Quy Nhon and Nha Trang are two beach cities in South Central Vietnam. Nha Trang is a well-known destination, whereas Quy Nhon is more off the beaten path. Both are excellent destinations for a beach holiday with sun, sand, and sea.
In this article, I will compare Nha Trang and Quy Nhon to help you to decide which city is better for your visit. I will outline the similarities and differences based on their locations, beaches, nightlife, shopping, food, and attractions.
I’m Vietnamese and I traveled to both Quy Nhon and Nha Trang. I hope to give you some useful information from my local perspective.
Is it better to stay in Quy Nhon or Nha Trang?
I would recommend staying in Nha Trang if you want an urban city vibe with a good mix of beaches, nightlife, shopping, food, and entertainment.
Nha Trang is an ideal place to visit for first-timers to Vietnam, and long term travelers who want easy access to a wide range of tourist amenities and beach life.
Quy Nhon is not yet a popular destination for foreign visitors. It’s a popular beach summer holiday for local Vietnamese though. I recommend visiting Quy Nhon if you want to experience the local beach town and authentic Vietnamese atmosphere.
Quy Nhon is ideal for those who want to explore off the beaten path, enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, away from tourist crowds. It is located midway between Nha Trang and Da Nang/ Hoi An, making it a great stop when traveling between South and Central Vietnam.
I traveled by train from Nha Trang to Da Nang, and got off at Dieu Tri station for a few nights in Quy Nhon. It’s a great way to take a break from the long train ride and also have a chance to explore the beautiful beach city.
The downside of Nha Trang is that it can be very touristy, packed with Chinese, Korean, and Russian tourists. The downside of Quy Nhon is that it can be very quiet, both day and night. If you enjoy a party and lively vibe, Nha Trang is a better option for you.
Best Places to Stay in Nha Trang:
- luxury: Meliá Vinpearl
- Mid-range: Liberty Central Hotel
- Budget: Azura Gold Apartment
Best Places to Stay in Quy Nhon:
- Luxury: Anya Premier Hotel
- Mid-range: L’amor Boutique Hotel
- Budget: Bel-Air Hotel
Location and How to Get There
Nha Trang and Quy Nhon are two beach cities located in South Central Vietnam. Nha Trang is closer to Ho Chi Minh City while Quy Nhon is closer to Da Nang and Hoi An.
Nha Trang is around 400 km north east of Ho Chi Minh, and 528 km south of Da Nang. Quy Nhon is around 200 km north of Nha Trang, 600 km north east of Ho Chi Minh, and 322 km south of Da Nang.
Both cities have their own airport, so it’s easy to get to these places by air from major cities of Vietnam like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Both airports are located around 30-40 km outside of their city center.
Quy Nhon is served by Phu Cat Airport, and Nha Trang is served by Cam Ranh airport. From these airports, you can take a taxi or bus to get to the city center.
Both Quy Nhon and Nha Trang have a train station, so you can travel to these cities by train. Nha Trang train station is located right at the heart of the city, so you can easily use Grab Taxi to get to your hotel.
Quy Nhon has two train stations, Quy Nhon Station located in the city center and Dieu Tri station located 15km away from the city center. Quy Nhon Station has limited trains running per day, only connecting major cities from Quy Nhon to Ho Chi Minh City.
Dieu Tri is the main train station of the area, which has frequent trains from and to all over Vietnam. From Dieu Tri, you can take a local taxi to the city center. If you’re lucky enough, you can find a Grab taxi and avoid bargaining with the driver.
In addition to taking airplanes and trains, there are plenty of long distance and sleeping buses connecting these cities with other parts of Vietnam.
Quy Nhon vs Nha Trang Accommodations
Both Nha Trang are popular beach holiday destinations in Vietnam, so it has a wide range of accommodations for all budgets. Both cities have many high-rise hotels, though Nha Trang has a higher concentration.
As the more developed city, Nha Trang has more luxury resorts, so if you want a luxury beach holiday, Nha Trang has better options for you to choose from.
Accommodations in both cities often come with an outdoor swimming pool, onsite restaurant, bars, and some hotels have rooftop terrace with infinitely pool, and sky bar.
