Quy Nhon is the quiet beach stop on the coast between Hoi An and Nha Trang, and it rewards two or three nights. The city itself has a long town beach and good seafood; the best scenery sits 20 to 25 km north-east, where Ky Co beach and the Eo Gio headland face the open sea. Go between February and August, and keep October and November, the flood months, for somewhere else.
How we built this guide: we checked Vietnam Railways' timetable for 14 October 2026, bus listings on 12Go, room prices on Booking.com, 2026 Vietnamese press reports on ticket prices at Ky Co and Eo Gio, press reports on the Cham towers, published climate normals and the UK government's weather advice on 3 October 2026. We did not visit for this update.
How does Quy Nhon work for a first-time visitor?
Quy Nhon is a working port city with a beach, plus a wild stretch of coast a short ride away. You sleep in town or on the coast and make day trips. Nhon Ly fishing village, the gateway to Eo Gio and Ky Co, sits about 20 km from the center, per Dien dan Doanh nghiep, and Ky Co about 25 km north-east, per VnExpress. Bai Xep, a small beach village, is about 13 km south.
A few recent changes matter. Since 1 July 2025, Quy Nhon has been part of Gia Lai province, after Binh Dinh and Gia Lai merged, with the new province's administrative center in the former Binh Dinh, per Tuoi Tre. The city has also been split into wards, so you will see addresses such as Quy Nhon ward and Quy Nhon Dong ward. And attention has grown: Lonely Planet named Quy Nhon in its Best in Travel 2026 list of 25 destinations, Viet Nam News reported, and Gia Lai is hosting Vietnam's National Tourism Year in 2026, with 244 planned events, per VnEconomy.
How many days should you spend in Quy Nhon?
Two nights covers the highlights, and three lets you slow down. Day one: Thap Doi in the morning, the town beach and a seafood dinner. Day two: Eo Gio, Nhon Ly and Ky Co, by canoe or on the coast road. A third day suits an island boat trip, Banh It towers or a lazy stay at Bai Xep. If you are passing through on the way south, even one night breaks up the long ride from Hoi An.
Ky Co, Eo Gio or the islands: how should you see the coast?
Do Eo Gio and Ky Co together in one day; they sit close to each other near Nhon Ly. The table compares the main coastal trips at prices reported in 2026.
| Place | What it is | Price | Getting there | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ky Co | Crescent beach with clear water and snorkeling | 100,000 VND adults, 50,000 VND children | Canoe from the Eo Gio area or the mountain road, about 25 km north-east | Swimming, the classic Quy Nhon photo |
| Eo Gio | Cliff-top headland and walking paths over the sea | 30,000 VND since late June 2026 | Road via Nhon Ly, about 20 km | Views and short walks |
| Nhon Ly village | Fishing village, starting point for boats | No entry fee reported | Road, about 20 km | Seafood, boat trips |
| Hon Kho island | Small island trip from Nhon Hai | About 220,000 VND per person for a tour | About 10 minutes by boat from Nhon Hai village | A half day on the water |
| Cu Lao Xanh island | Island day trip | About 700,000 VND per person for a tour | Organized day tour | A full island day |
| Bai Xep | Small beach village with homestays | No entry fee reported | About 13 km south of the center | A quiet night by the sea |
Prices come from VnExpress's Ky Co guide (updated September 2026), SGGP and VnExpress's Quy Nhon guide (updated April 2026). Distances come from VnExpress, Dien dan Doanh nghiep and mia.vn.
Ky Co
Ky Co is the beach people come for: turquoise water close to shore, darker blue further out, and rocks to snorkel around. VnExpress calls the canoe from Eo Gio the most convenient way in, with all-inclusive canoe tours at about 250,000 to 400,000 VND per person, meals included, while confident riders can take the mountain road along the Phuong Mai slopes. The same guide names April to September as the time of fine weather and sheltered water. Lonely Planet's 2026 listing singles out the crescent-shaped beach as a local favorite.
Eo Gio
Eo Gio is a headland of grassy paths and golden cliffs between two rocky ridges, the view on this page. In June 2026 a new operator took over the site from 1 June and raised the entry fee from 22,000 VND to 40,000 to 50,000 VND, then cut it to 30,000 VND after public criticism, SGGP reported. Officials quoted in that report describe Eo Gio as mainly a viewpoint with few services, so bring water and a hat, and come early or late to avoid the midday sun.
