In Mui Ne, hotels and other accommodation providers stocked up on fresh seafood and introduced activities ranging from heritage tours and water sports to art performances.
A major new attraction is the 1.2-ha Ong Dia Rock Beach Park in Phu Thuy Ward, which opened on August 29 after four months of construction. The beachfront public space, divided into five experience zones, has attracted large numbers of residents and tourists.
Tran Van Binh, chairman of the Mui Ne-Phan Thiet Tourism Association, said visitors were concentrated in the first three days, with high occupancy at smaller properties but more rooms available at larger resorts due to fewer tour groups.
Hotels in the Tien Thanh area reported occupancy of about 80 per cent, with many visitors arriving early on August 28 and 29.
Phu Quy Island, by contrast, remained relatively quiet, with popular attractions including Bai Nho-Ganh Hang, Hon Tranh, Phuot Slope, Phu Quy Lighthouse and Mo Thay seeing few visitors.
The Phu Quy Special Zone administration said rough seas had deterred tourists from travelling by high-speed ferry. Despite five vessels serving the Phan Thiet-Phu Quy route, only one or two trips ran daily, carrying a few dozen passengers.
Hotels, homestays and motorbike rental businesses on the island also reported few customers as tourists cancelled trips or switched to mainland destinations.
