Phu Yen, land of the rising sun

By Huynh Phuong    April 26, 2021 | 01:00 am PT
The beauty of islands and sea in Phu Yen, Vietnam's easternmost province, comes to life in a series of photos taken by lensman Le Chi Trung.
Phu Yen, land of the rising sun

Nhat Tu Son is one of the most beautiful islands in Xuan Dai Bay, about 50 kilometers from Tuy Hoa Town, capital of the south-central province.

The island's name originates from its resemblance to the character ‘First’ in Mandarin. According to locals, it helps protect nearby fishing villages, My Hai and My Thanh, from strong winds.

The 300 meter road linking the mainland to the island only appears when the tide recedes.

Phu Yen, land of the rising sun

Mui Dien or Dai Lang Cape is bathed in sunlight at 6 a.m.

Dai Lanh Cape, around 35 kilometers from Tuy Hoa, is the first place in the country for the sun to rise, best experienced from the lighthouse here or Mon Beach.

Phu Yen, land of the rising sun

Ganh Den Beach lighthouse is located around one kilometer to the north of An Ninh Dong Commune, Tuy An District.

About a 15-minute walk from Da Dia rock range, Ganh Den Beach is nearly a kilometer long. Many people visit it to camp, fish or simply admire the view.

The lighthouse location offers a great view of the star-studded sky as it directs beacons of light to offshore vessels.

Phu Yen, land of the rising sun

Da Dia Reef (Ganh Da Dia) is a unique geological structure comprising black and yellow basalt rocks in all kinds of conceivable shapes, on a coastal area of more than a square kilometer. From a distance, it resembles a giant black beehive.

According geologists, the reef complex, about 30 kilometers to the north of Tuy Hoa, was created by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The lava, when it came in contact with the water, cooled, contracted and fractured and formed vertical or horizontal columns before becoming polygonal rocks.

Besides Da Dia Reef, there are only three other places on earth that feature this magnificent phenomenon.

Phu Yen, land of the rising sun

About 100 meters from Ganh Da Dia is sandy Bang Beach, stretching for about 300 meters and featuring ancient limestone submerged in seawater.

“On dry tidal days, the beach is wonderfully beautiful when blocks of limestone are exposed. Especially from Feb. to Apr. every year, these rocks are covered with a layer of golden apricot seaweed, attracting scores of photographers," said the author Trung, a 32-year-old local resident.

Phu Yen, land of the rising sun

Visiting An Hoa Hai Commune, tourists can also experience lobster cage farming. Phu Yen is considered the “capital” of lobster farming with over 119,000 designated cages.

Phu Yen, land of the rising sun

Hon Yen Island, about 20 kilometers from Tuy Hoa.

In Phu Yen, a poverty-hit coastal province with a population of around 860,000, most local residents head out to sea to catch seafood. Their boats are their lifeline.

Phu Yen, land of the rising sun

People dry anchovies in Hoa An Village of Song Cau Town.

Phu Yen, land of the rising sun

Phu Yen coastal protection corridor, part of Le Thinh resettlement area in Phu Luong Village of Tuy An District, is seen from above. Along the coast are hundreds of anchoring boats.

Anchovies and lobsters are specialties of this coastal village.

Phu Yen, land of the rising sun

Green moss clings to rocks.

Both Hon Yen and Hon Dun islands are located only 100 meters from land, enabling visitors to reach their shores on foot.

Since all coral reefs are sensitive and vulnerable natural resources, local authorities advise against walking on their surfaces, which could deform or kill them, destroying the habitats of many marine species.

Phu Yen, land of the rising sun

A white-leg shrimp farm downstream of Ban Thach River in Dong Hoa Town.

Phu Yen, land of the rising sun

Sunset on O Loan Lagoon.

Situated to the south of Chi Thanh Village in Tuy An Commune, O Loan Lagoon is surrounded by greenery in the form of paddy fields, Dong Chay and Cam mountains and An Hai Islet.

 
 
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