Bai Xep and the islands
Bai Xep is the low-key alternative to staying in town, a fishing beach about 13 km south along Highway 1D, per mia.vn. Lonely Planet's listing describes it as a peaceful cove that turns into an outdoor dining spot at night. For time on the water, VnExpress lists Hon Kho island tours at about 220,000 VND and Cu Lao Xanh day tours at about 700,000 VND per person.
Are the Cham towers worth a visit?
Yes, Thap Doi is worth an hour, and it is right in town. Bao Van Hoa dates the twin brick towers to 1230, the early 13th century, and notes that they were ranked a national architectural and artistic relic in 1980 (Bao Van Hoa). They sit about 3 km from the center in Quy Nhon ward, and the province was repairing lighting, landscaping and parking at the site in May 2026, Bao Van Hoa reported. The complex once had a third tower, which collapsed.
Banh It, a group of four towers about 16 km from the center in Tuy Phuoc Bac commune, is the bigger outing. A 2025 guide on mia.vn dates it to the late 11th or early 12th century, gives the main tower's height as 29.6 m, and lists opening hours of 07:00 to 19:00 with a 15,000 VND ticket. If you like the climb, Lonely Planet also recommends Ong Nui Pagoda, where about 600 steps lead to one of Southeast Asia's largest seated Buddha statues, per Viet Nam News.
Is Quy Nhon a good stop between Hoi An and Nha Trang?
Yes. A night here turns one long haul into two daytime rides. On 12Go for 14 October 2026, buses from Hoi An started at 464,000 VND, and Viet Lao Bus's cabin coaches reached Quy Nhon in 4 hours 45 minutes for 680,000 to 790,000 VND. By rail, Vietnam Railways' timetable for the same day shows six trains from Da Nang to Dieu Tri, the main-line station for Quy Nhon, taking 5 hours 9 minutes to 6 hours 16 minutes; on SE1, a soft seat cost 230,000 to 250,000 VND.
The second leg is shorter. Trains from Dieu Tri reached Nha Trang in 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 55 minutes on Vietnam Railways' timetable, and on 12Go trains started at about 222,000 VND and buses at about 363,000 VND, with cabin coaches taking about 3.5 to 4.5 hours. Our Hoi An to Nha Trang guide compares this split with the overnight bus, the train and the flight. For the towns at either end, see our Hoi An and Nha Trang guides.
How do you get to Quy Nhon?
Fly into Phu Cat or arrive by train or bus along the coast. Phu Cat airport sits about 30 km north-west of the city, and Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet and Bamboo Airways fly there from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, per Wikipedia. VnExpress lists an airport bus for 50,000 VND and taxis for about 200,000 to 250,000 VND, and puts return flights from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City at about 1.5 million to 4 million VND. Trains stop at Dieu Tri, outside the city, so allow time for a taxi into town.
Where should you stay in Quy Nhon?
Stay on the town beachfront for restaurants and convenience, or at Bai Xep or near Nhon Ly for quiet. Prices below come from Booking.com, which listed 373 properties for 14 October 2026, and from VnExpress and mia.vn.
| Area | Best for | Price seen | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beachfront along Nguyen Hue and Xuan Dieu | Walking to the beach, restaurants and the towers | Budget to upscale; the cheapest room in the city on Booking.com was about 176,000 VND for two | City noise, busy at weekends |
| Budget streets such as Tay Son, An Duong Vuong and Han Mac Tu | Homestays, hostels, 2 and 3 star hotels | About 150,000 to 400,000 VND (VnExpress) | A short walk from the sand |
| Bai Xep | Small beach, homestays, seafood by the sea | About 500,000 to 2.8 million VND (mia.vn) | 13 km from town, need transport |
| Coast near Nhon Ly, Ky Co and Eo Gio | Early starts on the coast, resorts | 4 and 5 star resorts about 1.5 million to 5 million VND in summer (VnExpress, all areas) | Far from city restaurants |
How do you get around?
Rent a motorbike if you are confident, or hire a car or taxi for the coast. VnExpress lists motorbike rental at 100,000 to 150,000 VND a day and electric vehicles at 25,000 VND per km or 250,000 VND for 60 minutes. The road to Ky Co runs over the mountain, so less experienced riders should take the canoe or a car. Read our getting around Vietnam page on licenses before you rent.
When is typhoon season in Quy Nhon?
