I. How To Get To Quy Nhon
Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) – Binh Dinh (Bình Định) located in the area of the South Central Coast of Vietnam (Việt Nam), about 1065km to the capital Hanoi (Hà Nội), approximately 649mkm to the south of Ho Chi Minh (Hồ Chí Minh) City. From these two big cities of the country, you can visit Quy Nhon by the following means:
1. Planes
From Hanoi and HCM City, Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar, Vietjet Air … are all exploiting flights to Phu Cat (Phù Cát) Airport, about 30km from Quy Nhon. There are 2 flights per day from Ho Chi Minh City and 1 flight from Hanoi, with ticket prices fluctuating around VND 470,000-2 million. Travel time is 60 minutes.
From Phu Cat Airport, to go to Quy Nhon, you can use the transit bus Phu Cat airport, which takes about 50 minutes of travel time, costs VND 50,000 per turn, or you can take a taxi of about VND 400,000 in terms of price.
2. Train
Every day, from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Quy Nhon – Binh Dinh, there are many trains of North – South running through Binh Dinh (Bình Định) province and stops at Dieu Tri (Diêu Trì) Station. So you can choose to move by train for the journey to the martial land of Binh Dinh. To know the schedule, you can contact the ticket office where you are staying in order to know the exact time of departing and arriving.
In HCM City, it takes about 10 hours to you go to Dieu Tri, from Dieu Tri, you take a taxis to go to Quy Nhon (about 30 minutes).
Read more: 15 best things to do in Vietnam
3. Coach
A number of high-quality car companies running the route of Hanoi – Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh and Ho Chi Minh City – Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh are:
– Phuong Trang car company:
+ In Ho Chi Minh City, go directly to: 272 De Tham ( Đề Thám) Street, District 1. Contact Phone: (+848) 38375570.
+ In Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn): 15 Tay Son (Tây Sơn) street, Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh. Contact phone: (+8456) 538 3946.
– Mai Linh car company:
+ In Hanoi (Hà Nội): 55 Kim Dong (Kim Đồng) Street, Giap Bac (Giáp Bắc) ward, Hoang Mai (Hoàng Mai) District. Phone: (+844) 36 33 66 99.
+ In Ho Chi Minh (Hồ Chí Minh) City: contact phone (+848) 39 29 29 29. Hotline: +84985 29 29 29.
+ In Quy Nhon: Buy tickets directly at the Quy Nhon bus station. Phone: (+8456) 099 3946.
– Hoang Long (Hoàng Long) car company:
+ In Hanoi: 505 Minh Khai street, phone (+844) 3987.5410; 28 Tran Nhat Duat (Trần Nhật Duật) Street, phone (+844) 39.28.28.28; Luong Yen (Lương Yên) Bus Station – 1 Nguyen Khoai (Nguyễn Khoái), phone (+844) 3987.7225 and Giap Bat (Giáp Bát) 873, phone (+844) 3664.6617.
+ In Quy Nhon: No.60 Xishan – Quy Nhon. Phone: (+8456) 946 111.
+ In Saigon: Buy tickets at the Mien Dong bus station. Phone: (+848) 35113113. Or contact the office at 47 Pham Ngu Lao (Phạm Ngũ Lão) Street, District 1. Tel: (+848) 39151818.
– Hoang Dung (Hoàng Dũng) car company:
+ In Quy Nhon: No. 71 Tay Son (Tây Sơn) Street, Quy Nhon.
+ In Ho Chi Minh (Hồ Chí Minh) city: Mien Dong (Miền Đông) Bus Station, ticket counter No. 77, 292 Dinh Bo Linh (Đinh Bộ Lĩnh) Street, Ward 26, Binh Thanh (Bình Thạnh) District, Ho Chi Minh (Hồ Chí Minh) City
Phone: +84934.883.939 – +84988.201.152
In particular, Hoang Dung company has shuttle buses transporting tourists from Quy Nhon bus station to other points in the city.
II. Transportation In Quy Nhon
To move between tourist attractions in Quy Nhon city, you can travel by bus or rent a motorbike.
Like other cities, visiting Quy Nhon, you can rent motorcycles to visit with the prices of VND 100,000 -120,000 / day. To rent the bike, you have to put your ID card and deposit approximately VND 500,000.
