Exploring Phu Yen: Unforgettable Memories Await

Long before the premiere of the movie Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass directed by Victor Vu, Phu Yen had remained a hidden gem, adorned with breathtaking landscapes yet lacking in tourist footfalls.

Exploring Phu Yen: Unforgettable Memories Await

Nature has bestowed upon this small piece of land in the South Central Coast region wonders that cannot be found elsewhere. That's why once you've experienced Phu Yen, it will beckon you to return time and time again.

1. Conquering Ca Pass to Behold Vung Ro Bay

If you're traveling from Saigon to Phu Yen by bus or motorbike, you'll need to conquer Ca Pass. Serving as the boundary between Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa provinces, Ca Pass is one of the most perilous mountain passes in Central Vietnam. However, as you ascend over 300 meters above sea level, the entirety of Vung Ro Bay unfolds before your eyes, leaving travelers in awe of its picturesque beauty.

2. Witnessing the First Sunrise at the Eastern Tip of Dien Cape

Descending from Ca Pass, take a right onto National Highway 29 and drive along Vung Ro Bay for about 10km until you reach Dien Cape – the easternmost point officially recognized on Vietnam's administrative map. After a challenging journey on wheels, it's time to relax at Mon Beach at the foot of Dien Cape lighthouse. If you're adventurous, don't miss the opportunity to camp overnight by this stunning beach. Here, there's also a freshwater stream flowing from the mountains to the sea, providing clean water for cooking and hosting a seafood BBQ feast on the windy beach while watching the sun gradually rise from the horizon.

3. Tranquil Countryside Scenery

Throughout the roads of Phu Yen, besides mountains and beaches, what you'll mostly encounter are vast rice fields and herds of contented cattle grazing. Riding a motorbike along the secluded coastal fishing villages in the afternoon, you'll feel the authentic rural soul of the locals here. Perhaps Phu Yen is one of the few places with beautiful scenery yet relatively untouched by tourism, so what you see is genuine everyday life unfolding before you.

4. Majestic Ganh Ba and Xep Beach

Just about 16km from Tuy Hoa city, Ganh Ba and Xep Beach seem almost entirely secluded. It's a breathtaking sight, especially for first-time visitors, who will be mesmerized by the harmonious blend of hills and vast blue sea. Moreover, visiting Ganh Ba on windy days allows you to witness the mesmerizing dance of the sea with thousands of white waves stretching endlessly along the coastline, leaving an unforgettable impression. But beware of the sharp cacti in this area.

5. Admiring the Marvelous Da Dia and Desolate Den Cliffs

One of Phu Yen's most renowned attractions is the unique landscape of Da Dia Cliff, found only in Vietnam. From a distance, Da Dia Cliff resembles a giant beehive, spanning about 50m wide and 200m long, with interlocking basalt columns stretching out to the open sea. The rocky shore, adorned with thousands upon thousands of dark mysterious basalt columns, stands out vividly against the deep blue sea and crashing white waves. Not far from Da Dia Cliff is Den Cliff, lesser-known but equally magnificent, captivating the hearts of many who have had the chance to behold its splendor.

6. Stone Houses

In the coastal villages of Phu Hanh, Phu Hoi, Phu Luong, and Phu Son in An Ninh Dong commune (Tuy An district, Phu Yen province), stone is integral to almost every aspect of life: from houses and roads to bridges and even cattle sheds. Nowadays, many tourists visiting the famous Da Dia Cliff along the An Ninh Dong coast are unaware of these stone cultural spaces, as locals are gradually transitioning to alternative materials. Stepping into these stone villages, one might feel disoriented, as they resemble nothing short of the Northwest mountainous region.

7. Romantic Xuan Dai Bay

This is a pristine bay that evokes the phrase 'heart-stirring beauty' upon mention. Upon arrival, visitors seem to forget all else as Xuan Dai Bay unfolds before them in awe-inspiring splendor. Surrounded by mountain ranges on three sides, the bay stretches out into the sea. The rocky coastline, weathered by relentless waves, forms intriguing shapes. First-time visitors are invariably mesmerized by the serenity of this natural landscape. On the mountains, trees and rocks intertwine, creating refreshing green patches. The deep blue sea is truly picturesque, reminiscent of a painting...

8. Delight in Ocean Tuna Eyeballs

Ocean tuna eyeballs are a dish that instantly brings Phu Yen to mind. Though peculiar, these eyeballs often intimidate diners with their size. However, once you try them, you'll be haunted by their flavor long after leaving Phu Yen. What's remarkable is that despite being cooked with various Chinese herbs, you hardly taste the medicinal flavor. Each place in Phu Yen has its own cooking and presentation style, but the deliciousness remains consistent.

9. Start Your Day with Pork Offal Vermicelli

Pork offal vermicelli is so integral to the local culture that residents say, 'If you haven't tried this dish here, you haven't truly visited.' In Phu Yen, vermicelli is made from rice flour and undergoes an intricate and meticulous cooking process. It's typically seasoned with scallion oil and served with roast pork, grilled meat, pork offal... This dish is indispensable during festivals, ancestral worship, weddings, and religious ceremonies in temples and pagodas, representing a culinary cultural aspect of the region.

10. Visit O Loan Lagoon for Blood Cockles

Blood cockles in O Loan Lagoon are much larger and more abundant compared to other areas, appearing frequently throughout the year and easily caught. Locals often prepare them in various ways like grilling with scallion oil, grilling with tamarind sauce, stir-frying with chili salt, or making soup with herbs... Enjoying blood cockles allows you to converse while admiring the scenery, creating a truly delightful experience.

11. Flavorful Chicken Rice Dish

Visiting Tuy Hoa City (Phu Yen), almost everyone hears about Mrs. Tuyet Nhung's chicken rice restaurant on Le Thanh Ton Street. The restaurant has been around for decades, always bustling with customers coming and going. During peak hours in the morning or at lunchtime, customers often have to queue for a seat. The most special thing about this chicken rice restaurant is the dipping sauce. In addition to the main ingredients of fish sauce, lime, sugar, garlic, and chili ground into a smooth mixture, the secret recipe lies in... the chicken meat itself. When enjoying Phu Yen chicken rice, you cannot ignore the accompanying vegetables: sliced cucumbers, cilantro, basil... However, the most special part lies in the pickled onions. If you eat Phu Yen chicken rice, biting into a green chili pepper, peeling a few cloves of garlic makes the delicious taste even more enticing.

12. Authentic Jackfruit Sweet Soup

After savoring savory dishes, you can cleanse your palate with a bowl of refreshing and sweet jackfruit sweet soup, unique to the land of Phu Yen. In addition to jackfruit, coconut jelly, there are also 'dat' seeds. These are seeds from the dat tree, white in color resembling tiny pearls but smaller and slightly crunchy when eaten. On hot sunny days, this sweet soup with its gentle sweetness and coolness is a favorite refreshment for local residents.

By Tieu Duy

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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour