Located 56 nautical miles east-southeast away from Phan Thiet mainland, Phu Quy island floats with interesting shapes in the middle of the vast East Sea. There is a monsoon regime with 2 distinct seasons; The South monsoon season starts from June to September and the North monsoon season starts from October to the next February.
It is said that locals are often worried about strong winds and furious waves. This is a part of the truth for Phu Quy, during the monsoon season, the sea is rough, therefore ship routes often stop, and the crops wither due to salty air from the sea, especially in the northern region. However, from the international tourists' views, the wind and waves of the winter season are a "specialty". In the last months of the year, many Westerners come to Phu Quy to spend their winter and play sea sports, especially kitesurfing.
The writer of this article once heard that in the past, many people on the island were very worried and surprised when they saw foreign tourists on vacation. But now things are different, because of the tourism development, Phu Quy has become a famous destination in Binh Thuan province, there are more foreign visitors to the island than before, and after a while, locals gradually get used to it.
Like domestic tourists, Western tourists love the sea, they often choose motels and coastal hotels to stay. According to the survey, Long Vi restaurant is considered a familiar "meeting place" for many tourists. Some Russians shared that there is a wonderful sea view and pretty quiet because it is far from residential areas. Beside Russian visitors, each year Phu Quy Island welcomes about 40 guests from many countries such as Switzerland, France, Germany, Australia, etc. Some groups even come with their whole families to stay for several months to play windsurfing.
Last afternoon weekend we had a chance to watch kitesurfing. This season, walking along Long Hai Beach from Van Lien Thanh to Cape Truong, you can see dozens of colorful kites fluttering in the crystal blue sky every day. Tourists just follow Le Hong Phong Street, then stop or park at some roadside cafes or nearby households' houses, then follow small alleys leading to the sea, and freely watch kite gliders.
Watching with your own eyes the aerial acrobatics, wave-riding performances, and the bustling laughter of international tourists, you can see the boldness and adventurousness of Westerners. Both men and women can play this sport, and even older people can participate.
Phu Quy with its wild beauty, mild climate, clear blue water, and ideal wind speed advantages has made this pearl island become a destination for those who have loved marine sports for years. Visiting the island, visitors can not only play kitesurfing but also travel, explore, and learn about the land and people's lives. Thereby more and more revenue from Phu Quy district is contributed to the sustainable investment of local industry tourism development.
Translated by Uyen Linh