You can refer to the famous motorcycle rental point in Quy Nhon which is Cuong Thinh (Cường Thịnh) car rental shop at 103 Chuong Duong (Chương Dương), Quy Nhon (Tel: +84978665826).
III. Where To Stay When Traveling To Quy Nhon
The hostels, 2-star hotels in Quy Nhon city have the cost ranging from VND 200,000 to 500,000 for a double room. If you want to stay close to the sea, find hotels, resorts located on the late of Nguyen Hue (Nguyễn Huệ) street. There, the double rooms cost from VND 800,000 to about 1 million. However, if you want a quiet and more comfortable hotel, you look at hotels near Tay Son (Tây Sơn), An Duong Vuong (An Dương Vương), Han Mac Tu (Hàn Mặc Tử) street.
You can refer to a number of hotels in Quy Nhon below:
- Sunflower Hotel
- Seagull Hotel
- Royal Hotel & Healthcare Resort
- Avani Resort
- Saigon Hotel
IV. Must-Visit Attractive Destinations In Quy Nhon
1. “Crescent Moon” Beach In Quy Nhon
Located right next to the city center, this is the main beach of Quy Nhon, bending under crescent moon shape, with gentle golden sands, stretching 5 km from Tan (Tấn) Cape to Ghenh Rang (Ghềnh Ráng), Quy Nhon City.
2. Eo Gio (Eo Gió)
Located in Nhon Ly (Nhơn Lý) commune, about 20 km from Quy Nhon city, Eo Gio is a new tourist destination that tourists when traveling to this central coastal city all want to visit. Eo Gio its name originates from the geographic shape of this area. Standing on the ledge around and looking down, you will see a small strait shielded by mountains which looks like an embrace hugging beautiful beaches.
3. Ky Co (Kỳ Co)
Located approximately 25km away from Quy Nhon City, Ky Co beach belongs to Nhon Ly (Nhơn Lý) coastal commune, has a wild beauty that few people know about. This is considered the “top heaven” of Nhon Ly as Ky Co beach is stricken with the area of more than 1km² with shallow, calm shore. This beach is a great coordination between the blue sea, spectacular mountain reefs and pristine golden sand.
Ky Co is located in Xuong Ly (Xương Lý), at the eastern side of Trieu Chau (Triều Châu) Mountains. Due to one side landlocked, three remaining sides are mountainous so there are just two ways to get there.
From Xuong Ly village (or Hung Luong (Hưng Lương)), going by boat or canoe only takes about 20-30 minutes, you will experience the feeling of floating on the waves. If using road travel, the starting point is Suoi Ca (Suối Cả) Bridge, go along the Trieu Chau ridge to the south.
4. Hon Kho (Hòn Khô)
Located about 16 km from Quy Nhon, Hon Kho is like as a giant curtain shield for Nhon Hai (Nhơn Hải) fishing village. During rough sea season, Hon Kho receives big white foaming lookingfrom afar like the virtual ocean flowers. During the quiet sea season, Hon Kho charmingly welcomes tourists with the velvety green grass and fresh water creek cracked from the cliff.
5. Cu Lao Xanh (Cù Lao Xanh)
Cu Lao Xanh, aka Nhon Chau (Nhơn Châu) coastal commune, is a priceless gift that nature bestowed on people in this martial land, just over 20 km away from Quy Nhon. Tourist will be immersed in an endless space of blue sky, sea and islands. At dusk, visitors will admire the picturesque scene with hovering floating on the sea, explore the simple life of people in fishing villages here.
To go to Cu Lao Xanh, you go to Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) port, find Nhon Chau boat. There is two turns departing at 7:30 am and 12:30 pm every day. The fares are VND 20,000 per person.
Read more: Vietnam adventure holidays
6. Trung Luong Picnic Resort
About 30km away from Quy Nhon City, located to the east of the Road 639, belonged to Trung Luong (Trung Lương) village, Cat Tien (Cát Tiến) commune, Phu Cat (Phù Cát) district, Trung Luong (Trung Lương) picnic resort has put into operation in early 2016 and will certainly make your journey of discovering Binh Dinh (Bình Định) more attractive and interesting. Since this is still a pristine and quiet land, so the tourism form of camping would be extremely a wise choice, helping you feel all the most beautiful things here.
