Rạch Vẹm (Starfish Beach / Rạch Vẹm)

1. Getting there

Public transport: no bus goes directly to Starfish Beach. Take a public VinBus service to a suitable northern stop and arrange a taxi onwards. Routes 17 and 19 are not free for everyone: check fares, exemptions, transfers and the return trip.^1,2

Taxi: a regular taxi or Grab will take you to Rạch Vẹm (Rach Vem) fishing village or the pier. Be sure to arrange for your driver to wait on site, usually 2-4 hours; otherwise returning will be harder or considerably more expensive.^1,2

Motorbike / scooter: most roads from the north are paved, but the final 1-3 km are a dirt road with potholes and dust. You can park beside the wooden bridge at the entrance for around 10,000 dong.^1,2

2. Boat versus walking: reaching Starfish Beach itself

When you arrive in the fishing village, local touts will claim you can reach the starfish only by sea. You have two options:¹

By boat or speedboat:

Boat operators may initially ask for 300,000 to 600,000 dong.²

Bargain: the actual price is 100,000-200,000 dong per person, or 300,000-450,000 dong for the entire boat return trip.²

The speedboat journey takes around 5-10 minutes.²

On foot along the shore:

From the parking area or pier, turn right and follow the shoreline.

The walk takes 15-30 minutes, around 1-1.5 km. You may encounter makeshift barriers of branches or netting, but they are easy to go around through knee-deep water.^1,2,3

3. The most important rule: handling starfish

TAKING STARFISH OUT OF THE WATER IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED!^1,3

Starfish “breathe through their skin” and, on contact with air, instantly suffocate, dry out in the sun and die.^1,3

Taking photographs: lower your camera or phone closer to the water. You can gently lift a starfish right towards the surface, but must keep it entirely submerged.^1,3

4. Facilities and where to eat

Beach activities: the landing area has swings and hammocks directly in the water, wooden piers and photo installations. You can rent a simple plastic sun lounger (~20,000-50,000 dong) and buy cold drinks or coconuts.^1,2

Floating seafood restaurants: in Rạch Vẹm (Rach Vem) village itself, restaurants with tanks stand on wooden walkways above the water. They offer exceptionally fresh fish, crab, oysters, squid and prawns at reasonable prices.^1,2

Secluded spots: walk another 200-500 metres to the right from the main boat landing pier and there will be significantly fewer people, with cleaner water and shoreline.²

5. Tourist tips from expats

Best season: visit from November to March/April, in the dry season, when the sea in the island’s north is calm and clear.^1,2

Time of day: it is best to arrive before 11:00, when there are fewer tour groups and the sun is less scorching.^1,2

Protection from sandflies: some sandy sections have sandflies (fleas), so bring repellent and a towel or mat.^1,2