The city of Quy Nhon in the south-central part of Vietnam
I must admit, before learning about the ancient Hindu temples built by the people of Champa in what is now Binh Dinh (Bình Định) province in Vietnam, I had never heard of Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn). This city in the south-central part of the country only came to my attention as I was looking up ways to reach those centuries-old Cham sanctuaries – Quy Nhon happens to serve as the main gateway to them. And after a few Google searches, I became intrigued by its seemingly long beach right next to the downtown area with the view of high-rise buildings along the coast.
While Indonesia doesn’t lack great beaches, I can’t think of any city in my home country where these are an integral part of the landscape, like in Rio de Janeiro, or Miami, or Quy Nhon. And because of that, after looking up online images of the Vietnamese city, I wanted to see it even more, apart from the ancient Cham ruins themselves – which were the very reason I planned this trip.
We arrived in Quy Nhon on a Sunday afternoon, and after checking in at the modern, chic, yet affordable hotel which would be our base for the next four nights, we immediately walked to the beach. The sun was already low and the sandy coast was filled with locals, enjoying every last minute of the day before returning to their daily routines the next morning. Even with the last rays of the sun, the beach looked inviting with a refreshing gentle breeze. From the beachside promenade, raised a few meters above the shore, we took a few steps down one of the staircases to check out the sand. I took a handful of it and was pleasantly surprised by how fine it was. However, as the daylight faded, we decided to wrap up our first outing to Quy Nhon’s beautiful beach with the thought of going back the day after.
Long before attracting local tourists (and increasingly foreign visitors too), as well as property developers who built those multistory hotels along the city’s beach, Quy Nhon had appealed to a different type of guests: the formidable treasure fleet of China’s Ming dynasty with Zheng He (Cheng Ho) at its helm. Back then, it was probably among the most impressive things that had ever sailed across not only the waters of East and Southeast Asia, but also the Indian Ocean. The seven maritime voyages aimed at projecting China’s wealth and power to foreign lands almost always made a stop at the port of Quy Nhon, which at that time was still part of Champa.
Centuries later, when Quy Nhon was part of the Republic of Vietnam (better known as South Vietnam), a runway was built right in the middle of the coastal town (here’s a link to an old photo of it). The airfield was used as a base for the US Air Force and Army, as well as the South Vietnam Air Force during the decades-long Vietnam War. Today, however, the former air strip has been repurposed as a main thoroughfare of Quy Nhon – which itself is no longer the small town it once was – with the newer airport located more than 30 km away from the city.
The sea is calling
Quy Nhon’s pleasant beachfront promenade
High-rise hotels on the main thoroughfare along the coast
The city is filled with inviting public spaces
Enjoying the fresh breeze from the South China Sea (or the East Sea as the Vietnamese call it)
Happy souls on the beach
Local beachgoers
Still too early for people to flock to this colorful café
After driving in from the airport, you’ll know that you’re on the old runway when your taxi cruises down a wide and long avenue in downtown Quy Nhon that runs north to south. To the right of the tree-lined boulevard is an edifice whose massive size and modernist architecture paint a stark contrast to the other buildings around it. Standing at what used to be the northwestern corner of the airstrip is the Binh Dinh Convention Center, a relatively new addition to the ever-growing city. Conceived in 2014, the large multipurpose structure was designed by Jean François Milou, a Singapore-based French architect. I don’t always like the aesthetics of such concrete monoliths. But somehow the combination of the building’s vertical lines with different widths, the green undulating mound that wraps around it, as well as the tall trees planted throughout the compound’s green spaces proved to be pleasing to the eye. It was definitely something I wouldn’t expect to see in a city whose popularity is often overshadowed by the likes of Da Nang and Nha Trang.
The downtown area of Quy Nhon is bordered to the south by lush hills that seemed perfect for hiking. Prior to this trip, I did look up hiking options around town and learned that those same hills apparently have trails which afford great views of the city and its long stretch of golden sand beach. However, as we came during one of the hottest months in a year for this part of Vietnam, we had to carefully choose the right time to head to those hills.
But first, food!
