Uncovering the Hidden Beauty of Phu Yen Province, Vietnam

About Phu Yen

Phu Yen Province has an abundance of mountains and long beaches that are so pristine, it looks like they come straight off a postcard. The area is also known for its rich history and culture, with many ancient sites and traditional villages to explore.

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What makes Phu Yen appealing is that it is not yet as popular and does not attract as many visitors as other well-known tourist spots in Vietnam, such as Hoi An and Ha Giang.

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We believe this will change in the future, so the best time to visit is now!

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10 Things to Do in Phu Yen, Vietnam

Looking for things to do in Phu Yen? Here is a list of the attractions we visited and places we found along the way. Phu Yen Province is massive, and there are many beautiful places we were not able to discover, and we cannot wait to return.

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Here are the 10 things to do when visiting Phu Yen Province!

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1. Relax on the Beach

If you’re looking to relax on secluded and unspoiled beaches, Phu Yen is the place for you. From Bai Xep Beach to the many hidden gems along the coastline, Phu Yen offers a peaceful escape from other touristy beach destinations in Vietnam. Our personal favorite is Tu Nham's long, quiet, and pristine beach.

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This beautiful beach does not yet attract crowds of tourists, so you can still enjoy plenty of space all to yourself. It is the perfect place to relax and ideal for swimming, as the waves are gentle and the shore is clean.

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Tip: For the best experience, we recommend staying at Lucky Spot Bungalow right by the beach!

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Read: Discover Tu Nham Beach in Phu Yen

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2. Visit Nha Tho Mang Lang Church

Nha Tho Mang Lang is a Catholic church famous for its historic architecture. With its wide pavilion, you can walk around and view the shrines that surround it. During our visit, the church was surrounded by yellow flowers for Tet (Chinese New Year).

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Even if you are not a devotee, the church's unique design, from the wooden arches to the detailed sculptures on its pillars, is worth a visit. 

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Tip: There is a food court at the front that sells refreshments, and there is a free toilet next to the church.

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Interested in seeing more historical churches in Vietnam? Don't miss the St. Joseph Cathedral, which is located in Hanoi's Old Quarter.

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3. Hike to Da Dia Reef

Da Dia Reef, or Gành Đá Dĩa, is one of Phu Yen’s main tourist attractions, located in Phu Hanh village.

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Along with the viewpoints overlooking the blue sea, what’s special about Ganh Da Dia is that you can get close to the basalt rocks formed over 200 million years ago. The rocks are stacked in countless hexagonal columns in an orderly fashion, giving it the appearance of a large honeycomb from a distance.

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The entrance fee is 40,000 VND per adult, while children enter for free. After the gate, you'll see a restaurant and a few shops selling fresh juices and souvenirs. Toward the end, there are viewpoints and stone steps leading to the rock formations.

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Read: Most Beautiful Places in Vietnam in 2024

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4. Explore Hai Dang Ganh Den

Just across the entrance of Da Dia Reef, you will find the Hai Dang Ganh Den Viewpoint.

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Hai Dang Gahn Den features a red light house on a cliff overlooking the stunning coastline, providing a perfect spot for taking in panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding areas. There are white rock formations you can climb, as well as cacti scattered around the edges of the cliffs.

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There's no entrance fee to visit, but this also results in lots of plastic trash around the area, as the grounds are not as well maintained compared to Da Dia Reef. However, the lack of crowds makes it worth visiting, especially around sunset!

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Read: Hang Mua: The Best Viewpoint in Ninh Binh

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5. Try Local Seafood

A visit to Vietnam’s coast wouldn’t be complete without tasting the local seafood. Not only will you find the freshest seafood, but it will also be reasonably priced.

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During our visit, we had lunch at a local restaurant next to O Loan Lagoon (Đầm Ô Loan) named Quan Tuan. The restaurant has relaxed seating with tables set above the water, which is a great way to enjoy the fresh seafood.

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Looking for more places to enjoy Vietnamese delicacies? Visit Dalat and discover the best foods to try and where to find them.

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6. Discover Hon Yen

Hon Yen, also known as Mũi Yến, is a small island located near Phu Yen's Nhon Hoi village. The area is well-known for its spectacular coral reefs, which are visible from land. The best time to see the coral is during low tide between May and August.

