Quy Nhon and Da Nang are two beautiful coastal cities in Central Vietnam. Da Nang is a popular beach destination for both Vietnamese locals and international tourists. Quy Nhon is a hidden beach gem, well known to locals but still off the radar for most international visitors.
In this article, I will compare Da Nang and Quy Nhon to help you decide which city is better for your visit. I will outline their similarities and differences in some aspects such as locations, beaches, cultural attractions, cost of living, weather, nightlife, shopping, and food.
I’m Vietnamese and I have traveled to both cities, so I hope to give you some useful information based on my personal experience and local knowledge.
Is it better to stay in Quy Nhon or Da Nang?
In my opinion, Da Nang is a better place to visit for first-timers to Vietnam who want a good combination of beaches, cultural attractions, and tourist amenities. It’s also an excellent base to explore other popular cities in Central Vietnam such as Hoi An and Hue.
Da Nang is the transport hub of Central Vietnam, home to a large international airport and a train station, making it easily accessible domestically and internationally.
The city has a long stretch of beautiful beaches, which are ideal for swimming, relaxing, sunbathing, and surfing. There are great selections of luxury resorts along the beachfront, which is ideal for those who want a luxury beach holiday.
Apart from the beaches, the city also has other natural attractions such as Han River running though the heart of the city, and Son Tra peninsula located just a couple of kms outside of the city center. These places offer plenty of outdoor activities for all visitors.
Additionally, Da Nang has a lot of iconic attractions such as Marble Mountains, Linh Ung pagoda, and Dragon Bridges, as well as Bana Hill and the Golden Bridge. Additionally, you’ll be close to Hoi An old town, historic royal sites in Hue, and ancient ruins at My Son Sanctuary.
Da Nang also has a better nightlife, food, and shopping scene compared to Quy Nhon. The city has a good selection of big clubs, rooftop bars, restaurants, modern shopping malls, and traditional markets.
I would recommend visiting Quy Nhon if you want a quieter, off-the-beaten-path experience with less touristy crowds. If you’re traveling from south to north Vietnam by road, especially by train, it’s a good idea to stop in Quy Nhon for a couple of nights to explore local culture.
I visited Quy Nhon when traveling from Nha Trang to Da Nang by train. The train ride is around 10 hours which can be quite long, so I got off at Quy Nhon for a few nights, which made the train ride more comfortable. It was around 4 hours from Nha Trang to Quy Nhon and 6 hours from Quy Nhon to Da Nang.
Quy Nhon is all about the natural attractions, beaches, local atmosphere, and fishing villages. You can find a couple of cultural sites such as Cham ruins and Buddhist temples. There are no big shopping and nightlife scenes in Quy Nhon, which are ideal for relaxing and unwind.
Generally speaking, if you are first-timers to Vietnam who want easily accessible and iconic sights of Central Vietnam, Da Nang is the place to go.
If you backpacking around Vietnam and returning visitors, you can consider putting Quy Nhon on your list if you want to experience a local beach town, away from tourist crowds.
You can combine a visit to both Da Nang and Quy Nhon in a single trip if you’re time allows. It’s around 5-6 hours by road between them. Both cities have their own airport, but there is no direct flight between them, so if you take flights, you’ll be likely to transfer at bigger cities.
My recommend hotels in Quy Nhon:
- Luxury: Anya Premier Hotel
- Mid-range: L’amor Boutique Hotel
- Budget: Bel-Air Hotel
My top hotel picks in Da Nang:
- Luxury: Novotel
- Mid-range: Sala Danang Beach Hotel
- Budget: Wink Hotel Danang Centre
Location and How to Get There
Both Da Nang and Quy Nhon are located along the coast in Central Vietnam. Da Nang is located on the bank of Han River, halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang is close to two other popular cities in Central Vietnam, Hue and Hoi An.
Quy Nhon is located between Nha Trang and Da Nang, around 320km south of Da Nang, and 210 km north of Nha Trang.
You can get to both Da Nang and Quy Nhon by air and by road. Both cities have their own airport, with frequent flights from major cities in Vietnam like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang is the transport hub of Central Vietnam, so it’s easier accessible internationally.
