Nestled along Vietnam’s South Central Coast, Quy Nhon is a rising star in the country’s travel scene. With its golden beaches, untouched islands, and rich cultural legacy, this peaceful seaside city in Binh Dinh Province offers a more authentic alternative to its better-known neighbors like Nha Trang and Da Nang. Far from the tourist crowds, Quy Nhơn invites travelers to explore a destination where ancient temples, local fishing villages, and stunning landscapes live in perfect harmony.
Population: Approximately 500,000 in 2023.
Economy: Quy Nhon’s economy is shaped by its strategic coastal location in Bình Định Province. The city thrives on three key sectors: fishing and seafood processing, tourism, and logistics and port services. Tourism continues to grow, fueled by its unspoiled beaches and cultural heritage.
Landmarks: Famous for the Ky Co Beach—The Maldives of Vietnam, The Wind Strait, and the Twin Cham Towers.
Vietnam
Quy Nhon’s story begins centuries ago, rooted in the powerful legacy of the Champa Kingdom. This coastal region was once a spiritual and cultural hub for the Cham people, whose influence still lingers in the form of ancient towers, stone carvings, and traditional customs. Moving forward in time, Quy Nhon played a key role during the Tay Son Dynasty, the birthplace of Emperor Quang Trung, one of Vietnam’s most revered national heroes. Later, during the French colonial period, the city transformed into a quiet trading port. This influence is visible in some of its vintage architecture and city planning. Today, the city stands as a harmonious blend of ancient spirituality, Vietnamese patriotism, and colonial charm, making it a culturally layered destination.
The local community, made up of fishermen, farmers, artisans, and young entrepreneurs, exudes warmth, sincerity, and a quiet pride in their heritage. Visitors are often surprised at how easy it is to connect with locals. Whether you're enjoying a seafood meal by the beach or joining a family for a home-cooked breakfast in the countryside, the experience is intimate and genuine.
Ky Co Beach – The Maldives of Vietnam
A short drive and boat ride from the city center, Ky Co Beach is a pristine stretch of golden sand lapped by turquoise waters. Sheltered by rocky cliffs and largely untouched by commercial development, it’s the perfect spot to swim, snorkel, or simply relax beneath a palm tree. At low tide, natural tidal pools appear between the rocks, great for taking Instagram-worthy shots or dipping your feet into the clear, shallow water.
The Wind Strait
Just a few kilometers from Ky Co, the Wind Strait is a stunning cliffside area where strong sea winds and rolling waves shape dramatic landscapes. A wooden boardwalk hugging the coastline offers sweeping ocean views, perfect for early morning walks or sunset photography. It’s also a great spot to watch fishermen return with their catch or see herds of goats grazing freely on the hills.
Twin Cham Towers
Located right in Quy Nhơn city, the Twin Cham Towers are a pair of well-preserved Champa towers dating back to the 12th century. These intricately carved brick towers offer a glimpse into the region’s ancient spiritual life. Set within a quiet, green park, it’s a peaceful spot to appreciate history up close.
Trung Luong Picnic Area
For a mix of leisure and adventure, Trung Luong Picnic Area blends grassy hills, picnic huts, and a beach cove tucked between cliffs. It’s a favorite weekend hangout for locals, ideal for barbecues, tent camping, and beach games. The panoramic view from the hilltop is worth the short hike.
Quy Hoa Leprosy Hospital and the Yersin Legacy
Beyond the beach lies a quiet village with a surprising past. Quy Hoa Leprosy Hospital, once home to French doctor Alexandre Yersin, combines history, science, and tranquility. Visitors can walk shaded paths lined with poetry-inscribed statues, visit the old clinic and Yersin’s residence, and reflect on a legacy of compassion and medical innovation.
Tay Son Festival
Held every year on the 5th day of the first lunar month, the Tay Son Festival celebrates the legendary Emperor Quang Trung, a national hero born in Binh Dinh Province. The main event takes place at the Quang Trung Museum in Tay Son District, just outside Quy Nhon. You’ll witness vibrant martial arts performances, traditional drumming, folk dances, and historical reenactments that honor the heroic Tay Son army’s victory over foreign invaders.
Sea Worship Festival
As a coastal city with a long history of fishing, Quy Nhon holds the Sea Worship Festival to honor ‘Nam Hải Đại Thần’ (the God of the South Sea) and pray for calm waters and abundant catches. Fishermen wear traditional garb and offer incense, food, and symbolic gifts at temples and beaches. Processions with boats, lion dances, and folk songs animate the shoreline. It’s a beautiful expression of gratitude and connection between people and the sea.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Although celebrated nationwide, Tet Trung Thu in Quy Nhon takes on a warm, community-driven charm. Streets are filled with lantern processions, drum beats, and mooncakes shared among families. Children gather in parks and temples for storytelling, lion dances, and contests featuring homemade lanterns. It’s an ideal time to witness Vietnamese family life and folk culture.
Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts Festival
Every two years, Quy Nhon hosts this unique festival that celebrates Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts — the region’s proud tradition of Vietnamese martial arts. Fighters and performers from across the country (and even abroad) gather to showcase skills, engage in friendly competitions, and perform ceremonial duels. The festival usually takes place in August, and it reflects the spirit of discipline, honor, and history tied to Binh Dinh’s warrior legacy.
The dry season is ideal for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. From February to June, the weather is especially pleasant, with clear skies, calm seas, and average temperatures ranging from 26°C to 32°C. This period is perfect for island hopping, snorkeling at Ky Co and Hon Kho, or hiking through Ba Na Hills and Thi Nai Lagoon. July and August can be warmer, but still favorable for travel.
