Must-go destinations for tourists in Phu Yen

Located 35km north of Tuy Hoa city, Mang Lang with an architectural style of the 19th century is one of the oldest churches in Vietnam. The church was built in 1892 by Joseph de La Cassagne, a French priest, who was called Co Xuan by the locals. The unique name of this church comes from the name of a rare variety of tree, called Mang Lang, which has a large canopy, oval leaves, and purple flowers. More than 100 years ago, An Thach was a deserted area with forests of Mang Lang trees. Nowadays, these forests no longer exist but in the church there is still a round table made from Mang Lang wood with a diameter of 1.5m. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The main facade of the church has impressive architecture, which is in the Gothic architectural style, with two steeples, one on each side of the ancient mossy cross. Originally, the church, located in An Thach commune, Tuy An district, was painted white but it now becomes dark-grey and looks like a painting near the Ky Lo River. Inside the church, tourists can see two dangling ropes that are used to ring the church bells on special occasions. The two sides of the church’s lobby were designed in an eye-catching pyramid style. The chancel, with colorful windows, yellow-brown walls and a wooden ceiling on which ancient lights are hung, leaves a strong impression on tourists. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

If you are lucky enough to see the ringing of the bell, you will be wallowed in a bustling atmosphere. The church was built 130 years ago by French priest Joseph de la Cassagne who started erecting it in a paddy field in 1892. The building has experienced much change since that time, when there were many plants with purple pink blossoms called Mang Lang, from which the church takes its name. After he died, parishioners buried him in the church in order that they could feel him close by. The church has been renovated twice, in 1924 after a storm and in 1992 when the church celebrated a century. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The combination of Eastern and Western architecture makes Mang Lang worth a visit and Catholics may want to peruse the documents about the life of Saint Andrew Phu Yen. His statue stands solemnly on a small hill in the church yard. He was beatified in March 2000 by Pope John Paul II. To learn more about the history of the church, tourists can visit the traditional room, called Andrew Phu Yen, where documents and objects of the church are stored and displayed. It also has preserved the first book printed in Vietnamese script in 1651 in Rome, Italy. It was written by Alexandre de Rhodes who is the father of the Vietnamese script. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

At any time tourists can be seen at the church, who come to take pictures as well as explore the unique appeal of this tourist destination. The church is equally appealing behind its walls. It has stained glass windows with the cross and other Christian images with yellow arches along the corridors that run down both sides of the building. To reach Mang Lang Church, tourists just travel on National Highway 1A to Chi Thanh T-junction in Tuy An District, from then go ahead for two kilometres, making a right turn to Ngan Son Bridge. From the bridge, tourists go on a road along Ky Lo River for one kilometer and this treasured building is right there. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Located in An Ninh Dong commune, Tuy An district, Phu Yen province, Ganh Da Dia is one of the most stunning rock formations in the world. Ganh Da Dia includes strangely structured rocks equally arranged in a star pattern. It is a good choice for anyone who wants to make a memorable tour of Vietnam. Being a riddle of nature, like a giant jigsaw, the reef is irritatingly made of the same shaped pieces, and forms a solidified structure that has proved more than just a curiosity for thousands. The stones in Ganh Da Dia are basalt in dark black and light yellow colours. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Ganh Da Dia is a mystifying arrangement of thousands of large stones that looks a bit like a miniature city of skyscrapers clinging to the seaside cliffs. Some locals believe it was formed in a battle between two mythical giants, while scientists theorize that it was created by a volcanic eruption millions of years ago, according to Vietnam Guide. The stones in Ganh Da Dia are basalt stones in dark black and light yellow. Listed as a National Heritage Site by the Ministry of Culture and Information, Ganh Da Dia is a potential tourist attraction that appeals to both domestic and foreign visitors. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The mysterious black colour of stones which stands out in the background of the clear blueness of the sea water creates an irresistible scene. Looking like an orderly beehive, the reef is made of thousands of pentagonal rocks, causing passers-by to stop and contemplate the unusual and magnificent work of nature. Some locals believe it was formed in a battle between two mythical giants, while scientists theorize that it was created by a volcanic eruption millions of years ago, according to Vietnam Guide. Listed as a National Heritage Site by the Ministry of Culture and Information, Ganh Da Dia is a potential tourist attraction that appeals to both domestic and foreign visitors. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

