Around 10h on 6/10, Pham Hiep and Huynh Ka, while fishing near Hon Tranh, Phu Quy special administrative zone, discovered a large pod of dolphins swimming close to their boat. The pod spanned an area of about one to two kilometers, estimated to contain nearly 1,000 individuals.
"In 30 years of fishing around Phu Quy, I have never seen such a large pod of dolphins", Hiep said, adding that this pod was two to three times larger than those usually seen around the island.
Local residents indicate that dolphins are not uncommon in Phu Quy waters. Around April, some fishermen encountered pods estimated at 300-400 individuals. Dolphins typically appear from March to June when the sea is calm, weather is favorable, and boats can venture offshore. From September, sightings become less frequent, making this pod of nearly 1,000 particularly noteworthy for seafarers.
On 7/10, the dolphin pod had migrated from the area where Hiep's group spotted them the day before. According to island fishermen, favorable marine environmental conditions and abundant food sources attract dolphins to Phu Quy waters for hunting.
Huynh Ka, a resident of Phu Quy island, recorded the dolphin pod on the morning of 6/10. *Source: Huynh Ka*
Concurrently with the dolphin sighting, Hiep's group also observed one to two blue whales in the same waters. Since March, Hiep has reported seeing blue whales around Phu Quy four times. The largest he encountered was over 10 meters long and estimated to weigh 5-7 tons.
Tourism in Phu Quy has grown this year. According to the Phu Quy special administrative zone People's Committee, as of 6/9, the island welcomed 165,860 visitors, an increase of 26,024 compared to the same period in 2025; this total included 4,862 international guests.
A representative from the Phu Quy special administrative zone People's Committee stated that the locality currently offers no dedicated tours or services for visitors to observe dolphins at sea. Recent sightings of dolphins and whales around the island have primarily been accidental encounters by local seafarers.
Mai Phuong
