A group of divers off Phu Quy Island in Lam Dong Province captured rare footage of a pod of around 100 whales swimming alongside a boat and leaping above the surface.
According to a local tour guide, the sighting occurred on April 5 while he and fishermen were diving near the island, formerly part of Binh Thuan Province.
The whales were spotted about 500 metres from Hon Tranh Islet, with many surfacing and swimming close to the bow of a motorboat before breaching repeatedly.
As people on board cheered, more whales appeared and leapt across the water, creating an unusual spectacle. Several divers entered the sea to film the pod, which continued swimming undisturbed.
Fishermen said sightings of such a large group are rare and described the moment as a stroke of luck.
Earlier the same day, three blue whales, each about 17 metres long, were seen passing near the boat, before the larger pod appeared roughly 30 minutes later.
The presence of whales close to shore is considered a positive sign, indicating clean waters and abundant food sources in the area.
Phu Quy, now a special administrative zone under Lam Dong Province, lies about 56 nautical miles, or around 120 kilometres, from the mainland city of Phan Thiet.
With an area of 18 sq.km and a population of more than 32,000, the island is emerging as a hub for the marine economy and tourism in Vietnam’s eastern waters.
