Natural masterpieces: A pristine home in the middle of Phu Yen sea

Just 20 minutes by boat from the mainland, Mai Nha Islet (in Phuoc Dong village, An Hoa Hai commune, Tuy An district, Phu Yen) is like a peaceful home in the middle of the vast ocean, where time seems to stop and people can return to the rhythm of wild nature.

SEPARATE WORLD

Standing tall amidst the vast waves, Mai Nha Islet appears like an unpolished gem in the middle of the ocean. From the mainland, the small island looks like a sloping roof. The rocky mountains rise up like a roof, and the green trees cover down like long, falling tiles, providing gentle protection.

Mai Nha Islet (Phuoc Dong village, An Hoa Hai commune, Tuy An district) is about 20 minutes by boat from the shore.

PHOTO: MINH HOANG

According to Mr. Vo Van Chuc (66 years old, in Phuoc Dong village, An Hoa Hai commune), the head of the canal in charge of the fishing ritual in this area, the roof in the Vietnamese mind is always a symbol of protection, shelter, and peace. The island is named "roof" as a message of hope for protection amid the storms. "For fishermen who live on the sea, this place is like a peaceful shelter. Mai Nha Islet is a peaceful anchorage, a true "roof" amid the waves," said Mr. Chuc.

In the Central region, people call small coastal islands "islands" and adding a familiar image like "roof" is a very typical way of naming by coastal residents. It shows the closeness, simplicity and ability to personify nature into a flesh and blood part of human life.

Unlike other tourist destinations that have been overshadowed by the market, Mai Nha Islet still retains its original character. There are no restaurants, no resorts, no noisy engines or loud music. The 146.3 hectares of land on this island are a separate world : the northeast still has intact rocky mountains and low-lying forests that have not been disturbed by humans; the southwest is a rocky cape connecting to a fine white sand beach, where people choose to fish and set up tents to rest on calm sea days.

On the island there are only a few fishing houses, living by the sea. No electricity, no internet, no vehicles. Here, there is only the sound of waves crashing on the rocks, the wind rustling through the treetops and the simple laughter of the people living by the sea.

LEGEND OF THE WATER DRAGON GODDESS

On the island there is a small, simple temple worshiping Lady Thuy Long, the goddess of rivers and waters. "We don't know when Lady Dinh was built, we only heard from our ancestors that, during a trip to sea, people accidentally discovered a statue drifting to the island. The statue was only about 50 - 60 cm tall, with a strangely beautiful face, a gentle expression like a good omen drifting to the middle of the ocean. Seeing the good omen, the people immediately held a ceremony to bring it back, built a temple to worship her with the wish that every trip to sea would have calm waves, favorable winds, and that fishermen would be protected and blessed by her," said Mr. Chuc.

Mai Nha Islet still retains its rare wildness, very suitable for tourists who like island hopping and exploring.

PHOTO: MINH HOANG

According to information from the Tuy An District Cultural, Sports and Tourism Center, since 1950, people have built a temple to worship Lady Thuy Long Than Nu on Mai Nha Islet. Fishermen worship her, believing that she is the guardian deity of fishermen, giving them calm seas and full holds of fish and shrimp.

Thuy Long Goddess, also known as Mrs. Thuy Long, is a popular river goddess in the culture of coastal residents in the Central and Southern regions. According to folk beliefs, she is the goddess of wells, the goddess of rivers and streams, the goddess of islands, the goddess who governs the river region. There is also a belief that she is the incarnation of Thien YA Na, a goddess in Champa beliefs. This goddess has two opposing sides. On the one hand, she is the place where fishermen entrust their protection during each challenging and risky sea trip. On the other hand, she is also a symbol of the harshness of the sea.

Every year, on the 15th day of the 5th lunar month, when the Nam Hai fishing festival takes place, the villagers organize a procession to welcome Lady Thuy Long from the island’s palace to the mainland to worship her. When seeing her off, everyone who has finished burning incense must walk backwards, not turning their backs, to show respect.

GREEN TOURISM POTENTIAL

Located only 4 km from O Loan lagoon, about 30 km from Tuy Hoa city (Phu Yen), Mai Nha islet is an ideal destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of life, to immerse themselves in the wild and peaceful natural space. Not only is it a secluded resort, Mai Nha is also located in the middle of a network of prominent tourist attractions. From here, visitors can connect their journey to the Hon Yen national scenic complex, visit historical and cultural relics such as Ganh Da - Hoi Son tomb, Phu Thuong tomb. Within a radius of only 8 - 15 km are Ganh Da Dia and Bai Xep - the "golden coordinates" that appeared in the movie I see yellow flowers on green grass .

On the island, people worship Lady Thuy Long with the hope of smooth sailing and a full hold of fish and shrimp.

PHOTO: MINH HOANG

With its pristine beauty, convenient location and cultural space imbued with identity, Mai Nha Islet is opening up many opportunities to develop eco-tourism, resorts combined with exploring local culture. According to Mr. Nguyen Van Hoang, Vice Chairman of Tuy An District People's Committee, Mai Nha Islet is an island that still has many wild features, very suitable for tourists who love to explore. "In the coming time, the locality will focus on developing tourism into a key economic sector, focusing on developing tourism in coastal communes. At the same time, the locality will plan and develop Mai Nha Islet into an attractive, friendly and safe tourist destination," said Mr. Hoang. (continued)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-tuyet-tac-thien-nhien-mai-am-hoang-so-giua-bien-phu-yen-185250508232353818.htm