Buzz
Phú Yên's coastal area perpetually stands among Vietnam's most stunning destinations, boasting unparalleled cleanliness and tranquility. Hòn Nưa emerges as a newfound marvel, featuring impressive stretches of endless fine white sand and towering rugged cliffs. Particularly under the sunlight, every contour of Hòn Nưa gleams magnificently, with its crystalline waters revealing moss-covered rocks and coral reefs beneath. One might easily mistake it for an island paradise akin to those in the Philippines.
Panoramic Views of Hòn Nưa from Above
Modes of Transportation to the Island
Hòn Nưa lies within Vũng Rô Bay, situated at the border between Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces. To reach the island, you can only join tours organized by local tourism businesses on the mainland. During my trip, a local friend arranged a boat and tour with Ruby Gold (search on Facebook to find). Alternatively, upon reaching Vũng Rô Bay, numerous tour agents will offer various options for visiting Hòn Nưa. Subsequently, you'll travel to floating docks to board a canoe. The journey takes about 15 minutes, and you'll be provided with full life jackets.
Cruise to Hòn Nưa Island
The canoe ride is smooth, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenery. As we approached Hòn Nưa, I spotted a giant stone turtle adorned with lush green algae floating atop the deep blue sea, a captivating sight. However, due to the speed of the canoe, I couldn't capture a photo of the turtle.
Some Seaside Activities on Hòn Nưa Island
Island Camping Experience
As part of the Hòn Nưa tour, you'll have the chance to spend a night on this pristine island with camping gear provided by the tour company. However, due to concerns about a tropical low-pressure system that day, our group decided not to stay overnight but enjoyed a full day on the island instead. You can prepare barbecue and fresh seafood to bring to the island as they'll provide a small tent for you. Here, you can rent cooking utensils like stoves and charcoal for food preparation (not included in the tour price). If you're feeling lazy, you can buy food directly on the island, though the options are limited and not very fresh. The tour to Hòn Nưa costs around 500-700 thousand dong per person, and it's more cost-effective if you travel in a group.
This is our camping site on the island
We indulged in aromatic roasted chicken cooked right on the island by our group
Stroll Along the Vast Beach
Nature has bestowed Hòn Nưa with smooth sandy shores and pristine blue waters. Near my beach spot lies a layer of dead coral stacked upon the sand, a sight that fills one with sorrow. Further away, near the border patrol station, are moss-covered remnants emerging from the water. This is the dark side of uncontrolled tourism, as I've witnessed some tourists carelessly leaving trash behind after departing the island. It's truly disheartening for Hòn Nưa's universally admired beauty! I wonder if, in a few years, this place will retain its innate simplicity and charm.
Stretch of Dead Moss Along the Coastline caught my sight
Continuing my exploration, I stumbled upon an incredibly enticing cave. While taking photos here, I felt as if I were in Bali or Phuket, owing to its unique allure. Golden sunbeams illuminate the two rock walls, below which lies the deep blue sea, while above stretches the profound blue sky. Perhaps no words can fully capture this beauty; one must experience it firsthand.
This cave attracts many visitors for its enchanting beauty, perfect for photography sessions
Combine Beach Swimming with Coral Diving
Make sure to bring your swimsuit to immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters of Hòn Nưa. Besides beach swimming, another beloved activity among sea enthusiasts is coral diving. A beach trip without coral viewing is incomplete. The sensation of dipping into the refreshing water, witnessing the multilayered coral reefs below, is the highlight of the day. The most wonderful part is seeing schools of small fish gracefully swim through the coral reef. To observe the coral, you'll be taken further out as there's a lot of dead coral near the shore. You can enjoy snorkeling for about an hour to marvel at the magical beauty of the ocean world.
In addition to the above activities, if you're in a large group, you can participate in tour services offering fun activities like jet skiing and banana boat rides. I was so enthusiastic about playing that I even lost my swimming goggles.
Recharge with Vitamin Sea at Hòn Nưa with me.
Sea urchins are playing hide and seek among the coral reefs
Conquer Hòn Nưa Lighthouse
Like many islands, Hòn Nưa boasts its own lighthouse situated atop a high hill. The path to the lighthouse is easy, with concrete and stone paving and sturdy handrails. Due to a sudden rainstorm that day, I couldn't climb up to the lighthouse but only admired it from afar. With its bright red color, the lighthouse stands tall amidst the surrounding lush greenery of the sea forest.
Some Tips to Remember When Visiting Hòn Nưa
Truly, Phú Yên is a fortunate land blessed with countless beautiful landscapes. Its delicious cuisine and stunning beaches always attract wanderers like me. Hopefully, Hòn Nưa will maintain its paradise-like beauty for future generations to find solace and relaxation every summer.
Author: Phạm Thị Mỹ Anh
*Article participating in the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blog writing program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam as part of the Mytour Go & Share program. It's a great opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and the chance to become a contributor with Mytour. For more details about the program, visit: https://trv.lk/golocal
