Diverse tourism potential.

Xuan Dai Bay, a beauty spot in Phu Yen province, was recognised as a national landscape treasure by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on January 20, 2011. The impressive scenery has amazed not only visitors, but travel agents as well. The bay has a water surface area of about 13,000 hectares and is linked to the East Sea. It is surrounded by mountains, forests of green coconut palms and a white sandy beach.

Phu Yen is also home to many other picturesque lagoons and bays such as Cu Mong and O Loan lagoons, Vung Lam and Vung Ro bays, and the Da Dia rapids, as well as Mui Dien (Dien cape) with a lighthouse, the easternmost point of Vietnam’s mainland.

With 190km of coastline, the province boasts many beautiful beaches including Bai Tien, Bai Mon, Bai Xep, Bai Nom, Bai Bang, Bai Tu Nham, and Long Thuy. It also has some well-known stone reefs such as Da Dia reef, Ganh Do (Red reef), Dua reef and Yen reef.

The natural potential of the sea and islands, together with mountains and woods in the midland and delta areas, create a diverse ecological system and offers a wide range of opportunities for eco-tourism in Phu Yen province to develop.

The Krong Trai nature reserve with its diversified fauna and flora, Da Bia Mountain and Vung Ro Bay were used by unnumbered ships transporting weapons from the north to the south in the US resistance war and they have now been recognised as national historic relic sites.

The Song Hinh and Ba Ha hydro-electric power plant and the surrounding forests and mountains are also ideal ecological tourism destinations.

The province also has mineral water sources such as Phu Sen, Triem Duc and Tra O which could be exploited for treatment and relaxation of not only local people but also visitors.

Phu Yen is also well-known for its long history and the traditional cultures of ethnic minority groups such as Ba Na, Ede, Cham H'roi and others. A variety of festivals and musical instruments along with 11 recognised historical relic sites are also valuable tourist attractions.

With such potential, Phu Yen has drawn much attention from both local and foreign investors with some big projects including the Thuan Thao and Hon Ngoc - Bai Tram eco-tourism areas, Sao Viet tourism area, Thuan Thao resort, and Bac Au International Tourism Village.

The province welcomed more than 312,500 tourists, including 12,000 foreigners, in 2010, up 20% compared to the previous year. Tourism turnover brought in nearly VND 250 billion, (US$11.9 million) 1.7 times higher than that in 2000.

Opportunities to promote and draw investment

To mark the 400th anniversary of Phu Yen province, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism chose Phu Yen to host this year’s National Tourism Year in South Central Coastal region - Phu Yen 2011, under the theme “Beach and Island Tourism.”

Various national festivals as well as conferences and seminars will be held throughout the year and are expected to attract a large number of investors and tourists to the province. This is an excellent opportunity for the province to promote its local tourism resources.

Over the past year, Phu Yen province invested in many projects to upgrade its poor infrastructure. There are also many other scientific and social works in response to the National Tourism Year and to celebrate the province's 400th anniversary such as a documentary on 400-year-old Phu Yen and a special piece of Tuong (classical drama) about celebrity Luong Van Chanh

Tourist agencies are also making preparations for the tourism year. According to Phu Yen’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the province will add four more 3-5 star hotels and tourist areas this year which can accommodate up to 7,000 tourists. Travel agents are setting up new tourist products, including tours connecting Phu Yen and neighbouring provinces.

“Tourists visiting Phu Yen this year will have a chance to harmonise with nature and the beautiful landscape, join traditional local cultural festivals, and visit historical and cultural sites and traditional craft villages,” said Tran Quang Nhat, director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the permanent Deputy Head of the Organising Board for National Tourism Year 2011.

During the tourism year 2011 the province hopes to make a good impression on tourists from both home and abroad, and open up opportunities to further promote local tourism.