There are many ways for tourists to reach Ganh Da Dia. One way is to follow the National Highway 1A in the northern direction from Tuy Hoa for about 30 kilometers. When you see Chi Thanh signboard, turn right and go straight ahead for about 12 kilometers and you can reach the destination. Tourists can also go by waterway (from 1-2 hours), departing from the harbor of Ward 6 in Tuy Hoa city. In the past, Ganh Da Dia was only a destination for local tourism and it was difficult to reach there. At the moment, the road has been asphalted and becomes much more clean and spacious for the convenience of tourism. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

There are many unique and beautiful shooting angles awaiting visitors to explore. The mysterious black colour of stones stands out in the clear blueness of the sea water, creating an irresistible scene. Looking like an orderly beehive, the reef is made of thousands of pentagonal rocks, making passers-by to stop and contemplate the unusual and magnificent work of nature. The stones in Ganh Da Dia are basalt stones in dark black and light yellow colours. Listed as a National Heritage Site by the Ministry of Culture and Information, Ganh Da Dia is a potential tourist attraction that appeals to both domestic and foreign visitors. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

If you have been amazed at the beauty of scenes in the movie 'Toi thay hoa vang tren co xanh' (Yellow flowers on the green grass) directed by Victor Vu, you must definitely go to Bai Xep when having an opportunity to come to the south central province of Phu Yen. Bai Xep is a beach in An Chan commune, Tuy Hoa city, Phu Yen province. The beach in Bai Xep is only 500m long, but it has unique natural landscapes with golden sand shimmering along pristine rocky bluffs, huge black rock tips protruding to the sea and meadows and casuarina forests stretching far and wide. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Bai Xep is located on a stretch of golden sand, 10 kilometres away from Quy Nhon city in the central coast province of Binh Dinh. The remote fishing village in central Vietnam was named in the list of '16 incredible destinations in Asia that tourist don’t know about yet' by US-based news website Business Insider several years ago. According to Business Insider, the car-free village is ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy a relaxing beach and plenty of fresh seafood. Giving advices on how to spend time in Bai Xep, the website said visitors can rent local traditional circular boats, take cooking classes, and enjoy hiking trails that lead to waterfalls. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

