Phu Yen- a land of peaceful seas and skies - is emerging as an ideal destination for tens of thousands of tourists during the five-day public holiday. Notably, the number of visitors from Central Highlands provinces such as Dak Lak, Gia Lai, and Dak Nong has surged this year, turning Tuy Hoa into a "gateway” to the East Sea for the sun-drenched highlands.

The Nghinh Phong Tower area being very crowded with tourists during the holiday period

As early as the morning of April 30, a long line of cars bearing Central Highlands license plates could be seen heading toward the coast along the main roads of Tuy Hoa City. At parking lots near seaside resorts and popular attractions such as Nhan Tower, Bai Xep, and Da Dia Reef, it was easy to spot groups of families and young travelers from the Central Highlands eagerly enjoying the golden sunshine and the salty breeze of the sea.

The carry-on luggage being filled with special feelings

Reports from major hotels such as Apec Mandala Wyndham, Sala Grand Tuy Hoa, Stelia Beach Resort, and Rosa Alba Resort indicate that room occupancy from April 30 to May 2 reached nearly 100%, with half of the guests coming from the Central Highlands. A representative of Apec Mandala noted: "We’ve seen a significant number of guests from Dak Lak this year. They made early bookings, often traveling in family or friend groups and typically staying for 2 to 3 days".

Meanwhile, homestays, beachfront hotels, and accommodations in downtown Tuy Hoa were equally bustling. According to the Phu Yen Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the province’s overall room occupancy rate during this holiday period has increased significantly compared to the same time in 2024, with the total number of visitors expected to rise by over 40%.

Ms Le Thien Ly (32, from Buon Ma Thuot) shared while enjoying time with her family on the beach in Tuy Hoa: "We've been in love with Phu Yen’s beaches for a long time. The scenery is stunning, the food is fresh and delicious, and the prices are very reasonable. What’s special is that after just a few relaxing hours behind the wheel, we arrive in this wonderfully peaceful land."

Visitors from Dak Lak didn’t come just for leisure - many also brought with them a deep affection for Phu Yen, especially as the two provinces are currently on a path toward administrative merger. Visitor Ngo Bao Ngoc, a student at Tay Nguyen University, shared: "When Dak Lak and Phu Yen become one province, I hope the roads connecting the Central Highlands to the sea will be upgraded for even easier travel".

Mr. Le Van Tien Dung, Director of the Tuy An District Heritage Management Board, stated that the Da Dia Reef Special National Monument saw a large influx of tourists during the April 30 and May 1 holiday. On April 30, the site welcomed 4,500 visitors, and the number surpassed 7,000 on May 1.

Embracing new opportunities

Mr Nguyen Le Vu, Deputy Director of the Phu Yen Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated that the province is fully prepared to "catch the wave" of tourist arrivals during the holiday season and the upcoming peak summer period in 2025. "We are focusing on developing coastal resort offerings, eco-tourism, community-based tourism, nearshore island experiences, and MICE activities. Simultaneously, we are ramping up tourism promotion and marketing efforts in both domestic and international potential markets", Mr. Vu said.

In addition to its existing attractions such as Bai Mon - Mui Dien (the first place on Vietnam’s mainland to welcome the sunrise), Da Dia Reef, and Xuan Dai Bay, Phu Yen is placing strong emphasis on developing tour routes that connect the Central Highlands and the coastal region. This presents a significant opportunity for the two regions with multifaceted characteristics - one of vast forests, the other of blue seas - to support and enrich each other in attracting visitors.

With 189 km of coastline, many pristine beaches, and unique local dishes such as ocean tuna eyes, Ô Loan blood clams, grilled pork with rice vermicelli cakes, and chive thick rice noodle soup, Phu Yen is increasingly winning the hearts of travelers from all over. Especially, in line with the trend of trend of adventure and nature-based wellness tourism, this 'land of golden flowers on green grass' is becoming an attractive destination not only for domestic tourists but also for international visitors.