From the time it gained fame with the movie “Yellow Flowers on Green Grass” until now, Phu Yen has never stopped being “hot.” Many have flocked to Phu Yen to witness the endless rice fields and lush green meadows. Still, they have forgotten that this coastal land boasts golden flowers, green grass, and numerous beautiful destinations that will make you want to stay forever!

So pack your bags, set out on the open road, and let the enchanting landscapes of Phu Yen unveil their secrets to you. Your unforgettable journey awaits, guided by the expertise of Vietnampeace.com.

1. Van Hoa Plateau

Quickly browsing online shows that Van Hoa Plateau is the first destination on our Phu Yen travel itinerary. For directions, it’s best to ask locals for the way to Son Hoa district since many are unfamiliar with the name “Van Hoa.”

Van Hoa Plateau is likened to the Dalat of Phu Yen, with sprawling vistas and winding roads (at an altitude of about 400 meters above sea level). The streets are nicely paved, flanked by vast landscapes, perfect for some wide-angle shots.

Getting to Van Hoa Plateau isn’t just about reaching a destination; you can enjoy the scenery and snap some insta-worthy shots. Valleys and cultivated lands line the route, while deserted roads can serve as perfect backgrounds for your photos.

If you have trouble finding the way to Van Hoa Plateau, you can ask for directions to “Uncle Ho Church” – another destination in Phu Yen.

Van Hoa Plateau is about 30 km from the city center of Tuy Hoa. From the center, take Hung Vuong Boulevard to National Highway 1A, drive about 14 km until you reach a junction (look for signs following the traffic light pole), turn left, and continue straight on DDT 643 road until you reach Van Hoa Plateau.

2. Ganh Den Lighthouse

You’ll also travel on National Highway 1A, but when you reach the Phu Diem intersection, turn right, keep going straight, and ask locals at An Hoa commune’s People’s Committee for directions to Ganh Den. Cross Tuy An Bridge, pass Dam Market and continue asking for directions to Ganh Den.

When people talk about Phu Yen tourism, they often remember Ganh Da Dia, sometimes overlooking Ganh Den. But these two places are close, only about 15 minutes apart, and practically connected on the map. From the parking lot at Ganh Da Dia, turn left and walk straight to find some beverage stalls; from here, you can leave your vehicle and head straight to Ganh Den – where the lighthouse stands.

This is a popular spot for young travelers to check in because of the lighthouse’s striking red and white colors against the vast backdrop of Ganh Den’s expansive seascape, creating a captivating image.

But it’s not just the lighthouse that’s picture-perfect; the surrounding scenery and especially the rocky edges at Ganh Da Dia are perfect for your photos. The golden sunlight of the coastal region shines on the golden-brown rocks, blending with the characteristic blue of Phu Yen’s sea, truly deserving a “perfect 10” for quality!

3. Ganh Da Dia

Perhaps there’s no need to introduce this place much when discussing Phu Yen destinations, right? With its unique structure of stacked rocks resembling a giant beehive formed by Mother Nature’s hand, Ganh Da Dia has always been a famous landmark, not only for its beauty but also because, standing here, you can overlook the vastness of the sea and sky.

As mentioned earlier, from the junction where you park your vehicle, instead of turning left towards Ganh Den, look to the right, and you’ll see the entrance to the Ganh Da Dia National Monument. This is a paid tourist attraction, with admission tickets priced at 20,000 VND/adult and 10,000 VND/child (for tourists, not applicable to locals).

Ganh Da Dia is about 30 km from Tuy Hoa City and was recognized as a national scenic site in 1998. Bang Beach is next to Ganh Da Dia, a white sandy beach stretching into a crescent shape. This is also a fun destination with beach activities and camping…

Adding to your experience, as you journey to Ganh Da Dia, don’t overlook the white sandy beaches on both sides of the road. The pristine white sands blending with the rugged beauty of the rocks and cacti will provide breathtaking scenery for your “out-of-this-world” and awe-inspiring shots!

4. Dai Lanh Lighthouse

This place is renowned as the first sunrise spot in Vietnam – the country’s easternmost point. Although there are still debates about this claim, let’s put that aside for now and acknowledge that catching the sunrise at Dai Lanh Lighthouse (also known as Dai Lanh Cape) is a top priority.

