Only a four-hour drive from Da Nang city, Quy Nhon has risen in popularity only recently. But do you know the best ways to experience this city? I do and I would like to share my tricks that will make you laugh out loud all day!
Have you ever heard about the one and only “martial-art land” in Vietnam? The word “martial-art land” was born in Binh Dinh because many popular martial arts of the country originated here. Quy Nhon city, the heart of Binh Dinh province, is fully packed with awesome activities that won’t let you down. These ten things to do in and near Quy Nhon will make it on your bucket list, so let’s check them out!
Contents
- Escape to The Beach
- Dive into Food Paradise
- Collecting Seafood & Camping with Your Gang on Ky Co Beach
- Hiking near Eo Gio Beach
- Walking The Underwater Road in Hon Kho Island
- Sitting in A Bar by The Beach
- Discover unique historical monuments & religious architecture
- Meet & greet local lifestyle
- Hon Nuoc Lighthouse
Escape to The Beach
During the summer, the weather gets so hot that it makes me want to jump in the water right away! If this sounds like you too, Hoang Hau beach is the place for you! Located in Ghenh Rang tourist resort, and only three kilometers from the center of Quy Nhon, this beautiful beach will kill the heat immediately and bring you an amazing experience. Imagine stepping foot on the unique round stones, or taking photos of the nearby egg-shaped rocks. Of course, visitors will also have a space to immerse in the blue sea while listening to the harmony of wind and sea waves.
More information:
- Location: 3 Han Mac Tu Street, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
- Opening time: 6 AM – 10 PM
- Price range: free entrance
Dive into Food Paradise
Good food means a good mood, that’s why we spend so much of our time seeking good food when we’re traveling. Quy Nhon has a variety of tasty foods, from refreshing soup dishes to crunchy, crispy, and spicy ones. Once you’re in Quy Nhon, remember NOT to miss out on these savory specialties:
Quy Nhon Fish Cake Noodle (Bun cha ca Quy Nhon)
Quy Nhon fish cake noodle is considered to be the most famous specialty in this beautiful coastal city. Its broth is made from fish bones and fish heads to create an authentically sweet, pleasant, and unforgettable taste. A local chili sauce that makes the dish even more remarkable should be savored in unison with the fish cakes. Simply stir the chili sauce in but be careful, it can get hot!
My suggestion: Thuan Hong fish noodle store
- Location: 415 Nguyen Hue Street, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
- Opening time: 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM
- Price range: 1 – 1.50 USD
Fiddler Crab Noodle (Bun ram)
Did you know that there’s a fun fact behind this food? In the past, if you wanted to enjoy this dish, you had to ride over 60 kilometers from Quy Nhon to Phu My, where the fiddler crabs mainly gather. This dish may taste different and unique, but once you get used to the natural sweetness of shrimp, fiddler crabs and herbs, believe me, you will slurp until the last drop of broth!
My suggestion: Thuy fiddler crab noodle store
- Location: 261 Tang Bat Ho street, Ly Thuong Kiet ward, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
- Opening time: 7 AM – 9 PM
- Price range: 0.75 – 1.25 USD
Pig’s Ear Seasoned with Galangal and Sesame (Tre)
This specialty attracts travelers not only by its heavenly scent but also by its broom-like shape. It is skillfully wrapped in guava leaves and then left to sit in banana leaves and straw for three or four days. Because of its combination of sour, sweet, and salty flavor, it ranks number one as an appetizer in Quy Nhon. This dish also goes well with another specialty in Quy Nhon, but people say “Save the best for the last,” so I’ll reveal it later!
My suggestion: Thuy Trinh food store
Location: 3D Tang Bat Ho, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
Bouncing Shrimp Pancake (Banh xeo tom nhay)
Are you thinking about this dish’s interesting name? You’d better try it soon because its taste is even more fascinating! Different from the southern ingredients that include pork and shrimp, Quy Nhon pancake is served with eight to nine red small shrimps only. The shrimp are what make this dish look extremely tempting and because of its freshness, the shrimp are described as “bouncing.”
