If I want to avoid as many Hanoi faces as possible, I either go to Quy Nhon and Tuy Hoa for an affordable escape. This part of Vietnam is not too popular yet among expats, but most likely it is going to replace Da Nang and Hoi An for a low-key weekend getaway for many Hanoi expats. This Quy Nhon Vietnam travel guide explores all the best things to do in Quy Nhon.

Quick Quy Nhon Travel Guide

Best accommodation in the city center: L’amor Boutique Hotel and LE MINT HOTEL QUY NHON
Best accommodation near the city beach: Hoang Yen Hotel Quy Nhon (beachfront) and
Seagull Hotel (beachfront)
Best accommodation in Bai Xep Beach: Avani Quy Nhon Resort (Beachfront)
Anantara Quy Nhon Villas (Beachfront)

Recommended tours:

Quy Nhon Day Tour to Explore Ky Co – Eo Gio – Hon Kho Island
Phu Yen Day Tour From Quy Nhon: Mang Lang Church, Ghenh Da Dia, O Loan Lagoon
Hon Kho Island Snorkeling Day Tour From Quy Nhon with Vietnamese Speaking Guide
Tay Son Dynasty – Quy Nhon Day Tour: Quang Trung Museum, Ham Ho Eco-tourism, Thien Hung Pagoda
Quy Nhon City Day Tour: Discover The Peaceful Coastal City with Vietnamese Speaking Guide
Quy Nhon Champa Culture Excursion Half-Day Private Tour
Binh Dinh Traditional Craft Villages Day Tour (From Quy Nhon) with Vietnamese Speaking Guide

FEB 2020­––Our taxi driver from the airport has a customized playlist for his foreign passengers. “Let it Go” made it to the cut. Me singing along would make him think he was doing the right thing, A joked. It is okay, I want to give a bit of validation. The view from the taxi window was of pastoral beauty at first: a swath of young rice fields, earnestly green and thriving, their leaves facing the sky. These were punctuated with fields of young eucalyptus trees, its bluish elongated leaves already distinguishable from the plane window. 

“I wonder why they have so many eucalyptus trees,” I asked A, who is none the wiser than me, but who admits that my portfolio on trees is better than his. I grew up in the farm, you see. And somehow it was ingrained in me the smell, the texture, the leave shapes of all local trees growing around us. No, I did not grow up with eucalyptus trees. But a month in East Coast, Australia was enough to know how they look from afar. 

Binh Dinh, where Quy Nhon city belongs, is suitable for industrial crops such as cacao, eucalyptus, and cashew, according to a government site. The province, just like most parts of Vietnam, has agriculture as the foundation of its economy. 70% in case of Binh Dinh province. 

But you know the province is up for something––this becomes apparent as we neared to the city. Trees, mostly too-California-ish palms, are planted in huge manicured gardens. The baywalk is one of the biggest I have seen in Vietnam. Cranes stand on the top of building skeletons. This is a story of a city that wants to change its economic narrative: tourism.

“This feels like Danang underway,” I said to A on one of our strolls on the city beach. 

“No, more like Nha Trang.” Quy Nhon––south of Danang, north of Nha Trang––does not have the foreign tourist volume its neighbors have. Not yet. 

Give it two-three years, and Quy Nhon can rival against the two.

Is Quy Nhon Worth Visiting?

Well, that depends. Do you enjoy stunning beaches, delicious seafood, and charming local culture? If not, then perhaps you should skip Quy Nhon and go somewhere else. But if you do like those things, then Quy Nhon is definitely worth visiting!

Where to Stay in Quy Nhon?

In the City

Foodies, we decided to stay in the city instead of staying in one of the beaches outside the city. The center has more options when it comes to food. City as it is, Quy Nhon has a lot of dishes compared to the beaches located in the outskirt. We reckoned that we can simply go on road trips when we want to and lounge there all day long, which we did the entire time. It is way practical and strategic to stay in the city since Quy Nhon does not have only beaches and seafood, it also has an established food culture tucked away in small streets. Let me not start with century-old temples, standing vulnerable and proud on hills. 