Typhoons can form from May to November, but in Quy Nhon the heavy rain and flood risk come from September to December, peaking in October and November. The UK government puts Vietnam's typhoon season at May to November, central Vietnam's rainy season at October to December, and seasonal flooding in October and November. Quy Nhon's normals, from the Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology, show the pattern.
| Months | Average low to high | Rain | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 21 to 27 degrees Celsius | About 67 mm | Mild, some showers |
| February to April | About 22 to 31 degrees Celsius | 28 to 34 mm a month | Dry, sunny, the most comfortable months |
| May to August | About 26 to 34 degrees Celsius | 44 to 85 mm a month | Hot, calm sea, best for Ky Co |
| September | About 26 to 33 degrees Celsius | About 231 mm | Rains begin |
| October to November | About 24 to 30 degrees Celsius | 464 to 521 mm a month | Heaviest rain, flood and storm risk |
| December | About 22 to 27 degrees Celsius | About 206 mm | Still wet, cooler |
Storms do hit the city. Typhoon Kalmaegi struck Gia Lai and Dak Lak in early November 2025, and in Quy Nhon its winds tore off roofs, uprooted trees and collapsed some seaside and lagoon-side houses, with widespread power and water cuts, Viet Nam News reported. Lonely Planet suggests December to April for foreign visitors, but the rainfall figures suggest waiting until February. For the rest of the country, see best time to visit Vietnam.
What safety issues are specific to Quy Nhon?
Weather and roads are the main risks, not crime. Our Vietnam safety page covers the general picture.
- Storms and floods: from September to December, follow the forecast and book refundable rooms.
- Sea conditions: VnExpress describes Ky Co's water as sheltered from April to September; outside those months, ask before you swim or take a canoe.
- Motorbikes: the UK government calls motorbike travel in Vietnam much riskier than in the UK, and the road to Ky Co crosses the mountain.
- Heat and shade: Eo Gio has little shade and few services, so carry water.
How much does Quy Nhon cost?
Quy Nhon is good value, and boat trips are the biggest extra. We converted at about 26,000 VND to US$1, between Vietcombank's published USD buying and selling rates (25,760 and 26,170) when we checked on 3 October 2026.
| Item | Price in VND | About in USD | Where we saw it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ky Co entrance, adult | 100,000 | $3.85 | VnExpress, Sep 2026 |
| Canoe tour to Ky Co with meal | 250,000 to 400,000 | $9.60 to $15 | VnExpress, Sep 2026 |
| Eo Gio entrance | 30,000 | $1.15 | SGGP, Jun 2026 |
| Banh It towers | 15,000 | $0.58 | mia.vn, 2025 |
| Motorbike rental, per day | 100,000 to 150,000 | $3.85 to $5.80 | VnExpress, Apr 2026 |
| Airport bus | 50,000 | $1.90 | VnExpress, Apr 2026 |
| Hotel room for two, cheapest | from about 176,000 | from $7 | Booking.com, 14 Oct 2026 |
| Beach resort, summer | 1.5 million to 5 million | $58 to $192 | VnExpress, Apr 2026 |
| Coffee or a drink | 20,000 to 50,000 | $0.77 to $1.90 | VnExpress, Apr 2026 |
What food is worth seeking out in Quy Nhon?
Seafood and pancakes are the reason to eat here. VnExpress lists banh xeo tom nhay (crispy pancakes with tiny jumping shrimp), banh canh cha ca (thick noodle soup with fish cake), banh hoi chao long, nem nuong and banh mi lagu among the local specialties, plus snails, clams, oysters, lobster and crab. It points to Ngoc Han Cong Chua street for snails and to the Ngo Van So food street. Lonely Planet suggests banh xeo muc, crispy squid pancakes, for breakfast.
Key facts at a glance
- Province: Gia Lai since 1 July 2025, after the merger with Binh Dinh (Tuoi Tre).
- Ky Co: about 25 km north-east, 100,000 VND per adult (VnExpress).
- Eo Gio: 30,000 VND since late June 2026 (SGGP).
- Thap Doi: built in 1230, national relic since 1980 (Bao Van Hoa).
- Trains: Da Nang to Dieu Tri in 5 hours 9 minutes to 6 hours 16 minutes on 14 October 2026 (Vietnam Railways).
- Wettest month: October, about 521 mm of rain (Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology).
Limitations
Ticket prices come from 2025 and 2026 press reports and travel guides, not from the sites' own published lists, and Eo Gio's price changed twice in June 2026. The Banh It ticket and the Bai Xep room range come from a 2025 travel blog. Room prices are Booking.com listings for one night, 14 October 2026, which falls in the rainy season, so summer prices may be higher. Train times are Vietnam Railways' timetable for 14 October 2026 and change with new schedules and around Tet. Climate normals are long-term averages, and a single storm can close boats and roads for days. Before you go, check the forecast from September to December, confirm boat departures locally, and ask at Ky Co and Eo Gio for the current ticket price.
