Le is a small, isolated island about 65 km (40 mi) northeast of Mui Lay. Located on the highest point of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown.

Central Coast Lighthouses

Quang Tri Province Lighthouses
* Mui Lay
1976. Active; focal plane 37.5 m (123 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 12.5 m (41 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower rising from one end of a 1-story concrete keeper's house. The lighthouse is painted white in MSC's photo, but it is a dark gray in Carl Cole's 2004 photo. Located on a prominant cape about 20 km (13 mi) north of Gio Linh. Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS VIE-045.
Con Co
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 78 m (256 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 24 m (79 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story keeper's house. Entire building painted yellow with white trim. A distant view is available (third photo on the page). Con Co is an island about 23 km (14 mi) northeast of Mui Lay. Located on the highest point of the island. Site status unknown.
* Cua Viet
1980. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); white flash every 4 s. 22 m (72 ft) square cylindrical masonry tower with a square lantern and gallery, rising from the center of a 3-story masonry keeper's house. A distant 2004 photo shows that the keeper's house is now painted yellow amd the light tower is gray. A 1998 photo by Richard Lennon appears at right. Cua Viet, just south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), was an important American base during the Vietnam War, but this lighthouse was built after the end of the war. Lennon and other visiting U.S. veterans were allowed to stay in the building during their 1998 visit. Located at the mouth of the Viet River about 25 km (15 mi) north of Quang Tri. Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS VIE-014; Admiralty F3216; NGA 20277.

Thua Thien-Hue Province Lighthouse
Thuan An (Thai Duong Thuong)
1979. Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 18 m (59 ft) square steel skeletal tower, painted gray. 1-story keeper's house. Located on the north side of the entrance to the Tam Giang lagoon near Hue. Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-039; Admiralty F3213; NGA 20278.
Chan May
2001. Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); white flash every 5 s. 14 m (46 ft) round hourglass-shaped tower centered on the flat roof of a 1-story square keeper's house. Tower painted with red and white horizontal bands; house painted yellow with white trim. Located on a promontory about 20 km (13 mi) northwest of Lop An. Site status unknown.

Cua Viet Light
photo copyright Richard Lennon; used by permission

Da Nang Province Lighthouse
* Tien Sa (Mui Da Nang)
1903. Active; focal plane 158 m (518 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. The lighthouse is located within the Son Tra National Park. Located at the end of the Son Tra peninsula, about 20 km (13 mi) northeast of Danang. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS VIE-015; Admiralty F3204; NGA 20292.

Quang Nam Province Lighthouses
Cua Dai
2000. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); four white flashes, in a 3+1 pattern, every 15 s. 23 m (75 ft) square steel skeletal tower with gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. 1-story keeper's house painted yellow with white trim. Located on the north side of the entrance to the Dai estuary, east of the city of Hoi An. Site status unknown.
Cu Lao Cham
2003. Active; focal plane 128 m (420 ft); four white flashes, in a 3+1 pattern, every 16 s. 12.5 m (41 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with gallery and a short post light, centered on the roof of a 2-story concrete keeper's house. Building painted yellow with white rim and blue shutters; the light post is red. Cu Lao Cham, an island about 15 km (9 mi) northeast of Cua Dai, has several popular beach resorts and is accessible by ferry from Hoi An. Located on the heights of the island. Site status unknown.
* An Hoa
1995. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 12 s. 19 m (62 ft) round concrete tower with six ribs, lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. Located on a promontory near Nui Thanh, about 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Tam Ky. Site open, tower closed.