After the success of the movie ‘Yellow flowers on the green grass,’ Bai Xep has attracted a large number of tourists who want to come here to see the picturesque landscapes. The beach in Bai Xep is only 500m long, but it has unique natural landscapes with golden sand shimmering along pristine rocky bluffs, huge black rock tips protruding to the sea and meadows and casuarina forests stretching far and wide. Phu Yen is one of the most beautiful provinces in the central region of the country. It has nearly 190km of coastline bordered with zigzag mountains and dotted with many bays, lagoons, cliffs and reefs, along with many large and small beaches that are described as primitive. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Bai Xep is gentle and charming. The green colour of the stretching grassland and the blue colour of the sea water, together with the sturdy cactus, create an ideal tourist destination. While Bai Xep is only a small beach in An Chan commune, Tuy Hoa city of Phu Yen province, it has a magnificent beauty with golden sand that embraces the clear turquoise water. Along the smooth sandy beach are mysterious black cliffs heading toward the coast. After the success of the movie 'Yellow flowers on the green grass,' the beach has grown more and more popular in Vietnam’s tourism map. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Bai Xep is also a lovely venue for photographers and instagramers. The beach in Bai Xep is only 500m long, but it has unique natural landscapes with golden sand shimmering along pristine rocky bluffs, huge black rock tips protruding to the sea and meadows and casuarina forests stretching far and wide. It was named in the list of '16 incredible destinations in Asia that tourist don’t know about yet' by US-based news website Business Insider several years ago. According to Business Insider, the car-free village is ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy a relaxing beach and plenty of fresh seafood. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The south central province of Phu Yen is one of the most beautiful provinces in the central region of Vietnam. It has nearly 190km of coastline bordered with zigzag mountains and dotted with many bays, lagoons, cliffs and reefs, along with many large and small beaches that are described as primitive. If you have been amazed at the beauty of scenes in the movie 'Toi thay hoa vang tren co xanh' (Yellow flowers on the green grass) directed by Victor Vu, you must definitely go to Bai Xep when having an opportunity to come to the locality. Bai Xep is located in An Chan commune, Tuy Hoa city. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Bai Xep is also one of the most clean and beautiful beaches in the central region, helping attract tourists to both Phu Yen province and Quy Nhon city of Binh Dinh province, as it is located just 10 kilometres away from Quy Nhon. Bai Xep is only a small beach in An Chan commune, Tuy Hoa city of Phu Yen province, but it has a magnificent beauty with golden sand that embraces the clear turquoise water. Along the smooth sandy beach are mysterious black cliffs heading toward the coast. It was named in the list of ‘16 incredible destinations in Asia that tourist don’t know about yet’ by US-based news website Business Insider several years ago. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Located 22km far from Tuy Hoa city, O Loan Lagoon has been a popular destination in the south central province of Phu Yen for many years. O Loan is a brackish lagoon which has been well-known for its delicious seafood and wonderful scenes at sunrise and sunset. In the moment of sunrise or sunset, the venue always possesses a stunning beauty in harmony with the sparkling and brilliant scenery of the landscape and the sky. The best time to visit O Loan Lagoon was about 5am, when the sun rises and local residents go fishing, an ideal moment to capture landscape photos (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Seen from Quan Cau Pass, the 1,200ha lagoon looks like a phoenix spreading its wings. Given its beautiful landscape, O Loan Lagoon has inspired many poets and was recognised as a national landscape site in 1996. O Loan Lagoon has much more to offer tourists than its well-known delicious seafood and wonderful scenes at sunrise and sunset. It has another ‘specialty’: the generosity of its people. If you have a chance to visit O Loan Lagoon, you will be surely impressed by the kindness of people. And if you come here one day, try not to miss the seafood, jump into a boat to cruise the lagoon, and chat with local people. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

One of the best known destinations in the province is Dai Lanh Cape (or Dien Cape), which offers visitors a special feeling. One side of the cap is the green mountains and forests while the other side is the deep ocean with its blue colour combined with the light blue colour of the sky as well as multi-shaped vertical cliffs. Under the cape is Mon Beach, a very clean and stunning beach where freshwater flowing from high mountains creates a lovely picture. Dai Lanh Cape is a branch of Truong Son mountain range stretching to the sea. It was discovered and included in nautical chart in late 19th century by the French. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Coming to Dai Lanh Cape in early morning, visitors will have a chance to welcome a unique dawn. Dai Lanh cape is the first place in the country where the sun rises. Visitors should not miss visiting Mon Beach, which is located behind Dai Lanh Lighthouse. Visitors to Dai Lanh Cape are often amazed by its primitive nature. Visitors can go straight to the lighthouse and spend a night there or camp on Mon Beach, which is only 400 meters long, surrounded by mountains. To reach the beach, tourists must cross 1 km of small sand dunes. It is also nice to see the dawn from Mon Beach. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Located on the peak of Nhan mountain, Nhan tower, also known as Bao Thap, is the first Cham tower lit every night in Vietnam. The tower was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) as a national art – architectural relic on November 16, 1988. With unique architecture, Nhan Tower is one of biggest towers of the Cham people in Vietnam. Phu Yen is one of the most beautiful provinces in the central region of the country. It has nearly 190km of coastline bordered with zigzag mountains and dotted with many bays, lagoons, cliffs and reefs, along with many large and small beaches that are described as primitive. (Photo: VietnamPlus)