Binh Dinh Landscape

Binh Dinh province lies along the south-central coast of Vietnam. This is the key economic region of central Vietnam. The capital city is Quy Nhon, which is 649km from Ho Chi Minh City or 1,065km from Hanoi. Binh Dinh shares the border with Quang Ngai province on the north, Gia Lai province on the west, and Phu Yen province on the south. The province takes up a long coastline of 100km with many offshore islands. With advantage in well-maintained infrastructure, Binh Dinh has good condition to become an energetic economic center.

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This coastline province is famous as the centre of the old Sa Huynh Culture. It used to be established as one of the capital cities of the former Cham Kingdom for a long period. The popular Cham towers are “Pyramid Shaped Black Cake” Tower, Duong Long Tower, “Flying Fairy Wings” Tower and Twin Towers. The long coast with many coves and lochs makes many beautiful spots and beaches such as Phuong Mai Peninsula, Queen, Quy Hoa and Ghenh Rang beaches. Besides these, Ham Ho Valley is a beautiful freshwater spot as a change for visitors who prefer tramping in the bush and a swim in the fresh water stream.

Binh Dinh is cradle of Tuong opera (hat boi), Tay Son martial music, Bai Choi musical plays, Ba Trao festival music of the fishermen along central coastline. The traditional festivals are Tay Son, Cau Ngu, An Thai Village Muscle art…

The province has special products such as silk, swallow nest, shrimp, fish, precious wood, vegetable oil, rice, marble, titanium, and handicraft articles.

1. Best time to visit Binh Dinh?

Binh Dinh province is featured with typical tropical monsoon climate with the average temperature of 27oC. Rainy season normally lasts from September to December and the rest months are in dry season (from January to August). The best time to travel to Binh Dinh is from March to May, when the number of tourists is relatively small so tourists can feel comfortable to enjoy their vacation. The weather at this time is relatively dry and not too hot, suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities. The weather will be hotter if you come in later months. In addition, the beaches there can be quite crowded during summer vacation (at the end of May to August).

2. Attractions in Binh Dinh.

Most of the province is covered by mountains or hills. Most districts of Binh Dinh have a topography that is a mix of mountains or hills and lowlands. The largest lowland area located in the south of the province along the lower Con River. The long coast with many coves and lochs makes many beautiful spots and beaches such as Phuong Mai Peninsula, Queen, Quy Hoa and Ghenh Rang beaches. Besides these, Ham Ho Valley is a beautiful freshwater spot as a change for visitors who prefer tramping in the bush and a swim in the freshwater stream.

2.1. Ghenh Rang – Tien Sa Tourist Area

Ghenh Rang is one of the most attractive destinations in Binh Dinh, located 3km southeast of Quy Nhon City. It has magnificent natural scenery with mountains, forests, beaches and islands that can’t be seen in such a combination anywhere else. At the southwest are high mountains that reach the ocean, and from these mounts you can survey great distances of natural beauty: the Lion’s Head rock that leaps to reach the sea; the silent Waiting Statue; the Lying Elephant and Bear rocks that guard the beaches, and Chong Islet which seems to be light, but is stable in the heavy storms.

On the northeast of Ghenh Rang is a blue ocean that covers the white sandbanks with cool water and a stunning view. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Binh Dinh and has greeted bathers in search of relaxation for many years. In 1927, Bao Dai, the last king of Vietnam, built a villa where his family could come and relax. He reserved the whole beach for just Queen Nam Phuong, his most beloved wife. It is because of this that the beach is now called Queen Beach. From the view on the top of the mountain, the beach looks like a large turquoise field filled with jade and granite eggs. And so, apart from “Queen’s Beach”, the local people also call it “Egg Stone” beach.

2.2. Ham Ho Tourist Spot

Ham Ho (Vietnamese: Hầm Hô) is a downstream part of the Kut River in Tay Son, Binh Dinh, and located 55km northwest of Quy Nhon City. The name originated from an interesting phenomenon that occurs here in the dry season. In a drought year when people wanted rain, there were many strange sounds like people screaming and praying at this bend of the river. The locals began to call this place as Ham Ho, or ‘Yelling Cellar’. This part of the Kut River is only 1km but is a lush green all year long with cool streaming waters. Along the riverbanks are a dense forest mixed with high cliffs, dotted by a number of marble outcroppings with varied strange shapes. There are several stone places that are of particular interest to visitors, such as Chess Stone, Flying Fish Stone, and the Gates of Life and Death, which are also known as the Giant’s Feet.

Ham Ho is also famous because it draws a considerable number of fish, especially in the flooding season. The local people say that this time of year is the Contest of Fishes organized by the Dragon King (the God that governs lakes, rivers and the ocean). The fish that wins the contest will turn into a dragon. In addition, fish that come to Ham Ho always swim against the river’s flow and get pushed into the air like flying fish, so that this particular part of the river is also called The Flying Fish.