The most popular places to stay in Nha Trang are the city center and Tran Phu Beach. But, you can find many hotels and resorts in the surrounding beaches and islands such as at Hon Chong Beach or Hon Tre island.
Nha Trang is a more popular destination for expat and long term travelers, so the city has many apartment-style accommodations. They offer facilities such as bedrooms and kitchens, where you can cook your own food.
In Quy Nhon, most hotels and resorts are centered around the city center and the main beach area. There are some hostels and guest houses at Bai Xep, which is popular for backpackers and foreign tourists.
See more:
Nha Trang or Quy Nhon for Nightlife
If you want a lively nightlife, Nha Trang is the place to go. Quy Nhon has a very laid-beach evening with just several bars scattering around the city.
Nha Trang has lots of bars and beach clubs where you can go to parties. You can find cheap drinks at beer bars on Biet Thu street or Why Not Bar. For a more sophisticated nightlife, head to the Sailing Club, Louisiane Brewhouse, or Skylight Rooftop Bar.
In addition to the bars, you can check out many restaurants, visit the shopping centers, explore the night market, hangout at the 2 April Square, and walk along the beach in the evening.
I stayed in the city center of Quy Nhon. There are no big bars and night clubs, just some local beer bars and karaoke shops. The main nightlife activities in Quy Nhon for me is just to find a good restaurant to eat and wandering around the city center and the beachfront area.
Quy Nhon or Nha Trang for Shopping
Nha Trang is a better place to go shopping because it has large shopping malls and several local markets. You can find a wide variety of products in Nha Trang including luxury goods, and cheap local specialties.
You can find modern shopping malls in Nha Trang in the city center such as the Vincom Plaza, Nha Trang Center, Hon Chong Center, or Lotte Mart.
If you want to shop at the traditional market, you must check out Dam Market, where you can find local specialties and souvenirs at reasonable prices. Unlike shopping in the mall, make sure to bargain at the markets.
In addition to the malls and the local markets, there are also many independent op shops in the city center, selling tourist souvenirs and local products.
Quy Nhon does not have large shopping malls like Nha Trang, but it has traditional markets and shops around the city. Dam Market and Quy Nhon Night market are great places to visit for shopping and experiencing local nightlife.
In both cities, you can find typical Vietnamese souvenirs, traditional handicrafts, or local seafood products such as dried fish and shrimp.
Quy Nhon or Nha Trang for Food
Both cities are great places to try fresh seafood. There are seafood restaurants and street food stalls where you can enjoy different dishes from seafood such as grilled, steam, stir-fried, or noodle soup.
As the more touristy city, Nha Trang has a wider range of restaurants serving both Vietnamese and international dishes. The food in Quy Nhon is mainly Vietnamese food.
Each city is famous for their local dishes. In Nha Trang, I recommend trying Grilled Pork, Beef Steak with Bang Mi, fish noodle soup, or mini savory pancakes. In Quy Nhon, you can try their local regional food such as fish cake noodles, crab noodles, or green bean cakes).
Nha Trang vs Quy Nhon Beaches
Both cities have great beaches, with a long main beach in the city center and surrounding areas. Nha Trang has many offshore islands, so you have more opportunities to take boat trips to more pristine beaches.
The main beach in Nha Trang is Tran Phu Beach, located in the city center. Another popular beach is Hon Chong Beach, located north of Tran Phu Beach.
These beaches are busy both day and night, especially in the late afternoon when both locals and tourists hangout at the beach. They are great places for swimming, taking a stroll along the beach, and enjoying watersport activities.
The main beach in Quy Nhon is the Quy Nhon Beach, running parallel with the beach road An Duong Vuong and Nguyen Hue street. This beach is very crowded, and the crowds at the beach are mainly Vietnamese.
A bit south of the city center of Quy Nhon, you can find Quy Hoa Beach and Bai Xep Beach. Bai Xep Beach is a popular area in Quy Nhon for foreigners to stay.
Ky Co beach is in my opinion the best beach in Quy Nhon. It’s located a bit outside of the city center, around 20km away. The beach has crystal clear water, white fine sand, and is a great place for swimming, relaxing, and sunbathing. You can reach the beach by road or by boat.
