Binh Dinh & Quy Nhon: Vietnam's Undiscovered Coast
While the crowds pile into Da Nang and Nha Trang, the stretch of coast around Quy Nhon offers near-empty beaches, Cham ruins, and some of Vietnam's most thoughtfully designed boutique resorts.
Binh Dinh province sits between Da Nang and Nha Trang on Vietnam's central coast — far enough from both that most tourists skip it entirely. That is their loss. Quy Nhon, the provincial capital, has a long crescent beach that is almost always empty, a small-town vibe that feels ten years behind the tourist trail, and a handful of remarkable resorts that chose this location precisely because it is not overrun.
The Beaches
Quy Nhon's main beach is a 4km arc that rarely feels crowded even in peak season. North of town, Ky Co beach is frequently named among Vietnam's most beautiful — a hidden cove accessible only by boat (15 min) or a rough road. Bai Xep is a fishing village with a backpacker scene and excellent seafood. All three have clear water and white sand.
Cham Towers
Binh Dinh was once the heartland of the Champa kingdom, and the province has more surviving Cham towers than anywhere else in Vietnam — over a dozen sites scattered across the province. Duong Long and Banh It are the most impressive: 12th-century brick towers in varying states of decay, surrounded by rice paddies, with almost no visitors.
The Resorts
The Avani Quy Nhon Resort put the area on the international map, and several strong properties have followed. What distinguishes them from their counterparts in more-developed destinations is space and quiet: rates are lower, service is more attentive, and the beaches in front of them are rarely crowded.
Getting Here
Phu Cat Airport (UIH) has direct connections to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The flight is 1.5 hours from Hanoi, 1 hour from HCMC. Alternatively, the Reunification Express train stops at Dieu Tri station, 10 km from Quy Nhon — the overnight sleeper from Hanoi (14 hrs) is more comfortable than flying and drops you in time for breakfast.
