2 whales spotted hunting off central Vietnam waters

The pair created a dramatic scene as they repeatedly jumped out of water while feeding, offering visitors a vivid display of marine life in action.

Tran Thi My Ha, a local tour guide, captured the remarkable moment on video at around 9:45 am on Friday, while taking tourists on a sightseeing trip to the island.

“One whale was estimated to be about 10 meters long, while the other measured roughly 6-7 meters,” Ha recalled.

“The two whales kept surfacing and diving to catch fish. The speedboat driver first spotted them from the shore, so I asked him to speed up and bring the tourists closer so they could watch."

Tourists on board were thrilled by the encounter, with many recording videos and taking photographs.

One of the most striking moments occurred when a whale opened its mouth near the surface, allowing seabirds to swoop down and snatch fish before the whale suddenly closed its jaws, swallowed its prey, and disappeared beneath the water, sending sprays of white foam with a powerful flick of its tail.

Ha said whales have appeared in the waters around Cu Lao Mai Nha several times in recent years.

In July 2025, she also recorded footage of a mother whale and her calf hunting in the same area.

However, this latest sighting occurred much closer to shore.

According to the provincial Sub-department of Fisheries, Seas and Islands, whales often migrate in search of schools of fish, making the waters stretching from the former Binh Dinh to Phu Yen Provinces a common feeding ground during this time of year.

The sightings are a positive sign that the marine environment in the area remains healthy and rich in food sources.

The sub-department also advised residents and tourists to maintain a safe distance from whales and avoid approaching too closely, in order to protect the animals’ natural hunting behavior and ensure safety at sea.

Under the national merger strategy, which took effect on July 1 last year, Gia Lai and Binh Dinh Provinces were merged to form the new Gia Lai Province, while the new Dak Lak Province was formed by combining the old province with the former Phu Yen Province.