* Tour Activities in Ham Ho:

+ Boat tours on the river with man-powered punters make for a fun river ride through the rocky canals. Sitting on a boat along Ham Ho, you can explore a lot of amazing landscapes such as green old-growth forests, impressive mountainous sceneries, and wonderful rock masses on the riversides as well as under the pure water.

+ Swimming in the water to cool off is popular. There are safety ropes running through the river to aid those who want to sink.

+ Quang Trung Museum just across the Kon River has a display from once ruler, King Quang Trung. If you’re lucky, you can experience some Kung Fu Dancing reenactments.

2.3. FLC Zoo Safari Park Quy Nhon

FLC Zoo Safari Park Quy Nhon is the first wildlife safari in the South Central Vietnam with the typical tropical climate, natural sand dunes and conifers. It was open to the public on 25 Mar 2017. As a part of Nhon Ly – Cat Tien Beach Tourism Spot, FLC Zoo Safari Park Quy Nhon is connected to the 5-star FLC Quy Nhon Beach & Golf Resort with high-class accommodation and recreation facilities. It covers a total area of 129 ha constructed under international standard for Safari park and is home to nearly 900 individual animals. Protect species in FLC Zoo Safari Park Quy Nhon come in a large number ranging from Purple Swamphen, Hare, Wild Duck, Chinese Goose, Geese, Spotted Deer, African Ostrich, Black Swans, Yellow Tadorama Duck, Monkey, Peacock, Swan….

2.4. Trung Luong Camping Site

Trung Luong Camping Site is located in Phu Cat District, about 30km from Quy Nhon City. Since its opening, Trung Luong has quickly become a hot tourist destination in Binh Dinh that attracted a lot of visitors, especially young people, who come for fun and camping activities.

Trung Luong is a picnic camping site with a huge green lawn area, overlooking to stretched coastline and white sandy beaches. It lies in the middle of the undulating mountains which will make you feel like you are visiting South Korea’s Jeju Island.

The most highlight of this site is the spacious amusement park with beach view, including camps with red and green roofs, colorful chairs. For tourist groups, spending the night with fire camping, singing, watching the stars, listening to the waves lapping the shore will be an unforgettable experience.

From the picnic area, following the beautiful paved road, tourists can reach Trung Luong Beach. The sea with clear blue water is so peaceful. The beach stretches to the horizon with smooth sand. As you walk along this path, you will surely be attracted by the countless large rocks with all sorts of strange shapes around. Besides camping activity, tourists can enjoy snorkeling, diving to see beautiful coral reefs.

2.5. Cham Towers

Cham cultural relics can be found in all of Vietnam’s central coast provinces. But Binh Dinh province was considered as the heart of the Champa Kingdom that flourished here from the 10th to the 15th century. The Cham Pa (Champa) were a group of pioneers that occupied a territory in today’s Central and South Vietnam. There are eight complexes of 14 Cham towers scattered throughout Binh Dinh. In terms of architecture, the Cham towers in this province are the largest in Southeast Asia, mainly centered in Quy Nhon City and three districts of Tuy Phuoc, An Nhon and Tay Son in the area of Do Ban Citadel, the last kingdom of the ancient Champa Kingdom. Visiting Binh Dinh will give you the opportunity to see them in person.

Below are the most distinctive and famous Cham towers in Binh Dinh:

• Twin Towers (Tháp Đôi)

• The most famous Cham towers in Binh Dinh province, located in Dong Da Ward, Quy Nhon City.
  • Built in the late 12th century.
  • One of the pair is 20 meters high and the other is 18 meters.
  • Constructed with roofs that curve up, unlike most other Cham towers whose tops taper to a point from a square foundation.
  • Noticeable Hindu influences in the artwork:

+ Upper parts: carved with dancing monkeys, deer, elephant-head lions, and meditators.
+ Corners: decorated with mythical Hindu stone birds.
+ Decorative motifs: animal genies, revered in the Cham religion

• Recognized as the national cultural and historical relic in 1980.

• “Pyramid Shaped Black Cake” Tower (Tháp Bánh Ít)

• Located near Phuoc Hiep Commune, Tuy Phuoc, 20km from Quy Nhon City.
  • Built at the early 12th century atop a hill.
  • 4-towers pyramid as its name.
  • Each tower has a distinctive architecture, beautiful decoration, and great aesthetic value.
  • Recognized art monument by Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture in 1982.

