Discovering the 'land of Mai An Tiêm' in Gành Dưa

Visiting Gành Dưa to enjoy brackish water watermelons grown near the sea, many people believe this is a real-life version of the legend of Mai An Tiêm.

Tuy An district has long been famous for its melon cultivation. Previously, melons grew naturally, requiring no care and thriving on their own. Later, melon cultivation was planned in several areas such as Dong Moc (An Chan commune), Chua hamlet, Bau Sung, and Bau Duong (An My commune). The fields in Tuy An district are fertile alluvial black soil, suitable for growing short-term fruit crops.

Tuy An District is famous for its various types of melons, including cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, and honeydew. It also boasts a beach called Gành Dưa, located in Giai Sơn village, An Mỹ commune. Therefore, some people believe this is the area from the legend of Mai An Tiêm and his watermelons, a story they heard as children, shared Trần Thanh Phong, a local tourism worker at Gành Dưa.

Tourists experience picking brackish water watermelons in Tuy An, Phu Yen . Photo: Bui Ngoc Ha

Traveler Vu Hoang Quynh Tram (from Ho Chi Minh City) decided to stay for nearly a month to experience the local life, explore , and enjoy the natural beauty of Ganh Dua after arriving on May 14th. Tram was impressed with Ganh Dua's gently sloping golden sand beach, calm sea, clear blue water, sunshine, and salty sea breeze. The beach is about 3 km long, with rows of coconut and casuarina trees running along the sandy shore. The cliffs, shaped by the sea over time, have taken on unusual forms.

At night, the salty sea breeze blows inland, the bright moon shines high above, and the coconut trees rustle in the wind, creating a poetic and romantic atmosphere, "like a peaceful haven on earth," Ms. Tram shared.

On the 15th and 1st of each lunar month, the tide recedes, revealing patches of green moss on the sea surface. Further out, the seabed is covered with diverse and colorful coral reefs for tourists to admire while snorkeling. There are various beach activities such as rowing traditional basket boats for snorkeling, beach sports, and fishing along the coast. Ms. Tram even had the experience of catching snails clinging to the rocks. At night, tourists can try "crab hunting" (using flashlights to catch crabs, a type of crustacean similar in shape to a crab) or join fishermen on fishing trips and squid catching.

Ganh Dua Beach is currently following two contrasting trends. On one side is the modern, man-made presence of homestays and resorts, while on the other is the pristine, peaceful beach and fishing village.

Tourists enjoy themselves and swim at Gành Dưa beach. Photo: Palm Beach Hotel.

According to Mr. Phong, summer is the most beautiful time to visit Ganh Dua beach, with clear water and calm waves, perfect for swimming and recreation. Around the beach are hotels, resorts, and restaurants offering fresh, delicious seafood such as shrimp, oysters, snails, and various types of fish. Visitors can rent seating and barbecue grills to have outdoor parties with friends and family.

Ganh Dua is also located near Giai Son market, which sells various seafood and snacks at cheap prices. "It could be called the cheapest market in Vietnam," according to Tram's experience traveling to many places. A cup of sweet soup or a plate of shrimp and pork pancake costs 3,000 VND, while a bowl of vermicelli or a steamed bun with pork sausage costs 10,000 VND.

Ms. Tram didn't miss the opportunity to enjoy the local melons and was particularly impressed. The cantaloupe was sweet and refreshing, the honeydew melon was chewy and flavorful, costing around 8,000 VND per kilogram. The watermelons were especially noteworthy; they were smaller, rounder, and had a lighter green rind than those from the North, but were incredibly sweet. "Sitting by the sea eating watermelon is a simple experience, but it brings complete joy to a summer," Ms. Tram said.

It only takes about 5 minutes by motorbike from Ganh Dua to the fishing port. At 5 am, boats carrying fresh seafood dock at the shore. Tourists can buy seafood at reasonable prices, while also learning about the lives of the local fishermen and watching the sunrise over Ganh Dua beach.

Fishing boats at Gành Dưa beach. Photo: Palm Beach Hotel.

Tourists can rent tents and have barbecues on the beach. Photo: Tran Thanh Phong.

Melon fields in Tuy An commune, Tuy Hoa district, Phu Yen province. Photo: Do ​​Lan.

Similar to coastal fishermen in the South Central Coast region, Ganh Dua Mausoleum is a place where locals worship the Whale God (or Whale God) to pray for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest of shrimp and fish. On April 8th, Ganh Dua Mausoleum was recognized as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic. Located on the coast, adjacent to the Lady Temple and rocky cliffs, the mausoleum forms a scenic complex with a pristine beauty, potentially becoming a tourist attraction connected to other historical sites, according to the Phu Yen Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism's information portal.

Ganh Dua Beach is also close to other tourist attractions such as Bai Xep Beach, the filming location of "I See Yellow Flowers on Green Grass," Thanh Luong Pagoda, Ganh Da Dia, and the over 100-year-old Mang Lang Church. From Ganh Dua Beach, visitors can rent a canoe to visit Hon Chua Island (4 km away), Hon Yen Island (2 km away), or Cu Lao Mai Nha Island (about 6 km away).

Quynh Mai

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