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Aside from that, there are many viewpoints from which you can take in the beautiful surroundings. We even noticed many basket boats that can take you around the water to avoid trampling on corals. There are lots of spaces to sit and enjoy the view, as well as stalls where you can buy refreshments.

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Read: Visit Vietnam's Best Beaches on Con Dao Island

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7. Check Out a Fish Drying Factory

On our trip to the Hon Yen viewpoint, we discovered a local fish drying facility in Nhon Hoi Village.

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It was interesting to see the process of drying anchovies, and we were surprised by how the workers, all women, worked relentlessly under the scorching sun in an organized, almost choreographed manner.

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The sight of rows and rows of fish being dried was fascinating to see. Above all, the women were kind and willing to show us their work.

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Read: Discovering Mekong Delta’s Fish Drying Village

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8. Walk Across the Ong Cop Bridge

Another popular tourist attraction in Phu Yen is Ong Cop Bridge, also known as Bình Thạnh Bridge, the longest longest bamboo bridge in Vietnam. It spans the Phu Ngan River for about 800m and is intended for motorbikes, bicycles, and pedestrians. You must pay 5,000 VND to pass through.

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Aside from being the longest bamboo bridge, there is nothing special about it. It's mostly popular with tourists looking to take photos.

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Looking for picturesque landscapes to photograph? Head to Quy Nhon City and discover its scenic viewpoints and charming villages!

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9. Visit Song Cau Salt Fields

Phu Yen is home to three traditional salt-making villages: Trung Trinh, Le Uyen, and Tuyet Diem. We visited outside of the salt season, so we didn't see any workers in the fields, but we believe it's worth a visit if you’re in the area, especially around the salt season. The best time to see the salt farms in Phu Yen is from April to July.

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Interested in visiting more authentic villages in Vietnam? Visit Nhon Hai Village, a vibrant fishing village in Quy Nhon.

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10. Drive Around Phu Yen

One of the greatest things to do in Phu Yen is to drive around with no specific destination, exploring the dirt roads and narrow alleys. This is how you get to discover the area beyond the typical tourist attractions.

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During our trip to Phu Yen, we drove around and found local fishing villages, several fish farms, and lush green rice fields!

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Want to explore more of Vietnam on a motorbike? Read our comprehensive motorbike itinerary to the Ha Giang Loop, the Cao Bang Region, and many other off-the-beaten-path destinations!

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Best Time to Visit Phu Yen

You can visit Phu Yen anytime of the year, but the best months to visit are between February and April. You can expect the least rain and comfortable temperatures to enjoy the outdoors, with cooler evenings and warmer days that are not as scorching as the summer months.

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Read: Best Time to Visit Vietnam

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Where to Stay

Pick an accommodation close to what you want to see and do in the area. If you’re mainly staying in the north of Phu Yen, we recommend picking a hotel around Song Cau town. Otherwise, pick a place in Tuy Hoa if you’re visiting attractions mainly in the south. Find all accommodations in Phu Yen here.

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Mid-Range

Lucky Spot Beach Bungalow

Mid-Range

Sala Tuy Hoa Beach Hotel

How to Reach Phu Yen

There are many ways to reach Phu Yen, depending on where you’re coming from. Here are the best ways to get to the province:

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Plane: The easiest way to reach Phu Yen is to take a plane to the domestic airport in Tuy Hoa (TBB). This is great if you’re staying in Tuy Hoa City, as it’s only 10km away from the airport.

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If you’re staying around Song Cau town in the north, we recommend flying into Phu Cat Airport (UIH). From there, it’s an hour’s drive to Song Cau. Find flights to Phu Yen here.

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‍Train: If you’re coming from a neighboring city, such as Quy Nhon, another option is to take a train to Tuy Hoa Station. Book your train ticket to Tuy Hoa here.

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How to Get Around

The best way to get the most out of your visit to Phu Yen Province is to hire a driver for the day. The majority of Phu Yen's main attractions are spread apart, so a car will be more convenient.

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Read: Best Ways to Get Around Vietnam

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If you want to explore the nearby neighborhoods, we suggest renting a motorbike so you can get into little alleys that aren’t accessible by car.

And that’s the guide to visiting Phu Yen Province in Vietnam!

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We hope that we've inspired you to explore more off the beaten path destinations in Vietnam!

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Discover more of the hidden gems this beautiful country has to offer with our guides, from the stunning landscapes of Tu Le to the impressive temples of An Giang Province.

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If you have any questions, let us know in the comments below.