From Phan Thiết Port, it takes tourists six or eight hours to travel by sea to get on Phú Quý Island.
Despite the long, tiring journey, it is worth the effort to explore the pristine beauty of a small island in the deep ocean.
Covering an area of 16 square kilometers, Phú Quý Island has many natural tourist attractions as well as cultural and religious relics typical of central coast fishing communities.
Phú Quý is comprised of a big island and several small islets, creating an archipelago with many original shapes.
Phú Quý Island has many interesting shapes.
Seen from the east, travelers will see the island as a dragon and from the north as a tuna.
The island resembles a giant whale swimming on the water’s surface if seen from the southwest.
Phú Quý Port bustles with anchored boats, dinghies and people.
Though the island has no streams, it still has abundant freshwater thanks to its underground water.
The island has many hills, knolls and sand dunes.
The local fishermen speak with an accent that is hard to understand, but they are very kind and friendly.
Foreign backpackers flock to the island for swimming, kitesurfing and windsurfing on the stunning beach or riding bicycles along the trails on the island.
If tourists want to go sightseeing, they can hire motorbikes and travel around Phú Quý.
The island has a pure, fresh atmosphere, and the seawater is so clear that you can see the bottom of the sea down at depths of five to seven meters.
There are also many picturesque attractions such as Linh Quang Pagoda and Ân Thanh fishing village where locals worship the holy whale.
Bà Chúa Ngọc Temple and Thượng Hải fishing village are historical sites keeping valuable items such as bronze tripod caldrons, candlestick holders and bronze bells.
The communal house in Triều Dương Village still preserves horizontal lacquered boards engraved with Chinese and Nôm characters.
Thay Nai Mausoleum was built in the 17th century and is a place where fishermen come to worship, and in the fourth month of every lunar year, locals hold a festival to pray for peace and better lives.
Princess Bàng Tranh Temple is also a cultural site that tourists should not miss.
Legend has it that Bàng Tranh was the name of princess Bàng Thị Vương Tranh of the Champa Kingdom.
She disobeyed her father, so she was exiled.
Her boat drifted to Phú Quý Island, and she stayed there and together with local habitants forged a new life.
Bàng Tranh was a virtuous and talented woman, so after she passed away, locals celebrate the anniversary of her death every year.
Linh Sơn Pagoda, located on Cao Cát Mountain at 120 meters above sea level, is also a great spot where tourists can hear the sound of the wind and contemplate the panorama of the island.
Source: The Saigon Times
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