We also love walking around and people-watch, which can be limiting when you stay in a small beach village where tiny alleys are not properly lit. With these in mind, we decided to stay in the city. 

The Best 10 Hotels to Stay in the City

Rule of thumb when it comes to traveling. Agoda has cheaper rates than Booking.com when it comes to accommodation around Asia, especially Southeast Asia.

L’amor Boutique Hotel (Highly recommended)
LE MINT HOTEL QUY NHON (Highly recommended)
HAI AU BIEN CUONG
Osix Resort
DEZON HOTEL
LIBERTY LOVELY HOME
Mini Garden Villa Quy Nhon with 4 bedrooms  (For 4-8 people)
Căn hộ altara đáng yêu – 2 phòng ngủ (Private apartment)
FLC SEA TOWER – JENNY PHAM

The City Beach

The city beach is somewhat trashed, but it is a great place to lounge and have a drink. There are two Surf Bar on the beach itself that serves cocktails, tea, beer, and coffee.  The beach tends to be crowded when the sun is down (the Vietnamese don’t really want their skin to be exposed to the sun). This is the best time to people-watch, I gotta say. If you’re traveling with a special someone, walking barefoot and hand-in-hand at night might be your thing. 

Another place to check out for a romantic dinner or some cocktails by sunset is Bốn Mùa – Four Seasons Quy Nhơn

BAI XEP for me is the best place to chill and have your saltwater fix. Go to KY CO BEACH for the heck of it. QUEEN’S BEACH, the nearest beach from the city, is also worth checking out.

Most parts of the city beach is next to Xuan Dieu Road, so there are only two beachfront resorts, and the rest of the list are practically across the road. But these are some of the best hotels and resorts in Quy Nhon to stay.

The Top 8 Hotels and Resorts on or near the City Beach, Quy Nhon

Hoang Yen Hotel Quy Nhon (beachfront)
Seagull Hotel (beachfront)
FLC City Hotel Beach Quy Nhon
ANYA HOTEL QUY NHƠN
Fleur De Lys Hotel Quy Nhon
Mường Thanh Quy Nhon Hotel
Hoang Yen Canary Hotel
ANYA PREMIER HOTEL QUY NHON

Bai Xep Beach

Thirty minutes away from the city, Bai Xep appealed to the romantic island girl in me.  Small village town right in front of the beach. Balconies overlooking an islet. A shore dotted with fishing boats and Thuyen Thung––the round basket boats unique in Central and South Vietnam. I fought for it. I wanted to stay there. The city boy and his impeccable and patient logic won. And after our day trip there, I had to admit he made the right decision.

Bai Xep is great for a beach life. But being stationed there, the rest of Quy Nhon and Binh Dinh is obscured and hidden, which the greedy traveler in me is not really comfortable with. But if you want to be away from everything, just you and the beach and a drink or two in hand, and you’re okay with limited food choices, this is the spot. Sun bathe, gorge on seafood, and swim all day you want.

Best Places to Stay in Bai Xep Beach, Quy Nhon

Avani Quy Nhon Resort (Beachfront)
Anantara Quy Nhon Villas (Beachfront)
Bãi Xêp Resort Quy Nhơn (Beachfront)
Haven Vietnam (Beachfront)
Casa Marina Resort

Expats love hanging out at Life’s a Beach, a beachfront low-key hostel with a restaurant. You can simply order snacks or a drink, say every two hours, and you can lounge there all day long. If you fancy a posher and more expensive meal, right across the tiny alley is Big Tree Bistro. 

Trung Luong Beach

Nestled on the journey to Ky Co Beach in Quy Nhon, Trung Luong Beach unfolds as a hidden gem, surpassing the city beach in beauty and cleanliness. This pristine stretch, framed by the azure waters of the East Sea, is adorned with luxurious resorts, offering a tranquil escape. The soft golden sands invite leisurely strolls, while the clear waters beckon for a refreshing dip. Trung Luong captivates with its unspoiled charm, providing an idyllic setting for those seeking a serene coastal retreat away from the bustling city, making it a must-visit destination for a peaceful seaside escape in Vietnam.

