Binh Dinh, Vietnam - Beaches, History & Adventure

If central Vietnam were a well-kept secret, Binh Dinh might be its hidden jewel. I stumbled upon this charming coastal province after a detour from nearby Danang and was wowed by its laid-back vibe and mix of attractions. Quy Nhon city (Binh Dinh’s capital) has pristine beaches and a modern feel, while the inland has rolling hills and ancient Cham ruins. 

I’ll walk you through how to get there, what to do (top beaches, historic sites, local eats), plus practical tips like transit info and when to visit. Think of it as catching up with a friend who’s a Binh Dinh native - friendly, detailed advice with a couple of fun stories from the road. By the end, you’ll be ready to say “Xin chào, Binh Dinh!” with confidence and a map in hand.

How to Get There

• By Air: The fastest way is to fly. Phu Cat Airport(near Qui Nhon city) has daily flights from Hanoi and Saigon (about 1 hour each). Airfares are very reasonable if booked in advance (VietJet and Bamboo often run sales). From the airport, it’s a 30-minute taxi or shuttle into Quy Nhơn.

• By Road/Train: If you have time, take the scenic route. Quy Nhơn is 300km south of Danang along the Reunification Highway. You can catch a comfortable limousine bus or even a sleeper bus from Danang or HCMC (though it’s a long haul).
  The overnight route from HCMC (around 11-12 hours) is popular too. Train service runs through Diêu Trì station (7km from Quy Nhơn); from there, take a taxi.

• By Motorbike: Rental shops in Danang or Hue will rent bikes for a road-trip. The coastal drive through Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh provinces is gorgeous (Highway 1 is well-paved). But only do this with ample time as it’s a multi-day ride.
  Also beware heavy traffic near big cities.

• Within Binh Dinh: Motorbike is king for getting around Quy Nhơn and the coast. Taxis and Grab cars exist in city areas. For island or beach tours, boats (service advertised in town) will do pick-ups. I once rented a scooter in Quy Nhon for the day and explored Eo Gió (windy seacliff) and sang Tranh beach - a perfect sunny day trip.

Top Highlights & Hidden Gems

Ky Co Beach With Clear Waters and White Sand!

• Quy Nhon City:

• Beaches: Ky Co Beach (reachable by motorboat or off-road vehicle) is a sheltered cove with turquoise water and white sand - often ranked among Vietnam’s prettiest, and off the beaten track. Truong Le Beach is long and sandy, a local favorite for sunset. The main Quang Trung Beach (near the city center) is nice for an early morning stroll.

• Cultural Sites: Thap Doi (Banh It Towers) are Cham twin towers just outside town - a peaceful sunset spot. The Binh Dinh Museum has an unusual collection of antique armor (yes, including cowboy and samurai pieces collected by a local warlord!). A quirky stop is the modern Qui Nhơn Clock Tower at Nguyễn Huệ intersection, especially beautiful when lit up at night.

• Food: Don’t miss bun bo Hue (peppery beef soup, a regional specialty) and banh xeo Quy Nhơn (crispy pancakes with banana and pork). I had the best com hen (clam rice) from a street vendor near Nguyen Hue street - spicy, minty and so local.

  

  Cu Lao Xanh Looks a Bit Like Italy Beaches

• Historical Gems:

• Canh Tien Cham Towers: North of Quy Nhon, about 2km from the main road, these 12th-century sandstone towers are smaller and more secluded than Banh It. You can climb inside the main tower for a view.

• Cu Lao Xanh (Green Island): A 1-hour speedboat from Qui Nhon’s port, this sleepy island has clear snorkeling waters and an old French lighthouse. It’s little-visited by foreigners (only local tourists), so it feels truly untouched. Motorbikes can be rented on the island to circle it in an hour.

• Hoang Hoa Tham Tomb (Cemetery of a hero): On a hill between Quy Nhơn and Tuy Hòa, lies the impressive tomb of Vietnamese leader Hoang Hoa Tham. The large temple complex is often empty of tourists - a serene spot to see unusual architecture and learn modern history.

  

  Eo Gio

• Nature & Adventure:

• Eo Gio (Wind’s Neck): A dramatic inlet with waves crashing against high cliffs. Walk the rope bridge for a postcard panorama. The best time is late afternoon, but be careful of winds. It gets wild, so don’t stand too close to the edges for photos (I once saw a flip-flopped tourist slip - ouchie!).

• Ghenh Rang (Turtle Beach): Home to poet Han Mac Tu’s beachside hut and a banyan tree. You can walk to the mysterious “Waack Tree” through the garden. Also, there’s a quaint mini-theme park with optical illusions (fun for kids). Entry fee is minimal.

• Sand Dunes: Not many know Binh Dinh has dunes! Xuan Dai sand hill (about 30km south of Quy Nhon) is a desert-like expanse with camel rides and buggy rentals. Offbeat fun if you have half a day - bring water and sun protection.