Island hopping
In addition to the beach activities in the mainland, you can take boat trips to nearby islands from either Quy Nhon or Nha Trang for more water activities.
From Quy Nhon, you can take boat trips to Cu Lao Xanh island or Hon Kho island. With its crystal clear water and coral reefs, these places are ideal for snokerling, and diving.
The islands near Nha Trang are more developed than Quy Nhon. There are several islands with luxury resorts on it and entertainment complexes such as shopping harbor or themed parks.
You can consider staying overnight at Hon Tre island at Vinpearl resort, Marriott, or on Hom Tam island. You can visit Monkey Island where you see hundreds of wild monkeys roaming around freely.
Hon Mieu, Hon Mun, and Hon Mot are also popular islands near Nha Trang that are often included in boat trips visiting three to four islands in a day.
Historical and Cultural Attractions
Both Nha Trang and Quy Nhon have some ruins related to Cham people, which were the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Champa in this south central region of Vietnam in ancient times.
The ruins in Nha Trang are more impressive, and in Quy Nhon, you can find smaller sizes and still see traditional Cham architecture.
Po Nagar Temple is a major cultural and historical attraction in Nha Trang. It was built by the Champa Kingdom between the 7th and 13th centuries and was an important religious center of the ancient Champa civilization.
The temple is located on a hill next to Cai River, about 2 km north from Nha Trang City Center. You can admire the beautiful architecture, and enjoy scenic views of the city.
Other cultural attractions in Nha trang are the Buddhist temple Long Son Pagoda and the catholic cathedral, Mountain Church. You don’t need to be religious to visit these places. Just visit them for its beautiful architecture, stunning views, and peaceful atmosphere.
Quy Nhon have several ruin sites of the Cham Kingdom but I recommend visit the Tháp Đôi Quy Nhơn. It’s located in the city center and you can use Grab to visit it. Other sites are located a bit outside and require a private driver or rental scooter.
Quy Nhon is also home to several Buddhist temples, the most popular one is the Linh Phong – Ong Nui Temple. This complex has a new temple with a big Buddha statue and stunning views of the sea as well as an ancient temple with a peaceful atmosphere.
Cost of Living
Both Nha Trang and Quy Nhon have lower cost of living than other major cities in Vietnam like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. Accommodations, food, and drink in Quy Nhon are usually cheaper than in Nha Trang as the city is less touristy and caters more to local Vietnamese.
Nha Trang attracts many expats and long term travelers due to its low cost of living, beach life, and easy access to a wide range of shops and nightlife.
Nha Trang vs Quy Nhon Weather
Both Quy Nhon and Nha Trang have warm weather all year round, but Quy Nhon has a bit cooler weather in winter than Nha Trang. They have a similar period of dry season and rainy season.
The dry season in Quy Nhon and Nha Trang is usually from January to August and the rainy season is from September to December.
Both cities are coastal cities, so they can experience flooding and storms in the peak rainy season, which are usually at the last few months of the year.
Historical Influences
Quy Nhon and Nha Trang are two coastal towns in South Central Vietnam, located only 4-5 hour drive apart. Booth cities was part of Cham Kingdom, then merged to Dai Viet, went through the French colonial period, and the Vietnam-American War.
Early Origins
Both Quy Nhon and Nha Trang were part of the Champa Kingdom, which controlled most of Central Vietnam from the 2nd century to the 15th century. Champa was a maritime kingdom with strong trade links to China, India, and the Malay Archipelago.
Quy Nhon
Quy Nhon was the port town of Cham Kingdom from the 2nd century to 1471. In the 11th and 12th century, the Vijaya citadel was built near Quy Nhon, and became the capital of the Champa Kingdom.
Quy Nhon was integrated into Dai Viet in 1471 under the resignation of Emperor Le Thanh Tong. He named the area Hoai Nhon.
Today, you can see many Cham ruins around Quy Nhon. In the city center stands the red brick twin towers unique Cham architecture with Hindu influences. These towers date back to the 12-13th century.
Outside of the city center, you can visit the ruins of the Vijaya citadel (Cha Ban Citadel), Banh It Towers, or Canh Tien Tower.
