by Phuoc Buu

Easy, breezy, beautiful: Eo Gio (literally translated as Wind Strait) impresses visitors with its strong winds.

I visited central Quy Nhon Town one sunny day and wanted to see some new destinations rather than the familiar beaches. So a friend volunteered to take me to Eo Gio (literally translated as Wind Strait).

We got on a motorbike at 8am and headed across Viet Nam's longest bridge, which spans Thi Nai Sea and offers panoramic views.

We then drove through the industrial parks in Nhon Hoi Economic Zone, where only a few factories occupy the otherwise empty space.

After 55 minutes, we had to ask some kids for the path to Eo Gio. Parking the bike at an eatery, we walked on a rocky path about 150m long.

Fittingly, my first reaction was that the wind was so strong! I've experienced wind in Ninh Thuan, where the average wind speed is the highest in the country at 7.1m per second, but the wind here seemed much stronger. It swept through my head, emptying my mind of its burdens.

Breaking out of the shell: Lobster, a speciality of Eo Gio.

If you love adventure, try to find the places with the strongest wind. Just make sure that you are not standing on the cliff edge, as the strong winds could push you down to the sea in a few careless seconds.

The upper area of the strait, a peaceful valley with only grass, wind and rock, is a great place for couples, who arrive there holding hands and making promises of long-lasting love. I watched one couple toss some big yellow leaves into the air. The wind sent them tumbling into the sea.

The seawater here was so green, filled with various types and sizes of rocks. The gods had arranged them in a very good-looking way. Some bent to the sea while others clung to the land to make a rock wall.

To get a closer look at the rocks, we went down to the sea. Locals also call the strait "Eggs Place" because there are many egg-shaped rocks. Although the water is really pure and cool, swimming is not advisable and you won't see many locals in the water.

We picked up a few small, pretty rocks for souvenirs, then climbed back to the valley following the sound of goats.

Eager to sample the local seafood, we stopped at a small eatery opened by a fisherman almost two years ago, after he saw more and more tourists coming to the strait for sightseeing.

Treacherous terrain: Visitors climb on egg-shaped rocks, but swimming is not advised. — VNS Photos Phuoc Buu

He led us to the pond where he kept lobsters and sea snails. I have never seen such creatures, even on TV nature programmes. The lobsters looked fierce and lived inside hard, red shells. The snails were cone-shaped.

We ordered half of a kilo of fried lobster, some boiled snails, a big bowl of fish congee and two cans of local beer. All that cost only VND500,000 (US$24).

After lunch, we walked around to observe the daily life of people in the nearby fishing village.

The restaurant owner said he planned to build a guesthouse for visitors and offer sunset fishing tours, which would give them the chance to take a fishing trip with locals and get an unforgettable view, from the sea to the beautiful strait. — VNS