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Traveling along Vietnam's coast, you'll find many beautiful and poetic seaside destinations. This summer, why not plan a trip to explore Xuan Dai Bay in Phu Yen with its 12 fascinating locations? Here, you'll witness the stunning harmony of mountains and the sea.
Xuan Dai Bay in Phu Yen (Photo: ST)
When visiting Xuan Dai Bay in Phu Yen, tourists cannot miss these 12 locations:
1. Ganh Den (Den Cape)
Ganh Den features a lighthouse with two colors, white and red, soaring high against the deep blue sky, guiding ships offshore to navigate the direction and distance to the rocky shores when entering or leaving Xuan Dai Bay.
Lighthouse on Ganh Den (Photo: ST)
Formerly known as Ganh Da Den (Black Stone Cape), it was renamed Ganh Den after the construction of two lighthouses along the coast. Perhaps the impression of the lighthouse's light was so strong that people started calling it Ganh Den. From the shore, the smooth and rough rocky cliffs, large and small, interspersed with each other, look like an array waiting for fishing boats to rush in. Waves creep into the white frothy rock crevices. Under the cliffs, amidst the waving seaweed, schools of small fish swim gently. Watching the sunrise from the lighthouse on Ganh Den in the early morning is truly wonderful.
Sunrise at Ganh Den (Photo: ST)
The Ganh Den lighthouse stands 22m above sea level. Its light rotates every 5 seconds, emitting a very strong light that can be recognized by ships offshore up to 17 nautical miles away. From here, you can overlook a vast expanse of blue sea to the east and the islands and cliffs, large and small, scattered to the south of Xuan Dai Bay. The road to Ganh Den has been concreted for convenient access, with a distant area serving as a residential area for lighthouse keepers to rest.
Concrete road leading to Ganh Den lighthouse (Photo: ST)
2. Ganh Do (Red Cape)
Legend has it that near Ong Xa Islet, there was a long stretch of land forming a barrier in front of the lagoon. When the tide rose, a giant herring swam over the land into the lagoon, but when the water receded, the fish couldn't swim back out. The fish died and turned into stone, creating a large rocky shore. Locals call it the Herring Shore.
Early morning at Ganh Do (Photo: ST)
Red Cape rock formation (Photo: ST)
You can come here to enjoy the peaceful night atmosphere at Ganh Do fishing village, bring a tent to camp on the beach, and indulge in fresh seafood. In the early morning, visit the fishing village to greet the fishermen returning with the best catch, then have the locals prepare them for cooking.
The path to Ganh Do fishing village (Photo: ST)
The livelihood of the people here is closely linked to the sea, which has been their lifeblood for generations. The children are very good at swimming, their laughter blending with the sound of the waves, creating a very simple and rustic atmosphere.
3. Vung Dong
Vung Dong has a sandy ridge running along the edge of the water, which is the habitat of the Dông, often mistaken for a gecko at first glance. The Dông is a type of lizard, adapted to live in the natural sandy coastal areas of the provinces along the Central Coast. They dig deep burrows in the sand to hide.
Scenery of Vung Dong (Photo: St)
The Dông is a favorite delicacy caught by the locals here to use as daily food or to sell at the market.
The Dông species caught for food (Photo: St)
4. Vung Chao
At Vung Chao, people mainly engage in fishing, often catching large fish such as tuna and swordfish. Boats from many places come to buy seafood because Vung Chao is famous for its variety of large fish.
Scenic view of Vung Chao (Photo: ST)
The locals are very friendly and welcoming in their trade, especially to visitors from afar. Perhaps it's this tradition that gives the place its name, Vung Chao.
Smooth sand beach at Vung Chao (Photo: ST)
5. Vung La
Vung La is one of the bays within the overall Xuan Dai Bay. Due to its terrain, this area has a lot of shrimp and fish. The rocky outcrops create small caves, which are ideal hiding spots for shrimp and fish, especially during the rough seas.
Vung La has abundant shrimp and fish (Photo: ST)
Fishing with nets is quite sufficient, and every time a large catch is pulled in, the people are as jubilant as a festival, shouting to each other to bring boats and baskets to catch the fish.
Fishing with nets in Vung La (Photo: ST)
In the past, due to the lack of major roads, Vung La was isolated like an island. When you come to Xuan Dai Bay and pass through Vung La, you will feel like you are truly on a deserted island. Furthermore, the population density here is not high. Because the mainland is not wide horizontally, the houses of fishermen have to be close to the bay, with coconut trees providing shade outside. The main trees in Vung La are coconut trees, which are planted by the locals for shade and to prevent erosion along the coast. Walking along the sandy beach under the coconut trees is an interesting experience in the humid atmosphere, and the coconut trees seem to alleviate that humidity.