Da Nang international airport is conveniently located right in the city center, while Quy Nhon is served by Phu Cat airport, located 30km north of its city center.
From Da Nang airport, you can easily order a Grab taxi to get to your hotel for a short distance within a limit of a few kms. Grab and traditional taxis are widely available in Da Nang.
From Phu Cat airport, you can take a shuttle bus or use a traditional taxi to get to the city center. Grab taxis are not widely available in Quy Nhon, especially in the area away from the city center, but if you’re lucky, you can find a driver at the time of your request.
Both Da Nang and Quy Nhon have their own train stations, so you can also reach these cities by train from major cities around Vietnam like Nha Trang, Hue, Ninh Binh, Hanoi, or Ho Chi Minh City.
Da Nang train station is also conveniently located in the city center, making it easy to get to your hotel along Han River or at My Khe Beach by Grab taxi.
Quy Nhon has two train stations, Dieu Tri train station and Quy Nhon train station. Dieu Tri Train Station is a more popular station with more frequent trains connecting to both north and south Vietnam.
It’s located outside of the city centre, around 10km away, so you can catch a local taxi to your hotel. You can try ordering a Grab, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get one.
Quy Nhon Train station is located right at the heart of the city center, but it has limited passenger trains, and only connects Quy Nhon to South Vietnam.
In addition to the trains and airplanes, you can take long distance buses, sleeper buses to get to either Quy Nhon or Da Nang. This is a popular choice for backpackers and budget travelers, who want to save money on accommodations.
Quy Nhon vs Da Nang Accommodations
Both Da Nang and Quy Nhon have a wide range of accommodations for all budgets. Da Nang is a more developed and touristy city, so it has more choices of luxury beach front resorts and riverside hotels.
There are clusters of luxury world-class resorts located at the beachfront location of My Khe Beach, as well as many high-rise hotels and apartments along Han River. If you want a luxury stay, Da Nang has many more options for you to choose from.
Quy Nhon has a handful of luxury resorts, scattering around the coast line. The majority of accommodations in this city are in the mid-range and budget category.
Most hotels and guest houses in Quy Nhon are centered in the city center, and there are several accommodations in more quiet locations such as Bai Xep, located 13km south of the city center.
In Da Nang, you can choose to stay either in the city center or along the beachfront. The city center has more budget-friendly hotels, and offers easy access to famous markets, Han River with its iconic bridges, and authentic restaurants.
If you want to relax at the luxury resorts right on the beach, there are plenty of resorts along My Khe Beach and Non Nuoc Beach for you to choose from.
Just make sure to book well in advance if you’re traveling into the high season to secure your stay. The peak season in Da Nang and Quy Nhon is from March to August.
See more:
Da Nang or Quy Nhon for Nightlife
Da Nang, without a doubt, is the best place to go for nightlife. Even though it is not as lively as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, it has good enough bars, restaurants, and markets for a night out.
The nightlife in Da Nang is centered around the city center in popular areas such as two banks of Han River, An Thuong, or the beach road along My Khe Beach.
You can find many restaurants, beach bars, roof top bars, and big nightclubs in the city. There are couples of night markets such as Son Tra Night Market and An Thuong Night market for those who want street foods and cheap souvenirs in the evening.
The two streets along Han River, Bach Dang and Tran Hung Dao street, are always packed with both locals and tourists. You can watch the fire water show at the foot of Dragon Bridge on the weekend, and check out the romantic Love Bridge for stunning views of the river.
The nightlife in Quy Nhon is very quiet. You can find several local beer bars, karaoke shops, and numerous local restaurants around the city center.
The city’s main square, Nguyen Tat Thanh Square, located along Quy Nhon Beach, is a popular spot to hangout with the locals in the evening. Quy Nhon Food Street nearby is a good place to try some local street food and experience the local life.
Da Nang or Quy Nhon for Shopping
Da Nang is the more developed city, it has a better shopping scene. The city is home to several big modern shopping malls and traditional local markets. You can find both luxury products and affordable local souvenirs in Da Nang easily.