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The Top Luxury Resorts in Trung Luong Beach

Crown Retreat Quy Nhon
Maia Resort Quy Nhon
FLC Luxury Resort

Ky Co Beach

Almost an hour away from the city, Ky Co Beach has a honeymooners feel. It is okay for a day trip or if you are in the honeymoon stage of your relationship and oblivious of the outside world, and you just need a secluded beach, then this place might be for you.

As for me, the 140K day fee, if you ask me, is not worth it (Maybe this has changed alreadt.). On top of that, you have to pay 300K if you use any of the beachfront cottages. The ride to Ky Co Beach from the entrance (where you bid your 140KVND goodbye) is quite steep but really fun. I personally think the cliché “it is the journey, not the destination” that echoes here. Especially with the dying daylight, the view from the top of the mountain was simply beautiful and captivating. As for the beach’s character, Bai Xep feels more charming.  

The only place to stay on Ky Co Beach

KyCo Peninsula Quy Nhon Resort

Some Other Things to Do in Quy Nhon, Vietnam

Go Beaching

In Quy Nhon, the art of “Go Beaching” transcends ordinary leisure. With its pristine coastal wonders, the city boasts an array of stunning beaches like Bai Xep, Ky Co, Trung Luong Beach, and Queen’s Beach. Each shoreline is a canvas of tranquility, inviting travelers to unwind on Bai Xep’s quiet sands, revel in the crystal-clear waters of Ky Co, explore the hidden beauty of Trung Luong Beach, and bask in the royal ambiance of Queen’s Beach. This coastal odyssey promises not just sun and surf but a kaleidoscope of experiences, making “Go Beaching” an essential chapter in Quy Nhon’s travel narrative.

PERSONAL CHOICE: Bai Xep

Bai Xep Beach in Quy Nhon is a coastal haven, celebrated for its perfect location and laid-back ambiance, adorned with multiple beachfront restaurants serving the freshest seafood. This beautiful small beach features calm waves and clear water, providing an idyllic setting for a tranquil escape. Overnight stays at the relaxed homestays enhance the experience. For water enthusiasts, smooth waves and paddleboard rentals await, offering a playful seaside adventure. While caution is advised for rocky areas in the sea, afternoons bring forth vibrant seafood offerings at reasonable prices. A shared hope echoes for improved beach cleanup efforts by local establishments, ensuring the pristine charm of Bai Xep endures.

Tượng Phật Chùa Ông Núi Temple 

Tượng Phật Chùa Ông Núi Temple involves a lot of stairs. And walking to the top of the temple where a massive white and relaxed Buddha awaits feels like a penitence. Don’t forget to bring some water and an umbrella. The walk to the top can be excruciating. Binh Dinh province preserves some of the temples from Cham dynasty. You can see them vulnerable and proud on top of the hills. Banh It tower, for one, is one of the oldest temples preserved in Vietnam. So rent a scooter or a semi-manual and hunt down old temples in the province. It is worth it.

Check Out Eo Gio

Eo Gio, a coastal marvel in Quy Nhon, unfolds as a picturesque escape, blending sunshine, wind, and rocky mountains. As you traverse the area, the breathtaking view is a testament to its natural beauty. However, the site’s popularity brings challenges, with crowded moments affecting the serenity. Wind enthusiasts will relish the super windy ambiance, a fitting tribute to its name, “Eo Gio.” While free currently, its future entrance fee remains uncertain. Despite occasional litter issues, a walk down the stairs reveals a small rock pool, adorned with a folk surely engraved on marble, adding a cultural touch to this coastal gem.