From the 17th century, this area was under the control of Nguyen Lords, which was the ruler in southern Vietnam. He developed Thi Nai port into a busy trading port in the region. The area was changed to Quy Nhon during this period.
Quy Nhon also important base of Tay Son uprising, from 1771-1802. This was the hometown of the three brothers Nguyen Hue, Nguyen Lu, and Nguyen Nhac. Nguyen Hue later became Emperor Quang Trung, who was the leader of the Tay Son Dynasty.
Nguyen Lord later defeated Tay Son, establish Nguyen dynasty in 1802. The first Emperor of Nguyen changed the name of the area to Binh Dinh.
Nha Trang
Similar to Quy Nhon, Nha Trang was once part of the Champa Kingdom, but it became part of Đại Việt later. It was known as Kauthara, part of the Champa Kingdom, and was merged to Dai Viet in 1653 under the control of Nguyen Lords.
Nha Trang was an important site during the war between the Tây Sơn-Nguyễn families. After Emperor Nguyen Hue died, Nguyen Anh recaptured Nha Trang and built the Dien Khanh citadel in 1794.
Under the Nguyen Dynasty, Nha Trang was developed into the key port city in south central Vietnam due to its strategic location at the mouth of the Cai River and along the East Sea.
French colonial period
During the French colonial period, The French developed infrastructure in major cities around Vietnam, including Nha Trang and Quy Nhon. They built roads and railways, buildings serving the exploitation purposes.
Some French colonial buildings in Nha Trang include Nha Trang Cathedral (the stone church) and The Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography.
In Quy Nhon, you can still see the Quy Hoa Leper Colony, which was built in 1929, with French colonial, leprosy-focused architectural sites.
Vietnam-American War
Both Quy Nhon and Nha Trang were important military bases of South Vietnam and the US during the war due to their location along the coast. Phu Cat Air Base and Nha Trang Air Base were important sites in the two cities.
Both cities were major sites in the series of surprise attacks launched by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces during the Vietnamese New Year in January 1968.
Quy Nhon was the coastal supply hub. The fighting disrupted logistics in central Vietnam.Nha Trang was the important U.S. base and administrative center. The attacks targeted military and communication infrastructure.
Today
Nha Trang and Quy Nhon are popular beach destinations in Central Vietnam. Nha Trang is more popular for international tourists, while Quy Nhon is still off their radar.
So, if you want a lively atmosphere and lots of entertainment options, Nha Trang is the place to go. If you want a quiet local atmosphere, Quy Nhon is the place to go.
Getting Around
I traveled around Nha Trang and Quy Nhon by walking and using a Grab Bike. Local taxis and riding share services such as Grab are available in the city center of each city.
In Nha Trang, most major attractions are located within or short distance from the city center, so it’s easy to use Grab taxi or bike to get around.
Famous attractions are located quite spread out in the countryside of the Quy Nhon, so you need to book a private driver or rent a scooter. You might get a Grab from city center to outside of the city, but it can be difficult to get to Grab back to the city center from a remote location.
Nha Trang City Center is quite small, so you can walk to the shops, restaurants, bars, and attractions along Tran Phu Beach such as the main square, the night market, or Tram Huong tower.
You can also walk around Quy Nhon City Center and the beachfront. If you are tired of walking or want to avoid the heat, you can always take a Grab Bike or taxi.
See more:
- Phu Quoc or Nha Trang
- Da Nang or Nha Trang
- Mui Ne or Nha Trang
- Ho Chi Minh City or Nha Trang
- Da Nang vs Nha Trang Vs Phu Quoc
- Quy Nhon or Phu Quoc
- Quy Nhon or Da Nang?
So, you have it, my comparison between Nha Trang and Quy Nhon. Overall, Nha Trang is a better place to visit if you want a wider range of tourist attractions, amenities, and entertainment. Nha Trang is a more developed city than Quy Nhon, so it has more nightlife and shopping.
Quy Nhon is a good stop if you want to explore the more lesser-known coastal town with more local atmosphere and less crowded than Nha Trang. It’s a great place to stay for a couple of nights when traveling between Nha Trang and Da Nang/ Hoi An.