Situated roughly halfway between Hoi An and Nha Trang, the city of Quy Nhon is much more than a convenient stop-over for those traveling between these two popular tourist destinations. The university two has a youthful vibrancy during term-time and the people are some of the friendliest in Vietnam. In many respects this is the Vietnam that travelers used to encounter before the advent of mass tourism to the country.
Recently the municipal beach has undergone something of a face-lift and clean-up campaign. Gone has the American tank that was half-submerged in the sand, instead a new palm-tree lined promenade hugs the coastline, providing a very pleasant stroll around sunset. It has something of the feel of a smaller Nha Trang.
Those wishing to get away from it all should head to ai Bau Beach some 19km to the south of Quy Nhon. The beautiful, sheltered white-sand beach is generally deserted, ideal for you to discover your own karma. Closer to town, Quy Hoa Beach is another good option. The almost idyllic setting belies the fact that this is a leper colony. Far from reeking of morbidity, the hospital grounds are extremely pleasant,w ith patients integrated into the community.
Popular with courting couples, Queen’s Beach lies on a small promontory just to the south of Quy Nhon. Noted as a popular holiday spot for fomer Queen Nham Phuong, in truth this is more a rocky headland than beach. The sweeing views across the bay towards the city make a great setting for a coffee in the “rocky bar” perched on the cliff-edge.
At the heart of the ancient Champa Kingdom., the area around Quy Nhon has its fair share of Cham remains. The monumental Thap Doi Cham ‘twin towers” are conveniently located within the city. However, around 20km north of the town towards the airport, the Banh It Towers cut a much more impressive figure and offer great views of the countryside from their lofty perch
Quy Nhon’s main pagoda, Long Khanh, dates back to 1715. The original pagoda, restored in 1957, lies behind an impressive 17metre high Budda statue. The site also contains a more modern pagodar, but this lacks the charm of the original place of worship
As befits most ports, Quy Nhon is noted for the quality of its seafood. Banh Xeo is a great local favourite. Try this delicious prawn rice paper cake at Anh Nhat Gia Vien, a beautiful garden house situated just across the read from the Thap Doi Cham Towers
Quy Nhon - Charming Vietnam
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