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About Phu Yen
Phú Yên is a coastal province located in the middle of Vietnam. Phu Yen tourism is recognized when the film ” Tôi thấy hoa vàng trên cỏ xanh”, “I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass” was set there. The tourism is increasingly developing and so many domestic tourists choose Phú Yên as there destination because it still retains the majestic beauty of nature. Some foreigner tourists, especially expats, choose Phú Yên as their vacation destination as well.
How to get there
From Ho Chi Minh, there are many ways to travel to Phu Yen.
– By plane: This is the fastest way to travel to Phu Yen. You can easily get a cheap ticket ( around 500k vnd)(updated 2018), 1000k vnd( updated 2020) to Tuy Hoa airport which is pretty close to the heart of Phu Yen. It takes just around 35 minutes by plane to get there.
– By bus/coach: the bus ticket is around 300.000 vnd (in 2019), and around 400k vnd for VIP coach (with bed). If your journey is not in the summer or New Year holiday, it must be a bit cheaper. Travel by bus is not recommended for travelers ’cause it takes more than 10 hours from HCM city to my hometown. However, the bus often moves at nighttime around 7pm; thus, just getting on the bus, taking a deep sleep, you will reach the site when you wake up.
By motorbike: If you are a real adventurous backpacker, motorbike is highly recommended. There is a tremendous seaside road to Phu Yen that you can totally enjoy your riding. Instead of watching nature through a window, you are “in the scene” when you are riding motorbike. You can feel the wind passing by your ear, the sunshine in your hair, you can see marvelous scenery to your right and your left. You can stop by any spots you want along the street. Is it great!!
Da Bia mountain
Da Bia mountain (also called Ong Bia mount), at 706 meters, is really well- known for local people. The symbol of Da Bia mountain is many times appeared in poems, literature’s works or traditional songs. The mountain is the first choice for many visitors as well because of its breathtaking view and fresh air on the top. Looking down from Da Bia’s peak, you can fully capture an extraordinary picturesque of Phu Yen mixed by mountains, floating clouds, peaceful rivers, paddy fields, beautiful beaches and miniature houses.
On the top of Da Bia, there is an enormous rock at 80 meters, you can see the mount and the rock from almost everywhere in the city. From center of Tuy Hoa city, just follow 1A highway toward Ca Pass ( Đèo Cả), you can not miss a big rock board on your right ” Nui Da Bia”. Parking your motorbike at local house next to the rock board. Believe me it is totally not hard for any hikers to conquer this mountain. The first steps would be easy with stairs and beautiful passing bridges. It takes around 3 hours to get to the top. And seriously, spectacular view on the top is worth your effort^^.
Mui Dien Lighthouse – Bai Mon beach
If you travel to my hometown, it is my first recommend for you. Mui Dien lighthouse is the first place in the middle of Vietnam catching the rays of dawn. It was built in 1890 with 107 steps inside. You can buy ticket to get to the top of the lighthouse. It costs only 10k VND/ aldult (2015). You will be definitively surprised with the pure view of Bai Mon and cliff in one side and the blue sea in the other side.
Beautiful Bai Mon beach is located at the foot of Mui Dien which is a perfect and totally safe beach for any swimmers. The first impression of Bai Mon is the stretch of white sand with a small peaceful river in front of the beach. Bai Mon is surrounded by Mui Dien and cliff in the other side.
Đập Hàng
Dap Hang used to be a famous destination; but in 2013, when I came back to my hometown, it was closed. However, that year, our team still wanted to visit it. It has been a long time without many visitors , then you can see the water and the surrounding are very clean without people footprint.
If you wanna experience a real natural stream, Dap Hang would be a great choice. It is hard to find the way to get there, it even does not shown out in GPS. From Tuy Hoa city, just follow 1A road toward Ong Bia mountain. When you just pass Ca Bản ( the big crossroad) about 10 minutes, ask local people to show you the way.
Núi Nhạn (Nhan Temple/Hill)
Nhan temple is the best known touristic symbol of Phu Yen with more than 400 years of history. Nhan temple is in the middle of dynamic Tuy Hoa city. The temple is surrounded by the green of forest with the panoramic sight of paddle fields and majestic Da river( Sông Đà).
Nhan tower is situated in the peak of Nhan hill which is one of the Cham towers ( tháp Chăm/ tháp Champa) that was built between the late of 11th century and early in the 12th century period.
Da Dia Reef (Gành Đá Đĩa)
Da Dia Reef is literally means The Sea Cliff of Stone Plates which is one of my favorite place to visit whenever I come back to my hometown . This shows the amazing power of nature which forms the spectacular shapes of the rock. As what I read, these Shapes were created from volcanic eruptions millions years ago. Nowadays, more and more people know about this amazing place, however it’s not well taken care of, there is a lot of trash around.
You can travel to Da Dia reef by motorbike, or taxi from the center of Phu Yen. However, in case you can not speak Vietnamese, taxi is better choice because local people cannot speak English at all and the roads there are a bit deep inside and hard to find.
Tuy An Wooden Bridge
In GPS map, it is “Cầu gỗ ông cọp”. Driving through this wooden bridge would be a great experience. This wooden bridge leads you from the highway to the coastal area which is near Ganh Da Dia. Along the road to this wooden bridge, there is amazing view as well.
Mang Lang church (Nhà Thờ Mằng Lăng)
Mang Lang church is a Roman Catholic church built in 1892 by Frenchman. It is one of the oldest churches in Vietnam with a history of nearly 130 years of existence. The building has been renovated 2 times since that time; however, the church still retains its original architecture.
A secret little cave will be waiting for you in front of the church. Mang Lang church is in the list of must-see spots in Phu Yen. Check it out.
Bãi Xép Phú Yên
Bãi xép is well-known thank to the famous Vietnamese movie called “Tôi thấy hoa vàng trên cỏ xanh”, the main scene of the movie’s trailer was filmed here. There is breathtaking view from Bãi Xép hill, however it depends on which seasons you visit; if you visit in the summer, the grass is not green due to the extreme weather in the center of VN. Nowadays, there are a few restaurants and souvenir shops are sprouting up at the entrance. However, I think it should only be a stop-by spot because most of restaurants here are expensive.
Nhất Tự Sơn
You can visit Nhat Tu Son to enjoy seafood since there are many floating restaurants offering fresh seafood and the best view from the sea. This is also a famous place for Vietnamese young people to check-in since there will be time when water receded at low tide, there is a land road connecting the mainland and a beautiful small island. Entrance fee is 50k/ person (2017)
Hope you have a great time in my hometown <3
What do you think?