Buzz
Phu Yen is a land of sun and breeze, a place where mountains meet the sea, and where roads are as picturesque as paintings. Especially since Phu Yen was chosen as the backdrop for the famous movie 'Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass,' it has become a shining gem on the Vietnamese tourism map, attracting countless adventurous souls. Let's pocket some useful experiences when stepping foot in Phu Yen!
Traveling to Phu Yen
A Glimpse of Phu Yen
Phu Yen is situated in the South Central Coast region of Vietnam. It is approximately 1,160km away from Hanoi, 438km from Da Nang, and 560km from Saigon. Phu Yen shares borders with Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, and the East Sea.
In Phu Yen, there are up to 30 communities of different ethnic groups. The oldest ethnic groups include the Ede, Cham, Hoa, Hre, Ba Na, and Gia Lai. Following them are many ethnic communities who migrated from the North for settlement and cultivation, such as the Kinh, Nung, Tay, and Dao.
Established in 1611 under the reign of Lord Nguyen Hoang, Phu Yen has undergone over 400 years of history, experiencing territorial mergers and name changes. The current name and administrative boundaries of Phu Yen province were established in 1989.
To delve deeper into the history and culture of this area, sign up for a tour to Phu Yen today. You can also find additional essential information for your Phu Yen trip below.
BEST TIME TO VISIT PHU YEN?
You can pack your bags and head to Phu Yen at any time because each season carries its own unique beauty.
The climate in Phu Yen consists of two seasons: the rainy season from September to December, and the dry season from January to August. Most tourists prefer to visit Phu Yen during the dry season when nature's landscapes are more vibrant and beautiful. You'll be mesmerized by the golden rice fields glistening in the morning sun, the pristine emerald beaches, and the rocky cliffs shimmering in the morning light, all creating a picturesque scene.
HOW TO GET TO PHU YEN?
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS TO PHU YEN
Phu Yen has a domestic airport connecting flights to Saigon and Hanoi, a North-South railway passing through with a stop at Tuy Hoa station, and a system of National Highway 1A connecting the North and South and various road networks linking neighboring provinces as well as the Central Highlands. So, to reach Phu Yen, you can choose the mode of transportation that suits your economic conditions and time constraints.
There are numerous flights from airlines like Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airlines to Tuy Hoa Airport. Flights from Hanoi or Saigon to Tuy Hoa range from 1,400,000 to 1,800,000 VND per direction. You can find cheaper tickets at etrip4u.com.
Tuy Hoa Airport is about 10km from the city center of Phu Yen, so you can hire a motorcycle taxi, taxi, or take a bus to move to the city center.
CHOOSING TRANSPORTATION FROM HO CHI MINH CITY
If departing from Ho Chi Minh City, it's advisable to opt for night trains SE2, SE4 to arrive in Phu Yen the next morning.
For those in Ho Chi Minh City, traveling to Phu Yen by coach is also practical and cost-effective. You can purchase tickets at Mien Dong Bus Station, Thanh Thao Bus, offering both sitting and sleeper options ranging from 190,000 to 300,000 VND per ticket.
EXPLORING ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS IN PHU YEN
BOOKING HOTEL ACCOMMODATION IN PHU YEN
For convenient transportation and sightseeing, consider booking a hotel in the city center along Hung Vuong, Nguyen Hue, Tran Hung Dao, or Tran Phu streets. From here, you can easily rent a motorbike or taxi to famous tourist attractions such as O Loan Lagoon, Dai Lanh Cape, Da Dia Reef, Vung Ro Bay, Xuan Dai Bay, Nhan Mountain, and more.
Room rates in Tuy Hoa are reasonably priced, ranging from about 200,000 to 300,000 VND per room depending on the type. 5-star hotels start from 1 million VND per room.
MUST-VISIT TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN PHU YEN
UNMISSABLE LANDMARKS IN PHU YEN
Vung Ro Bay is a small bay located in Hoa Xuan Nam commune, Dong Hoa district, Phu Yen province, boasting 12 small bays with picturesque scenery featuring azure blue sea, stretches of sandy beaches, and beneath the sea floor lies charming coral reefs. The scenery of Vung Ro is gentle, with crystal-clear blue waters resembling a giant mirror surrounded by lush nature and the bustling atmosphere of numerous anchored boats.
