Vietnam’s Best Kept Secret
QUY NHON
Explore stunning exotic beaches, scenic coastal clis, sweeping sand dunes, and magical sea caves while experiencing Vietnamese culture at its most authentic.
BACKGROUND At the midway point between Hoi An and Nha Trang is Quy Nhon. This city is home to more than 650,000 people, but it offers a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of more developed urban areas. Indeed, many tourists overlook it entirely, which is the exact reason why it has remained an unblemished jewel. While Quy Nhon is a modern city, in some respects it has remained unchanged over the decades. The economy still revolves around fishing and agriculture, just as it has for generations. Tourism has never become a major focus here, and that is a good thing, because it means that Quy Nhon has retained its authentic character. While in Quy Nhon, travellers may enjoy a more laid-back pace. The locals are friendly and love to strike up a conversation to practice their English. Traffic is minimal, making it easy to get around via taxi or motorbike, or on foot. As to the sights around Quy Nhon, they are stunning. Clear turquoise waters, rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, and lush gardens dominate the area, offering plenty to see and do within the immediate area.
THINGS TO KNOW
Best Time to Go
How to get to Quy Nhon
Getting Around
PLACES TO SEE The Seas
Cu Lao Xanh: Sometimes called the Nhon Chau Island Commune or “The Green Isle,� this beautiful island is also around 20 kilometres from the city. Watch the fishing boats while capturing stunning photographs of the enchanting scenery.
Crescent Moon Beach:
Eo Gio:
Seo Island:
This crescent-shaped beach stretches along the residential area of the city. It is perfect for walking, hanging out, and enjoying the city lights at night.
20 kilometres out of town is the “Cape of Wind.� Take a breathtaking wooden walkway along the seashore with dramatic mountains in the backdrop.
Also called Hon Seo, this large island offers unspoilt shores to explore and a serene escape from the crowds. But its real treasures are offshore; it is a haven for scuba divers.
Ky Co Island:
The Queen Beach
The Mini Sea of Sands:
Imagine rugged cliffs rising over calm seas and sandy beaches. That is Ky Co Island, a great place to swim, sunbathe, and camp out under the stars.
This beach is very quiet and features soft, pristine sand, making it the perfect spot for sunbathing.
Visit the Phuong Mai sand dunes 20 kilometres from the city centre to explore majestic sand dunes 100 metres over the sea.
PLACES TO SEE The Sights Banh It Tower Complex: These ancient towers just outside of town are the best preserved examples of Cham architecture, standing 20 metres tall and surrounded by beautiful countryside. The red bricks used in their construction contrast wonderfully with the green mountains forming their backdrop. The name “Banh It� refers to a type of glutinous rice cake. The peak of the tallest tower has a similar appearance to such a treat. Each tower is unique, featuring striking design embellishments and exquisite bas-reliefs.
Champa Twin Towers: Perhaps the most iconic sight in Quy Nhon, these amazing towers date back to the 11th-13th centuries and are surrounded by landscaped gardens in Dong Da Ward, the city centre. In their heyday, they served as part of a temple complex. They were declared a national architectural monument in 1980. Over the years, the towers have suffered from neglect, but they have been restored and reinforced multiple times. Today, they stand as a beautiful and mysterious monument to the ancient Champa Kingdom.
Poem Garden of Han Mac Tu: In these lush gardens, travellers can visit the tomb of the famous poet Han Mac Tu, surrounded by the soothing sound of the breeze rustling through the shade trees. Take a moment to enjoy the complete serenity of this quiet, hallowed place. Near the tomb is a house where Han Mac Tu’s romantic poetry is on display. After taking some time to enjoy the poetry and the fragrance of the flowers, be sure to also visit nearby Bai Trung, the beach with the famous egg-shaped rocks.
PLACES TO SEE Authentic Experiences
Hai Minh Fishing Village: On the Phuong Mai Peninsula near the pier to Hon Ko is a peaceful fishing village called Hai Minh. Here it is possible to experience rural Vietnamese life at its most traditional, surrounded by unspoiled scenery. Stroll through the village and watch as villagers fill baskets with fish and squid fresh-caught from the ocean. Get to know the friendly locals, and be sure to climb the pathway up the promontory to view the famous statue of Tran Hung Dao. A visit to this simple fishing village showcases a different aspect of Quy Nhon while crossing over Thi Nai Bridge. Seafood and Vietnamese Food Tour: With its coastal location, Quy Nhon is the ultimate destination for foodies in search of succulent seafood. Dine on crab at Cine at 94 Xuan Dieu with a view of the bay, or try some barbequed squid at Lien Thanh restaurant at 104 Xuan Dieu street. Also be sure to swing by Bun Thit Nuong at 232 Tran Hung Dao for Vietnamese rice noodles and other specialty street food.
While Quy Nhon boasts many spectacular inns, the ultimate luxury destination for discerning travellers is undoubtedly the AVANI Quy Nhon Resort & Spa. This award-winning resort consists of 63 beautiful contemporary rooms and suites. Each has its own private balcony providing views of the ocean. The ocean bay windows and open bathroom design keep guests close to the sea at all times. Along with cozy beds and comfortable furniture, every room at Avani is fully outfitted with all the accommodations that travellers could hope for. These include complimentary wi-fi, high definition flat-screen TV, tea, and coffee, and even a fully-stocked mini-bar. Avani offers an array of dining options right on the hotel premises. These include all-day dining at Tre with a view of the ocean, the pool bar Gio, the Tre Lobby Bar, and the Pantry at Avani, which specializes in healthy comfort food. You also have the option of dining in your room. Prefer to dine surrounded by the glory of nature? Guests can also arrange to take part in a picnic dinner at the romantic Quoc Lo Beach, or even take a 10-minute boat ride to Hon Ngang Island. Here, gourmet delicacies can be enjoyed in utter tranquillity and privacy.
For those who want to dive into the turquoise waters off the coast, sea kayaking and snorkelling offer adventures rich with wonder and excitement. There is no better way to explore the coastline. Meanwhile, guests who are looking to enhance their own inner journey can start their day out right with Avani’s guided morning meditation surrounded by the beauty of nature at dawn. Relax after a day out cycling or snorkelling by booking an appointment at the Avani Spa for a special relaxing treatment. At the spa, guests can enjoy beautiful views of the water, the rustle of the palm trees, and the soothing ministrations of Avani’s expert massage therapists. Cosmetic treatments are available as well such as exfoliating facials. The most unique and memorable experience however is probably the Vietnamese Body Ritual, a relaxing massage which incorporates ancient traditional techniques.
While guests may explore the area surrounding the hotel on their own, those who are looking for an experience which is extra special can participate in one of the hotel’s excursions. These include the Cham Historical Journey and the Binh Dinh Deep Sea Fishing expedition. Whatever activities guests decide to indulge in during their stay at Avani, one thing is certain, and that is that the devoted staff at the resort will do all in their power to ensure that every moment of their stay is pure magic. Many tourists to Quy Nhon say that the very best part of their trip was their stay at Avani and the amazing experiences they had with the cooking classes, yoga, tai chi, meditation, spa treatments, and excursions.
A: Suite 226, 33B Pham Ngu Lao, Hanoi, Vietnam T: +84 (0)24 39336260 F: +84 (0)24 39336261 E: inquiries@exoticvoyages.com W: www.exoticvoyages.com