Rainfall peaks during October and November, when Quy Nhơn may experience short but heavy showers. While the lush green landscape is at its most vibrant, sea conditions can be rough, limiting water activities. If you're drawn to cultural exploration and prefer fewer tourists, this season offers a peaceful alternative with lower accommodation costs.
Weather Tips for Tourists:
Nestled along Vietnam’s South Central Coast, Quy Nhon is a rising star in the country’s travel scene. With its golden beaches, untouched islands, and rich cultural legacy, this peaceful seaside city in Binh Dinh Province offers a more authentic alternative to its better-known neighbors like Nha Trang and Da Nang. Far from the tourist crowds, Quy Nhơn invites travelers to explore a destination where ancient temples, local fishing villages, and stunning landscapes live in perfect harmony.
Population: Approximately 500,000 in 2023.
Economy: Quy Nhon’s economy is shaped by its strategic coastal location in Bình Định Province. The city thrives on three key sectors: fishing and seafood processing, tourism, and logistics and port services. Tourism continues to grow, fueled by its unspoiled beaches and cultural heritage.
Landmarks: Famous for the Ky Co Beach—The Maldives of Vietnam, The Wind Strait, and the Twin Cham Towers.
Binh Thuan, a sun-drenched province on Vietnam’s South Central Coast, is where golden sands meet rich history. From the bustling fishing hub of Phan Thiet to the wind-swept Mui Ne beaches, this region blends seaside charms with ancient traditions. Once a crossroads of Cham culture, Binh Thuan is now a favorite for travelers seeking more than just a beach holiday. Here, you can sandboard down red dunes, wander centuries-old towers, and share a meal with locals who still live by the rhythms of the sea.
Population: Approximately 1.7 million in 2024.
Economy: Binh Thuan’s economy thrives on a mix of fishing, agriculture, and tourism. The province is Vietnam’s top producer of dragon fruit and a major hub for seafood processing. Renewable energy, especially wind and solar power, is emerging as a key growth sector. Tourism in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet plays a vital role, drawing visitors with beaches, sand dunes, and cultural heritage.
Landmarks: Famous for the Mui Ne Sand Dunes, Fairy Stream, and the Po Sah Inu Towers.
Nestled in the heart of Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Lam Dong Province is a refreshing escape from the heat and hustle of the lowlands. Best known for Da Lat, its charming capital city, Lam Dong offers rolling pine-covered hills, cascading waterfalls, and flower-filled valleys. This cool-climate region draws nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those craving a cultural immersion into highland life. It’s a perfect blend of past and present, city and nature, tradition and transformation.
Population: Approximately 1.8 million in 2024.
Economy: Lam Dong’s economy is driven by agriculture, tourism, and forestry. The province is Vietnam’s leading producer of vegetables, flowers, tea, and Arabica coffee, thanks to its cool highland climate and fertile volcanic soil. Tourism plays a major role, with millions of visitors drawn to its landscapes, festivals, and cultural heritage.
Landmarks: Famous for the Province capital—Da Lat City, Lang Biang Mountain, and the Pongour Waterfall.
Tucked along Vietnam’s North Central Coast, Quang Tri Province is often overlooked, but for the curious traveler, it offers a journey like no other. Here, deep history meets cultural resilience, and quiet beaches give way to stories carved in time. Quang Tri is not just a place on the map; it’s a living testament to Vietnam’s strength, spirituality, and hospitality. From ancient relics and wartime landmarks to rural villages filled with warm smiles and proud traditions, this destination invites you to slow down, reflect, and connect.
Population: Approximately 630,000 in 2019.
Economy: Quang Tri, with its long coastline, has an economy primarily based on agriculture, aquaculture, and forestry. In recent years, renewable energy (especially wind and solar) and cross-border trade via the Lao Bao International Border Gate have contributed to economic growth.
Landmarks: Famous for the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Vinh Moc Tunnels, and Cua Tung Beach.
Battambang is the soulful heart of northwest Cambodia. This is a city where time slows down and stories unfold at every turn. Known as the country’s second-largest city, it charms travelers with a rare blend of French colonial architecture, vibrant art spaces, and lush countryside landscapes. Unlike the tourist bustle of Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, Battambang offers a gentler rhythm, inviting visitors to cycle past rice paddies, meet local artisans, and soak up the authentic Khmer way of life.
Population: Approximately 120,000 in 2019.
Economy: Battambang’s economy is rooted in agriculture, earning it the title “Cambodia’s rice bowl.” Beyond farming, small-scale industries like rice milling, fish processing, and handicrafts support local livelihoods. Tourism is an expanding pillar, with visitors drawn to cultural sites, art spaces, and eco-tourism experiences.
Landmarks: Famous for The Bamboo Train, Phnom Sampeau, and the Wat Banan Temple.
Set on the banks of the Tonlé Sap River, Kampong Chhnang is one of Cambodia’s most enchanting provinces, a place where the Khmer Empire’s legacy, floating villages, and pottery traditions meet. Only 90 km from Phnom Penh, this riverside town offers travelers a glimpse of authentic Cambodia far from the bustle of tourist hotspots. Known as the country’s “Pottery Capital,” Kampong Chhnang draws visitors with its handcrafted ceramics, vibrant river markets, and sweeping views of rice paddies.
Population: Approximately 600,000 in 2024.
Economy: Kampong Chhnang’s economy revolves around agriculture, fishing, and traditional crafts. The fertile plains along the Tonlé Sap River support rice farming, making the province one of Cambodia’s key rice producers. Fishing and aquaculture thrive thanks to the river and nearby Tonlé Sap Lake. Small-scale trade, markets, and growing eco-tourism add to local income
Landmarks: Famous for the Andong Russey Pottery Village, Floating Villages on the Tonlé Sap, and the Phnom Santouch Hill.