• Duong Long Tower (Tháp Dương Long)

• Located in Tay Binh Commune, Tay Son District, about 50km from Quy Nhon City.
  • Built in the late 12th century, when the Champa culture was flourishing.
  • 3-towers: central tower – 42m high; south one – 36m high; north one – 34m high.
  • Exterior made of bricks, sculptures, and carvings depicting animals that seem to come alive.
  • Vivid decorative patterns of flowers and animals show off delicate carving techniques.
  • Recognized by the Ministry of Culture as an Art Architecture Monument in 1980.
  • Recognized by the Prime Minister as a significant national monument on December 23, 2015

• “Flying Fairy Wings” Tower (Tháp Cánh Tiên)

• Located at Do Ban Citadel in Nhon Hau Commune, An Nhon district.
  • Built around the 16th century.
  • Interior design includes purple sandstone that twists and carve in design.
  • Exterior has 4-tiers that get smaller as they rise creating the image of a bird or fairy flying.

3.6. Ong Nui Pagoda (Chùa Ông Núi)

Ong Nui Pagoda (also known as Linh Phong Sơn Tự), lying on Chop Vung Mountain, Phu Cat district – 30km from Quy Nhon City, is one of the most important and famous Buddhist relic sites in Binh Dinh province.

The pagoda worships Buddhist monk Tinh Giac-Thien Tri who was called “Ông Núi” by local people (Ông means an old man, Núi means mountain). He cured villagers from diseases and epidemics by giving them medicines.

Binh Dinh provincial People’s Committee and the provincial Buddhist Sangha carried out the VND 500 billion project to build a historical, ecological and spiritual tourism complex in Ong Nui Pagoda. The most highlight of this project is the 69m siting Buddha Statue. From Ong Nui Pagoda, looking down to the Southwestern direction, visitors can see immense rice fields while a boundless blue sea is visible in the East. To the Southeastern direction stand the Thi Nai lagoon and a willow forest.

2.7. The Windy Pass (Eo Gió)

Eo Gio – located just 20kms from Quy Nhon City, is where the lush mossy mountains meet the calm coastal waters of the South China Sea. Just ride across the Thi Nai Bridge towards the coast and make your way towards Nhon Ly Commune. Eo Gió is the best place to see the sunrise in Quy Nhon – Binh Dinh. Though it’s not safe to swim here since the waves are strong, visitors can enjoy a nice, romantic walk and catch some cool breeze on the small winding walkway built on the side of the mountain. It is an unforgettable experience as one is surrounded by rough cliffs, massive caves, gusty wind and deep blue water smashing against large rocks which creates such a beautiful landscape.

2.8. Ky Co Beach (Bãi biển Kỳ Co)

About 25 km from Quy Nhon city center, Ky Co is a must – visit beach destination with the curved coastline and is fondly dubbed the “Maldives of Vietnam”. It has three sides facing to the mountain and one side facing to the sea. So there are two ways to reach this beach paradise. From Quy Nhon’s center, tourists can come to Ky Co beach by private car and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery along the way. Or you can take private car to Eo Gio area and then go to Ky Co beach by 30-minute canoe. You are surely impressed by the magnificent rocky mountains, white sands and clear blue water with small sea rocks around. What could be better than to be immersing in the cool water or just simply lying down on the soft sand under the warm sunlight to enjoy a charming artwork from nature?

2.9. Phuong Mai Sand Dune (Đồi cát Phương Mai)

Just about 20km from Quy Nhon city, Phuong Mai peninsula is a secluded place with vast expanses of sand right beside Nhon Trach beach. Sand dunes on Phuong Mai peninsula are widely considered to be the most beautiful in the central region and are on par with other popular destinations such as Mui Ne in Binh Thuan province, Quang Phu in Quang Binh province, and Nam Cuong in Ninh Thuan province.

The huge sandy dunes keep changing its shape owning to windy blows from the nearby beaches. The sand dunes here are perfect for sand sliding activity. Tourists can see a lake formed in a sand pit at 100m depth and running close to Thi Nai Lagoon.

2.10. Cu Lao Xanh Island

Cu Lao Xanh (or Vân Phi Island) of Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province is a hidden beauty and considered a charming pearl of the East Sea. The island is just about 24 km away from the mainland, located near the Xuan Dai Bay in Nhon Chau Commune, Binh Dinh Province. Cu Lao Xanh is translated into English as Green Islet, which refers to its greenery beauty and vitality.

The whole island is covered by the greenish lush natural forest, the lines of the tall coconut trees along the beach, the pure blue sky and crystal-clear sea water. You may be fascinated by the sparkling water surface under the sunshine. Cu Lao Xanh has soft white sand dunes. From the above, Cu Lao Xanh looks like a sexy woman with full of vitality lying among the vast oceans. If you are on the planning step to visit Quy Nhon, Cu Lao Xanh must be included into your travel bucket list.