  

  a Seculded Beach of Quy Nhon

Tip: Con Chim Restaurant was my favorite meal in Quy Nhon as this family-run spot is famous for seafood (they caught your fish that morning!). Ask the waiter to recommend the freshest catch which might be grilled lobster or squid stuffed with rice. Budget-friendly and super friendly staff.

Practical Info (Hours, Fees, Best Time)

• Hours & Fees: Beaches and outdoor sites are mostly free. A few places like Banh It Tower charge ~20k VND. Ghềnh Ráng beach entrance (optional, used for poet’s tomb) is about 5k. Check opening hours for museums (usually 8am-11:30am, 1:30pm-4:30pm).

• Best Time to Visit: Binh Dinh enjoys a tropical climate. Dry season (January - August) is ideal. It’s sunny and warm. The monsoon hits mainly from September through November - September can have typhoon rains (best to avoid). I went in April and had perfect beach weather.

• Getting Around: Motorbike is the most fun and efficient way to explore. Roads are decent, and many scenic coastal roads have been newly paved. Just drive on the right and honk gently when overtaking local buses. In Quy Nhơn, GrabBike works well (just confirm helmet quality first).

• Accommodation: Quy Nhơn has everything from budget hostels (dorm beds ~100k VND) to mid-range hotels by the beach ($30-$50 rooms) and a couple of upmarket resorts. For a local experience, try a homestay in the fishing village of Nhon Ly.

• Connectivity: Vietnamese SIM cards (like Viettel) are cheap and give good coverage. Wi-Fi is available in hotels/cafes but not everywhere, so data is useful for maps.

• Emergency & Health: Pharmacies are plentiful (ask hotel staff to point them out). The medical facilities in Quy Nhơn are decent, but for serious issues, Danang’s hospitals are more equipped. No special vaccinations needed beyond routine ones. Drink bottled water (yes, even hotels serve it).

Travel Itinerary (2 to 4 Days)

Xuan Dai Bay During Sunset

Day 1 (Quy Nhon City): Morning bike rental. Cruise Quy Nhon beach road, stop at T 044 Cafe (with a castle turret photo op and ocean view). Noon at a local lunch spot: try banh ram it (crispy rice dumplings) and bun thit nuong. Afternoon visit Banh It and Quang Trung Beach sunset. Dinner at Con Chim Seafood.

Day 2 (Islands & Beaches): Early boat to Cu Lao Xanh. Explore, snorkel, climb the lighthouse. Return to the city by 1pm. Late lunch and siesta. Afternoon drive to Eo Gió and Nhon Ly fishing village. Enjoy fresh seafood (grilled tuna or prawn skewers) on the beach at sunset.

Day 3 (Inland Culture): Head north to Hoang Hoa Tham Tomb. On the way back, stop at Ghenh Da Dia (natural rock formations like Ha Long cliffs but smaller). Afternoon at Ethnic Museum or just relax with egg coffee in town. Evening: Quan Thanh Market - try banh can (small sizzling pancakes) from a street stall.

Day 4 (Optional): Drive to Xuan Dai Sand Dunes in the morning (sandboarding optional). Spend afternoon returning south or continue to Phu Yen (neighboring province) for waterfalls.

(Note: Quy Nhon to Hue is a long drive; better fly or take a train from Dieu Tri station back to Hanoi if heading north.)

Queen Beach of Quy Nhon City, Vietnam

FAQs

Q: Is Binh Dinh crowded with tourists?
A: Not really. It’s far less visited than Danang or Nha Trang. When we were at Ky Co Beach on a weekend, there were only a handful of other travelers. Expect mostly domestic tourists on holidays, and lots of wide-open spaces for yourself.

Q: What’s the best way to see Ky Co Beach?
A: The most common is a motorboat tour from Nhon Ly (ask any Quy Nhơn travel agency to book). This usually includes pick-up in Quy Nhon, lunch on Ky Co, and snorkeling gear. You can also rent a speedboat privately (cheaper for 4+ people). Arrive early to avoid Vietnamese weekend crowds.

Q: Are there hiking options?
A: Yes. The Hoa Son Doong trek is known (steep climb up Turtle Mountain in Ghenh Rang). Also, the coastal headland at Eo Gio has short hikes with payoff views. For a real bush adventure, local guides can trek in the inland hills around An Nhon for waterfalls and forests.

Q: What currency should I use in Binh Dinh?
A: Vietnamese Dong, only. Credit cards work at some hotels/restaurants, but small shops take cash only. ATMs in Quy Nhơn give Dong (major banks’ ATMs).

Q: Can I visit Binh Dinh on a day trip from Danang or Nha Trang?
A: It’s doable from Danang (about 4h drive each way) for a rushed visit, but you’ll miss a lot. I recommend at least 2 days in Binh Dinh to truly soak it in. Overnight stay, even a simple guesthouse, makes it worthwhile.