7. Han Mac Tu Poet Garden (Vườn Thơ Hàn Mặc Tử)
Starting from the steep sloping rock, aka Mong Cam (Mộng Cầm) sloping rock, in Ghenh Rang (Ghềnh Ráng) resort, you walk along the winding rocky road and watch the romantic natural scenery here. Halfway up of the slope, when visiting the tomb of Han Mac Tu, you will see the poem written on large boulders, with green space and airy pine forest campus.
8. Twin Tower (Tháp Đôi)
Twin Tower is located right on Tran Hung Dao (Trần Hưng Đạo) Street, Dong Da (Đống Đa) Ward, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City. The tower was built in the late 20th century, with Champa architecture, consisting of two towers, of which the tower in the north is 20 meters in height and the tower in the south is 18m in height. Through many events of the time, the tower has been seriously destroyed and damaged. By 2008, the tower was invested, renovated in accordance with the original shape and architecture. Today, the tower is one of attractive tourist destinations in the Binh Dinh province.
9. Ghenh Rang (Ghềnh Ráng)
Healthy climate and charming scenery here made King Bao Dai (Bảo Đại) select it as a resting place since 1927. Beneath Ghenh Rang, there is a unique beach with countless pebble polished by waves. This beach was dedicated to Nam Phuong (Nam Phương) Queen so it was also called as Queen beach. From the hillside, you can entirely view the East of Quy Nhon city, looking as a wearing picture.
10. Hon Seo (Hòn Sẹo)
Hon Seo is a small island located in the southeast of Nhon Ly commune, about 5km from the mainland. If you go by boat or canoe, it will take about 20 -30 minutes. Here, the beaches are rounded pebbles (no sands) which are made up from cliffs eroded, the coral reefs are below which are suitable for exploring the seabed, catching snails, abalone… or fishing.
In Hon Seo, there are caves created by cliffs. Nonetheless, the mooring of boats here are rather troubled because of the coral reefs and deep water, and moving from boat to shore is rather hard.
11. Thi Nai Bridge (Cầu Thị Nại)
This is the longest cross-sea bridge in Vietnam, belongs to Nhon Hoi (Nhơn Hội) road system, nearly 7km in length connecting Quy Nhon city with Phuong Mai (Phương Mai) peninsula. This magnificent establishment was built in 4 years, and completed in 2006. The main bridge crosses Thi Nai lagoon, 5 other small bridges cross over Ha Thanh (Hà Thanh) River. Thi Nai (Thị Nại) Lagoon is also a tourist destination with peaceful landscape.
12. Phuong Mai Sandhill (Đồi Cát Phương Mai)
About 20km away from Quy Nhon city, located right aside Nhon Ly (Nhơn Lý) beach, Phuong Mai Sandhill belongs to Nhon Ly (Nhơn Lý) commune, and is considered interesting tourist attraction in the development stage which are little known by people. The first feeling when setting foot on Phuong Mai peninsula is its pristine, wild beauty. Walking on the sand hill with an elevation of 100m above the sea level, tourists can have a panoramic view the nature here. At this height, tourist can easily watch the so-long sand stretching kilometers, green pine trees. The wind blowing from the cool sea creates a real sense of comfort.
V. Foods Not To Be Missed When Traveling Quy Nhon
1. Banh Canh Cha Ca (Bánh Canh Chả Cá)
Banh canh cha ca, also known as rice spaghetti, is a relatively famous specialty in Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) and sold in many streets. The uniqueness of this dish is the way of making, including the ingredients and the soup. Cha ca is processed entirely from fresh fish with many spices. The fibers are made from rice flour mixed with wheat flour, which when being cooked well are tough and have strange color. The broth is majorly cooked from fish bones, fish head creating sweetness, leaving unforgettable feeling for consumers.
2. Banh Xeo Tom Nhay (Bánh Xèo Tôm Nhảy)
This is a popular dish in Quy Nhon which is loved by many people. Made from rice flour blended with a little turmeric powder and coconut milk, the dish’s stuffing is made from small shrimp. The plate of banh xeo (bánh xèo) served has golden color of turmeric, red of shrimp and the green of veggies, all of which are blended to create a beautiful dish.