Gorge on Seafood

Quy Nhon, nestled along the coast, emerges as a haven for seafood enthusiasts and culinary explorers. Immersed in central Vietnam’s delectable gastronomic scene, the city beckons with a myriad of culinary delights, with seafood taking center stage. A visit to Quy Nhon is a gastronomic journey, enticing travelers to indulge in the freshest catches from the sea. The city’s vibrant food scene becomes the main attraction, offering a tantalizing array of flavors and dishes unique to the region. From bustling markets to charming local eateries, Quy Nhon invites you to savor the essence of coastal Vietnam through its mouthwatering culinary offerings.

Where to Eat in Quy Nhon

The main reason to stay in the city is to explore the food scene. 

Xuan Dieu Street

Xuan Dieu Street, the street facing the city beach, is populated with seafood restaurants. Oysters is 13K VND per piece; seashells steamed in lemongrass and chilli is so appetizing in any day. Crab and fish are relatively cheaper and fresher than the ones in Hanoi. This is a favorite spot for many Vietnamese travelers and locals alike.

Ngọc Hân Công Chúa Street

If you want to rough it up, head to the nearby Ngọc Hân Công Chúa Street: the entire street is teemed with affordable precooked food. A word of caution: be cautious of eating precooked seafood dishes especially if they are displayed in humungous pots. Some might be days-old, and those with sensitive stomach might be vulnerable to food poisoning.  For other delicacies such as Banh Xeo Tom Nhay (a delicious pancake made with rice flour, turmeric powder and prawns, topped with onions, bean sprouts and spring onion) and banh canh (tapioca noodle soup with fish cake), 11-35 Phan Bội Châu Street really excited the foodie in me. So many street food to choose from. The sidewalk is filled up with eager locals, enjoying their eat of the night. 

How to Get to Quy Nhon?

BY PLANE

Vietnam Airline, Vietjet, Bamboo Airways, and Jetstart offer direct flights to Quy Nhon from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. This is the fastest and most convenient way of traveling to Quy Nhon from the two main cities in Vietnam. If you’re lucky, you can get a round-trip ticket for $20. But it has changed for sure.

BY TRAIN

Sandwiched between Da Nang and Nha Trang, two internationally recognized travel destinations in Vietnam, Quy Nhon is a relatively new destination that you can explore by train. That is, if you got the time for a train ride. Head to Da Nang or Nha Trang Train station and check the train schedules.

BY BUS

It is also possible to Quy Nhon on a bus from neighboring cities such as Da Lat, Da Nang, and Nha Trang. Please inquire in your hostel or hotel for the schedule. What I usually do in cases like this is to go to the bus station and inquire about the bus schedule.

How to Get to the City from the Airport of Quy Nhon 

Phu Cat Airport, the airport nearest to Quy Nhon City, is 30km away from the city center. 

BY BUS

There is a  shuttle bus outside the airport that ferries passengers to the city and vice versa. It is the most affordable way of going to the city from the airport. 

Downside: Passengers will only be dropped off at 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Quy Nhon, about 1.5km away from the city beach, where most hotels are. 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh on Google Maps looks like it is by the street, but it is tucked behind Café Star or across Highlands Coffee. On your way back to the airport, make sure you’re at 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh 2 1/2-3 hours before your flight.
Price: 50000VND 

BY TAXI

Depending on your haggling skills, some drivers balloon it up to 400K-500K VND. We managed to get one for 300K. It is the most convenient and comfortable, admittedly.

Downside: Expensive. But it is better if you ask other passengers to share the taxi with you to split the cost. You can call taxi operators such as Mai Linh Binh Dinh: 056. 3838 3838 Sun Taxi Binh Dinh: 056 3 68 68 68. I highly recommend Mai Linh. 
Price: 300K-500K VND 

BY GRAB

Download Grab, one of the versions of Uber in Southeast Asia, and book a private ride. Gotta admit it is more expensive than the local taxi. But who knows, algorithm might be on your side. We checked the Grab price first before we took a local taxi. 
Price: 400K-500KVND

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