No longer a “hidden gem” in the south central coast, the former Phu Yen province - now eastern Dak Lak province - is entering a new phase, where the blue sea meets the great forest to create distinctive tourism products.

The land of “yellow flowers” - from cinema to real life

Since 2015, when Victor Vu’s Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass hit theaters, Phu Yen, now eastern Dak Lak, has become a cultural phenomenon, influencing cinema, tourism and the public’s affection for the homeland.

Miss Vietnam 2016 Do My Linh checking in at Ganh Ong - Xep beach, the iconic filming site of Yellow flowers on the green grass.

Vietnamese cinema returned to this landscape in 2023 with Once Upon a Time, There Was a Affair, extending the emotional connection.

Director Trinh Dinh Le Minh noted, “Phu Yen has endless beauty. Every shoot brings a new discovery. Even ten more films wouldn’t capture it all.”

It is no coincidence that “yellow flowers on green grass” has moved beyond a film title to become a cultural marker for the eastern Dak Lak - a region where mountains, plains and sea meet in rare harmony.

Vietnam cinema has become an effective channel promoting the beauty of Dak Lak and Vietnam to wider audiences. According to the sector of Culture, Sports and Tourism, nearly 20 film and television projects have chosen the eastern Dak Lak for filming since 2015. This is expected to continue spreading the beautiful and impressive image of the land and people, gradually transforming it into a friendly destination for filmmaking.

Blue sea meets immense forest - a perfect tourism combination

The merger of Phu Yen and Dak Lak has opened up new opportunities to develop connected sea - forest tourism under a “waves and waterfalls” model. This is not only a geographical combination but a convergence of ecosystems and visitor experiences.

Sunset at Dray waterfall

The eastern Dak Lak (former Phu Yen province) features nearly 190 km of coastline, pristine beaches, lagoons and small islands. Meanwhile, the western Dak Lak is known for its vast forests, waterfalls, ethnic villages and gong culture.

A tour stretching from Mon beach, Dien cape - the first place to welcome the first sunrise on the Vietnamese mainland - through Ca pass to M’Drak grasslands, Ea Kar, Buon Đon and Lak lake presents two contrasting landscapes: sea and forest, sunshine and mist, waves and waterfalls. One side offers fresh seafood, the other highland specialties; one side celebrates the O Loan lagoon festival, the other the Gong culture festival.

The most important thing is to preserve the pristine beauty and ensure sustainable development. Tourism is a strategic economic sector, but not at the cost of cultural identity or the environment. Dak Lak PPC Vice Chairman Đao My stressed, “We are ready to provide the best conditions for film crews and tourism investors. Above all, our priority is to preserve the soul of this land and protect its environment - those are the values that endure”.

Translated by KHUONG THAO