A 3-day itinerary in Phu Quy Island, Vietnam

Phu Quy, 120 kilometers (74 miles) from Phan Thiet resort town in the south-central province of Binh Thuan, is not big or crowded like its better-known counterparts Phu Quoc and Nam Du. If you have this thing for lovely islands but are worried about accommodation, food and transport, here’s an itinerary from seasoned travelers for a three-day trip to Phu Quy for a castaway-esque experience.

Day 1: Trieu Duong Bay – Bai Nho – Ganh Hang

Trieu Duong Bay, just a kilometer from Phu Quy Harbor, is touted as one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and indeed one of the few beach gems in Vietnam not yet overrun by tourists. Be prepared to be mesmerized by the beauty of its crystal blue water and soft white sands surrounded by lines of evergreen poplar trees glittering in the warm sunshine.

For beach enthusiasts, there’s nothing better than wearing shades and lying on the sands and listening to the sweet melody of the waves until the sun goes down. A few miles from the beautiful bay is Bai Nho (Small Beach) – Ganh Hang, a crescent-shaped beach with rocks protruding into the sea. Some tipped that there are little fishing boats anchoring along the beach, which means that you can feel free to go deeper into the crystal blue waters before diving to see the amazing coral reefs.

Since it is still off the beaten path, tourist services are somewhat scanty. Don’t expect a fancy world of restaurants and bars, but instead try a BBQ buffet on a deserted beach.

Day 2: Van An Thanh – Linh Son Pagoda – Cam Mountain

The island is home to around 28,000 people, most of whom are traditional fisherfolk. It is little surprise therefore that whales are venerated here and considered sacred guardians with magical powers who protect fishermen from dangers at sea.

To dig deeper into long-held local traditions, you should spend your second day visiting Van An Thanh Temple, where the skeletons of over 100 whales, dolphins and turtles are worshipped by locals. The temple, built in 1741, is a repository of legends about whales saving fishermen from rough seas and enabling them to return home safely.

Besides, Linh Son Pagoda, which sits at the top of Cao Cat Mountain at 106 meters above sea level, also carries a divine and mysterious aura that has stood the test of time for more than a century. You have to climb 100 steps to reach the pagoda, but it rewards you with tranquil and holy atmosphere, highlighted by a statue of Guan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, standing solemnly and facing the sea.

A tougher climb, one that challenges even young visitors but leaves them with an unforgettable experience, is up the country’s highest lighthouse at 108 meters above sea level on top of Cam Mountain. The only way up is over 120 winding stone steps up. From the top of Cam Mountain, you can get a breathtaking view of the amazing scenery below. Make sure you take a camera along.

Climbing down of the mountain after dusk is slightly dangerous, so you are encouraged to stay overnight and wake up at the crack of dawn to see the first rays of sunshine.

Day 3: Windmill farms

The isolated island has three giant windmills that provide electricity to its residents. One experience not to be missed is standing on the top of Cam Mountain and watching the giant blades, a unique symbol of the island. The route to the windmills is also stunning, with the blue ocean on one side and a row of trees along the road.

Food list

If you’re a fan of food fresh from the sea, leave your stomach empty and try some of the signature seafood dishes of the island such as king crab and star crab. You might need to make advance reservation with your hotel owners.

Take your time and savor the treats of the beachside place like rice spaghetti cooked with fresh shrimp, crab or meat, crispy pancakes that go with fish sauce and fresh herbs, and Vietnamese fermented fish rice noodle soup.

See more: Reasons to visit Phu Quy island

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The reasons to visit Phu Quy island, Binh Thuan

Phu Quy island is about 120 km far from Phan Thiet city. Since most of visitors are impressed with the island’s wild and unharmed beauty, it is becoming a famous destination for travelers, especially young backpackers.

Friendly people

In reality, there are not many tourist destinations in which people happily welcome you as in Phu Quy Island. You will quickly realize it when entering the territory of this island. Many tourists who have visited Phu Quy island comment that local people here are very kind and enthusiastic, they can bring to you the peace of mind and lots of laughter. Thus, you should not be surprised if being invited to enter the house of locals for a drink and sharing interesting stories on the island.

Not so crowded beaches

Due to the difficulty in transportation, there are not many people visited this place. Only recently tourist has started to take an interest in this place. Usually, large crowds in the beaches kill the spirit of privacy and spoil the frolic activities. People litter around the beaches and destroy its beauty, due to the less number of people present you can enjoy the beaches peacefully without any unwanted interruption.

The chance to enjoy king crab with “dirty cheap” price

Visiting an island, you cannot miss enjoying seafood there. When it comes to Phu Quy Island, there is no other seafood surpassing this one: King crabs. Unlike other ordinary crabs, this type of crab is tremendous and plump, about 500g-1kg each one. When looking glance, it is like a giant spider, with bristling fur.

