5 Days in Quy Nhon and Binh Dinh: Beaches and Cham Temples Beyond Nha Trang

Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh province) sits 60 km south of Nha Trang but feels like a different coast entirely. Fewer tourists, genuine fishing-town energy, and some of the best Cham-era temples outside Hoi An. You'll see beaches that stay quiet past 4 p.m., island day trips that don't require a pre-dawn wake-up, and food that leans into local seafood rather than tourist-menu compromises.

This itinerary assumes you arrive in Quy Nhon by bus (5–6 hours from Saigon) or domestic flight (1.5 hours) and have basic accommodation sorted. Motorbike rental from your hotel runs 150,000–200,000 VND/day; group tours are available but less flexible.

Day 1 — Quy Nhon Town + Bai Xep Beach

Arrive in the morning. Spend the first half-day exploring Quy Nhon's waterfront and Old Town (around Nguyen Hue and Tran Hung Dao streets). Walk the harbor, grab coffee at a local cafe, and eat an early lunch at one of the "banh xeo" stalls near the market—crispy shrimp-and-pork pancakes folded with herbs and dipping sauce.

In the afternoon, drive north 15 km to Bai Xep, a fishing hamlet with a crescent beach backed by limestone cliffs. The sand here is coarser and darker than Quy Nhon's main beach, and it stays relatively quiet. Rent beach chairs (50,000 VND), swim, and watch fishing boats return at dusk. Eat dinner at one of the open-air seafood shacks along the shore—grilled squid, steamed crabs, white fish—then return to town.

Where to stay: Budget guesthouses line Nguyen Hue St. (200,000–400,000 VND/night). Mid-range: Saigon Quy Nhon (around 800,000 VND for a decent room).

Day 2 — Cham Temples: Banh It and Duong Long

This is the highlight. Two Cham temple towers stand about 30 km west of Quy Nhon town, built in the 12th century when the Champa Kingdom still ruled this coast.

Banh It Towers (30 km, 1 hour by motorbike): Two brick towers in good condition, set in rice paddies. The larger tower has intricate carved sandstone lintels and a brick facade. No crowds, no entrance fee—just walk in from the road. Bring water and a hat; there's no shade.

Duong Long Towers (25 km from Banh It, 1.5 hours): Three towers, more ruined but atmospheric. Surrounded by farmland. The central tower has a distinctive octagonal base. Again, free entry, no services nearby.

Visit both in one long day, starting early (7 a.m.). Pack lunch from Quy Nhon (banh mi, fruit, drinks). Return to town by 5 p.m. If you're not comfortable navigating alone, hire a motorbike taxi (250,000–350,000 VND for the full day) or book a group tour through your hotel (500,000–700,000 VND).

Why these matter: The Champa Kingdom ruled central Vietnam until the 15th century, and these temples—unlike the more-touristed My Son in Hoi An—see almost no foreign visitors. The silence and the landscape make them feel genuinely forgotten.

Photo by ㅤ quang vinh ㅤ on Pexels

Day 3 — Hon Kho Island Day Trip

Hon Kho lies 7 km offshore. Take a speedboat (departs 7 a.m., returns 4 p.m.) from Quy Nhon harbor. Cost: 350,000–450,000 VND per person, organized through your hotel or the ticket office at the harbor.

The island has a rocky, sheltered bay with calm water. Swim, snorkel (visibility is okay in calm weather), and eat a simple grilled-fish lunch on the beach. The boat operator typically includes snorkeling gear and a basic lunch. Bring sunscreen, a rash guard, and cash—there are no ATMs on the island.

Hon Kho is less crowded and smaller than Phu Quoc or Cat Ba, so the feel is more intimate. Return to Quy Nhon by mid-afternoon and rest or explore the town's night market (around 6 p.m. on Hai Ba Trung St.) for street snacks.

Day 4 — Eo Gio and Ky Co Lagoon

Eo Gio ("Ghost Pass") is a dramatic coastal gorge about 35 km south of Quy Nhon town. Ky Co is a turquoise lagoon near the pass, accessible by motorbike and a short hike or kayak.

Route: Drive south past Quy Nhon town toward Phu Cat district. The road winds through mountains and delivers coastal views. Stop at a viewpoint overlooking Ky Co—the water is bright jade-blue and almost unreal. You can park and photograph, or continue down to the lagoon itself (rough road, high-clearance motorbike recommended).

If the road is too rough or you prefer a guided experience, book a kayak tour (600,000–800,000 VND per person, includes transport from Quy Nhon and 3–4 hours of paddling through the lagoon and mangrove channels). The kayak option is more relaxing and avoids motorbike hassle.

Return to Quy Nhon for dinner. Try grilled seafood near the harbor or "bun rieu", a regional crab-and-tomato noodle soup.

Photo by Vietnam Hidden Light on Pexels

Day 5 — Banh Xeo Tom Nhay + Departure

Spend the morning eating your way through Quy Nhon's breakfast and street-food scene. The star is "banh xeo tom nhay"—crispy shrimp pancakes (banh xeo) served with fresh shrimp that has been gently cooked (tom nhay means "jumping shrimp", a poetic nod to freshness). Find this at stalls near the central market (Cho Quy Nhon) around 7–9 a.m. Cost: 40,000–50,000 VND per pancake.

Also try:

• "Hu tieu" (clear pork-and-shrimp noodle soup) at a dawn stall, 35,000 VND.
• Fresh tropical fruit from the market: mango, rambutan, dragon fruit.
• "Banh hoai" (Hoi An-style crispy pancakes), if you find a vendor—they're less common here but a regional variant.

After breakfast, head to the bus station or airport for your onward journey. If your bus/flight is late afternoon, spend the midday at Quy Nhon's main beach (Bai Xep or Bai Kem) for a last swim.

Practical notes

Best season: May–September (dry, calm seas). October–April can be rainy and rough. Book accommodation and island tours a day or two ahead, especially weekends. Cash is essential—ATMs are available in Quy Nhon town but not in remote areas. Petrol stations are frequent; motorbike rental includes fuel or a fuel allowance. A basic Vietnamese phrasebook or Google Translate helps with temple locations and local directions.