Bai Xep beach in the movie 'I See Yellow Flowers on Green Grass'

From real-life scenes to film scenes

This idyllic hill full of cacti and wildflowers in An Chan commune, Tuy An district, suddenly became famous after director Victor Vu chose it as the main filming location for his movie "I See Yellow Flowers on Green Grass," which evoked a range of emotions in viewers in the autumn of 2015. The blue of the sky and the vast ocean blend with the green of a large meadow dotted with cacti and countless tiny wildflowers growing on the grass… making you feel incredibly refreshed even under the scorching sun of Central Vietnam.

Located not far from the center of Tuy Hoa city, Bai Xep beach seems to have yet to gain a foothold in the hearts of tourists, thus retaining its pristine, unspoiled beauty. Along with Xuan Dai Bay, O Loan Lagoon, and Ganh Da Dia (Disk Rock Cliff), Bai Xep contributes its beauty to your travel itinerary when you set foot in Phu Yen province. You will be incredibly impressed by the long, windswept coastline, the golden sand like the color of sunshine, and the gentle murmur of the waves. The unspoiled natural landscape here will lead you from one surprise to another in the boundless beauty that nature has bestowed upon this land of Phu Yen. There, if you wander along the rocky shore, you will be able to immerse yourself in the endless expanse of the sea and sky.

Bai Xep is surrounded by steep, rugged cliffs, but it is precisely this barren, unsightly appearance that creates the magic of Bai Xep. Hexagonal rock formations curve along the coastline, sometimes rising high, sometimes stretching out, sloping to provide momentum for the waves crashing against the shore. To get a panoramic view of Bai Xep, it's best to follow the trail up the cliffs. And you'll be surprised when a dreamy hill full of cacti and wildflowers gradually appears before your eyes. A hill that director Victor Vu, with his keen eye, has captured from high angles, giving us a picture as beautiful as if painted by a master artist. The hill seems to be covered with a silken green carpet, dotted with tiny white and yellow wildflowers interspersed with thorny cacti, like coquettish beauties before those who admire its beauty.

A replica of Ganh Da Dia (Disk Rock Cliff).

Following the hillside are sheer cliffs formed from rock formations resembling the unique architecture of Ganh Da Dia (Disk Rock), a truly remarkable sight. This special geological structure was created by a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. Hot lava flows reached the sea, met the water, and cooled, creating layers upon layers of rock formations as if arranged by a hand. Even more remarkably, this disc-shaped rock formation is found in only three places in the world: New Zealand, South Korea, and Phu Yen province in Vietnam. Looking down from above, you might think you're witnessing a giant beehive stretching along the coastline.

If you look closely, you'll see a rock formation shaped like a curved S, resembling a miniature version of Vietnam, a masterpiece created by nature, whether intentionally or unintentionally. The beauty of Bai Xep has been captured in countless photographs by many photographers, and it also holds sweet memories for couples when they think back on their unforgettable wedding photos.

The seawater at Bai Xep also offers a fascinating characteristic: its crystal-clear and cool waters are so refreshing that even in the scorching midday sun, the water remains a vibrant blue and cool. Stepping into the water, you feel an icy chill, as if you've stepped into an ice-cold lake. Perhaps the rocky cliffs here help retain the sea temperature, creating a unique "hot above, cold below" experience. Taking cautious, gentle steps and eagerly anticipating the coolness slowly seeping into your body is perhaps a unique experience only found at Bai Xep.

Many times in life, you will feel stressed and tired from the worries of everyday life. At such times, there's no need to go far; Bai Xep beach in the "land of Phu Yen" will open its arms wide, offering you fresh, vibrant, and captivating air.

The journey: From Ho Chi Minh City to Tuy Hoa, the main city of Phu Yen province, is about 500km, taking nearly 11 hours by car. You should leave the evening before to be able to start exploring Bai Xep beach the next day. Bus tickets cost around 240,000 – 300,000 VND per person. At Tuy Hoa bus station, you can rent a motorbike and drive north along National Highway 1 for about 12km until you see the Sao Viet intersection; turn there and you will reach Bai Xep beach.

Phu Yen has attracted the attention of travel enthusiasts in recent years, following the expeditions of professional backpackers to conquer the easternmost point of Vietnam, earning it the nickname "the land that has everything." On your journey to explore the mountains, forests, waterfalls, and beaches of this region, don't forget the helpful travel tips from Travellive!

+ Time:It's best to visit Phu Yen during the dry season, from February to August. The rainy season, from September to December, brings rough seas and makes travel and sightseeing difficult. In particular, early February and March offer milder sunshine, making them ideal for exploring. From April onwards, the sun becomes very strong, so visitors should bring sunscreen and plenty of skincare products. It's recommended to allocate about three days to explore the famous landmarks of Tuy Hoa.

+ Movement:

Air travel:

Currently, Jetstar Pacific Airlines (JPA) operates flights between Hanoi and Tuy Hoa with a frequency of 4 flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The flight from Hanoi is scheduled to depart at 7:30 AM, and the return flight from Tuy Hoa airport is expected to depart at 9:55 AM. The total flight time is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes.

For the Ho Chi Minh City - Tuy Hoa route, JPA also operates 3 flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The flight from Ho Chi Minh City is scheduled to depart at 2:40 PM, and the return flight from Tuy Hoa airport is expected to depart at 4:15 PM, with a total flight time of approximately one hour.

- Railways:

From Hanoi, the fastest train is the SE3 train, which departs at 8:00 PM the previous day and arrives at 8:00 PM the following day.

From Ho Chi Minh City, the fastest trains are SE2 and SE4, departing at 7:00 PM and arriving in Tuy Hoa at 5:30 AM the following morning.

- By road:

Phu Yen is located on National Highway 1A, so there are many high-quality bus companies operating the Ho Chi Minh City – Tuy Hoa route, such as Thuan Thao, Thanh Ban, and Cuc Tu… The price is around 240,000 VND/one way.

+ Means of transport:

In Phu Yen, tourists can rent motorbikes from 100,000 VND/bike/day. If traveling in a small group of 4-6 people, they can hire a taxi for a day trip to various attractions as agreed upon.

Another option is to hire a car with a driver (7-seater, 14-seater, or 29-seater).

+ Hotel:

The 5-star Cendeluxe Hotel and Viet Star Resort (5-star) are located a bit far from the city center. Other hotels include the 4-star Kaya Hotel, the 4-star Saigon Phu Yen Hotel, and the 3-star Long Beach Hotel. There are also many other hotels along Hung Vuong and Nguyen Hue streets. You can book rooms in advance on websites such as booking.com, agoda.com, and ivivu.com.

+ Tourist attractions:Nhan Tower, Dai Lanh Lighthouse, Bai Mon Beach, Da Bia Mountain, Vung Ro Port, Xuan Dai Bay, Ganh Da Dia (Disk Rock Cliff), Mang Lang Church, O Loan Lagoon, Ganh Den Lighthouse, Hon Nua Island.

In Tuy Hoa, you can also trek to Mui Doi – the easternmost point of Vietnam – by following the road towards Dam Mon.

Souvenirs:Sun-dried beef, sticky rice cakes wrapped in thorny leaves, dried shrimp, dried fish, dried squid, and handicrafts made from shellfish.

Text and photos: Quoc Bao

The Thanh