My suggestion: Ong Hung pancake store
- Location: 24 Dien Hong street, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
- Opening time: 8 AM – 10 PM
- Price range: 1 – 2.50 USD
Pig Intestine with Soft & Thin Vermicelli (Banh hoi long heo)
I call this dish the best friend of breakfast because it’s convenient, popular, and it makes you full. The Quy Nhon locals always savor this dish with a bowl of hot porridge, garlic sauce, and sweet chili.
My suggestion: Hong Thanh food store
- Location: 22 Phan Boi Chau street, Le Loi Ward, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
- Opening time: 6 AM – 10 AM
- Price: approximately 1.25 USD
Seafood
Because it’s a coastal city, Quy Nhon never lacks seafood, such as shrimp, crab, squid, etc. However, before sitting down at a restaurant or street stall, you should ask for the price and negotiate carefully to avoid being ripped off. A good rule of thumb is that shrimp and crab tend to be pricey whereas certain kinds of fish, snails, and even ray can be quite inexpensive. The prices also fluctuate according to the day’s catch and season.
My suggestion: Hoang Thao Restaurant
- Location: near Eo Gio beach, Nhon Ly ward, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
- Opening time: 7 AM – 10 PM
- Price range: 2 – 8 USD
Collecting Seafood & Camping with Your Gang on Ky Co Beach
Are you traveling with a group of friends? If so, Ky Co beach, which is 25 kilometers away from the city, has tons of fun waiting for you! After submerging in the deep blue sea, you can take a dip near the cliffs to catch sea cucumbers, shells, snails… or whatever you want. At night, apart from cooking seafood, singing and dancing under the blue sky are some of my favorite things to do.
More information
Location: Nhon Ly ward, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
Hiking near Eo Gio Beach
To me, the most stunning hiking trail in Quy Nhon is hands down Eo Gio. The view from the top of the trail, reveals Eo Gio, a marvelous and colorful landscape picture. You can clearly observe the strong wind flowing, the sandy beach waving, the green meadows winking, and the grazing goats jogging.
More information
Location: Nhon Ly ward, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
Walking The Underwater Road in Hon Kho Island
Hon Kho is a new but attractive destination for visitors to explore. To get here from Quy Nhon, you need to find Nhon Hai fishing village first. Then you must rent a boat to get to the island. Once you arrive, it’s time to dive into the clear blue water and explore the beautiful coral reefs. When the tide is down, don’t hesitate to wander on the sandy road barefoot. However, the underwater road in Hon Kho is not always accessible because of high tide. So if you intend to conquer this road, you should ask the fishermen in advance.
Price: 10 – 15 USD (a group of 5 to 10) for a boat
Sitting in A Bar by The Beach
This bar is an ideal example of “love at first sight.” It has an ideal location where you can easily see, feel, and play with the sea anytime you want. I have more great news for you: This bar has various drinks with reasonable prices, so even if you’re not an alcohol fan, you can still enjoy it here! Wahoo!
My suggestion: Surf Bar
- Location: Xuan Dieu street, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province. No official address because it’s on the beach.
- Opening time: 6 AM – 11 PM
- Price range: 0.50 – 1.50 USD
Discover unique historical monuments & religious architecture
Thi Nai stronghold and an undersea wall
Thi Nai stronghold, which is located on the banks of Thi Nai lagoon, was a busy trading outpost of the Champa kingdom. According to archaeologists, it might have been built sometime between the 10th and the 15th century. At present, what remains is a 200-meter-long strip of bricks, on which is a piece of wall that is still quite intact.
You may not know this, but about 30 minutes driving from Thi Nai stronghold, in Nhon Hai beach, there is still a firm wall lying under the sea! To observe this one-of-a-kind attraction, you need to get here when the tide is down. The locals say it is hard to explain how the ancient people built the wall in a water environment. This wonder has not been found anywhere along the central strip (the land of the ancient Champa people) in Vietnam.
More information
Location: Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
Thi Nai stronghold:
Undersea Wall
Banh It Tower
Banh It is an ancient tower in Quy Nhon that was also built during the Champa period. The main tower is the largest and is located in the center of a hill. It is surrounded by three smaller towers. Once you step inside, you will feel transported in time back to the mysterious Champa kingdom. The reliefs of the main tower are carved in dancing postures and are extremely lively and uniquely beautiful. It’d be a great idea to spend your time wandering around this tower.
