A day TRIP TO HON YEN
Located more than 30 km from Tuy Hoa city, Hon Yen is a remote island, which was recognized as a national relic site in 2018. In this issue, let’s explore Hon Yen with photographer Luu Trong Dat, and see why this place is hailed as a “sublime beauty”.
WTHE ENCOUNTERS BEFORE SUNRISE
hen I visit a new place, I often get up early to drive the strange roads and indulge myself in the brilliant sunrise. Whenever I visit Tuy Hoa, I always go to Hon Yen first.
Early in the morning, when the sun began to shine into the foggy sky, the coastal roads of Tuy Hoa city were crowded with people out exercising. Riding a motorbike through the roads, through coast the sheoaks, walking through cacti along the way and passing a small sand dune with a few chophouses, I reached Hon Yen as always and climbed Ganh Yen in time for the sunrise.
The sky was cloudless, high and wide with streaks of gold, pink and red.
In the distance, there were boats that rush on the waves to catch fish. The fishermen were hauling nets of anchovy, fine like butterflies on the sea, while the lobster farmers cleverly controled their boats through the lobster cages on the sparkling water. Those scenes, covered in the colors of the dawn, always fascinate me.
Hon Yen consists of two rocks, the bigger one is Yen and the smaller one is Sun. There is a mountain
THE GIFT OF NATURE
It’s said that in the past, Hon Yen was a remote island, far away from the mainland. It used to be a home for swallows to nest, hence the name “Hon Yen”, which means Swallow Island. Over time, the coastal erosion gradually brought Hon Yen close to the mainland as it is today. range reaching out to the sea closest to Hon Yen, called Ganh Yen.
All preserve natural habitat with a marine ecosystem forming over the years.
The beginning or the middle of the month (according to the lunar calendar) is when the tide is low and a rocky and sandy beach stretching to the foot of Yen rock is exposed. From here, you can take a walk to the sea, climb Sun rock, enjoy the cool wind and the afternoon sun and see the breathtakingly beautiful
landscape. It’s also a time when visitors don’t need to take the boat to the middle of the sea to see the coral reefs but just need to wait until the afternoon, the low tide allowing you to watch the mesmerizing coral reefs and the starfish around the enchanting Yen Island.
THE DANCES ON THE SEA
In May and June every year, the life of Hon Yen fishermen is more vibrant as anchovy fishing season begins. The fishing boats often sail together. Each of them has a small capacity of less than 90 horsepower, so they mainly catch onshore. Observed from above, the scene is impressive and beautiful, attracting many tourists and photographers to Hon Yen in recent years. Everyone is looking forward to seeing and taking photos of the fishermen on the sea in the anchovy fishing season.
More information
Transport: Phu Yen can be reached by plane (Tuy Hoa airport is 10 km from the city center), train or bus. From Tuy Hoa city center, follow National Highway 1A north about 15 km to Phu Diem junction, turn right and go to Nhon Hoi village. From here, you will see the signposts along the road to Hon Yen.
Time: The best time to watch coral reefs in Hon Yen is when the tide is low, in the afternoon on the beginning or the middle of the lunar month. Each low tide usually lasts 2-3 days.
Accommodation: Visitors usually only come to Hon Yen during the day. If you want to stay overnight, you can camp but this is better in a large group.
Cuisine: You should try fresh seafood such as anchovy, squid, sea snail, and sea crab.
Some experiences in Hon Yen: wading into the Yen rock and Sun rock; watching corals; fishing with local fishermen; learning how to care for and feed lobster.
Other famous attractions in Phu Yen: Ganh Da Dia,
Nhan Tower, O Loan Lagoon, Xep Beach, and Ganh Den Lighthouse.
Be a responsible traveler by not littering or harming the environment and ecosystem.