Phu Yen, known as the land of “yellow flowers on green grass,” is increasingly asserting its position on Vietnam’s tourism map. Among countless attractive destinations, Hon Nua stands out as a raw, captivating gem, promising unforgettable experiences for anyone who sets foot here. If you’re planning a self-guided trip to Phu Yen, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Hon Nua – a pristine and enchanting island.
1. Hon Nua Island, Phu Yen: The “Sleeping Paradise” Awakening
Untouched nature bestows Hon Nua with unique and rare landscapes
Hon Nua, a name that evokes rustic and intimate beauty, is gradually becoming a “must-try” destination for young people and those who love to explore. The island is known as the “Sleeping Paradise of Phu Yen” due to its pristine, pure beauty, largely untouched by human hands. This unspoiled nature creates a special attraction, making Hon Nua a magnet for those seeking to reconnect with nature.
Upon arriving at Hon Nua, you’ll be amazed by the majestic natural scenery. Fine white sand embraces the island, dotted with countless uniquely shaped rocky outcrops. These rocks are stacked upon each other, from low to high, reaching powerfully towards the blue sky. Standing on these rocks, you’ll feel like you’re on the bow of a ship, bravely cutting through the waves, an incredibly exciting and unforgettable experience. Hon Nua is not just an island, but a masterpiece of creation, where you can shed all worries, immerse yourself in nature, and enjoy moments of peace.
2. Where is Hon Nua Island in Phu Yen? How to Get There?
Location of Hon Nua Island on the map, situated at the foot of the majestic Ca Pass
Hon Nua is located right at the foot of the majestic Ca Pass, on the border between Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa provinces. Administratively, the northern part of the island belongs to Phu Yen province, while the southern part belongs to Khanh Hoa province. With a peak of 105m above sea level, Hon Nua is not only a beautiful island but also has a rather special geographical location, a meeting point between two regions, carrying the blended beauty of both Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa.
To conquer the “sleeping paradise” of Hon Nua, you have several flexible transportation options to suit your preferences and personal conditions. Starting from Tuy Hoa city, Phu Yen, you can easily reach Hon Nua by motorbike or car. Follow the wide Hung Vuong Avenue, then cross Hung Vuong Bridge to reach the legendary Ba River, a historical witness of Phu Yen. Continuing your journey, you’ll pass Tuy Hoa Airport, Da Nong Bridge, Bai Goc, Mui Dien Lighthouse – the easternmost point of the country, and beautiful Bai Mon beach. The final stop on your road trip is Vung Ro.
Experience riding the windy Ca Pass on the way to Hon Nua
The coastal road from Tuy Hoa to Vung Ro is not just a route but also a memorable travel experience. You’ll immerse yourself in the beautiful natural scenery of Phu Yen, with its blue beaches, peaceful fishing villages, and winding passes. Especially when passing through Ca Pass, Hon Nua will appear before you like a “pearl” standing tall in the open sea. From a distance, the island resembles a giant prehistoric creature, with its green “skin” sound asleep, a truly impressive and unique image.
Once you arrive at Vung Ro, head to the Bau Huong area, Vung Ro, where floating restaurants are ready to take you to the island by speedboat. Boat tickets to the island usually range around 200,000 VND per person. If you want to experience fresh seafood cuisine on the raft, you can choose all-inclusive tour packages priced around 400,000 VND per person, including canoe and a 9-dish seafood menu. Floating restaurants often provide freshwater shower services, allowing you to comfortably play and explore Hon Nua.
A small note for your Hon Nua trip: Be sure to arrive early to catch the scheduled speedboat trips to the island. Don’t forget to bring swimwear, sunscreen, and drinking water to fully enjoy your exploration of this pristine island.
3. When is the Best Time to Visit Hon Nua Island, Phu Yen?
The ideal time to visit Hon Nua is from January to April
To have a complete and memorable trip to Hon Nua, choosing the right time is crucial. According to many travelers’ experiences, the ideal time to visit Hon Nua is from January to April. During this period, Phu Yen enters the dry season, with very pleasant weather, clear blue skies, bright yellow sunshine, and calm seas. The sea water is as clear as jade, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and outdoor activities.
From January to April is also the peak tourist season in Phu Yen, but Hon Nua still retains its pristine and peaceful beauty. Favorable weather also makes traveling by boat to the island easier and safer. This is also a suitable time for you to participate in camping and team-building activities on the island, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful natural scenery. If you want to avoid the harsh sun of the Central Vietnam summer, then traveling to Hon Nua in spring is a perfect choice.
4. Exploring Hon Nua: What to Do to “Forget the Way Back”?
Swimming and Experiencing Sea Urchin Hunting
With a little patience, you can catch fresh sea urchins yourself
When you come to Hon Nua, swimming is an activity not to be missed. The beach in Hon Nua has a pristine beauty, crystal-clear water, and fine white sand. You can freely frolic in the cool water, enjoying wonderful relaxing moments. In particular, you can combine swimming with snorkeling and sea urchin hunting – a specialty seafood of Phu Yen waters.
Sea urchin, also known as hedgehog, is a nutritious delicacy with a unique flavor. With just a little patience and skill, you can catch fresh sea urchins yourself right in the clear blue water. Your reward will be the perfect ingredient for delicious and nutritious sea urchin porridge, a must-try dish when you come to Hon Nua.