Dai Lanh is about 30 km from the center of Tuy Hoa and opposite the Tuy Hoa – Ganh Da Dia route. Also, from Hung Vuong Boulevard, drive straight to Nga Beach, and then a short distance further, you’ll encounter a mountain pass. Look to your left, and you’ll see the entrance to Dai Lanh Lighthouse (if you continue straight, you’ll reach Cả Pass towards Khanh Hoa, Nha Trang).

Because it’s the earliest sunrise spot on the mainland of Vietnam, you must start early or miss the sunrise (partly because the sun rises quickly, lasting only about 15 minutes). Typically, if you’re not staying overnight at Mon Beach (at the foot of Dai Lanh), you’d have to depart from Tuy Hoa around 3:30 am. When traveling to Dai Lanh, you’ll have to climb a mountain road (with stairs) for over 1 km to reach the lighthouse.

If you rush, this stretch of road is steep and demanding, so you must allocate extra time! Currently, a service provides motorcycle rides up there, but I think it’ll be more exciting if you hike – you’ll get some exercise while enjoying the fresh morning air mixed with the scent of grass and sea salt.

It’s enduring a bit of hardship, but I guarantee that when you witness the sunrise here, you’ll find all the effort worth it. The sunrise begins with hints of purple and gold, gradually brightening and illuminating the sea.

If, unfortunately, you’re late and miss the chance to climb up to the lighthouse, you can still opt to catch the sunrise at the mountain pass. The scenery is equally stunning.

This road will pass by Nga Beach, white dunes, and even the shrimp farms of Phu Yen fishermen – all providing magnificent views for your camera lens.

However, please note there’s a section of road under construction with many potholes and loose gravel. If you’re traveling early to catch the sunrise or speeding, you might easily slip or encounter danger, so be cautious!

The Dai Lanh Lighthouse is a tourist destination with an entrance fee of 20,000 VND/adult and 10,000 VND/child. The price for renting a motorcycle to go up there is 50,000 VND/person/ride.

5. Mon Beach

Mon Beach is located at the foot of Dai Lanh Cape, and you can combine Dai Lanh and Mon Beach as part of your Phu Yen sightseeing itinerary. The allure of Mon Beach lies in its wilderness, solitude, and the refreshing feeling it brings to anyone who visits.

Mon Beach resembles a small inland pond with a narrow coastline, nestled between two mountains (Nay Cape to the north and Dai Lanh Cape to the east). From Dai Lanh Lighthouse, walk down a few hundred meters, and you’ll see signs directing you to Mon Beach on the right.

The flat and rounded rock formations eroded by water, combined with the deep blue sea, create a truly serene and pristine setting, making Mon Beach one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam.

You can camp at Mon Beach to wait for the sunrise at the lighthouse because there are vast stretches of white dunes here, providing a romantic and perfect setting for a night of camping.

6. Bai Xep – Ganh Ong

This spot is featured in the movie “Yellow Flowers on Green Grass,” where you might remember scenes of children running and flying kites. When you come here searching for the beauty depicted in the movie, you’ll surely be amazed by the fusion of Eastern and Western charm. The white sandy beach with leafy shelters resembles a beachside scene in the United States. Still, the rocky cliffs and dragonfruit cacti here carry the unmistakable Vietnamese essence – equally stunning.

Bai Xep–Ganh Ong is located in An Chan commune, Tuy An district, Phu Yen, about 20 km from the center of Tuy Hoa on a road flanked by white sand and bamboo forests interspersed with rice fields.

There’s no entrance fee for Bai Xep, but if you’re driving, you’ll have to pay a fee (10,000 VND/motorbike, 50,000 VND/vehicle under seven seats, and 70,000 VND/vehicle over seven seats). There are also restaurants serving food and overnight accommodation services here to meet the needs of travelers.

Before walking along the coastline to the filming location, you can rest here or head back to the entrance and take a motorcycle straight up (you can ask the staff for directions).

As you step onto the site, you’ll be greeted by the fresh, green, and serene atmosphere of grass and dragonfruit. Picture yourself standing amidst a landscape where on one side lies the blue sea and white sand, on the other stretches a lush green carpet of grass and trees, while above is the vast sky, and below, the foamy waves crash onto the white sandy shore – it’s a genuinely fantastic feeling!

