THE WINDY ISLE: A New Year's Voyage to the Edge of Vietnam

The New Year usually means crowded city squares and overpriced champagne. But imagine starting 2026 differently. Imagine standing on a volcanic cliff, the wind tearing at your clothes, looking out at an ocean so blue it hurts your eyes. Imagine cracking open a King Crab that was swimming an hour ago.

This 3-day expedition is a journey to Phu Quy Island, a remote speck in the East Sea that feels like the end of the world. It is a trip for the adventurous, involving high-speed ferries, motorbikes, and some of the freshest seafood on the planet.

The Ferry, The Cliff, and The Crab

DAY 1: The Crossing & The Sovereign Flag | Saigon – Phan Thiet – Phu Quy

Points of Interest: High-Speed Ferry, Linh Quang Pagoda, Ganh Hang, Bai Nho, Trieu Duong Bay.

The Experience: We depart Saigon in the dead of night to catch the morning ferry. The crossing from Phan Thiet takes 2.5 hours. As the mainland disappears, the water turns a deep, indigo blue. We land on Phu Quy. It’s rugged, windy, and real. We immediately hit the road. The Cliffs: We explore Ganh Hang and Bai Nho. These are volcanic cliffs that drop into turquoise pools. It looks like a scene from a fantasy movie. We climb to the Sovereignty Flagpole, standing tall against the wind, a reminder of Vietnam’s claim to the sea. The Beach: We chill at Trieu Duong Bay. The sand is white, the water is calm, and the casuarina trees sing in the wind. Evening: Dinner and sleep on the island. The silence at night is absolute, broken only by the waves.

Suggestions:

The Ferry: Take motion sickness pills before you get on the boat. The channel can be choppy. Sit in the back for a smoother ride.

The Photo: At Ganh Hang, look for the "Infinity Pool" formed by rocks. It’s the best photo op on the island.

DAY 2: The Mountain Temple & The King's Feast | Cao Cat Mountain – Crab Raft

Points of Interest: Linh Son Pagoda, Cao Cat Mountain, Thay Temple (Mo Thay), Seafood Raft Houses.

The Experience: We climb Cao Cat Mountain to visit Linh Son Pagoda. The view from the top is spiritual vertigo. You see the entire island, the wind turbines spinning in the distance, and the endless circle of the horizon. The locals say, "Four directions, no worries." The Sacred: We visit Mo Thay (Teacher’s Tomb), a temple on a rocky promontory that juts into the sea. It is a place of raw power and deep reverence for the fishermen. The Climax: We take a boat to the Seafood Raft Houses. These are floating restaurants. We dive into the water to see the coral, then climb back up to eat. The menu? King Crab (Cua Huynh De). It looks like a prehistoric armored tank and tastes like sweet, briny heaven. Evening: We visit the Wind Farm. Giant white turbines stand against the sunset. It’s modern, industrial, and surprisingly beautiful.

Suggestions:

The Crab: King Crab is seasonal and pricey, but worth it. If it's not available, try the Moon Crab (Cua Mat Trang). It’s spotted and delicious.

The Swim: Bring your swimsuit to the raft house. Jumping off the deck into the clear water is part of the fun.

DAY 3: The Reservoir & The Return | Phu Quy – Phan Thiet – Saigon

Points of Interest: Fresh Water Reservoir, Seafood Market.

The Experience: A morning ride to the Fresh Water Reservoir, a peaceful lake that supplies the island. Then, the market. We watch the fishermen unload the night’s catch. It’s a chaotic ballet of ice, nets, and fish. We buy dried squid and sun-dried fish to bring home. The Return: We board the ferry, watching the island fade into the mist. We drive back to Saigon, arriving in the evening, windblown and full of crab.

Suggestions:

The Souvenir: Buy Dried Squid (Muc Mot Nang). Phu Quy squid is famous for being thick and sweet.

The King on the Plate

It happens on Day 2 at the raft house. The server brings out the King Crab. It is bright red, spiky, and shaped like a frog. You crack the shell. The meat is white, firm, and steaming. You dip it in salt, pepper, and lime juice. The taste is unlike any other crab—sweeter, richer, more intense. Sitting there, bobbing on the ocean, eating the king of crabs, you feel like royalty.

The Island Secrets

The "Beef" Surprise: Phu Quy is famous for seafood, but their Hot Beef (Bo Nong) is legendary. Cows graze freely on the island herbs, making the meat incredibly tender and flavorful. Try it for breakfast or dinner.

