Summer camp for primary students

What to See and Do in Phu Yen Phu Yen is the perfect place to experience just that. A quiet province on the coast, it offers everything you want from a tranquil seaside destination including delicious seafood, deserted white sand beaches and stunning backdrops of green rolling hills. If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-track place to explore in Vietnam, save a few days for Phu Yen. You will be amazed by its beauty and diversity. Originally founded by the Champa people, Phu Yen developed into a prosperous coastal province. This special status made the region a coveted prize for Vietnamese forces who slowly took over the area in the early 1600s. In the 18th century, Phu Yen had become a strategically important trade centre which the Nguyen and Tay Son dynasties regularly clashed over. With the unification of modern-day Vietnam, this province has become a hub for economic development. The fishing industry is thriving and the natural beauty of the beaches, hills and green plains is slowly attracting more visitors who want to experience the wonders of Vietnam without getting lost in crowds of tourists. From beautiful sandy beaches to rocky cliffs and green hills, Phu Yen is a wonderfully diverse province. Make sure you plan your days well, so you get to see as much as possible! Explore Tuy Hoa The capital of Phu Yen province, Tuy Hoa is the centre of cultural and economic life in the area. It is also home to some great historical spots such as the Ngoc Lang temple and the Nhan tower built by the Champa people. Take a few hours to check out the city before heading out into the countryside, it’s well worth it. You can start with the Nhan tower which was built in the 12th century and is a reminder of the city’s original founders, the Champa people. It’s perched on top of the Nhan mountain which offers a beautiful view of the city and coastline. If you want to save your energy, you can drive both cars and motorbikes all the way up the hill. After that, go to the southern part of Tuy Hoa, to a commune called Ngoc Lang. It’s home to endless fields of vegetables which makes the area look like it’s covered in a silky green carpet. From lettuce and cabbage to coriander and other herbs you can find all your favourite veggies here. Apart from the lush greenery, you can also find the historic Ngoc Lang temple. Its intricate design and cultural importance make this a great place to see before heading out into the countryside. Tuy Hoa Beach Don’t feel like going far but still want to lay out and enjoy the sun? If you’re staying in Tuy Hoa, simply spend the morning or afternoon at the town’s beach. The soft sand invites you to rest and take in the sound of the waves while you sip on fresh coconut water. And when you get hungry, there are plenty of great seafood restaurants nearby. Bai Xep Xep Beach is a tranquil stretch of coastline and a perfect getaway if you’re looking to leave stress and crowds behind. Relax here in the morning or the late afternoon (midday is way too hot) and enjoy the views of the sea and the black stone cliffs surrounding the beach. Bai Mon When visiting Mui Dien, stop at Mon Beach. Leave your motorbike in the guarded parking and head towards the two hills. You will see the lighthouse to your right. Keep going and walk between the two hills in the direction of stunning yellow dunes and a small channel. There you can already see fish swimming in the clear water and just a little further you’ll find the serene Bai Mon Beach. Try Local Food Since Phu Yen is right on the coast, it won’t surprise you to hear this area has amazing seafood. From clams and fish to spiny lobster and crab you will find everything your heart desires here. Stop at one of the many eateries by the water and check out their catch of the day or buy fresh fish directly at the market. The vendors will often even prepare it for you in a steam pot or on a barbecue and you can eat overlooking the sea. While you’re in Phu Yen, make sure to try the local specialities: blood oysters and salted anchovies. Both are caught locally and prepared in unique ways so if you’re a curious foodie, you need to taste them. Ganh Da Dia As you explore Phu Yen and its beautiful natural sights, Ganh Da Dia is a place you don’t want to miss. Right on the coast, you will find this area full of curiously shaped black stones forming an intricate, puzzle-like design. Some of the rocks stand tall like pillars and others are shorter, creating a fascinating mosaic. Although there’s no official count, estimates suggest there are around 35,000 individual pieces to this puzzle. Even today researchers are not sure how Ganh Da Dia came to be, but everyone agrees it’s a fascinating place. After marvelling at this