But remember to be careful when taking photos with the cactus here, as they are natural and grown in direct sunlight, so their spikes are very sharp and could cause injury!

7. Dam O Loan

If traveling from Tuy Hoa, Dam O Loan is about 20 km along National Highway 1A. Going towards Ngan Son Bridge, you’ll see a large stone sign introducing the National Heritage Site of Dam O Loan. Alternatively, if you take the road below Long Phu Bridge, you’ll pass shrimp ponds on your right.

A small tip: if you go towards Long Phu Bridge, keep going deeper until you reach the usual sunset photography spots. Or if unsure, you can ask locals at the shrimp ponds in Dam O Loan but don’t rush back if you haven’t seen anything beautiful yet. This area outside is where locals raise shrimp, not the “Instagram paradise” you may be looking for.

The most beautiful time at Dam O Loan is sunset when the sun slowly sinks into the sea behind the mountains and fishing villages.

Talking about Dam O Loan cannot be without mentioning blood cockles – a famous specialty associated with this place in Phu Yen. If you come here, indulge in dishes made from Dam O Loan blood cockles. The blood cockles here are large but not demanding, with sweet meat specially prepared on the spot. You buy as much as you want, and the seller will weigh them for you!

8. Deo Ca Pass

Deo Ca Pass is a route connecting beautiful destinations in Phu Yen, such as Mui Dien, Vung Ro Bay, and Dai Lanh Beach, then straight through Khanh Hoa to Nha Trang, and it is itself a “great beauty” that fascinates many “Instagram enthusiasts” and backpackers.

It is considered one of Vietnam’s most beautiful mountain passes, especially the sections passing through Vung Ro Bay and along Dai Lanh Beach.

Along the pass, there are small rest stops where you can admire the fantastic scenery of Deo, CA. But be sure to ask for prices beforehand, or you might end up paying exorbitant prices, sometimes up to 40,000 VND, for a fresh coconut!

9. Dai Lanh Beach

Also, along Deo Ca Pass, you’ll see Dai Lanh Beach on your left after driving for a while. Although Dai Lanh is a beautiful tourist destination in Phu Yen, it technically belongs to Van Ninh district, Khanh Hoa province. However, since Dai Lanh Beach is only about 30 km from Tuy Hoa (and about 80 km from Nha Trang), almost all tourists can arrange to visit here when traveling to Phu Yen.

The attraction of Dai Lanh lies in its clarity: from the smooth white sand to the clear water with a fresh, relaxing feel it brings. The water’s edge has a gentle slope, with waves not too big, making it suitable for swimming and minimizing accidents or risks.

From Deo Ca Pass, drive about 12 km to Dai Lanh Beach. Here, you have two options: go straight to the Dai Lanh Beach tourism area entrance or drive a little further to reach Dai Lanh Beach. Both are essentially Dai Lanh Beach, but the Dai Lanh beach tourism area charges an entrance fee (10,000 VND/person) and is built for dining, picnicking, and accommodation. Here, services include renting huts, umbrellas (100,000 VND/2 wooden loungers), bamboo rafting (100,000 VND/hour/6 people), firewood for camping, life jackets, beach chairs, and freshwater shower areas…

Suppose you choose Dai Lanh Beach as your central accommodation for your vacation. In that case, this tourism area also provides homestay services with colorful sea-facing wooden houses, extraordinarily unique and “cool.” Prices and room types are also diverse, with single, double, and triple rooms and dormitories ranging from only about 100,000 VND to 300,000 VND/person/night with full basic amenities. The Dai Lanh Beach tourism area also rents camping grounds and fully supports entrance tickets, freshwater bathing fees, security fees, and electricity… for only about 50,000 VND/per person.

And if you are a fan of the rugged beauty of Dai Lanh Beach and want to immerse yourself in the sun, sand, and sea, you can skip it and continue driving straight for about 1 – 2 km, ask the locals to help you down to Dai Lanh Beach.

From Dai Lanh Beach, you can rent a boat to visit Hon Nua, Mon Lagoon, and the fishing village in Khai Luong. Dai Lanh Beach is also said to be close to Vung Ro Bay – the most beautiful bay in Vietnam, famous for the legendary “endless ship” during the resistance war against America.

10. Vung Ro Bay

Vung Ro Bay used to be a military location, but with the war long gone, its gentle and unique charm has made it a beautiful tourist destination.

