Son Hoa

Sơn Hòa is a mountainous district in southwestern Phú Yên province, bordering the Central Highlands provinces of Gia Lai and Đắk Lắk. It is the westernmost district of Phú Yên, sitting at the transition between the coastal lowlands and the highland plateau. Its landscape is defined by rolling hills, river valleys, and remnant forest cover. The district centre, the town of Củng Sơn (often referred to as Sơn Hòa), is a small market town along the Ba River.

Much of the district is agricultural: coffee, rubber, cashews, black pepper, and fruit trees are the main crops. Several ethnic minority groups, including the Ê Đê and Ba Na peoples, live in the district's western villages. Sơn Hòa has a milder climate than the coast due to its elevation (200–600 m), with a rainy season from May to October and a cooler dry season from November to April.

By Plane

Tuy Hoa Airport (TBB IATA) is about 60 km east of Sơn Hòa district centre (~1.5 hr drive). Taxi costs around 500,000–700,000 VND.

By Train

Tuy Hoa Railway Station is 60 km east. Trains from Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City stop there.

By Car / Road

Sơn Hòa is accessible via National Highway 25, which connects Tuy Hoa with the Central Highlands (Buôn Ma Thuột). From Tuy Hoa, drive west on QL25 for about 60 km (1.5 hr). Buses run from Tuy Hoa bus station to Củng Sơn (Sơn Hòa) several times daily.

The district centre is walkable. For outlying areas — plantations, highland villages, and natural sights — a motorbike or hired car is required.

• Ba River (Sông Ba) — The longest river in Phú Yên, flowing through Sơn Hòa's valleys. Riverside scenery is at its best in the wet season.

• Thác Krông (Krông Waterfall) — A seasonal waterfall in the forested hills near the Đắk Lắk border, best visited October–January.

• Ê Đê and Ba Na villages — Traditional longhouse villages in the western highlands offer a glimpse of ethnic minority culture.

• Coffee and rubber plantations — The rolling hills of Sơn Hòa are covered in coffee and rubber trees; many plantations are visible from the main roads.

• Coffee plantation tour — Several small farms welcome visitors for a look at coffee growing and processing in the highland climate.

• Trekking in the foothills — The forested hills near the provincial border have informal trekking routes; local guides can be arranged in Củng Sơn.

• Visit an ethnic minority village — Arrange a guided visit to an Ê Đê or Ba Na longhouse community.

• Cà phê Sơn Hòa — The locally grown robusta coffee is served strong and sweet (cà phê sữa đá) at roadside cafés.
• Gà nướng (grilled chicken) — Free-range chicken grilled over charcoal, served with salt, lime, and pepper dip.
• Canh chua cá sông — A sour soup made with river fish from the Ba River, with tomatoes, tamarind, and herbs.

Local coffee is the drink of choice. Rice wine (rượu gạo) is made in the minority villages. Bottled water is recommended.

• Budget: Nhà Nghỉ Củng Sơn — A simple guesthouse in the district centre, from 200,000 VND/night.
• Mid-range: For more comfort, stay in Tuy Hoa and visit Sơn Hòa as a day trip.

Sơn Hòa is known for high-quality coffee beans, cashew nuts, and black pepper — all available at the Củng Sơn market. Highland honey and wild forest mushrooms are seasonal specialties.

• Tuy Hoa — 60 km east (~1.5 hr). Phú Yên's capital with the coast, Cham sites, and restaurants.
• Buôn Ma Thuột — 120 km west (~3 hr via QL25). The capital of the Central Highlands, famous for coffee, the Dray Nur waterfalls, and Yok Đôn National Park.
• Sông Hinh district — 50 km north (~1.5 hr). Mountainous district with the Sông Hinh hydroelectric reservoir and forest trekking.
• Đồng Xuân — 70 km northeast (~2 hr). Rural highland district with ethnic minority villages and forest hills.