O Loan Estuary - Poetic pearls of yellow flowers on green grass

O Loan Lagoon – A Dreamy Natural Picture of Phu Yen

O Loan Lagoon, also known as O Loan Lagoon, is located in Chi Thanh town, Tuy An district, Phu Yen province, about 22 km north of Tuy Hoa city center. Recognized as a National Scenic Relic on September 27, 1996, O Loan Lagoon is one of Phu Yen's most prominent destinations, famous for its peaceful, rustic beauty, and the dreamy scenery that appeared in the movie "I See Yellow Flowers on Green Grass" (2015).

With a water surface area of approximately 1,570 hectares, O Loan Lagoon is a brackish lagoon located close to the sea mouth, surrounded by Dong Chay mountain, Cam mountain, An Hai islet, and the Tu Bi mountain range from Quan Cau pass. Seen from above, the lagoon resembles a giant phoenix spreading its wings, embracing the fertile land. The harmonious combination of mountains, rivers, and green rice fields creates a majestic yet romantic natural picture.

O Loan Lagoon not only attracts visitors with its scenery but also with its abundant seafood resources, especially blood cockles and Huynh De crabs, along with unique cultural activities such as traditional boat racing festivals. This is an ideal destination for those who love nature, are passionate about photography, and want to experience the simple life of Phu Yen fishermen.

Why Visit O Loan Lagoon?

1. Beautiful Sunrise and Sunset: O Loan Lagoon is most beautiful when the sun rises or sets, painting the water red and creating a magical scene, a "paradise" for photographers.

2. Famous Seafood: O Loan blood cockles are sweet and meaty, Huynh De crabs are nutritious, and fresh oysters are must-try specialties, prepared in a variety of ways from grilled with scallion oil to cooked into porridge.

3. Magnificent Natural Scenery: From Quan Cau pass looking down, the lagoon appears as a watercolor painting with mountains, boats, and migratory birds such as storks, teals, and pelicans.

4. Unique Culture: The boat racing festival and fish worshipping ceremony on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year are imbued with aquatic identity, attracting many tourists.

5. Film Setting: O Loan Lagoon is one of the filming locations for "I See Yellow Flowers on Green Grass", evoking a feeling of nostalgia and peace.

Legend of O Loan Lagoon

According to folklore, the name O Loan Lagoon originates from the story of a fairy named Loan, famous for her beauty but mischievousness. One day, she borrowed magpie birds from heaven to travel to the mortal realm. When flying over Tuy An, the birds were tired and could not continue, so both she and the birds turned into a blue lagoon. The people took the name of Loan and the magpie birds to name the lagoon, calling it O Loan. This legend has contributed to the mysterious attraction of this scenic spot.

Directions to O Loan Lagoon

From Tuy Hoa city, you can get to O Loan Lagoon by the following means:

• Motorbike:

  • Follow Hung Vuong Avenue, continue along National Highway 1A north for about 22 km, through Quan Cau pass to reach the lagoon. This route takes about 30-40 minutes, suitable for sightseeing rice fields and villages.

  • On the way, you can visit places like Bai Xep, Ganh Ong, or Hon Yen.

• Car or Taxi: Takes about 30 minutes, reference taxi fare: VND 300,000-500,000/trip.

• Bus: Tuy Hoa - Tuy An route, stop at Chi Thanh town, then take a motorbike taxi about 2-3 km to the lagoon.

Note: There is a parking lot near An Hai bridge, priced at about VND 5,000-10,000/motorbike. The road is flat and easy to travel, but pay attention to the signs at Chi Thanh intersection.

Entrance Fee and Visiting Hours

• Entrance Fee: Free admission.

• Opening Hours: All day, but restaurants and services usually operate from 9:00 – 22:00.

• Ideal Time to Visit: From January to August (dry season), when the weather is dry, favorable for traveling and taking photos. Especially:

  • January: The boat racing festival and fish worshipping ceremony take place, bringing a unique cultural experience.

  • April-May: Cool weather, few visitors, suitable for exploring.

  • Rainy Season (September-December): Seafood is fresher, but pay attention to the weather because there may be heavy rain and slippery roads.

• Best Time to Take Photos: Sunrise (5:30-6:30) and sunset (17:00-18:00), when the light creates a brilliant effect on the lagoon's surface.

Unmissable Experiences at O Loan Lagoon

1. Watch the Sunrise and Sunset: From Quan Cau pass or An Hai bridge, you can admire the scene of the sun painting the lagoon red, with images of fishermen's boats creating a vivid scene.

2. Enjoy Seafood: O Loan Lagoon is a "seafood paradise" with specialty dishes:

   • Blood Cockles: Sweet, chewy, often grilled with scallion oil, tamarind stir-fried, or cooked into porridge (price: VND 150,000-250,000/kg).

   • Huynh De Crab: Aromatic, nutritious meat, prepared grilled with salt or steamed (price: VND 800,000-1,200,000/kg).

   • Oysters: Fresh, popular with grilled scallion oil, oyster porridge, or lemon marinated (price: VND 100,000-200,000/kg).

   • Sea Urchin: Nutritious, often made grilled sea urchin or sea urchin porridge.

   • Restaurant suggestions: An Hai bridge culinary area has floating restaurants, such as Truc Kieu Restaurant or a restaurant in An Ninh Dong village.

3. Participate in the Boat Racing Festival: Taking place on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year, the fish worshipping ceremony and boat racing attract many people and tourists, showing the unique aquatic culture.

4. Take Photos and Check-in: Places like Hon Chong (two large rocks stacked on top of each other), Cao Bien tomb (sand dune to the east), or the scene of boats on the lagoon are ideal places to hunt for photos.

5. Explore by Boat: Rent a fisherman's boat (priced at about VND 200,000-300,000/boat) to cruise around the lagoon, admire the scenery and learn about the fishing life.

6. Explore Nearby Attractions: Combine visiting Ganh Da Dia (20 km away), Mang Lang Church, or Ganh Den to enrich your journey.

Notes When Visiting O Loan Lagoon

• Protect the Environment: Do not litter in the lagoon or on the sand to preserve the landscape. Currently, the lagoon is affected by pollution from aquaculture, so visitors need to be aware of protecting it.

• Safety: Wear non-slip shoes if climbing Quan Cau pass or walking on rocky areas. When boating, always wear a life jacket.

• Preparation: Bring sunscreen, a hat, and drinking water because the area is quite sunny. Prepare cash because some restaurants do not accept card payments.

• Eating and Drinking: Seafood prices at the lagoon are quite reasonable (VND 250,000-300,000/person for a group of 4 people). Ask the price before ordering to avoid misunderstandings.

• Accommodation: There are no hotels right at the lagoon. You can stay in Tuy Hoa with options such as Mandala Hotel & Spa (VND 1,355,000/night), Rosa Alba Resort (5-star standard), or affordable homestays (VND 300,000-500,000/night).

• Souvenirs: Buy dried blood cockles, Phu Yen fish sauce, or banh it la gai as gifts.

Conclusion

O Loan Lagoon Phu Yen is a must-visit destination, where you can immerse yourself in the poetic natural beauty, enjoy fresh seafood, and feel the peace of the land of "yellow flowers on green grass". With its majestic scenery, unique culture, and reasonable cost, O Loan Lagoon promises to bring unforgettable experiences to all visitors. Plan now to explore this "emerald gem" and preserve the beautiful moments in Phu Yen!