Snorkeling: Admire the Underwater “Garden of Eden”
The colorful coral world appears right before your eyes when snorkeling in Hon Nua
Hon Nua is blessed with a diverse and rich coral reef ecosystem. Snorkeling is an unmissable experience when traveling to Hon Nua. Just equip yourself with a life jacket and snorkel mask, and you can explore a colorful “Garden of Eden” under the sea. The clear water will help you clearly admire each vibrant coral reef, with all sorts of shapes and colors.
Around the coral reefs, schools of colorful fish such as dori fish, nemo, and wrasse swim around, creating a lively and mesmerizing picture. You may also encounter sea urchins hiding under the sand. When the tide recedes, it becomes even easier to see the coral, even when swimming close to the shore. Don’t forget to bring a waterproof camera to record these wonderful moments and show your friends and family the “paradise” of Hon Nua that you have discovered.
Camping in Hon Nua: A Night “Lost” on a Deserted Island
Camping overnight on Hon Nua, watching the sunrise over the sea is a memorable experience
If you love adventurous experiences and want to immerse yourself in wild nature, try camping overnight on Hon Nua. However, to ensure safety and have a memorable camping night, you should go in groups and prepare enough food, water, tents, and other necessary items.
A night “lost” on the deserted island of Hon Nua will bring you indescribable emotions. The tranquility of the sea at night, the gentle sound of waves lapping, the soft breeze… all blend together to create a symphony of nature. Gathering around a campfire with friends, singing, dancing, confiding… will be memorable moments and help everyone become closer and understand each other better. Waking up early on the island, watching the brilliant sunrise over the sea, breathing in the fresh air… will be wonderful experiences that you won’t easily find elsewhere.
Check-in at “Hon Nua Lighthouse”: Admire the Panoramic Natural Scenery
Hon Nua lighthouse stands out against the blue sky, an ideal check-in spot
Hon Nua lighthouse is a must-visit destination when you set foot on this island. The red lighthouse stands out against the blue of the sea and sky, creating a very impressive scene. The road to the lighthouse has been concreted and has sturdy handrails, making it easy for you to move and admire the scenery.
From the top of the lighthouse, you can take in the panoramic view of Hon Nua, with its blue beaches, majestic rocky outcrops, and the elegant appearance of Ca Pass hidden in the distance. Standing here, you will feel the simple and rich beauty of Phu Yen, and love this land and its people even more. Hon Nua lighthouse is not just an architectural structure, but also a symbol of the island, an ideal check-in spot for you to preserve beautiful memories of your trip.
Strolling “Giant Footprint Beach”: Discover the Wonders of Creation
Giant Footprint Beach with unique shapes eroded by sea waves
Another unique destination in Hon Nua that you should not miss is Giant Footprint Beach. True to its name, this beach impresses with large stones shaped like giant human footprints. The stone “toes” are large and uniform in size, creating a strange and interesting sight.
Over time, under the erosion of waves and wind, these stones have taken on many unique shapes, creating a natural “stone garden” full of attraction. Coming to Giant Footprint Beach, you will feel like you are lost in a magical fairy tale land, where legendary stories come to life. The image of giant stone footprints also evokes the legend of Saint Giong, with the image of a mother becoming pregnant after trying on a strange footprint, further increasing the appeal and mystery of this place.
5. What to Eat in Hon Nua? Enjoy Fresh Seafood in Vung Ro
Fresh seafood raised directly at floating rafts in Vung Ro
To protect the ecological environment of Hon Nua, visitors are not allowed to eat and drink directly on the island. However, don’t worry, because right in Vung Ro, there are many floating restaurants ready to serve you fresh and delicious seafood dishes. The floating restaurants in Vung Ro are built on the bay, creating a cool and nature-friendly space.
Here, you will witness firsthand and choose your own fresh seafood swimming in the rafts, such as cobia, grouper, crab, shrimp, lobster, and various types of shellfish. Seafood in Vung Ro is famous for its freshness and variety, prepared into many attractive dishes such as grilled, steamed, stir-fried, and hotpot.
Enjoying fresh seafood while admiring the beautiful bay view
You can pre-order set menus or choose dishes according to your preferences. What could be better than enjoying fresh seafood dishes while admiring the beautiful scenery of Vung Ro Bay, enjoying the fresh air and cool sea breeze. This will surely be an unforgettable culinary experience on your trip to Hon Nua.
6. Hon Nua Tour: Convenient and Reputable Options
Reputable travel companies offer quality and affordable Hon Nua tours
If you want to have a convenient and well-prepared trip to Hon Nua, choosing a tour is a great suggestion. Hon Nua tours are usually designed with reasonable itineraries, including sightseeing, entertainment, and dining activities, helping you save time and effort.
Currently, there are many reputable travel companies offering Hon Nua tours with good service quality and reasonable prices. You can refer to half-day Hon Nua tours or Mui Dien Lighthouse – Vung Ro Bay – Hon Nua Island 1-day tours to choose a program that suits your preferences and time. Some reputable travel companies that you can refer to include Phu Yen Tourist, Quy Nhon Tourist, etc.
Conclusion
Hon Nua Island in Phu Yen, the “sleeping paradise” is gradually awakening, promising to become an attractive and unique tourist destination on Vietnam’s tourism map. With its pristine, majestic beauty, exciting experiences, and fresh seafood cuisine, Hon Nua will surely bring you a memorable and fulfilling trip. If you are looking for a new destination, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, come to Hon Nua to discover and feel the hidden beauty of this island. Are you ready for a journey to explore Hon Nua – the “raw gem” of Phu Yen?