Early afternoon on the so-called Quy Nhon Food Street
Local snacks on display
Tré, one of the delicacies Binh Dinh is famous for
More stalls at the end of the narrow street
The Binh Dinh Convention Center
This modernist building was designed by a Singapore-based French architect in 2014
Colorful bougainvilleas outside the convention center
This huge structure occupies what was once the northern side of Quy Nhon Airfield
Roller skaters casually gliding under the Socialist banners
Quy Nhon business district’s modest skyline
This used to be part of the city’s airfield
Gleaming statues of a young Ho Chi Minh and his father
As the national flower of Vietnam, symbols of the lotus can be found everywhere
The cathedral of Quy Nhon, not far from the Binh Dinh Museum
A leafy street in the downtown area
Those who have read my first post on the ancient Cham ruins near Quy Nhon might still remember that this trip was largely my idea. And to convince James to join me I had to look up what unique local cuisine Quy Nhon and Binh Dinh province have to offer. I shared with him an online article I found about three interesting delicacies from the city, and that was enough for James, a true foodie, to launch his own investigation into other dishes to try during our stay.
Bún rạm was our first local breakfast. Made from the sweet meat of rạm (a type of crab found in the brackish water of this part of Vietnam), the dish incorporates many components that are almost synonymous with Vietnamese food, including bún (rice vermicelli), chopped herbs and vegetables, and fried peanuts. But the crab is obviously the most important ingredient. At a glance, the crab meat looked like minced beef, but it definitely tasted different with a subtle sweetness to it.
Another day, another treat for breakfast. Bánh hỏi cháo long is a unique delicacy of thin bundles of woven rice vermicelli threads served with pork offal, cilantro leaves, beansprouts, lettuce and other vegetables, a clear broth with rice, and a hot sauce. When combined together, all this creates harmony that is enough reason for people to wake up early and head to one of the stalls in the city specializing in this dish. We went at 6am and didn’t regret it at all. On the same day, we had bánh canh cá lóc for lunch. It was sweltering outside, and yet we had these hot soup noodles featuring snakehead fish cakes and served with sliced banana blossom and rice paddy herbs. Because, why not?
However, one of our most memorable eating experiences in Quy Nhon was when we went to Bánh Xèo Gia Vỹ, a local eatery located just around the corner from the city’s convention center. Serving bánh xèo (Vietnamese crispy rice pancake) with different toppings (beef, shrimp, and squid, among others), this family-owned business is apparently among the most recommended in town. And we could see why. While the dishes were visually appetizing, eating those pancakes turned out to be a fun, if messy, affair. First, we had to put a hard sheet of rice paper in a bowl of water for a few seconds to soften it. Then we added bits of everything on it – a slice of the bánh xèo with the vegetables and herbs, including sliced half-ripe mango – before wrapping it and dipping it in a sauce. After failing miserably at trying to make decent-looking parcels, I gave up and just put everything together the way I liked it. There must be a way to eat it more gracefully, though. On the side, we also ordered chả ram tôm đất (fried shrimp spring rolls) and tré, a local delicacy with a very interesting preparation method that involves half-cooking pig’s face which is then chopped and wrapped in guava leaves, then double wrapped in straws, and finally left to ferment for a few days. The end result was a delight to the taste buds.
However, if you ask me to pick a favorite, it would be bún thập cẩm sứa. This rice vermicelli soup might appear like other bún dishes, but it’s the selection of protein that really makes this dish special. We decided to go with the arguably most festive one, where a fish cake, minced crab meat, and jellyfish were added to the dish. It was yet another hot dish that we had on a hot day. But oh my! The umami of the broth, the different textures of everything inside the bowl, the delicious fish cake, and that jellyfish somehow worked really well together. Every bite was worth the sweat.
Speaking of sweat, you didn’t think we opted for hot drinks to wash down all those delicious dishes, did you?