3. Banh Hoi Chao Long (Bánh Hỏi Cháo Lòng)
This is the specialty of Binh Dinh (Bình Định) province. Going to Quy Nhon, tourists will see a lot of signs of chao long (cháo lòng), banh hoi (Bánh hỏi). Actually, banh hoi and chao long are two different dishes but local people combine them together to create an interesting dish. Banh hoi is a special version of bun tuoi (bún tươi). The soup is cooked rather watery and made from the juice of pig bones and hearts. The soup is both sweet and fragrant, served with a plate of pig hearts which are processed skillfully, making this dish unusually tasty.
4. Nem Nuong, Nem Cuon (Nem Nướng, Nem Cuốn)
Nem from the market of the district is delicious due to its processing method, but the main factor here is the meat processed from pigs raised carefully. Nem could be eaten with trimmings, rolled with rice paper, or you can eat Nem only to enjoy its unique flavor. Nem could be eaten with the fish sauce or soy sauce (depending on the taste of each person). However, the most favorite sauce is still the sauce diluted with crushed peanuts plus with garlic, sugar and chili, making it bold and constant.
5. Jellyfish Salad (Gỏi Sứa)
Jellyfish salad is a favorite dish in Binh Dinh (Bình Định) of many tourists. This dish is made from squeezed jellyfish mixed together spices, nuts, green banana, thinly sliced bitter gourd, green mango, and some herbs like laksa leaves and basil.
Jellyfish Salad ears and jellyfish salad is a dish leg many visitors prefer to Binh Dinh. Jellyfish salad made from jellyfish ear ear squeeze then mixed together Profile spices, nuts, green banana, thinly sliced bitter gourd, green mango fibroblasts and herbs such as laksa leaves, basil. To make more elaborate salad because jellyfish legs to mix with chicken or pork with peppers, thinly sliced, chopped mango, roasted peanuts and some other herbs. This dish would taste better if it is dotted with shrimp sauce.
6. Banh Beo Chen (Bánh Bèo Chén)
Banh beo chen is made from rice flour, molded by the small cups. Each one has a diameter of about 2 knuckles. The middle of the dish, there is a big hole which hollows down as a dimple. Each plate of banh beo (bánh bèo) presents about 10 small pieces, which are fragrant, white, chewy and not friable. The processers will sprinkle crushed peanuts, scallions and salted shredded shrimp on top, followed by fish sauce and a few deep fried bread crumbs.
7. Eel Salad (Gỏi Cá Chình)
Being a province having many swamps and ponds, Binh Dinh has a favorable habitat for many species of fish, including eels. Eel could be processed into many different dishes, but locals and tourists all love eel salad. This dish is processed very carefully, from the step of selecting fresh fish to seasoning spices for the best. Eel salad is served with baked rolls and fish sauce added crushed ginger.
VI. Addresses Of Some Good Restaurants In Quy Nhon
– There are many seafood eateries along Xuan Dieu (Xuân Diệu) Street, you can choose the one you like.
– Fish noodles at 35s Tran Cao Van (Trần Cao Vân) Street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
– Kim Dinh (Kim Đình) Fruit juice: 20 Nguyen Hue (Nguyễn Huệ) Street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
– Lagu Bread: 64 Lane, Nguyen Hue (Nguyễn Huệ) Street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
– Banh Hoi Long Heo (Bánh Hỏi Lòng Heo):
+ Man (Mẫn) eatery, no. 76A Tran Phu (Trần Phú) street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
+ Co Nam (Cô Năm) eatery, no. 41 Nguyen Chanh (Nguyễn Chánh) Street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
+ Chao long at Hong Linh (Hồng Linh) hotel: no. 242 Lac Long Quan (Lạc Long Quân) street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
+ Near Dieu Tri (Diêu Trì) station, there are two eateries serving great “banh hoi long heo” dish
- Ngoc Lien fish vermicelli: no. 379 A-B Nguyen Hue (Nguyễn Huệ) street, Quy Nhon city (near the General Hospital of Binh Dinh (Bình Định))
- Phuong Teo (Phượng Tèo) fish vermicelli:
+ No. 211 Nguyen Hue (Nguyễn Huệ) Street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
+ No.415 Nguyen Hue (Nguyễn Huệ) Street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
– Stores that sell specialties of Binh Dinh:
+ 61 Vu Bao (Vũ Bảo) street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
+ 91 Nguyen Hue (Nguyễn Huệ) Street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
+ 138 -140 Chuong Duong (Chương Dương) street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
+ 110 Hoang Van Thu (Hoàng Văn Thụ) Street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
– Ngoc Nga (Ngọc Nga) cream shop: 319 – 323B – 325 Le Hong Phong (Lê Hồng Phong) Street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City. (right Quang Trung roundabout).