unique site, head down to the nearby beach for a refreshing swim. It’s a beautiful stretch of soft sand which few other visitors find so you’ll probably be sharing it only with a few local kids playing in the surf. Now if that isn’t paradise… O Loan Lagoon On the way to Ganh Da Dia, you will come by O Loan Lagoon. It’s a beautiful spot to take a break and stretch your legs after sitting on the motorbike for a long time. To find a good lookout, you might have to drive along the lagoon for a bit. It’s quite long and good viewpoints are a bit spread out. Once you find one, sit back and take in your surroundings. The best time to stop by here is at sunrise or sunset as during the day it can get extremely hot. At daybreak, you will see fishermen casting their nets and getting ready for the day. It’s a wonderful sight with the sun slowly coming up in the background. Mui Dien Cape and Lighthouse You might be wondering why this little spot with its lighthouse is so special. Here’s why: Mui Dien Cape is the easternmost point of Vietnam! Climb up the hill over the boulders for around thirty minutes to get to the foot of the lighthouse. It’s hard work but totally worth it as this place offers impressive views of the ocean, the nearby cliffs, and the green hills. Note: When you explore this area be careful on the trails. They are rocky and uneven, so you should wear good shoes. Some climbing is also involved, making a basic level of fitness necessary. Now that you’ve been at Vietnam’s easternmost spot, do you want to go to the one furthest north? Then check out this article about beautiful Ha Giang for inspiration! Taste Seafood in Vung Ro After visiting Mui Dien you’re probably hungry. What better time to go to a nearby fishing village to sample the catch of the day? Just a few kilometres past Mui Dien you will find Vung Ro, a lively town set on the shores of a tranquil bay of glistening blue water. You’ll easily find the fish market, just follow your nose! Once there, see what the fishermen caught that day and pick out what you like best. You can choose a whole fish and usually, the vendor will prepare it for you. Alternatively, grab a seat at one of the little eateries and try some of their specialities. Da Trang Pagoda and Mountain If you’re curious to explore both nature and historical sights, hop on a motorbike and head around 20 kilometres north of Tuy Hoa to Da Trang Mountain. When you walk up the verdant slopes you’ll find Da Trang Pagoda, one of the most famous pagodas in Vietnam which attract quite a few visitors and pilgrims. It overlooks the surrounding countryside and offers a cool place to rest after climbing up the hill. Built in the late 18th century, this pagoda has a turbulent history. When it was close to 100 years old in 1989, it was honoured by the emperor but was burnt to the ground in 1929. With the help of donations from Buddhists around Vietnam, it was eventually rebuilt and is recognized as an important cultural heritage site today. Day-trip: Xuan Dai Bay and Tuyet Diem Salt Making Village Xuan Dai Bay is about 45 kilometres north of Tuy Hoa and makes for a great day-trip if you want to see beautiful landscapes and explore local marine life. Due to its convenient location, this area used to be an important trading post and was the site of several sea battles between rivalling dynasties. Get on your motorbike early to beat the heat and set out to see an area most visitors to Vietnam know nothing about. The ways up there is an experience by itself thanks to the natural beauty of the untouched landscape. At the bay, there are plenty of things to do. You can go for a walk along the coast, take a boat tour or even go snorkelling to explore the reef. Only a few kilometres further, you’ll find another interesting place: Tuyet Diem. In this village, people have been living from salt farming for several centuries. To this day many of them work on salt farms and collect the mineral manually. Stop by to get a glimpse of this interesting craft and maybe pick up some local sea salt as a unique souvenir. * Days off and holidays You will have free time during the evenings and on the weekends to spend as you please. During those free moments, you can travel to discover further wonders of Vietnam! Leisure and exchange activities Free times should be used for inter-cultural and leisure activities of the group. So please come with some ideas of games and entertainment. The group also has chances to self-organize some other activities such going out for coffee, karaoke, smoothies in the evening. Volunteers will have the weekend off, a chance for everyone to travel and take an interesting and relaxing break together. SJV does not cover this cost for you but we can help arrange with ideas and planning details.