More information
Location: Dai Loc village, Phuoc Hiep Ward, Tuy Phuoc district, Binh Dinh province
Long Khanh Pagoda
Long Khanh is the over 300-year-old pagoda associated with many generations of Quy Nhon people. Positioned in the back of the pagoda is a 17-meter high statue of Sakya Muni Buddha standing on a lotus made of green stone.
More information
Location: 141 Tran Cao Van street, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
Meet & greet local lifestyle
Nhon Hai Fishing Village
Nhon Hai still maintains the beauty of a Quy Nhon traditional fishing village. With a small wooden boat, the local people can easily catch fresh fish and small crabs on the shore. Normally, they will drop the net from early morning to late afternoon, so you don’t have to worry about the quality of the seafood. Without any noise from traffic or the bustle of other marine tourism, it’s obviously a hidden gem.
More information
Location: Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
Dam Market
This is one of the main markets in Quy Nhon that provides fresh and delightful seafood. Don’t hesitate to bargain down the price.
More information
Location: 112 Hoang Hoa Tham street, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
Quy Nhon Night Market
After an active day with the wind and sunshine, let’s call it a day in Quy Nhon night market. Blended into the urban landscape, you can get anything from clothes to food at very affordable prices in this market.
More information
- Location: Le Duan street (from Quy Nhon house of culture to Sir Nguyen Sinh Sac statue), Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
- Opening time: 5 PM – 11 PM
Nguyen Nga Center
Nguyen Nga is NOT a normal craft center. All items, from silk scarves, bookmarks to hand-painted cards and clothing are beautifully made by people with disabilities and special needs. This center also has a small coffee shop at the front with classic decoration, where you can listen in silence to the hustle and bustle of life.
More information:
- Location: 884 Tran Hung Dao street, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province
- Opening time: 8 AM – 5 PM
Visit Bau Da Liquor Village
Bau Da is one of the best liquors in Vietnam. The special thing about Bau Da alcohol is the water. It comes from one village and you cannot find it anywhere else. Since this alcohol is cooked for six hours with a high concentration, it could be up to 50 percent once it’s done. As I told you before, Binh Dinh is a martial-art land, so it’s not strange that its alcohol also recalls the “martial-art spirit.” Although this alcohol is really strong, it doesn’t make your head throb in the morning. Having some pig’s ear (tre) while sipping a cup of Bau Da alcohol will certainly make your day memorable.
My suggestion: Nam Phuong Bau Da alcohol store
Location: Bau Da village, Nhon Loc ward, An Nhon district, Binh Dinh province. When you get to this village, ask the locals for Mrs. Nam Phuong’s house. She was the first woman who successfully made green pea Bau Da alcohol. For your information, the mung bean sprout is the most difficult and complicated kind of Bau Da liquor.
Price range: 2 – 5 USD per liter
Hon Nuoc Lighthouse
At Hon Nuoc lighthouse, you will be able to admire the peaceful sky and the amazing sea. But remember to leave the lighthouse before evening or else you’ll get into trouble with security.
Nearby Hon Nuoc lighthouse is a small beach called Bai Con. The water here is so clean that you just need to bring your diving goggles, then jump into the water and you’ll see everything under the sea. If you do not know how to swim, you can climb on the rocks to observe the seabed easily. The most interesting thing about this small beach is that it has an ideal long sandy coast suitable for those who want to camp overnight and watch the sunrise on the sea! However, there are no travel services, so you need to prepare food, water, tents, and other necessities. Or if you believe in your fish-catching ability, it’s time for you to show it off! If you’re really good, you may have an exquisite BBQ seafood for dinner. Go hard or go home!
More information:
Location: Street 639, My Tho Ward, Phu My district, Binh Dinh province
There is a quote in Vietnam that reads “If you’re not drunk, you’re not going home.” I believe Quy Nhon will make you drunk, not because of the Bau Da alcohol (though it may) but because of its rich nature and culture. So don’t hesitate to come visit my friend, and don’t forget to bring memories when you come back.
More articles about Quy Nhon that might interest you:
A Full Traveler’s Guide to Quy Nhon
The Best Accommodation in Quy Nhon
A Two-Day Itinerary in Quy Nhon
If you enjoyed reading this article and would like some more fun info about what to see, do and eat (and a bunch of interesting cafes!) in Vietnam, follow us at the Travel Blog Phuot3mien!