I like to shop at the Vincom Plaza because it has a central location close to Han River and My Khe Beach. It has good air conditioning, which is a great escape from the heat and outdoor exploration. The mall has a wide range of shops selling clothing, shoes, accessories, and a supermarket.
Other big malls in Da Nang are the Lotte Mart Supermarket, Indochina Riverside Mall, or MM Mega Market.
When visiting the city, you must check out traditional markets such as Han Market, Con Market, or Bac My An market. These places have everything, from daily life essentials, local specialties, to souvenirs. It’s a fun place to do bargain shopping.
Han market is the most tourist market, then Con market and Bac My An market. The sellers at Han Market can speak several languages, making it easy to communicate with customers.
All markets and malls are located within the city center, you can easily catch a Grab taxi or Grab bike to hop between these shopping places.
The shopping in Quy Nhon is mainly toward the locals. You can find traditional markets and several small shopping malls where locals go shopping. It’s good to visit these places to experience local daily life. You might see some good products to buy.
Da Nang vs Quy Nhon Food
Both cities are coastal cities, so they offer great fresh seafood dishes. There are plenty of seafood restaurants where you can choose fresh seafood from the tank, and the restaurants will cook it for you in their kitchen.
Many local Vietnamese visit these cities and buy dry seafood to bring home as a gift for their families. You can buy these local specialties at local markets such as Han Market in Da Nang or Dam market in Quy Nhon.
Da Nang is a more popular tourist city, so it has a wider range of restaurants serving both local dishes and international foods. There are plenty of restaurants in the city center, between Han River and My Khe Beach. You can easily find a good place to eat in Da Nang.
Both cities are known for their local regional dishes. Da Nang is famous for its My Quang, Banh Cuon Thit Heo, and Banh Xeo. You can eat at local restaurants or one of many street food stalls at Son Tra Night Market or An Thuong Night Market.
Dining at a restaurant in the city center is often cheaper than dining at a restaurant along the beachfront. The food at local restaurants in the city center is also more authentic than the more touristy ones at the beach area.
Quy Nhon has some famous dishes such as Banh xeo, bun thit nuong, or banh it la gai. You can find food at local restaurants, and at street food stalls at the street food area and night market around the city’s main square.
Quy Nhon or Da Nang for Beaches
Both Da Nang and Nha Trang have beautiful beaches for swimming, and enjoying water activities. The beaches in Da Nang are usually more crowded than the beaches than Quy Nhon.
The main beach in Da Nang is My Khe Beach, running parallel with the city center. The beach has clean water, fine white sand, and is lined with palm trees. There are lots of beach facilities on the beach such as beach bars, umbrellas and bed chairs for rent.
The beach road, Vo Nguyen Giap street, is packed with many seafood restaurants, resorts, bars, and shops. You can have stunning views of the Lady Buddha statue in Son Tra peninsula, and high rise buildings along the beach road.
The beach is usually packed with people in the early morning and late afternoon. People come here for exercise, swimming, watching the sunrise and sunset.
My Khe Beach is also a great spot for surging, especially in the low season. You can find a surf school on the beachfront where you can take lessons.
For quieter beaches, you can head down to Non Nuoc Beach near Marble Mountains, or even An Bang and Hoi An Beach near Hoi An ancient town.
The main beach at Quy Nhon is Quy Nhon Beach. This beach is much quieter than My Khe Beach in Da Nang, and is predominantly frequented by Vietnamese locals.
Locals come to the beach for swimming and taking a stroll along the beach road in the early morning and late afternoon when the temperature drops.
Other popular beaches in Quy Nhon are Bai Xep, Eo Gio, and Ky Co Beach. Ky Co is located around 20 km north of the city center, offering crystal clear water and white sand beach. This is one of the best beaches in Vietnam.
Island hopping
For more pristine quieter beaches, you can take boat trips to nearby islands from either Da Nang or Quy Nhon. These places have vibrant marine life and crystal clear water which are ideal for snorkeling and diving.
From Da Nang, you can take boat trips to Cham island, and from Quy Nhon, you can take boat trips to Hon Kho island.
Historical and Cultural Attractions
Both places have historical and cultural attractions to explore. They have some things in common such as Buddhist temples and ruins of Cham Kingdom.