Bún rạm, crab noodles served with Vietnamese rice crackers
Bánh hỏi cháo lòng for early breakfast
Bánh canh cá lóc, snakehead fish cake soup
Bánh xèo bò (beef), bánh xèo tôm (shrimp), bánh xèo mực (squid), and chả ram tôm đất (fried spring rolls)
Tré, sliced pieces of pig’s head seasoned with spices then wrapped in guava leaves which are then wrapped in dried straws and fermented for two to three days
Bún thập cẩm sứa, fish cake and jellyfish rice noodles – my favorite dish in Quy Nhon
The ubiquitous phở – this one was close to where we stayed
A sight near our hotel
A modern and more commercialized version of bánh ít, a sticky rice-based snack
Sinh tố sapoche (sapodilla milkshake) – our favorite drink in Quy Nhon
While in general we picked whatever cold drink a place had, there was one beverage during our stay in Quy Nhon that really stood out. Sinh tố sapoche is a milkshake made with sapodilla, a fruit native to the New World that was introduced to the Philippines by the Spanish. From there, it spread further and is now common in many South and Southeast Asian countries. If you haven’t tried the fruit, imagine it like this: when ripe the flesh is sweet and juicy, with a slightly grainy texture, and tastes unlike any other fruit – some describe it as “malty”. My late father used to like it when I was little, and I also grew up eating it occasionally. However, it was only when I traveled abroad that I learned the fruit can actually be made into luscious desserts, like the sapodilla ice cream I had in Chennai, India.
Sinh tố sapoche was another revelation of what exciting things we can make with the fruit. First trying it at a juice bar right across the street from the beachside promenade, we immediately fell in love with it, so much so we returned twice in the following days – although what came out the second time we went was an entirely different drink, because Vietnamese is such a difficult language to pronounce.
Slurping the thick and sweet concoction while waiting for the sun to go down, I couldn’t help but admire Quy Nhon’s development, apparent in its ever-growing skyline. New projects have sprung up in different parts of the city backed by the hope and optimism for its tourism industry. I wondered if Da Nang was like this when the city was in the early years of its economic boom. And I was also curious if ten years from now Quy Nhon will turn into another Nha Trang, a coastal city further south that I haven’t been to. Some people said how touristy the latter has become, although that won’t deter me from visiting it one day in the future because there is an ancient Cham temple compound right in the city. But of course, you’re not surprised. What surprised me was the fact that after four nights in Quy Nhon, we ended up not going to the hills at all. We can happily pin all the blame on the delicious food that slowed us down.
What an Amazing World! 
It is soo good to see that. Vietnam has Hindu temples too? I learnt something new today. Why don’t you consider giving the expenses for food and shelter? It will really help.
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It does. If you’re curious about them, my previous posts are in fact about the country’s ancient Hindu temples which were built during the rule of Champa. As you might have noticed, the posts in this blog are mainly focused on my travel experience and the background stories of the places I went to, rather than on practicalities and travel guide-style tips. However, I do appreciate your feedback.
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For such a large and new city it looks like they have a lot of green space. Clever what they did with the old airstrip, leave it open, but make it useful and add green. Sounds like a great place between your day trips to the Cham sites.
Maggie
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Based on my observation, Quy Nhon seemed to have a good amount of green space. Hopefully it stays this way despite the city’s rapid development. Jakarta’s old airport was actually also located within the city. But it was closed in 1985 when its replacement further away from the downtown area was opened. The former runway is now used as a major thoroughfare in Central Jakarta. Maybe I should write about it one day.
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You should, ot many cities are so creative.
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Ah the food memories! We didn’t make it to Quy Nhon on our tour last year, but Da Nang also has a beach right in the city. Enjoyed reading about Quy Nhon and its specialities.
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Isn’t Vietnamese food amazing! We did go to Da Nang in 2017, but we never actually stepped on its beach. I guess the fact that we stayed closer to the city center and the relatively short amount of time we had were the main reasons for this. Maybe next time!
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The beachside promenade looks lovely! And the food too!
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It was so nice to walk on that beach after exploring all those ancient temples in the morning. And the food was definitely one of the highlights of this trip!
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sapodilla milkshake?! I’m so curious about it! (of all things you wrote so well in here, I’m sorry I’m too focused on the drink hahaha!). just to clarify my google search, sapodilla = sawo in Indonesian? I never wanted to visit Vietnam but I might change my mind soon enough. Quy Nhon is so beautiful! Did you get to hike the hills you mentioned in this post?
Thank you for sharing 🙂
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Yes, sapodilla is sawo, and it was sooo good! I also had a really good es krim sawo in Chennai back in 2015. Both experiences make me wonder why sawo is so underutilized in Indonesia. Apparently we can make great desserts with it and people in Vietnam and India (and probably in some other countries as well) have been doing exactly that! We ended up not doing the hike at all. 😆
Thank you for reading!
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I was there in 1967-68 before unification. This was all jungle then or fishing villages. I am really impressed with what has happened there in the 50 years since the end of the war.