The Wind Factor: Phu Quy means "Rich and Precious," but it could also mean "Windy." The wind here is constant. Tie your hat down. Don't wear loose skirts on the motorbike.

The Princess Temple

We visited the temple of Princess Ban Tranh. Legend says she was a Champa princess exiled to the island for refusing a marriage. She taught the islanders how to grow crops. Standing at her shrine, looking at the offerings of flowers and fruit, I realized that this harsh, windy island has always been a place of refuge—for exiled princesses, for fishermen in storms, and now, for city dwellers escaping the noise.

The Island is Calling

The New Year is the best time for Phu Quy. The sea is calm enough for the ferry, but the wind is still wild enough to make you feel alive. You need to taste the crab and climb the volcano. Pack your motion sickness pills. The bus leaves at 03:30 AM.

Notes (Additional Information)

Children’s tour prices:

Children under 5 years old: Free of charge. Parents or accompanying adults are responsible for the child’s meals, accommodation, and entrance fees (if any). Each pair of adults may accompany one child under 5 for free; the second child and beyond must purchase 50% of the tour price.

Children from 5 to under 10 years old: 75% of the tour price. Includes meals, a seat on the bus, and shared accommodation with family. Each pair of adults may accompany one child aged 5 to under 12; for the second child, parents are advised to purchase an extra single bed.

Children 10 years old and above: 100% of the tour price and full adult services.

Payment and Cancellation Policy

After confirmation, guests must pay at least 50% deposit to secure the booking, and the full 100% tour cost must be paid no later than 10 days before departure.

If guests do not complete payment by the required full-payment deadline, they will be considered to have voluntarily canceled the tour and will forfeit all deposit(s).

Airplane / train / high-speed boat tickets are issued immediately after registration, payment, and submission of personal details (full name, date of birth, etc.). These tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable: no name changes, no refunds, no date changes, and no itinerary changes.

Cancellation penalties after registration:

After deposit or payment, or more than 15 days before departure: 30% of tour price

10 days before departure: 50% of tour price

7 days before departure: 70% of tour price

5 days before departure: 100% of tour price

All cancellations must be made directly with the Company or via fax, email, or text message and must be confirmed by the Company. Cancellations by phone are not accepted.

As this is a shared group tour, the company is responsible for gathering enough participants (minimum 20 adults). If fewer than 20 adults register, the company will notify guests at least 3 days before departure to arrange a new departure date or provide a full refund of the deposit.

Deposit dates, payment dates, cancellation dates, and tour change dates do not include Saturday and Sunday.

In force majeure cases (terrorism, riots, natural disasters, floods, etc.), depending on actual circumstances and guest safety, the company may cancel or adjust the itinerary to an alternative program of equivalent value. If the new program incurs additional costs, guests must pay the difference. Both sides must make every effort to minimize losses due to force majeure.

For changes in flight schedules or transportation delays caused by airlines, railways, or ferry operators, the company is not responsible for any additional expenses such as meals, accommodation, transport, or tour guide services.

Important Information for Tour Participants

On the departure date, guests must gather at .......... at ..........

The company is not responsible for late arrivals.

Some activity sequences and details (flight time, train time, boat schedule, etc.) may be adjusted depending on actual travel conditions (weather, traffic, etc.).

Hotel/resort check-in and check-out times: after 2:00 PM for check-in and before 12:00 PM for check-out.

The tour guide will inform guests of specific meeting times and locations on the afternoon before departure.

Please sit in the seat assigned at the time of tour registration.

Please bring light and compact luggage.

Personal documents, money, and valuables must be self-kept. The company will help search for lost items but is not responsible for compensation.

Guests are advised to bring a compact umbrella for sun and rain, and wear sports shoes or sandals with back straps for easier movement.

Please follow the tour guide’s timetable to avoid delays affecting the whole group.

For health and food safety reasons, please do not bring outside food into restaurants or hotels. Bringing beverages may require hotel/restaurant approval and may incur an additional fee.

Before leaving your seat or location (bus, restaurant, sightseeing spot, shop, hotel room, etc.), please check your belongings carefully—wallet, purse, bag, camera, camcorder, phone—to avoid loss or inconvenience during the trip.

Be cautious while walking at sightseeing areas; do not stand or climb in unsafe places. Be careful when moving on boats or ferries. When crossing the street, follow traffic laws. Families with children must supervise them closely at all times.