In Quy Nhon, you can explore several ruins of the Champa people such as Thap Doi Towers or Banh It Cham Temple. These places show reddish brick towers with Hindu architecture that dating back to the 12-13th century.
You can also find these ruins at My Son sanctuary, located within a short drive from Da Nang. You can learn about the history of Cham people at Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, located right at the foot of Dragon Bridge in the city center of Da Nang.
In both cities, you can visit ancient and modern temple complexes. In Da Nang, I recommend visiting the Linh Ung pagoda on Son Tran peninsula, and the Marble Mountains. In Quy Nhon, you can check out the Linh Phong – Ong Nui temple.
If you stay in Da Nang, you can easily take a short taxi ride to Hoi An ancient town to visit more ancient houses, temples, museums, and beautiful lantern lit streets.
You can also take day trips or overnight trips to Hue to visit historical attractions of the last royal period in Vietnam. This city is located around 3 hours away from Da Nang, and is home to the citadel city, royal tombs, and ancient pagodas.
Cost of Living- Is Quy Nhon cheaper than Danang?
Both cities generally have lower cost of living compared to major cities in Vietnam like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Quy Nhon is more toward locals, so it has a lower cost of living compared to Da Nang. Accommodations, food, and drinks are generally cheaper.
You can find cheap places to eat and affordable accommodations in Da Nang if you stay away from the tourist crowds. But, even in the tourist area, Da Nang is still quite reasonable for foreign tourists.
The affordable cost of living along with the beautiful beaches and wide range of tourist amenities, are some of the reasons Da Nang attracts lots of expats, and long-term digital nomads.
Da Nang vs Quy Nhon Weather
Both cities have warmer weather all year around compared to north Vietnam. As the coastal cities, they often experience storms and flooding during the peak rain season, especially from September to November. These are the worst times to visit either Da Nang or Quy Nhon.
The best time to visit this region is from February to May, when the temperature is pleasant and the rain is less. June to August is still a great time to visit but it’s super hot though.
Historical Influences
Both Quy Nhon and Da Nang have rich history and culture. They are located in central Vietnam and were parts of the ancient Champa Kingdom. Both cities were integrated into Dai Viet in the 15th century, and now a popular beach holiday in Vietnam.
Champa Kingdom (2nd-15 century)
Both Da Nang and Quy Nhon were parts of the ancient Champa Kingdom, which occupied most of Central Vietnam from the 2nd to 15th century. The Cham people were influenced by Indian culture and Hinduism, famous for temples and maritime trade.
Da Nang was an important port city of the Amaravati region in the north Champa Kingdom, while Quy Nhon belonged to Vijaya region.
The area around Da Nang was known as Indrapura, which was the capital of Champa from about 875 to about 1100 AD. The area around Binh Dinh and Quy Nhon was known as Vijaya, which was the center of Champa from 1150s to1471.
In the 14th century, Da Nang was merged with Dai Viet as a wedding gift of Champa King to Dai Viet when married Princess Huyen Tran. In the 15th century, Quy Nhon was merged to Da Viet under the resignation of King Le Thanh Tong.
Today, you can see many ruins of Cham Kingdom around Central Vietnam. In Da Nang, you can visit the famous My Son sanctuary located 50km away from the city center. You can learn about its history at the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture along Han River.
In Quy Nhon, you can visit the Twin Towers right at the heart of the city center, as well as Banh It Towers, and Vijaya Citadel. The Vijaya Citadel was the capital of Cham Kingdom from the 11th century until 1471 when it was defeated by Dai Viet.
From the 15th century – 19th century
Da Nang was the important trading port for large European ships under the Nguyen Dynasty. It has a strategic location and deep harbor close to Hue, which was the capital of Vietnam.
The Nguyen dynasty also built a defensive citadel in Da Nang. Today, you can still find the ruins of Dien Hai citadel in the city center on the left bank of Han River.
In the late 18th century, Quy Nhon was the site of the Tay Son Rebellion, ending the control of Nguyễn lords in the South and the Trịnh lords in the North, opening the way to unite the country.