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Wow! Quy Nhon must have looked so different back then. I wonder whether you would recognize anything or not if you ever go back to the city — which as you said was nothing but fishing villages back in the days.
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What a beautiful city! Quy Nhon looks so clean and modern, and the beach looks pristine. The food and drinks sound and look amazing. I enjoyed tagging along with you Bama!
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I was also pleasantly surprised by Quy Nhon. Despite the heat, the city was quite nice to explore, especially in early morning and late afternoon when the sun was much less intense. Oh and the food!
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What a relaxing city, and I had to smile at those small plastic chairs in the food street that are ubiquitous in Vietnam, yet seemed out of place in such a modern setting.
Sapodilla! From the outside it never looked appealing, so didn’t tried it, but now I know I’ve missed something special. Nor did I taste any of Vietnam’s cold drinks as I was too hooked on Vietnamese coffee that tasted exactly like coffee in Indonesia.
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Plastic chairs are also a big part of the street food scene in Indonesia, although the ones we use here are a bit taller. My mother actually has some at home!
You really should try sapodilla, Mallee. It has a very unique taste. If you find some and want to buy them, make sure they’re soft to the touch but not mushy.
It’s interesting how you compare the coffee in Vietnam and in Indonesia. Sometimes I feel like I’m missing out on the supposedly great coffee culture here since I’m more of a tea person. It’s just my body generally reacts better to the latter.
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Thanks for the sapodilla tip. I’ll look out for it when I return as I’m heading to Toronto this week. Tea is a must for me too, but in Vietnam I didn’t enjoy the tea so opted for coffee.
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Quy Nhon was certainly a break from the historical and culturally-heavy visits you had in Champa. In comparison, Quy Nhon has the beach and relaxation just steps away, and you had me drooling at all of the fragrant, flavorful, and hot Vietnamese dishes! There’s a science to eating hot food to fight against the hot weather, and it looked like a wonderful time in the city!
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Quy Nhon certainly was the place we needed to wind down after seeing all those temples. The food itself was enough to keep us happy. But of course, the beach was a big plus. Ahh, I guess I have to look up articles about eating hot food in hot weather then since I happen to live in the tropics. Thanks for bringing that up, Rebecca!
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I loved Quy Nhon. We did not have a single bad meal during our time there, and it was so relaxing to stroll along the beachfront (and chill out at the hotel) after those mornings spent exploring the different Cham towers. Funny how the juice vendor completely misunderstood our first repeat attempt of ordering sinh to sapoche – the delicious shaved ice and fruit drink that arrived at our table was not what we’d asked for at all! Maybe my pronunciation was wildly off the mark. Good thing we went back a third time and had a photo to show the older proprietor.
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That’s true. Quy Nhon is one of those places we’ve been to where everything we ate was at least good, never bad. It would be really great if there was a city in Indonesia with photogenic waterfront and a pleasant beachside promenade. Or maybe there actually is?! I still remember how I mixed up custard apple with soursop in that dessert we had the second time we went to the juice shop!
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This whole series of post of your trip is such a joy to read, Bama. I love how you went to an off-the-beaten track area, as these days, I am far more interested in getting to know places with interesting histories that isn´t over-crowded. So often what one finds is just as interesting, or sometimes even more interesting than those places most tourists want to visit. Quy Nhon looks like a very livable city, and I love how the airstrip in the middle simply became a broad thoroughfare. And then the food. Even as a vegetarian your pictures make my mouth water. Vietnamese food always just looks so healthy and delicious.
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I agree with you, Jolandi. Places that are relatively unknown often turn out very interesting, and the lack of crowd certainly is a big plus. During our stay, we mostly walked to places we wanted to see in the city. There were only a few occasions when we had to take a taxi. That shows how walkable Quy Nhon is, at least based on our experience. You’re right about Vietnamese food being on the healthier side. It’s the norm to serve heaps of fresh vegetables as a side of any dish. Even here in Jakarta, I find myself returning to the usual Vietnamese restaurants over and over again!
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Hooray, the long awaited food post has arrived! 😊😋
I enjoyed reading about Quy Nhon, a place I would never have even registered in my radar. The photos of the beach does remind me of Rio de Janeiro. Was the beach emptier because your were there early or because it’s not safe to swim in it?