Vung Ro Bay's Stunning Beauty
Mang Lang Church is located approximately 35km from Tuy Hoa city and was built in 1892. It is one of the oldest churches in Vietnam, characterized by its solemn and tranquil beauty, attracting tourists to Phu Yen. The churchyard covers an area of 500m2, with the main facade of the church featuring impressive Gothic architecture and two bell towers on either side. If you're lucky, witnessing the bell ringing ceremony will provide a lively atmosphere like never before.
Mang Lang Church
Visiting O Loan Lagoon and witnessing the sunrise is a wonderful experience for any traveler. You can climb to the top of Quan Cau Pass to admire the panoramic view of O Loan Lagoon. You will be impressed by the picturesque scenery of green mountains, blue water, lush sugarcane fields, and low hills creating a vast and refreshing green beauty.
O Loan Lagoon is home to various seafood such as shrimp, fish, mantis shrimp, king crabs, and barramundi, but the most delicious and famous is O Loan blood cockles with thick flesh, sweet flavor, and delightful aroma, highly praised by both domestic and international tourists.
Xep Beach, known as the 'golden flowers and green grass' area, is located in An Chan commune, north of Tuy Hoa city. Stretching about 500m, you will be mesmerized by the pristine and charming beauty of the green grass on the vast meadow with two black rock formations enclosing both ends of the beach, creating a vast and majestic natural landscape.
The Charm of Xep Beach
Ong Cop Bridge is the largest wooden bridge in Vietnam, officially operational since 1999, serving as a picturesque bridge connecting the shores to facilitate transportation for local residents. With its simple and rustic appearance, Ong Cop Bridge is one of the many tourist attractions in Phu Yen frequented by travelers for photo opportunities and shared on various personal Facebook pages.
Ong Cop Bridge
Located in An Ninh Dong commune, Phu Yen, about 40km from Tuy Hoa city, Ganh Da Dia is named after its rock formations resembling stacked plates facing the sea. Visitors will be fascinated by the hexagonal rock columns tightly stacked together like a giant beehive. Ganh Da Dia is one of the unique tourist destinations in Phu Yen that you must visit.
Ganh Da Dia
Xuan Dai Bay is a less-visited tourist spot but leaves a lasting impression with its diverse terrain, featuring numerous coves, rocky cliffs, and intermingled beaches. The scenery of Xuan Dai Bay resembles a dreamy painting, captivating with its white sandy beaches, clear blue sea, and lush greenery. Missing this destination when visiting Phu Yen will surely leave you regretful.
Xuan Dai Bay
This is a seawall section to prevent erosion along the coast of Xom Ro village, with rough concrete blocks submerged in the sea for a long time, now covered in green moss.
Reu Xom Roz Beach
Amidst the serene fishing village atmosphere, standing on the fresh green moss-covered rocks with hope, each wave crashing onto the shore, under the harmonious glittering sunlight, you will be drawn into that space.
The afternoon sun at Ganh Den Lighthouse is a captivating 'specialty' for many tourists when visiting Phu Yen. Like stepping into a rocky forest right next to the beautiful Xuan Dai Bay, you will have the opportunity to admire the variously shaped rock formations stacked along the road leading up to the lighthouse.
Ganh Den Lighthouse
From the lighthouse, you can gaze out over the vast expanse of the Phu Yen sea. As the sun sets, in the distance, fishing boats rest peacefully after a fruitful day of fishing, creating an unforgettable sense of tranquility.
'Hon Nua rises and falls in the sea,
Withstanding the relentless waves.'
This is a pristine land, with majestic mountains and beautiful sea views. The clear blue sea, the smooth sandy beaches stretching out, embodying the distinctive beauty of Phu Yen's coastal tourism. You can bring diving gear to admire the stunning coral reefs beneath the sea.
The Hon Nua Island
The lighthouse on Hon Nua sits atop a towering mountain. If you plan to climb to the lighthouse, remember to conserve your energy and be patient.
INDULGE IN PHU YEN'S SPECIALTIES
Mai fish salad
When traveling to Phu Yen, fresh and delicious mai fish salad is a must-try dish for visitors. After selecting smooth, white mai fish, the cook removes the heads, bones, and mixes them with spices such as onions, garlic, chili, and sugar. To keep the fish crispy and firm, soak it in cold water. Before serving, soak the fish in lemon water for a few minutes. When the fish turns opaque white, it is cooked to perfection.