Vung La has many green trees (Photo: ST)
6. Bai Om
Following the sea route from Xuan Dai Bay to Bai Om, the name Bai Om comes from its embrace by two large promontories, about 600 meters apart. In the sun and wind, the waves at Bai Om beat rhythmically, sometimes loudly, sometimes slowly, blending into the endless harmony of the sea. Perhaps in Xuan Dai Bay, Bai Om is the most deserted, with almost no fishermen's houses.
Bai Om in Xuan Dai Bay (Photo: ST)
Bai Om is also one of the beautiful beaches of Xuan Dai Bay, Phu Yen. Choosing to travel here will not disappoint you.
The scenery at Bai Om will not disappoint you (Photo: ST)
The water at Bai Om is not too deep, perfect for snorkeling to admire the colorful coral reefs and schools of fish. Diving at Bai Om in Xuan Dai Bay allows you to easily observe coral reefs without needing scuba gear. Unlike coral reefs in deeper waters that grow like trees with branches, here most of the coral is boulder coral lying on rocks because there are coral reefs running along the rocks. Coral grows in clusters on rocks, so it is also called coral flowers or coral clumps. Note that there is a clear current in the middle of the bay, so if you swim, stay away from this area to avoid being carried away.
Coral reefs exposed as the tide recedes (Photo: ST)
The path along Bai Om in Xuan Dai Bay (Photo: ST)
7. Bai Tu Nham
Tu Nham Beach features a gentle, crescent-shaped shoreline, stretching about 8 km long. Walking along Tu Nham Beach is an exciting experience, as each stretch of the coast is a picturesque and charming masterpiece of nature.
Tu Nham Beach (Photo: ST)
The more you explore, the more you'll find Tu Nham Beach's pristine beauty and vibrant charm, with rocky promontories jutting out into the sea as if daring ships to venture closer.
Untouched Tu Nham Beach (Photo: ST)
On Tu Nham Beach, there are many rocks and seaweed washed ashore, with dried seaweed sticking to the rocks forming bizarre shapes. On the smooth white sand are pieces of coral in various shapes, scorching under the blazing sun. You can pick up some pieces of coral washed ashore as souvenirs, with many different colors.
Coral growing from rocks (Photo: ST)
The people of Tu Nham mainly use small boats and canoes to fish, catch shrimp, and squid near the shore. Their livelihoods are simple yet meaningful.
Fishing boats of fishermen (Photo: ST)
Life here is peaceful and gentle like the eyes of a child. When visiting Xuan Dai Bay, Phu Yen, take some time to visit Tu Nham Beach to enjoy the peaceful and unique life.
Life here is simple like the eyes of a child (Photo: ST)
8. Cù lao ông Xá
The name of an island in Vung Lam, Xuan Dai Bay, Phu Yen, a few hundred meters from the foot of Ganh Do.
Cù lao Ông Xá (Photo: ST)
Surrounded by water, to reach Cù lao Ông Xá, you need to hire a boat. The island resembles a giant crocodile basking in the sun in the middle of the sea. This image adds to the allure of the wildness of Cù lao Ông Xá.
Taking a boat to Cù lao Ông Xá (Photo: ST)
In the southern part of the island, you can anchor small boats. It's important to be cautious when boating here because there are many reefs and underwater rocks around the island, which can be quite dangerous.
9. Nhất Tự Sơn Island
Covering a natural area of about 6 hectares, Nhất Tự Sơn Island in Vịnh Xuân Đài Phú Yên is likened to a windbreak for the two fishing villages of Mỹ Hải and Mỹ Thành. According to local people, the island is named Nhất Tự Sơn because its shape resembles the Chinese character “Nhất” (meaning “one” in English).
Nhất Tự Sơn Island when the water rises (Photo: ST)
Nhất Tự Sơn Island sits nestled in the middle of the sea, acting as a barrier against the sea. It has a strip of land that rises to form a shore when the tide recedes, creating two waves crashing into each other from both sides. This natural phenomenon is called “Sóng chọi” (Clashing Waves) by the locals. September is the time when the waves are highest and clash most forcefully. The sight of the waves crashing into each other, throwing up white foam, makes people appreciate nature even more, feeling small in the face of such extraordinary natural phenomena.
Over time, waves carrying sand from the island to the sea inadvertently add to the strip of land that rises on Nhất Tự Sơn Island.