I find breakfast in Asian countries very interesting, with warm meals. Having crab first thing in the morning, or warm broth, or hot sauce, sounds like heaven to me.
I’ve never heard of the sapidilla fruit before, even though I’m from the Philippines. I will have to try this next I’m in that part of the world.
All the other dishes look so good and I am salivating just looking at the pictures and your description. My son is having a full blown meltdown in the car right now on our drive home from camping, cuz we didn’t buy him candy from the gas station, so your post is what’s keeping me from jumping out of the car to end my misery. 😂
I like the way you and James travel – you organizing the sightseeing and him the food. A great arrangement and thanks for sharing your highlights!
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Haha… I really couldn’t wait to publish this post since I completed the draft weeks ago! 😄
The beach looks empty in some of my photos because there were times when we went there a little too early. It was still hot, so naturally people would wait until late afternoon to enjoy the golden sand and swim.
I grew up having “heavy” breakfast every morning. So it was really baffling when I learned that in other parts of the world some people can have just a cup of coffee with a slice of bread. But I would say traveling really helps me adjust to different eating customs.
Oh you should try sapodilla when you find it!
I hope you read this post on a full stomach! But at least the food photos helped you stay in your car. 😆
James and I do tend to agree to a split of responsibility when we travel. For example, I’m usually the one making all flight bookings, while he’s more on the hotel bookings.
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You’ve added yet another reason why I have to re-visit this part of the world. And maybe like it more than I did first time around! I have a slowly unfolding idea…what would it be like to “take a slow boat to China” as they used to say? It would travel the same seas, put in at the same ports. Wouldn’t that be grand?
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This, and the ancient Hindu temples, as well as other historical sites in the country really make Vietnam an interesting destination for history buffs, like us. Taking a slow boat to China would be quite an adventure! Although as you can imagine the Asian giant has dramatically changed since the time of the Ming treasure voyages.
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This is such a great post with so many beautiful photos. I especially loved the ones with palm trees gently swaying in the wind. I love how the central part of Vietnam has beautiful natural landscapes, highlighted by a long-stretching coastline home to various stunning beach cities one such being Quy Nhon. While I have never been to it, I gather from your wonderful posts that it is not only a great place to enjoy nature, but this city also offers monumental architecture reflecting the Cham culture. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Much appreciated, Aiva. It’s true that central Vietnam is home to interesting beach cities. You can tell I really enjoyed my stay in Quy Nhon, and I also liked Da Nang. Now I’m curious about Nha Trang. Travel experiences like this always make the best of memories. I hope one day you’ll get to see this part of Vietnam as well!
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🥰🥰🥰
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Bama the food in Quy Nhon looks so delicious! Looking at your pictures made me hungry! The one that caught my eye was Bún rạm, crab noodles served with Vietnamese rice crackers. Also, sapodilla known in Mexico as sapote is a delicious fruit my mother grew up eating in Mexico when she was a child.
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Oh I hope you didn’t read this on an empty stomach, Liz! Bún rạm definitely was one of the most interesting dishes I had in Quy Nhon because of its unique ingredients. There was this sweetness to the crab meat that was very pleasing to the taste buds. James often tells me how many delicious fruits we eat regularly today actually originate in the Americas. That’s why we really want to see that part of the world one day!
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This looks like a lovely town, and even I, the Aussie beach snob, can appreciate that beach! I was reading quickly through all the food info to find out what Tre is, having become curious about it from the photo. I can happily say it is something I’ll never eat. 😂 Though I’m generally a fan of Vietnamese food.
Alison
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It is, and as a fellow beach snob, I found the beach of Quy Nhon not bad at all! It was better than what I expected. Ha! Tre does belong to that category of dishes that are way out of most people’s comfort zones — even probably for some Vietnamese.
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The beach and waterfront area in Quy Nhon looks so beautiful and inviting. Sounds like a great spot to visit for a few days. Food is always a priority and it looks like you ate really well!!
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Quy Nhon is one of those places where I felt really relaxed. Sipping the sapodilla milkshake while enjoying the gentle breeze was such a bliss. I surely ate well in this city, so much so after I returned from this trip I’ve been going to my usual Vietnamese restaurant here in Jakarta a lot more often now.