Quang Ngai Province Lighthouses
Van Ca
2000. Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 14 m (46 ft) round hourglass-shaped tower centered on the flat roof of a 1-story square keeper's house. Tower painted with red and white horizontal bands; house painted yellow with white trim. Located on a sharp, north-pointing promontory about 10 km (6 mi) southeast of the An Hoa lighthouse. Site status unknown.
* Ly Son (Cu Lao Re) (3?)
Date unknown (station established 1900). Active; focal plane 50 m (164 ft); white flash every 5 s. 45 m (148 ft) round concrete tower with two galleries, four ribs, and four buttresses near the base. The lighthouse is now painted white; in a March 2007 photo the tower is much lighter than in the small MSC I photo at right. The former light is described by NGA as a black and white metal tower, and there may have been a different French lighthouse earlier. This is Vietnam's tallest lighthouse. Ly Son, formerly called Cu Lao Re, is an island off Mui Ba Lang An (Cap Batangan) and about 50 km (30 mi) northeast of Quang Ngai. The island has a population of about 20,000 and is accessible by air or by ferry from Sa Ky. Tourist facilities are being developed. Located at the northeastern tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS VIE-013; Admiralty F3184; NGA 20320.
Ly Son East Beakwater
2000. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); four white flashes, in a 3+1 pattern, every 15 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Located on the east breakwater of Ly Son harbor, on the south side of the island. Site status unknown, but presumably there's a good view from ferries arriving at the island.

Ly Son Light
MSC I photo
* Ba Lang An (Cap Batangan) (3)
1982 (station established 1915). Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 8 m (26 ft) short post light mounted on the roof of a 2-story keeper's house. Building painted yellow with white trim; light post painted red. The original lighthouse was on a lower site with a focal plane height of 25.5 m (84 ft); this appears to be the second light at the present location. Mui Ba Lang An (Cap Batangan) is a very prominent cape about 25 km (15 mi) northeast of Quang Ngai. Located on a headland at the cape. Site open, tower closed.
Sa Ky
2000. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Located on a breakwater at the entrance to the Sa Ky estuary, about 6 km (3.5 mi) southwest of Ba Lang An. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed.
Sa Huynh
2004. Active; focal plane 87.5 m (287 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 10m (33 ft) round concrete tower, painted yellow. No photo available. Located at a harbor entrance about 8 km (5 mi) north of Tam Quan. Site status unknown.

Binh Dinh Province Lighthouses
Hon Nuoc
1997. Active; focal plane 62.5 m (205 ft); white flash every 5 s. 18 m (56 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower with gallery. The tower appears to be unpainted cement blocks with white and yellow trim. 1-story equipment or keeper's house, painted yellow. Located on an island off the tip of a promontory about 16 km (10 mi) northeast of Diem Tieu. Site status unknown.
Phuoc Mai (Quy Nhon) (2)
1975 (station established 1904). Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 15 s. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower with gallery. The tower is unpainted, but darker concrete in the middle gives the appearance of a white tower with one black horizontal band. A 2007 photo of the top of the tower is available. Located at the end of the Phuoc Mai peninsula, which shelters the harbor of Quy Nhon (Qui Nhon). Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-047; Admiralty F3162; NGA 20332.
Cu Lao Xanh (Phuoc Chau, Poulo Gambir)
1904. Active; focal plane 119 m (390 ft); four white flashes, in a 3+1 pattern, every 15 s. 17 m (56 ft) round stone tower with lantern and double gallery, painted white with one black horizontal band. The lighthouse was renovated in 1984. A 2007 photo and closeup are available. One Vietnamese source gives 1890 as the establishment date for this station. Located at the highest point of an island about 10 km (6 mi) off the coast and 20 km (13 mi) southeast of Quy Nhon. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS VIE-012; Admiralty F3158; NGA 20364.