Due to the rarity and nutritional content of this crab, so since the ancient time, King crab have been chosen to offer to the king. Therefore, go to Phu Quy island, you will have an opportunity to enjoy this delicious specialty, which is still alive, at the prices ranging from 350,000-400,000 VND / 1kg.

Witness the landscape from the largest lighthouse in Vietnam

Your visit to the Phu Quy Island does not come to an end unless and until you rent a boat for visiting the islets located around the island.

On the top of the Nui Cam Mountain, located the largest lighthouse in Vietnam. You can almost see everything from the top of it, thanks to the relatively flat topography of the island.

Admire the largest whale skeleton in Vietnam

Phu Quy has nearly 30 cultural relics with various types of faiths. However, the most notable is Van An Thanh in Trieu Duong village, Tam Thanh Commune, built in 1781 and being a whale museum on the island. According to the legend of locals, the whales, also known as “Cá Ông”, had many times saved local fishermen and vessels from distress at sea.

Many fishermen here who had ever been saved by Ca Ong still alive, and most people on the island are very respectful the whale. Thus, when the whale died or pushed into seashore, people here hold a solemn funeral, and there is a festival of welcoming Ca Ong annually in Phu Quy Island. You can also visit the Ong Hai Nam gallery to see the whale skeleton of nearly 20 meters in length. This is one of the largest whale skeletons in Vietnam.

Read more: Discover the attractive destinations in Binh Thuan

Source Internet

Discover 5 best islands in Vietnam

With thousands of islands, islets, and atolls, one could spend a lifetime exploring the stunning coastline of Vietnam. Picture-perfect to behold, the pristine turquoise waters that border the idyllic sandy beaches beckon alluringly. While the sun glints off the surface of the sea, below the waves, the rich underwater ecosystems teem with life, making scuba diving and snorkeling an unforgettable experience.

Quan Lan

Very much off the beaten path, Quan Lan is a world away from the frenetic streets of Vietnam’s main cities. Despite being in Ha Long Bay, it is sparsely populated and sees relatively few tourists. A quiet, peaceful place, Quan Lan Village has one street full of bars, restaurants, and hotels. Apart from that, there are just pockets of activity and life around the island. With its laidback way of life, just wandering around and taking in the beautiful scenery is the main thing to do if you’re not lounging on one of Quan Lan’s fantastic beaches.

Binh Ba Island

Lying just twenty kilometers off the mainland, Binh Ba Island is absolutely gorgeous and well worth heading to if you have the chance. Relatively easy to get to, it is also known as Lobster Island because of the large, tasty crustaceans that you can find here. While the residential part of Binh Ba is a tightly packed mess of houses, there are still lots of secluded and peaceful areas of the island that aren’t too far away. Its two main beaches are lovely to lounge upon, and the beautiful waters that border them are picture-perfect. The reefs around the island make for some great diving spots.

Tuan Chau Island

Lying only eight kilometers away from famous Ha Long Bay and its gateway point Ha Long City, Tuan Chau Island has loads of fun and entertaining activities on offer and is a great place to kick back and relax. With many different hotels, resorts and villas to choose from, as well as numerous dining options, visitors to the island will never be bored. Although artificial, the beach is perfect for taking in the sun and there are lots of water sports for you to partake in, with jet skiing and kayaking being particularly popular. Everything imaginable is available here, and lucky visitors can enjoy rock climbing and deep sea fishing before watching a circus performance or martial arts show. With spectacular Ha Long Bay just a short trip away, Tuan Chau Island an ideal beach holiday destination.

Co To Island

One of the most beautiful places to visit in the north of Vietnam, Co To Island is popular with local tourists but as yet, is relatively undiscovered by foreigners. With stunning beaches bordered by pristine, turquoise waters, the island is home to some distinctive rock formations at Cay My, which are well worth visiting. While Van Chai beach is particularly lovely to kick back and relax on, more adventurous holidaymakers may prefer to go rock climbing or hiking in the interior of the island. With lots of accommodation and dining options on offer catering to every budget, Co To island is an easy and attractive place to visit with a range of incredible vistas.

Phu Quy

Blissfully undeveloped and untouched, Phu Quy is mainly made up of fishermen’s villages. As such, there is a delightful, laidback vibe and it is a lot less touristy than many other islands in Vietnam. Rocky in places, with undulating sand dunes and hills in others, the island is best viewed from the lighthouse at Cam Mountain. Here, you will also find the delightful Linh Buu Pagoda, which is well worth visiting. As most of the island is relatively untouched by tourism, the beaches are uncrowded and often empty; it is very easy to arrange boat trips to nearby deserted islets.

See more: Northern Vietnam and the most amazing destinations

Source Touropia