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Region: South Central Vietnam> Province: Phu Yen>Location: Tuy Hoa

Tuy Hoa sights and attractions

Tuy Hoa Beach - Not the best strip of sand in the province

Description
The beach directly in front of Tuy Hoa town is okay, but it has a problem. There is a massive sandbar extending about half a kilometre out into the sea. At high tide the water is about waste deep, and at low tide it might only be up to your ankles. The only way to go deeper is to slog through 500 metres of water, which is not recommended and there are buoys to discourage you from doing it. The sand bar is visible, and actually quite beautiful, from the viewpoint on Chop Chai Mountain. You can also see that it's shaped like a large semi-circle, so that the beach further to the north and south doesn't suffer from the same problem. If you're a beach-lover, plan to use Tuy Hoa as a base for exploring the beautiful beaches further afield.

If you head north on Doc Lap Rd, past the seafood places, the road eventually turns to gravel and extends for another seven kilometres before turning into sand -- un-navigable unless you go it on foot or you brought a dune buggy. Along the way are countless options for taking a dip in waters that are much nicer than the ones in town. About 4 kilometres along the road there's a second collection of seafood places so you can eat, drink and be merry while you enjoy the sand and sea.

Nui Bao Thap (Precious Tower) - Beautifully lit up at night

Central Tuy Hoa

Description
This is a Cham tower on the top of a hill, called Nui Nhan (Swallow Mountain) in the centre of town. We could say, Yet another Cham Tower -- because we've seen every single Cham tower in the region, and we know some of you are in the same situation. This one was built in the 14th century by the Chien Thanh people and is 20 metres high. It's beautifully lit up at night, making it the signature of the town. It's a good 'warm up' for the other viewpoints on the local menu, and makes for a healthy jaunt if you climb up on foot.

Normally we'd give street directions to the site, but here's the thing -- the critical streets are poorly marked, and given that it's impossible to miss, it's easier just to head straight towards it. The access road is on a side street west of the tower hill -- completely un-marked, but easy enough to find. Where the uphill road takes it's first right turn, there's a stairway leading up to the tower, or if you continue on the paved road, it leads there as well. You can easily walk it or do it with your own transport.

Da-Bia Mountain - Gravestone Mountain

Highway 1A, 27km south of Tuy Hoa

Description
As you approach Tuy Hoa along Route 1A from the south, it's hard not to notice this very distinctive rock formation sitting on the summit of a high hill. The locals call it Nui Da-Bia, which means gravestone mountain. And, if you're a traveller worth your salt, you're probably thinking, Hey, how do I get up there?

Well, luckily you can take Highway 1A to within 100 metres, vertical-wise, of the summit. As you enter the gate the stairway that leads to the top is to the left. The road leading up to the right will take you into a boulder-strewn river valley that's been developed for visitors -- a swimming area has been created, and there are some places serving drinks and food here and there. There are also houses built into the rock faces high on the hills of the valley, which are a sight to see. It's a picturesque spot, and when the tour groups aren't here, fairly uncrowded and laid back. It's hotter than blazes during midday, especially in the summer months, so if you plan to explore the stairways and trails that lead up the hills, try to arrive in the morning.

To get here from Tuy Hoa, just take Highway 1A south out of town for 27 kilometres. The highway eventually leads to Quan Cau pass, which winds up and down some steep hills -- so steep, in fact, you're likely to come across quite a few trucks that have broken down trying to make it. At the top of the pass is the park, just off the highway road.

Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 to 16:00

Vung Ro Bay - Vietnam's eastern-most point

2km South of Da Bia Mountain, 29km south of Tuy Hoa

Description
Just two kilometres past Da-Bia heading south, there's a well-marked turn that leads to Vung Ro Bay. It's slated for resort development, but so far the funds for a forward push have remained illusive. There is an ambitious stretch of new road that has been built along the edge of the bay which terminates in the small town of Vung Ro and then peters out.

As you come down the harbour road from Highway 1A, the views are spectacular. Vung Ro is a deep-water port that has figured largely in the maritime history of Vietnam. The road eventually terminates in a pumping station, but to continue touring the bay, take a left just before the bridge just before the pier where the big ships are docked. It's a rough dirt road, but it eventually leads into town, where there are plenty of places to grab a bite or a beverage. From there, the road becomes quite good and continues north along the water, passing by some truly great isolated beaches, including Mui Dien Cape (also known as Dai Lanh Point) with a lighthouse overlooking the water next to a pristine, though shadeless, beach. This constitutes the easternmost point on mainland Vietnam.

It is not recommended that you try to return to Tuy Hoa via this road. It soon becomes a long, slow, tedious journey once the road leave the water, and there's no turnoff to take you west to hook up with Highway 1A. The best bet it to head back the way you came, or if you insist, head north and do what we did -- give up and head west along one of the narrow dirt paths through the rice-fields to find the main highway. Take it slow, follow the locals, and don't try it if you're on four wheels.

Chop Chai Mountain - Breathtaking views

About 5km north of Tuy Hoa

Description
Another site you can't fail to miss if you're travelling to or through Tuy Hoa is Chop Chai Mountain. It's a lone, high hill to the north of town, visible from miles and miles away. There's a huge radio antenna at the top, and in fact, that's the only reason there's a road leading up there. It's not touted as a tourist destination, and there are no facilities once you reach the summit. There are, however, some of the most mind-boggling views of the surrounding countryside you're likely to see without a helicopter. From the top you can see the beach, and the wide, crescent-shaped sand bar that encircles the town beneath the water. The sight of the patchwork of rice-fields, with the rivers of the delta snaking through them, is jaw-dropping -- it's no exaggeration to say it's a work of art rendered by accident on the world's largest canvas. You can also see the distinctive el shape of Tuy Hoa town and it'll help you get your bearings when you go back down to street level.

To get here, continue on Highway 1A north past the bus station a kilometre or so until you see the big white Buddha on the left (you can't miss it). Continue 400 metres, and there's a road on the left. It's paved, though a bit rough in spots, and it leads to a 3.5 km switch-back road up the mountain -- a decent street bike will have no problem, but you'll definitely use first gear in spots. Once you get to the top, you can park and look to the east, but the rest of the area is dominated by the radio tower and you're not allowed to enter to get views in other directions. No worries, you'll probably just stand there going, Wow, for about five minutes anyway.