Looking down from Deo Ca Pass, you’ll see a vast expanse of blue water embraced by mountains, creating a calm pool for anchored fishing boats.

11. Nhat Tu Son Island

Nhat Tu Son is considered one of the most beautiful islands in Xuan Dai Bay (belonging to Xuan Tho 1 commune, Song Cau town), and famous for the straight road from the mainland to the island every time the tide recedes, similar to its “sibling” Diep Son Island.

From the center of Tuy Hoa City, follow Hung Vuong Boulevard to National Highway 1A, go north for about 50 km, and you will reach Nhat Tu Son. Many people mistakenly think Nhat Tu Son is a unique temple on a mountain, but the name “Nhat Tu Son” refers to the shape of this island in the middle of the sea – like the character “Nhat” in Chinese.

When the water recedes, the road connecting the mainland to the island will appear, which is also a unique point that attracts tourists to Nhat Tu Son, besides the beauty and tranquility it brings.

If you arrive when the water has not receded, you can rent a canoe to go directly to the island and then wait for the road to appear. The ticket price here is 30,000 VND/person for both round trips, with a phone number to call for pick-up anytime.

12. Ong Cop Wooden Bridge

On the way back from Nhat Tu Son, across Xuan Dai Bay, you can stop by and visit Ong Cop Wooden Bridge (also known as Binh Thanh Bridge or Tuy An Bridge) – dubbed as the longest wooden bridge in Vietnam, connecting the northern villages of An Ninh Tay commune (Tuy An district) with Song Cau town.

Ong Cop Wooden Bridge is about 400m long and is made of wood, bamboo, and iron. When you visit here, you’ll have to pay a fee of about 1,000 VND – 5,000 VND/person, depending on your mode of transportation and the weight of your belongings.

This is a famous destination for those visiting Phu Yen because of its unique and “sparkling photo” appeal. Moreover, many people also use this route to shorten the distance to Ganh Da Dia and Mang Lang Church.

13. Filming Locations of “Yellow Flowers on Green Grass”

Indeed, many of you are “hunting” for the shimmering beautiful locations that irresistibly appear in every frame of “Yellow Flowers on Green Grass,” right?

Not as “famous” and easily searchable as destinations like Bai Xep or Ganh Ong, other filming locations, such as fields, haystacks, cowsheds, and bamboo villages… are scattered around different districts and communes. Let Vietnampeace “spill the beans” about the places to find the true essence of “yellow flowers and green grass” in the film!

Most fields were filmed in Phuoc Loc hamlet (Hoa Thanh commune, Dong Hoa district). If you can’t find them, don’t be disappointed because these “romantic” fields stretch almost everywhere in the land of Phu Yen, such as the village road leading to Ganh Den, the road to Bai Xep… if you pay attention, you’ll also notice both sides are lush green rice fields, turning yellow during the harvest season.

But if you want to admire and capture the vast green or yellow fields, you should aim for the planting and harvesting seasons of the locals. Otherwise, you might be “disappointed” because the fields have already been harvested, and “there’s nothing left.”

Another location is Ngan Son cultural village (from Tuy Hoa to National Highway 1A, towards Ngan Son Bridge, both sides of the main bridge are Ngan Son village) – where scenes with the bamboo arched road shaded in the film were shot. Unfortunately, when we recently visited (8/2017), the trellis was removed due to the dam’s construction. However, you can ask for directions to the fields, to admire the green rice fields, peaceful village roads… which are also very interesting.

You can find Tu Bong Lake when heading back towards Deo Ca Pass, past Dai Lanh Beach, for about 20 km. This is also where the film crew stayed to shoot, and the scenery here is quite interesting for you to explore and capture beautiful images.

In conclusion, exploring Phu Yen, Vietnam’s captivating landscapes, offers an unforgettable journey filled with natural wonders, cultural richness, and cinematic charm. From the serene beauty of Dam O Loan to the breathtaking vistas of Deo Ca Pass and the tranquil shores of Dai Lanh Beach, each destination holds its allure waiting to be discovered.

As you embark on your adventure through Phu Yen, let Vietnampeace.com be your trusted guide, offering insider tips and hidden gems to make your trip remarkable. Its wealth of information and expertise ensures that every moment of your exploration is filled with wonder and delight.