Steamed mullet wrapped in rice paper
To make steamed mullet, they usually choose large, fresh mullet with firm flesh. After cleaning the fish, they marinate it with onions and various spices before steaming. Steamed mullet is often wrapped in rice paper and dipped in a sour, spicy, and fragrant fish sauce. The dipping sauce is made from the fish's steaming liquid, combined with garlic chili fish sauce to create the distinctive flavor of steamed mullet.
Squid noodles
Phu Yen squid noodles are made from rice squid with a characteristic sour taste. Rice squid has a sweet, soft, and white texture.
Phu Yen chicken rice
Phu Yen chicken rice is famous for its dipping sauce with a perfect balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. In addition to the main ingredients of fish sauce, sugar, lime, garlic, and chili ground into a smooth paste, the secret lies in... delicious chicken meat. Along with that are various accompanying vegetables: sliced cucumbers, coriander, scallions... plus pickled onions to create a deliciously enticing flavor.
Pork offal vermicelli is a dish closely associated with the people of Phu Yen, to the extent that locals say, “If you haven't tried this dish here, you haven't really arrived.” Vermicelli is made from rice flour with many strands layered on top of each other, drizzled with a little oil and finely chopped Chinese chives.
Pork vermicelli rolls are highly enticing
Vermicelli rolls are served with various fresh vegetables and young, sour bananas thinly sliced, to fully enjoy the sweet and fragrant taste of homeland rice grains. They are enjoyed with pork offal - boiled meat, along with a plate of fresh green vegetables and a bowl of well-seasoned fish sauce, creating a rich and unforgettable flavor.
Chả Dông is a specialty of Phu Yen that you should try. Chả Dông is made from the fish called Dông. After cleaning, the fish meat is minced and mixed with spices such as chili powder, onions, pepper, garlic, pork fat, or cooking oil. Then, it is mixed with a little wood ear fungus and Asian basil before being wrapped in thin rice paper rolls like spring rolls, then fried until crispy. Chả Dông is served with green chilies, garlic, and various fresh vegetables.
Phu Yen Chả Dông
Cau River Mullet
The Cau River mullet is impressive with its plump pincers and deep green body. When tasted, the first sensation is the sweet, rich, and smooth flavor on the tip of the tongue, followed by a gradual absorption down the throat.
Tuna is a famous seafood in Phu Yen, especially the stewed tuna eye dish. The fragrant and tender tuna has a characteristic rich and creamy flavor, combined with sweet, sour, and spicy spices, bringing the unique taste of the sea.
Ocean Tuna Eye
WHAT TO BUY AS GIFTS IN PHU YEN
Phu Yen sun-dried beef is a highly valuable gift option. This dish is usually made from the thigh and rump meat of cattle, resulting in tender and delicious meat. The price of sun-dried beef is relatively high, ranging from 500,000 to 600,000 VND per kilogram.
When buying Phu Yen sun-dried beef, you can visit reputable stores such as Ha Trung sun-dried beef shop, Diep Bao An shop, and Hoa Yen specialty store.
Hoa Da rice paper is a familiar dish among locals. The rice paper is thick and chewy, suitable for rolling salads or making spring rolls. There are many colorful rice papers available at Phu Yen market.
Hoa Da rice paper
Ganh Do fish sauce is fermented from fresh fish caught from Tuy Hoa sea, bringing a very special flavor profile. This type of fish sauce is quite affordable, priced at only around 30,000 - 50,000 VND per liter, making it suitable for gifting to family and friends.
Ganh Do fish sauce
In addition to seafood and dried goods, you can also purchase handicraft products made from seashells as gifts for family and friends.
Here are some travel experiences in Phu Yen that we have compiled. You can refer to them to enrich your summer travel guide. Feel free to contact us if you need any advice!
- 4N3D Phu Yen Tour departing from Saigon
- 4N3D Phu Yen Tour departing from Hanoi
- Destination Tour (Pick up at Phu Yen): DISCOVER PHU YEN - GOLDEN FLOWER AND GREEN GRASS (etrip4u.com)
Posted by: Ngan Bach
Keywords: Insights into traveling to Phu Yen held in the palm of your hand