The clearly visible path leading to Nhất Tử Sơn (Photo: ST)
This path is the unique feature of Nhất Tự Sơn, hidden under the sea and only gradually appearing as the tide begins to recede, creating a spectacular and stimulating landscape. Anyone walking on this path cannot help but be amazed and excited.
Nhất Tự Sơn is not far from the mainland. If you don't mind getting tired, you can wade or walk on the sandy path out to the island, depending on the tide during the day. The tide follows the lunar cycle, receding at dusk from the 1st to the 15th of the lunar month, and receding in the morning from the 15th to the end of the month. Due to the gravitational effect of the Moon, the tide cycle is calculated according to the lunar calendar.
The path emerges as the water recedes (Photo: ST)
Visiting Nhất Tự Sơn will not disappoint you with the diversity of seafood here. Moreover, you have the opportunity to enjoy delicious seafood dishes at very affordable prices. Also, the pristine beauty of this place is a major attraction for many tourists. It is the perfect place for people to live and feel closer to nature than ever before.
Lobsters caught at Nhất Tự Sơn Island (Photo: St)
10. Ghềnh Đá Đĩa
Visiting the Đá Đĩa rocky cliffs inevitably evokes thoughts of the Northeast coast of Ireland with the Giant’s Causeway, the Órganos rocky cliffs on La Gomera island in Spain, or the Fingal's Cave on Staffa island, Scotland, or Jeju island in South Korea.
Đá Đĩa rocky cliffs cover an area of approximately 10,000 square meters, making it one of the most beautiful scenic spots in Xuân Đài Bay, Phú Yên.
Đá Đĩa rocky cliffs (Photo: ST)
The silent rocky beach stretches along the coast, with the gentle sound of waves, passing through peaceful villages, sometimes amidst rugged hills, and other times among quaint villages, making your trip here unforgettable.
Fishing on the Đá Đĩa rocky cliffs (Photo: ST)
Looking down from above at the cliffs encroaching into the sea with hexagonal rock formations, tightly joined together like a giant beeswax, all smooth and shiny, creating a solid, glossy whole soaked in the color of the sea.
The stunning beauty of Đá Đĩa rocky cliffs (Photo: ST)
According to scientists, this unique rocky area was formed when volcanic lava erupted and flowed into the sea. The red-hot lava flow solidified upon contact with the sea, causing a sudden change in temperature that turned the lava into stone. Due to geological changes and the impact of the sea waves, the entire lava mass cracked and split into pieces, creating a unique landscape.
Following the steps between the interlocking rocks, you can walk close to the edge of the sea to admire the sunrise. Going deeper into the cliffs, you'll encounter a cave nestled at the foot of the mountain.
Beautiful sunrise scene (Photo: ST)
Playing on the rock formations (Photo: ST)
11. Lao Mái Nhà Island
Mái Nhà Island is likened to a 'rough gem' in An Hai commune, Tuy An district, Phu Yen province. It's called a 'rough gem' because it boasts many pristine landscapes untouched by human hands. Although not far from the mainland, Mái Nhà Island is definitely a fascinating destination to explore the untouched beauty of the coastal nature.
Serene landscape (Photo: ST)
Previously, there was only one house on the island, hence the name Mái Nhà Island. The island is covered with many pandanus trees, naturally growing straight up into the sky. The islanders raise cattle and lobsters for a living. Mái Nhà Island has fresh water, but it cannot be used for cooking as it is contaminated with salty mud, giving it a bitter taste. Fresh water is transported from the mainland only for cooking, eating, and limited use to avoid waste.
Rent a boat to the island (Photo: ST)
Strolling on Mái Nhà Island, you can admire the slow-paced life, with the sea water washing away all the daily hustle and bustle. Standing atop the mountain and gazing into the distance, the pristine white sandy beach unfolds before your eyes, adorned with a variety of colorful wild fruits on the sand.
12. Cù Mông Lagoon
Cù Mông Lagoon is an ideal destination for nature lovers. It is one of the tourist attractions in Xuân Đài Bay, Phú Yên, known for its romantic and poetic beauty, mixed with the serenity of the local people, always enchanting visitors.
Romantic scenery with a touch of tranquility (Photo: ST)
Cù Mông Lagoon is long and narrow, surrounded by the Cù Mông mountain range, stretching over 15 km. It boasts beautiful natural landscapes and is a high-value commercial lobster farming area. Additionally, you can find many rare and valuable seafood species here, such as stone crabs and seahorses.
Breeding seahorses (Photo: ST)
People breeding stone crabs (Photo: St)
We hope through the article Explore 12 interesting places in Xuân Đài Bay, Phú Yên, you will have more information for a fun and memorable trip in Xuân Đài Bay, Phú Yên.