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Very interesting and lovely photos. I didn’t know about this town in Vietnam. I have only been once to Vietnam and only to Hanoi on business in 1991…that was a long time ago and I really need to get back to explore more of this beautiful country. (Suzanne)
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Wow, Vietnam in 1991 must have looked very different! I guess it was only beginning to open up when you went? Funny thing is, I’ve been to the country three times, but I haven’t been to Hanoi. I can imagine you and Pierre traveling the length of Vietnam for weeks and introducing interesting places to us along the way.
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It was indeed just opening up. I was part of a team of consultants working with a Vietnamese agency that was going to be responsible to analyse foreign investments into the country. My role was to make recommendations for the creation of a business library to help the staff with their research. It was a great experience and Vietnamese people were very curious and asks a lot of questions. They were also intrigued by my small size (I am only 1.58m and weighted less than 50 kilos at the time). They were used to dealing with taller German and Russian women. They kept saying I was like them though it was the only time in my life when I felt tall! Hanoi was great though I am certain it has changed a lot. Vietnam is on our list but we need to find the right window of time to get there. Too many places to visit.
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And look at where Vietnam is now! Its economy has been growing really fast — faster than other major economies in Southeast Asia — and it’s becoming a major manufacturing hub in the region. As a fellow Southeast Asian, I can kind of imagine the conversations you had with the locals about your height. We can be too curious!
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The questions weren’t just about my height which fascinating everyone as I was so different from other Westerners they had had contact with but also about the world in general as they had been cut-off from news at large for a long time…I didn’t mind their curiosity as it made for interesting conversations.
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That totally makes sense. I wonder if North Koreans would react the same way if their country opened up to the world.
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That beach does look very nice – not what I would expect, but I guess Vietnam does have some nice shorelines on the east coast (like Da Nang, which is my only experience there). I found it quite funny that it was food that lured James into going with you! As a non-foodie (I’d be scared to eat even half of what you guys ate!), I am always amazed at the pull that food has for some people like James (and you, too, I think). I do think some of it looks good, but things like snakehead fish cake soup, sliced pig’s head, jellyfish rice noodles, and that haunting picture of hanging dead birds are enough to make me eat nothing but bread all week. (Haha – if we ever do meet up somewhere, I will have my work cut out for me.) However, the sapodilla milkshake sounds appealing! Fun post and great-looking trip, Bama!
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Actually before going to Da Nang (and seeing the beach from the car we took to get to the next city), I had no idea how the beaches in Vietnam looked like. So I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw. Of all the people I’ve met in my life, I can say James is definitely among the most passionate about food! I don’t think I would try a lot of the dishes we had in Quy Nhon if it was not because of him. But snakehead fish really is just like other fish, despite its name. You don’t have to worry if we meet in Indonesia. As long as you’re not allergic to peanuts, I think you’ll be fine since there are a lot of vegetarian dishes here I can’t wait to introduce to you one day.
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Quy Nhon looks like an absolute paradise to kick back and enjoy the beach life. Of all the SE Asian countries, Vietnam is my favorite because I love the food ~ which is saying something as Thai and other regional foods are so delicious. The sapodilla milkshake has me very curious. I had a durian milkshake before (the best milkshake I’ve ever had!), so I am curious about a sapodilla shake. Quy Nhon is beautiful, and with your writing, it is clear it is not only a beach-like city but with the surrounding hills, it would be a great way to get out and hike a bit, too. Excellent writing, Bama; enjoy your day!
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Vietnamese food is now among my favorite regional cuisines, although back in 2011 when I first went to the country I didn’t even like the Vietnamese mint! Every time I eat something particularly heavy or oily, I usually think of having Vietnamese food on the following day because it’s so healthy and delicious. Where did you have that durian milkshake? Now that is something I’d definitely try.
Have a great day too, Randall!
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Wow Bama. Man, I really really really am impressed with your blog’s performance. What, over 62 thousand followers, Yoh🔥🔥🔥🔥, this is a first here on WordPress. Your blog is the only one I think with such a mass following.
Plus, I like this blog post and the views plus the food and man you can write👍
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Hi Mthobisi. Thanks for dropping by. There was a time when blogging was very popular — this was before Instagram took the world by storm — and those numbers were achieved during that time. But really what keeps me writing on this blog is my love for traveling, writing, and photography. Really appreciate your kind words!
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This is fabulous. Had not heard of this place. That golden sand beach in the first photo along with the food is calling us!