Hon Nuoc Light
Maritime Safety Company II photo

Phu Yen Province Lighthouses
Ganh Den
2002. Active; focal plane 22.5m (74 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Located on a promontory about 10 km (6 mi) northeast of Chi Thanh. Site status unknown.
* Mui Dai Lanh (Mui Dien, Cap Varella) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1904). Active; focal plane 110 m (361 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 26.5 m (87 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern dome black. Cao Sung Duoc has a good photo, and a second 2007 photo is available. Another photo shows the solar panels now powering the light. Several Vietnamese sources give 1890 as the establishment date for the station. This is not the original tower, which had a focal plane height of only 14 m (46 ft). The present lighthouse was renovated in 1997. Cap Varella is the easternmost point of the Vietnamese coast. Located on the point of the cape, about 40 km (25 mi) south southeast of Tuy Hoa. Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS VIE-011; Admiralty F3154; NGA 20368.
Hon Do (Hon Heo)
1997. Active; focal plane 81 m (266 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 11.5 m (38 ft) concrete tower. No photo available. Located on an island in the entrance to the bay of Ben Goi, about 30 km (19 mi) northeast of Nha Trang. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown.
Hon Nua
2002. Active; focal plane 87.5 m (287 ft); four white flashes every 15 s. 10 m (33 ft) hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, painted red. A sibling of the Ganh Den light. Located atop an island on the approach to Nha Trang, about 20 km (13 mi) northeast of the harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown.

Khanh Hoa Province Lighthouses
Mui Chut
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); continuous white light. "Turret on white house," according to NGA. No photo available. Located on a promontory about 6 km (4 mi) south of Nha Trang, marking the passage between the mainland and Hon Tre island. Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-033; Admiralty F3150; NGA 20376.
Hon Lon (Mui Rach Trang, Hon Tre)
1890. Active; focal plane 102 m (335 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 16 m (52 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. A Khanh Hoa newspaper has an article with a small photo. The island of Hon Tre is being developed as a beach resort, but it's not clear if visitors will have access to the lighthouse. Located at Mui (cape) Rach Trang, the eastern point of the island of Hon Tre, about 16 km (10 mi) southeast of Nha Trang. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-029; Admiralty F3148; NGA 20372.
Hon Chut (2)
1988 (station established 1907). Active; focal plane 59 m (194 ft); white flash every 4 s. 16 m (52 ft) masonry tower. No photo available. Located on an island on the south side of the entrance to Cam Ranh Bay. Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-023; Admiralty F3134; NGA 20384.

Binh Thuan Province Lighthouses
Mui Dinh (Cap Padaran) (2)
1904 (station established 1889). Active; focal plane 186 m (610 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 16 s. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrical granite tower with lantern and gallery. The lighthouse was formerly painted white, but it appears that the paint on the tower has worn away and will not be replaced; the lantern and gallery are still painted white. A 2005 newspaper article with several small photos is available. Located on the point of Mui Dinh, a prominent cape near the southern end of the Central Highlands, about 40 km (25 mi) south of Phan Rang. Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-034; Admiralty F3122; NGA 20404.
Phan Ri
2004. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); four white flashes every 10 s. 16 m (52 ft) tower. No photo available. this lighthouse marks the entrance to the harbor of Bac Binh. Site status unknown.
* Phan Thiet (2)
2000. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. The concrete is colored with red (or at least pink) and white horizontal bands. It's not certain whether this lighthouse replaces or supplements the original light, a short metal tower that had a 20 m (66 ft) focal plane. Located on a sand spit that encloses the east side of the harbor of Phan Thiet; Google has a satellite view. The site appears open; tower closed. Admiralty F3118; NGA 20408.
** Ke Ga
1900. Active; focal plane 65 m (213 ft); four white flashes, in a 3+1 pattern, every 20 s. 41 m (135 ft) octagonal granite tower with lantern and gallery. Vietnam's tallest lighthouse. MSC's photo is at right, there's a good 2007 photo, and a distant view of the site is available. The Saigon Times has an article on the lighthouse. This historic tower was renovated in 1975. Located on an island off the point of Mui Ke Ga, a prominent cape about 40 km (25 mi) south southwest of Phan Thiet. Site open; the keepers offer tours of the tower. ARLHS VIE-030; Admiralty F3116; NGA 20412.
Phu Quy
1997. Active; focal plane 124 m (407 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 20 m (66 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, centered on a 2-story concrete building. Phu Quy is a volcanic island in the South China Sea 120 km (75 mi) southeast of Phan Thiet. The island has a population of 20,000 and is the base of a fishing fleet. The Binh Thuan province government is also trying to develop the island as a resort, and the lighthouse is mentioned as one of the attractions. Transportation to the island from Phan Thiet is available. Located on the slope of Mount Cam. Site presumably open; tower status unknown. The light does not yet appear on any of the standard light lists. ARLHS VIE-046.
Trieu Duong
2001. Active; focal plane 11.5 m (38 ft); four white flashes, in a 3+1 pattern, every 12 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete tower. No photo available. Located on the southern tip of Phu Quy island. Site status unknown.
Hon Hai
2004. Active; focal plane 122 m (400 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 10 s. 10.5 m (34 ft) concrete tower. No photo available. Located atop a small island about 65 km (40 mi) south of Phu Quy. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown.


