Phu Yen
This page contains a small introduction to this great city. It merely gives people, from around the world, a sample of what they can experience when visiting here. If you live in this city or have connections to it, NDN wants to know about interesting news items and events that are happening.
There is also the opportunity for organisations and companies to advertise with New Destinations Network and ‘promote themselves internationally’ and not just locally. No matter how you want to get involved, contact us ASAP and we look forward to hearing from you!
Phu Yen is a City and Province in Vietnam, which is located on the most south easterly region of the country and has a variety of small beaches along its coastline. It is bordered by Bình Dinh Province to the north and Khanh Hảo Province to the south. Tuy Hoa is the capital city of Phu Yen Province and is mainly built around the Da Rang Rive and mountains of Chop Chai and Nhan.
The infrastructure is improving and thus giving better access to the region. It has Phu Cat and Dong Tac Airports, plus it is on the National Road Route 1A and the North/South Railway runs through it too. Locally is accessed by the Ca and Cu Mong Passes, which weave through the mountain regions.
The main inhabitants are ethnic Kinh, but there are still some of the original occupants to the region, Cham, but these are decreasing with time. The history of the Cham (Champa) people is very interesting and it is believed that this region is where they first arrived in Vietnam.
The economy in the region is mainly based around agriculture, forest and fishing. It harvests sugar-cane, peanuts, cashew nuts, pepper and coffee. It also has many thriving farms and when taking the coast road around the area, they are everywhere, from massive industrial ones to small family run ones.
Industry has been important to the region, having a hydropower plant and producing mineral water, beer, textiles and cement, but this is beginning to decrease, not due to, but at the same time as tourism industry in increasing.
THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM and several private sector companies and organisations are actively promoting Phu Yen as a New Destination and are looking for investment in many different areas.
There are many interesting places for tourists and travellers to visit, such as Mang Lang Roman Catholic Church, which was built in 1892 in a gothic style. It is set in beautiful surroundings and has a sacred cave which is home to the first ever Bible written in Latin in Vietnam. It is also the site of Athanh Andre Ohu Yen (1625-1644) which commemorates this ‘lesser’ Saint, who did great work for the community, but as she was not of a religious order, could not be given the higher accolade.
The Sea Cliff and Rock Plates of Da Dia Reef are a very popular destination for not only tourists from abroad, but for visitors from the rest of Vietnam and locals too. The Reef is approximately 50 meters wide and shaped from volcanic eruptions which occurred millions years ago. As the lava erupted onto the earth surface, it came into contact with the cold sea water, forming rock columns and plates. It is one of the most unique natural landscapes in the whole of Vietnam.
The surrounding bay area is beautiful, with calm blue waters, white sand beaches and green hills in the background. It is used by local fisherman to anchor their traditional boats in the bay, which adds to the spectacular look of the part of the coast. It is so beautiful and scenic that couples getting married have pre-marriage photographs taken on the rocks. This is a Vietnam tradition and the pictures are shown during the ceremony, so even if on the day the weather of circumstance are not perfect, those images will be.
On top of Nhan Mountain is Thao Nhan (Nhan Tower) which was built in the 11th century for the Cham people. It is of square shape and has a base, body and roof, reaching a height of 23.5 metres. It is one the most important religious buildings in the region and every Saturday evening there is a cultural performance held there. This place gives great views of Tuy Hoa City, Da Rang River, the 4 railway bridges and coastline.
Ngoc Lang (vegetable) Village is a delightful place to visit. It is located on a diamond shaped piece of land and was one if the first areas where people settled in the region. The land in the area is enriched with alluvium from the Da Rang River so is very fertile. Vegetables, plants had flowers of all varies are grown and produced throughout the area and visitors can learn all aspects of how this is done.
Bai Mon Beach/Dai Lane Cape sits at the end and most easterly part of the Dai Lanh Mountain Range. Due to this significant and important position in 1890 the French built a lighthouse to help guide the ships traveling to the area. Since then the area has also been known as Mui Dien Cape, which means the cape with an electric light. The walk to and from the lighthouse is via many purpose built steps and in the heat, for less able people, could be a task, but is definitely with it. The views of the coastline, mountains and beaches are spectacular.
Bai Mon Beach is surrounded on all slides by the mountains, so is quiet, protected and peaceful. It has shallow waters and white sand, so is a perfect place to swim and relax.
Some of the other beaches in the are; Cat Trang Min Mang, Tuy Hoa, Long Thuy, Xep and Tram.
If visitors want to go island hopping then visit some beautiful ones just off the coast, such as; Yen, Hon Lao, Mai Nha, Chau and Nua.
Xuan Dai Bay has area of approximately 13,000 ha of water surface, being 18 meters deep and having a coastline of over 50 km. This bay is famous for many reasons; historical battles, boat racers, fishing, reef diving and some of the best seafood in the region.
O Loan Lagoon is a blackish coloured water lagoon, surrounded by mountains. In the middle of the lagoon are two overlapping stone blocks called Hon Chong. When viewed from Quan Chau pass, the road leading to the lagoon, this structure looks like a phoenix spreading its wings.
The whole region is full of interesting places to visit, but some of the more intriguing ones are; Da Bia and Chop Chai mountain ranges, Cu Mong Lagoon, Triem Duc and Lac Sanh mineral water streams.
The food in this part of Vietnam is said to be some of the most traditional that can be found in the whole country. There is so much to choose from, but trying the locally produced crab, shrimp, cockles, oyster, tuna, snail, pork, dried beef, dried tuna, grilled chicken is a gastronomic pleasure.
The same as the rest of Vietnam, one of the most enjoyable parts is visiting the Pagoda’s and there are many in this regaining too. The most visited are; Tu Quảng, Ho Son, Bayo Lam, Bao Tinh and Thanh Luong.
Vietravel was established in 1995 and has amalgamated a large amount of experience in the tourism industry. They were awarded the title of ‘One of the Worlds Leading Group Tour Operators’ in 2017. They are also a member of ASTA & PATA organisations. They provide a wide range of tourism services for Vietnam & Cambodia and are highly recommended by NDN.
HCMC is manic, exciting and exhilarating, but relaxing, friendly and cultural at the same time, so a visit there too is highly recommended. It does not matter why people love this city, whether it is for the people, history, food or atmosphere, but once visited, many return time after time. Ho Chi Minh City is unique and is like no other place in Vietnam, so a visit will be memorable for many reasons.
Phu Yen is a lesser known region of Vietnam, further south east than HCMC and quieter, but worth a visit, whether for a day, weekend or week. It has great beaches and all the charisma and culture that the rest of Vietnam has, but much less effected by mass tourism. Therefore, go now while it still has its innocence, charm and beauty.