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I think you would enjoy Quy Nhon exactly because of the reasons you mentioned. Just be prepared for the heat if you decide to go around the same time like we did (early April).
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MAS BAMA, BE RESPONSIBLE. YOU MADE ME ADD QUI NHON AS ONE OF MY WISH LIST IN VIETNAM 😭
Dear Lord, why all cities in Vietnam are interesting to me? I’ve never bored. I love the old French colonial buildings, the cleanliness, and the simply-romantic vibe they spread. I guess I need to live in Vietnam and visit every city. I would enjoy that food street every morning and evening. And yes, I must admit that, despite we have so many coastal cities/towns, none of them are lined with spacious promenade and high rise buildings. I love it that way tho, where nature and civilization are well-blended in one integral part.
And yes, Tré is a very interesting cuisine.
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Haha! Vietnam is now becoming a lot easier to reach from Jakarta thanks to the direct flights to Saigon with Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air. So, maybe you should plan a trip there soon!
I would definitely recommend Quy Nhon to anyone who wants to see a Vietnamese city that is relatively less touristy compared to places like Saigon, Da Nang, and Hoi An.
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Fantastic post! It’s funny because by looking at the pictures of the beachfront, I could not have guessed it was a vietnamese city – but I have never been to Vietnam either so maybe that’s also the reason ahah! It seems like you had an amazing time there, and the food you ate seems delicious! I didn’t know you could eat jellyfish and I now wonder what it tastes like… I had never heard of sapodilla either, but the “malty” flavour somehow sounds appealing! Thanks for taking us on your journeys!
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Despite the heat, I surely had a great time in Quy Nhon, so much so I am now intrigued by other beach cities in the country. And the food! I don’t think I can get bored of Vietnamese food. If you’re adventurous, there are certainly a lot of things to try in Vietnam. I wonder if you can get sapodilla in Europe. Well, if you do, you may want to give it a try — chose the ones that are a bit soft but not too mushy. Glad you enjoyed this post!
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You have such amazing experiences around the place… These places have always been there, but you know how to make an amazing experience of it. And that’s why I love reading your your blog.
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That’s really kind of you, Param. There’s something so alluring about places that are relatively less known. But you can see why I had such a positive note about Quy Nhon. That beach is a good start!
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The beach is the one thing I remember of Quy Nhon. At a fixed time of the evening, every day, people would suddenly appear on the beach and things would become lovely. You could play beach football, go for a swim, try to paddle of the round basket boats, or simply stroll about and eat beach food (surprisingly like Indian beach food).
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It was really nice to see the locals having fun at the beach on our first afternoon in the city. And speaking of beach food, I wish we’d tried some. But I do remember the food we had at the beach in Chennai, which was surprisingly quite a pleasant place at dusk.
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Temples, history and food. I had no idea bun xiao has beef. The ones I eat had mostly shrimp, pork with bean sprouts and onions. You guys aren’t afraid to try so many different types of food. It’s always a treat to read about your travels.
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One of the things I noticed about Vietnam is that a single dish can have different variations depending on the region, and they’re all usually equally good. If it wasn’t because of James, I wouldn’t be as adventurous when it comes to food as I am today.
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Nice post about a city which I also never heard of before. That really is a pleasant long stretch of beach. The only Vietnamese city with a beach I visited is Da Nang, whose “China beach” was also the name of an American TV show set in the city during the Vietnam War.
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Thanks Hilton. Funny thing about Da Nang is I didn’t go to the beach at all despite staying in the city for a few days! Now I kind of regret it. The only American TV show I know about the Vietnam War is called Tour of Duty, but I was too young to understand it.
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I was in Da Nang for only an afternoon and passed by the beach when the driver told me the name, which surprised me since I didn’t realize the show was actually named after it.
I also saw a few episodes of Tour of Duty when I was growing up.
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I’ll have to put this place on my list – it looks beautiful and clean. Out of curiosity, were there a lot of Russian travelers there? There are a lot of Russian tourists in Vietnam in general and I wonder with the war if more are going there instead of Europe.
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Good question! I don’t remember seeing a lot of Russian tourists in Quy Nhon. It was only in Saigon when I saw some evidence of apparent good relations between Vietnam and Russia, like a bank called VRB (Vietnam-Russia Bank).
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