Ke Ga Light
Maritime Safety Company II photo

Vung Tau Province Lighthouses
Ba Kiem
2006. Active; focal plane 87 m (285 ft); three green flashes every 10 s. 12.5 m (41 ft) square tower with lantern and gallery centered on a 2-story building. Lighthouse painted yellow with white trim and blue shutters. Located on a promontory about 50 km (30 mi) northeast of Vung Tau. Site status unknown.
**** Vung Tau (Cap St.-Jacques) (3)
1913 (station established 1865). Active; focal plane 193 m (633 ft); two white flashes every 12 s. 18 m (59 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, surrounded by four massive concrete buttresses. A rotating Fresnel lens is in use. Entire lighthouse painted white. A closeup is available, and the stamp appears on a postage stamp. This important lighthouse is the landfall light for Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Lighthouse Explorer has photos of the 1885 lighthouse, a short octagonal masonry tower with a first order lantern and gallery, and of the 1913 lighthouse in its original form. The lighthouse still had that appearance during the Vietnam War, as can be seen about halfway down this page. The lighthouse was repainted all white in the spring of 2007, as we see by comparing a February photo to a July photo. The setting of the lighthouse is quite spectacular, with a sweeping view of the South China Sea. The tourism agency of Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) City has a page on the lighthouse. Located on Hai Dang Mountain on the point of Mui Vung Tau, about 8 km (5 mi) south of the town of Vung Tau; Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Site open, tower open daily. ARLHS VIE-041; Admiralty F3066; NGA 20416.
* Cao Trang (2)
2007 (station established 1898). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); three green flashes every 12 s. 8 m (26 ft) hexagonal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with blue trim. Google has a satellite view that shows the 1898 tower, which was square. Located on the shore on the west side of the Vung Tau peninsula, about 6 km (4 mi) north of the Vung Tau lighthouse. The coastal road passes close by the lighthouse. Site presumably open, tower closed. ARLHS VIE-035; Admiralty F3070; NGA 20428.
* Ganh Rai
Date unknown (station established 1911). Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); two green flashes every 4 s. 14 m (46 ft) hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower with gallery but no lantern. Lighthouse painted with dark green and white horizontal bands (described as black and white by NGA). A good photo is available. This lighthouse guides ships into the harbor of Vung Tau city. Located at the northwestern point of the Vung Tau peninsula. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS VIE-049; Admiralty F3076; NGA 20432.
Can Gio (Aval)
1864. Active; focal plane 22.5 m (74 ft); three white flashes every 8 s. 22.5 m (74 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery centered on the roof of an octagonal keeper's house, mounted on pilings. Lighthouse painted white; the roof of the keeper's house is red. A 2007 photo is also available. An extremely rare example of a 19th century pile lighthouse in Asia. MSC has restored this historic lighthouse and converted it to solar power. Located in the entrance to the Song Sai Gon (Saigon River) channel to Ho Chi Minh City, about 10 km (6 mi) west of Vung Tau. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS VIE-010; Admiralty F3082; NGA 20444.