– Anh Nhat Gia Vien (Anh Nhật Gia Viên) Restaurant: no.1087 Tran Hung Dao (Trần Hưng Đạo) street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
– Co Nam (Cô Năm) pancake shop: the early part of My Cang (Mỹ Cang) Bridge, Phuoc Son (Phước Sơn) Commune, Tuy Phuoc (Tuy Phước) district, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
– Banh Beo Cay Man (Bánh Bèo Cây Mận): This restaurant is a bit small which has been existed for a long time and located on Tran Hung Dao (Trần Hưng Đạo) Street, Dong Da (Đống Đa) Ward, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
– Spring rolls:
+ Loi (Lợi) baked spring rolls, 113 Tang Bat Ho (Tăng Bạt Hổ) street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
+ Ba Tam (Bà Tám) eatery, 444 Nguyen Thai Hoc (Nguyễn Thái Học) Street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
– “Backyard” chickens:
+ “Backyard” chicken restaurant located along Quy Nhon – Song Cau (Quy Nhơn – Sông Cầu) street.
+Sau Cao (Sáu Cao) backyard chicken restaurant: Ghenh Rang (Ghềnh Ráng) Ward, located at the early part of Ha Thanh (Hà Thanh) bridge 1, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) City.
– Vegetarian foods:
+ Minh Hoa (Minh Hoà) eatery: 115 Nguyen Du (Nguyễn Du) Street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn), Binh Dinh (Bình Định).
+ Thanh Minh eatery: 151 Phan Boi Chau (Phan Bội Châu) street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) city, Binh Dinh (Bình Định) province.
+ Tinh Tam (Tịnh Tâm): No.149 Tran Cao Van (Trần Cao Vân) street, Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) city, Binh Dinh (Bình Định) province.
– Goat Meat: Hai Thai (Hai Thái) Restaurant no.351 Tran Hung Dao (Trần Hưng Đạo) street, , Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn) city, Binh Dinh (Bình Định) province.
– Che Nho (Chè Nhớ) eatery: Located at Ngo May (Ngô Mây) street(specializing in many type of “chè”).
– Toasted bread: near Le Quy Don (Lê Quý Đôn) High school, near the right fork of Tran Hung Dao (Trần Hưng Đạo) and Co Loa (Cổ Loa). This dish is sold in street-side eateries.
– Xôi Thơm: 155/8 Nguyen Thai Hoc (Nguyễn Thái Học) street.
VII. What To Buy When Traveling From Quy Nhon
1. Coconut Water Rice Paper (Bánh Tráng Nước Dừa)
This is a specialty loved and bought as a girt by many tourists when traveling from Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn). Particularly, this dish is consumed privately without eating with the other dishes like the normal sesame rice paper.
2. Tre (Tré)
Tre (Tré) in Binh Dinh (Bình Định) province is shaped like tiny “broomsticks”. This is one of the favorite dishes of local people when drinking “bau da (bầu đá)” wine. The ingredients to make this dish are ear meat, bacon, and head meat, along with sesame, galangal, chili, young guava leaves and garlic. When you enjoy, you just peel off the outer layer to eat. This dish is often rolled with rice paper and some types of vegetables and fish sauce.
3. Muc ngao toi ot (Mực Ngào Tỏi Ớt) (Squid And Chili, Garlic)
It is not hard to find “mực ngào tỏi ớt” because they are sold in most seaside restaurants or in the city. To make this dish, squids will dried out and baked before being laced with spices like fried peppers, garlic, malt… in order to make them well absorbed. The dish has spicy, salty and sweet flavors which are soaked with the flavor of Quy Nhon beach. It is suitable for being used as a gift when tourists come back home.
4. Banh It La Gai (Bánh Ít Lá Gai)
This dish is simple, rustic and gentle as local people are, but its great taste always attracts tourists. Banh It La Gai, with its supple and aromatic features, is often used in special days, holidays such as weddings, reflecting the ingenuity of women. Made from glutinous flour with sugar and hemp leaves, the dumping of the dish are from chickpeas or coconut.
