Also known as Dai Lanh Cape, Mui Dien is located in Phuoc Tan village, Hoa Hiep Nam commune, Dong Hoa town, Phu Yen province. Along with Mui Doi in Khanh Hoa province, it is among the earliest spots on the mainland to welcome the first sunlight in Vietnam. The area has yet to see strong tourism development; therefore,
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A corner of Dai Lanh Lighthouse |
Day 1
Travelling from Tuy Hoa
From Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and other provinces, tourists should choose an early-morning flight to Tuy Hoa city to have more time for sightseeing upon arrival. Those with more time can take a sleeper bus or train from neighboring provinces. Ticket prices for buses and trains range from approximately VND 300,000 to 1,700,000 per person per one-way trip, depending on the departure point.
Mui Dien is about 40km from the center of Tuy Hoa city. However, large passenger buses usually take National Highway 1A instead of the coastal route. For this reason, visitors can spend the first day resting and exploring Tuy Hoa’s food, then the next day rent a motorbike or take a taxi from the city center to begin their journey to Mui Dien. Tourists can visit Ca Pass and Vung Ro Bay and choose to stay overnight near Mui Dien to catch the sunrise early the next morning.
Exploring Ca pass - Vung Ro bay
Ca Pass is located about 40km from Tuy Hoa city center along National Highway 1, cutting across the Dai Lanh mountain range. The pass rises to about 333 meters in elevation, stretches roughly 12km, and its highest point lies in Vung Ro village, Hoa Xuan Nam commune, Dong Hoa town.
From the summit, looking eastward, you’ll see Vung Ro Bay nestled between crescent-shaped mountains. The bay covers an area of about 16.4 square kilometers and serves as the natural sea boundary between Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa provinces.
In 2013, the Vietnam Record Organization recognized Vung Ro as one of the country’s ten most beautiful bays. The area boasts 12 small beaches, and visitors can relax and enjoy a meal right on floating fish farms.
Trying Tuy Hoa cuisine
Tuy Hoa, a standout stop in Phu Yen, is home to a wide variety of delicious eateries with prices far lower than those in most coastal tourist destinations. With just VND 100,000 a day, you can sample almost all of the local specialties.
Notably, one dish not to be missed is Phu Yen bánh xèo—small-sized Vietnamese pancakes with crispy white crusts made from turmeric powder. Each pancake costs from VND 8,000 to 12,000, depending on the filling. Bánh xèo is sold widely across Tuy Hoa’s streets, with consistently good quality and easy availability.
Visitors can also enjoy local desserts and drinks like soy milk, mixed bean sweet soup, and others. Local specialty shops also sell dried squid, mackerel fish cakes, and hạt đác (a palm seed) for tasting or as gifts.
For overnight stays in Tuy Hoa, tourists can choose budget hotels and guesthouses in the city center, priced between VND 150,000 and 300,000 per night. For a more luxurious experience, options include Rosa Alba Resort, Sala Grand Tuy Hoa Hotel, and Saigon Phu Yen Hotel, with rates ranging from VND 700,000 to 5,000,000 per night.
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Sunrise scenery at Mui Dien |
Day 2
Catching sunrise in Mui Dien
From Tuy Hoa, travelers can rent a motorbike and set off early in the morning or choose to stay overnight at hotels near Mui Dien or Dai Lanh Border Station for convenient access to watch the sunrise. They can park their vehicles at local houses at the foot of the mountain and walk about 15-20 minutes to the summit. Alternatively, a motorbike taxi service to the lighthouse costs around VND 50,000 per trip.
Dai Lanh Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in Vietnam, is a must-visit attraction when coming to Mui Dien. It is still regarded as a symbol of the area and a favorite stop for many tourists.
The ideal time to watch the sunrise in summer is between 5:30 and 7:00 a.m. The afternoon, from around 16:00 onward, is the perfect time to enjoy the sunset if weather conditions are favorable.
Exploring Bai Mon beach
Bai Mon lies within the Mui Dien - Dai Lanh Lighthouse tourist area. Entrance fees are VND 20,000 for visitors from outside the province and VND 10,000 for locals.
Visitors can rent tents on the beach for about VND 100,000-300,000 for 2-4 people, or bring their own tents, food, and drinks to camp for free at Bai Mon or Bai Tien.
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A bird’s-eye view of Bai Mon beach |
Alternative option
Mui Dien is also the area where Da Nong River flows into the sea, forming sandbars that extend toward the middle of the river. Across from the river mouth stands Da Bia Mountain, the highest peak in the Dai Lanh range, part of the Ca Pass mountain system. At its summit, there is a massive stone stele about 80 meters high, visible from a great distance. Visitors can also try trekking to the top of Da Bia Mountain.
Source: VnExpress
Translated by Quynh Oanh