Vung Tau Light, March 2008
photo copyright Howard Garner; used by permission

Hon Bai Canh (Con Son Island, Poulo Condore)
1887. Active; focal plane 212 m (696 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, centered on a 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; house roof is red. A current closeup photo is available, and Lighthouse Explorer has a historic photo. Hon Bai Canh (formerly Con Son or Poulo Condore) is the largest of a group of 14 islands, the Con Dao archipelago, in the South China Sea about 120 km (75 mi) southeast of the Mekong Delta. The French established a infamous penal colony there in 1861, and the prison continued in operation until the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. The islands are now included in a national park and tourism is being developed. Located on the highest point of the island. Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-021; Admiralty F3046; NGA 20476.
Da Trang (Con Dao) (2)
2001. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); red flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped tower mounted on a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Tower painted with red and white horizontal bands, base painted white. Located on the southeastern tip of Hon Bai Canh. Site status unknown. Admiralty F3049; NGA 20488.

Tien Giang Province Lighthouse
Banc Norodom
Date unknown (station established 1898). Active; focal plane about 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 2.5 s, intensified along the deepwater channel to the east southeast. Approx. 20 m (66 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery centered on a keeper's house with a conical roof, all mounted on a platform supported by piles. Lighthouse painted white. A photo is available. This historic lighthouse (we do not know its Vietnamese name) guides vessels entering the Cua Tieu, the northernmost major branch of the Mekong River. Located about 3 km (2 mi) off the mouth of the river and 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Vung Tau. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS VIE-042; Admiralty F3060; NGA 20472.

Tra Vinh Province Lighthouses
Ba Dong
1998. Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); white flash every 5 s. 23 m (75 ft) concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on the south side of one of the mouths of the Mekong River near Ba Dong. Site status unknown.
Ho Tau
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); two white flashes every 7 s. 20 m (66 ft) concrete tower, painted with black and white horizontal bands. No photo available. Located on the north side of the principal mouth of the Mekong River, at the southern point of Tra Vinh. Site status unknown.

Ca Mau Province Lighthouses
Bo De
2001. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); four white flashes every 12 s. 16.5 m (54 ft) concrete tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available. This lighthouse marks a river entrance at Bo De, at the base of the Ca Mau peninsula. Site status unknown.
** Hon Khoai (Poulo Obi)
1904. Active; focal plane 300 m (984 ft); white flash every 5 s. 16 m (52 ft) square granite tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story stone keeper's house. This lighthouse guides ships around the cape of Ca Mau, at the southernmost tip of Vietnam; it is a crucial landmark for vessels entering the Gulf of Thailand. The island of Hon Khoai is being developed as a tourist attraction, and this historic French lighthouse is one of the advertised attractions. Located atop an isolated high island 16 km (10 mi) south of Mui Ca Mau. Site open; tower apparently open. ARLHS VIE-025; Admiralty F3042; NGA 20492.
Ong Doc
2005. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 12 s. 17 m (56 ft) concrete tower, painted white with red trim. No photo available. This lighthouse marks a river entrance at Ong Doc, on the west side of the Ca Mau peninsula. Site status unknown.
Hon Chuoi (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 131 m (430 ft); two white flashes every 7 s. 11 m (36 ft) square light tower with gallery and a small lantern, centered atop a 2-story building. Building painted yellow with white trim. This lighthouse is consistent with NGA's description of a 33 ft house, but NGA lists a much higher focal plane of 525 ft. Located on an island in the Gulf of Thailand about 50 km (30 mi) northwest of Mui (cape) Ca Mau in the Gulf of Thailand. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-022; Admiralty F3040; NGA 20493.