The Tay Son brothers (Nguyen Hue, Nguyen Anh, Nguyen Lu) built the Imperial Citadel (Hoang De Citadel) on the ancient Cham citadel of Do Ban. Nguyen Hue (aka Quang Trung) became the King, founded the Tay Son Dynasty.
The Tay Son dynasty was weakened after the death of King Quang Trung in 1792. The Hoang De Citadel was under the control of Nguyen Anh (later became the first King of the Nguyen dynasty).
The Nguyen Dynasty transformed Quy Nhon from an old fishing area to a beautiful beach town. Queen Nam Phuong, the wife of the last Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty (Bao Dai) often visited the area. There is a beach called Queen beach near Quy Nhon city center.
French colonial period (mid 19th century to mid 20th century)
Da Nang was attacked by the French in 1858, starting the French colonial period in Vietnam. Da Nang was placed under French control in 1888.
The French developed infrastructure, including roads, railways, and ports in both Da Nang and Quy Nhon.
In Da Nang, they built a French-style area at the left bank of Han River, with wide streets, churches, and villas. They also built Ba Na Hill resorts to escape from the coastal heat.
The French also developed Quy Nhon as a key coastal administrative and trade hub in central Vietnam. They built wide boulevards, neoclassical buildings, and villas. You can still see the French-colonial style building, Quy Hoa leper colony, near Quy Nhon today.
Vietnam – American War
Both Da Nang and Quy Nhon/ Binh Dinh were important sites during the Vietnam-American War. Da Nang was the first place where US troops landed. It was also a major air and naval base of the US. Quy Nhon was also one of the largest US naval bases during the war time.
Today
Da Nang is one of the most liveable cities in Vietnam. It’s a popular tourist destination for both Vietnamese and international visitors. The city has a central location in Central Vietnam, easy access to the ancient towns Hoi An and Hue.
Quy Nhon is still a quiet beach town that is only popular for domestic tourists. There are just a few international visitors who know about this place, which remains a peaceful seaside town.
Getting Around
Riding share services such as Grab are available in both Da Nang and Quy Nhon, especially in their city center area. They are a convenient way to get around within a short distance to the central area.
These services aren’t always available when you travel to the countryside. If you plan to do long distance exploring, it’s best to take guided tours or hire a private driver.
You can also consider renting a scooter to explore Da Nang and Quy Nhon. Renting a scooter is a cheap way and gives you more freedom to explore things at your own pace. Remember to follow local traffic rules, wear the helmet, and make sure that you have a valid license.
It was easy for me to use a Grab Bike to explore all major sights in Da Nang. Since I was a solo traveler, I found it’s more convenient and economical to use Grab Bike than Grab taxi. It was also easy to get a Grab taxi ride from Da Nang to Hoi An.
In Quy Nhon, I was able to get a Grab from the city center to Dieu Tri Station, but a local traditional taxi from Dieu Tri station to City center.
I used a Grab Bike to reach Linh Phong – Ong Nui Temple, and the driver suggested becoming my personal driver for the day, taking me to Eo Gio and Ky Co Beach.
See more:
- Da Nang or Phu Quoc
- Da Nang or Nha Trang
- Da Nang or Hue
- Da Nang vs Nha Trang Vs Phu Quoc
- Ho Chi Minh City vs Da Nang:
- Hanoi vs Da Nang
- Quy Nhon or Phu Quoc
- Quy Nhon or Nha Trang
I hope you have found some useful information after reading my comparison between Da Nang and Quy Nhon. Both cities are great for summer beach holidays in Central Vietnam.
I would recommend visiting Da Nang if you’re visiting Vietnam for the first time, and those who want a good mix of beaches, nightlife, food, and cultural attractions. It’s an ideal city to stay in if you want a convenient location to explore Central Vietnam such as Hoi An old town and Hue.
Quy Nhon is a better choice than Da Nang if you’re looking to visit a beach town that is not on the typical tourist trail. You can enjoy a more local atmosphere, quiet beaches, and away from tourist crowds. It’s a good stop to stay a few nights if you’re traveling by train between Nha Trang and Da Nang/ Hoi An.