Hon Khoai Light
Maritime Safety Company II photo

Kien Giang Province Lighthouses
Tho Chu (Poulo Panjang) (2)
2000. Active; focal plane 140 m (459 ft); four white flashes every 15 s. 18 m (56 ft) roundn cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to one corner of a 3-story building. The tower is gray, the lantern and the building are painted yellow with white trim, and the lantern dome is gray metallic. NGA lists a 10 m (33 ft) "house" with lantern, presumably an older light. Hon Thu Cho (Poulo Panjang) is a remote island in the Gulf of Thailand about 200 km (125 mi) northwest of Mui (cape) Ca Mau and a similar distance southwest of Rach Gia. The island has a small Vietnamese population and is also claimed by Cambodia. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-028; Admiralty F3039.5; NGA 20494.5.
Nam Du (Nan Du)
2001. Active; focal plane 295 m (968 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 11.5 m (33 ft) square light tower with gallery and a small lantern on a post, centered on a 2-story keeper's house. The light tower is gray; the house is painted yellow with white trim. This is one of the highest navigational lights in Asia, but NGA lists an even higher light with a focal plane of 319 m (1047 ft). Located on Hon Kho, an island in the Gulf of Thailand about 100 km (60 mi) southwest of Rach Gia. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-027; Admiralty F3039; NGA 20494.
Hon Kho
2000. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red flash every 5 s. 14 m (46 ft) round hourglass-shaped tower mounted on a square concrete base. The tower is painted with red and black horizontal bands. Located on the southwestern tip of Hon Kho. Site status unknown.
* Rach Gia (2)
Date unknown (station established 1930s). Active; focal plane 23.5 m (77 ft); two white flashes every 8 s. Approx. 18.5 m (61 ft) triangular concrete skelatal tower with lantern and gallery; a spiral stairway provides access to the lantern. Lighthouse painted gray. Nearby 2-story keeper's house. Hoang Tung has a view from the sea. Presumably the present lighthouse replaced the 16 m (52 ft) white metal tower listed by NGA for this station. Located on the waterfront in Rach Gia, Vietnam's principal port on the Gulf of Thailand. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS VIE-048; Admiralty F3036; NGA 20500.
Hon Chong
2005. Active; focal plane 36.5 m (102 ft); four white flashes, in a 3+1 pattern, every 16 s. 15.5 m (51 ft) concrete tower, painted white. No photo available (MSC's photo shows only the 2-story keeper's house). Located on a promontory, or on an islet just off a promontory, about 15 km (9 mi) south of Ba Hon. Site status unknown.
Nui Nai (Mui Nai) (3)
2000 (station established 1900). Active; focal plane 112 m (367 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story keeper's house. The light tower is gray; the house is painted yellow with white trim. The original light was on an 8 m (26 ft) stone tower at a focal plane of 62 m (203 ft), and a subsequent tower was described as a "white masonry tower on dwelling." Located on a prominent cape about 8 km (5 mi) southwest of Ha Tien and 10 km (6 mi) south of the Cambodian border. Site status unknown. ARLHS VIE-036; Admiralty F3030; NGA 20512.
An Thoi (2)
2000. Active; focal plane 80 m (262 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 14 m (46 ft) round hourglass-shaped tower centered atop a 2-story keeper's house. Tower painted with red and white horizontal bands; the house is painted yellow with white trim. This lighthouse is on Phu Quoc, a 50 km (30 mi) long island that is part of Vietnam but lies off the south coast of Cambodia. Known for its fine beaches, Phu Quoc is being developed as a resort. The original light was on a 5 m (16 ft) tower. Located at the southern tip of the island. Site status unknown. Admiralty F3025; NGA 20518.
* Duong Dong (2)
1993 (station established 1930s?). Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); three white flashes every 9 s. Approx. 9 m (30 ft) round tower with gallery and a small lantern. Lighthouse painted with green and white horizontal bands. A photo is available, and there is also a distant view. This light may be the rear light of a range; a smaller tower just offshore could be the front light. A closeup of the smaller tower is available. The lighthouse is located on a rock outcrop adjacent to the small harbor of Duong Dong, on the west coast of Phu Quoc. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS VIE-044; Admiralty F3022; NGA 20516.

Nui Nai Light
Maritime Safety Company II photo

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Posted April 24, 2006. Checked and revised October 7, 2007. Lighthouses: 79. Site copyright 2007 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.