Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam

Vietnam’s Bình Dinh Province boasts a diverse array of landscapes, which makes it one of the most beautiful places that tourists can visit in the South Central Coast region. The topography of the area includes beaches, hills, and mountains. Elevations throughout the province range from 0 to 1,200 m (3,937 ft).

Lesser known amongst international travelers, Bình Dinh won’t remain a secret forever. In recent years, the Vietnamese government has made a push to create new tourism itineraries to bring more people to the Bình Dinh Province. Highlights in the province include exploring the gorgeous landscapes, learning more about the Champa culture, and meeting the friendly locals.

The Bình Dinh Province is a part of Vietnam’s South Central Coast region, and it is bordered by 3 other provinces and the South China Sea. There is also the Côn River, which is one of the largest bodies of freshwater in the province. Bình Dinh’s location on the coast makes it an important hub for transportation, trade, and tourism.

There are hundreds of administrative divisions in Bình Dinh, but for the most part, the province has been divided into 11 districts, 2 district-level towns, and 1 provincial city. Quy Nhon is the capital of the Bình Dinh Province, and it is located on the coast.

Southern Vietnam’s famous Ho Chi Minh City is about 623 km (387 mi) away by road. Traveling who are flying can take a more direct route, in which the distance between the city and the province is 447 km (278 mi). Most travelers will choose to go by car, train, or plane from Ho Chi Minh City to the Bình Dinh Province.

However, some people may come from Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi, which is in the north. Hanoi is 1,065 km (662 mi) from the Bình Dinh Province. While you can travel by car or train from Hanoi, the best way to travel from the far north would be to take a plane.

History

Historians theorize that the Bình Dinh Province is one of the first places that the Cham people arrived when they came to Vietnam in the 2nd century AD. The Cham people prospered in the area because of the agreeable geography, which allowed them to create the Port to Thi Nai.

Around the port, the Cham built an ancient port called Vijaya, which with Thi Nai would become what is present-day, Quy Nhon. For centuries, Vijaya was an important city-state where the Champa held most of its power. During the 12th and 13th centuries, the Champa went to war with Angkor or what is today known as Cambodia.

After the 13th century, conflicts occurred less frequently, but they would begin again by the 15th century when Vietnam overthrew the Champa Kingdom in 1471. In modern-day Bình Dinh Province, evidence of the Cham culture still stands. Sites like the Phú Lôc Tower showcase the impressive architecture of the Cham people in which they used brick and stone to construct their city.

Though Quy Nhon is the most famous city to see Cham culture, throughout the Bình Dinh Province, the Cham culture is still celebrated and honored. Other historical sites in the province include Ham Ho, the Hoang De Citadel, Tay Son, Ghenh Rang, and the cluster of Cham Towers.

Tourists who are interested in not only seeing the beauty of Bình Dinh but also learning about the ancient Cham Kingdom, are highly encouraged to include Bình Dinh Province in their traveling itinerary.

Fun Facts

• Estimated in 2019, there are 2,468,208 people living in the Bình Dinh Province
• The Bình Dinh Football Club based in Quy Nhon is in the top tier of Vietnam’s football V.League 1
• In Sino-Vietnamese, Bình Dinh is called “Hán Tu”, which means “pacified”

Capital City

Quy Nho’n is the provincial capital city of the Bình Dinh Province. Starting as a small port, the city was established in the 2nd Century AD by the Cham people. Though, the city would not be known as Quy Nhon until the late 18th century. The seaside location allowed people to prosper as they relied on the region’s agriculture and fishing industries.

In more recent years, incentives to build service and tourism industries in Quy Nhon have pushed it to become one of the best places to visit in the Bình Dinh Province. Now, the Vietnamese government considers Quy Nhon to be a first-class city with a geo-economic priority.

Quy Nhon is also recognized as being one of three major commercial and tourist centers in the Central Southern Coast region of Vietnam. The other two tourist cities are Da Nang and Nha Trang. Tourist activities in Quy Nhon include visiting the Bánh Ít Towers, Tháp Dôi, Quy Nhon Beach, Stone Egg Beach, Ky Co Beach, Eo Gió, and walking around the city center.

Although Quy Nhon was once a small port, the city has become an all-encompassing destination with luxury resorts and upscale dining establishments. Tourists in Quy Nhon will have the option of staying in all-inclusive resorts, upscale apartments, or boutique hotels. Two of the best resorts in Quy Nhon include the Avani and Maia Resort.

Visitors can also book a short-term rental of a TMS property like the ROSHI or Pullman-Rom Apartment. For a smaller venue, tourists should consider booking a room at the Kila Boutique Hotel, Hung Gia Hotel, or the TH Quy Nhon Hotel.

Featuring a mix of international and local flavors, the cuisine is another element of the city that has become a big attraction. For a Vietnamese favorite noodle dish called pho, the Pho Truong Sa Restaurant serves the best version of this broth-based dish. Another option would also be to visit Pho Lan, which serves pho and other traditional Vietnamese dishes.

The Cuy Dua is a highly recommended seafood restaurant, which frequently has a waitlist for dinner. On the beach, the Surf Bar is a classy establishment that serves upscale dishes and mixed drinks.

Read about the best 5-star hotels in Binh Dinh.

Famous Districts in Bình Dinh

Each district in the Bình Dinh is known for having specific trades or industries based on its location within the province. Amongst the 8 districts, the most popular places to visit are Tay Son, Hoai An, and Phu Cat. These provinces have gorgeous scenery, historical sites, and diverse cuisine to keep tourists entertained on their journey.

Tây Son District

Known for its museums, temples, and martial arts, the Tay Son District is a historical gem within the Binh Din Province. To the local people, the district is famous for being the birthplace of the Tay Son Dynasty. The main attractions in this district include the Quang Trung Museum, Duong Long Cham Temple, Ham Ho, and the Thu Thien Thap Cham Tower.

Hoài Ân District

Located on the coast, the Hoai An District is renowned for its beautiful beaches and lowland mountains. Highlights in Hoai An include Eo Gió, Ky Co Beach, and the Banh It Towers. With less tourism than places like Quy Nhon and Tây Son, Hoai An is the ideal destination where tourists can escape the crowds while still exploring some of the province’s history and landscapes.

Phù Cát District

Built off the area’s naturally mineral-rich soil, the Phu Ca District is famous for its mining industry. Today, mines still operate in the area, but the district has also become a tourist center. Many visitors to the Bình Dinh Province will fly into the Phu Cat Airport before traveling south to explore places like the provincial capital, Quy Nhon.

In Phu Cat, popular tourist sites include the Onh Nui Temple, Trung Luong Beach, Dê Gi Beach, and the Thi Nai Marsh.

Main Attractions

The Bình Dinh Province offers tourists an eclectic mix of activities to fill their itineraries. From lounging at the beach to studying history and visiting the local hotspots, tourists in Bình Dinh will get to see Vietnam’s diverse beauty.

Visit Trung Luong Beach in Quy Nhon

A blend of open sand and picnic areas, the Trung Luong Beach in Quy Nhon is the most widely acclaimed beach in the provincial capital. Backed by the Ba Mountain Range, the beaches at Trung Luong have jagged rocks and a clear sea, which makes the view incredible. Visitors can spend the day on the sand or pack a meal to enjoy at the various picnic spots that dot the beach.

Tour the Cham Towers

Throughout the Bình Dinh Province, there are multiple towers still standing that date back to the Cham Kingdom. Many of these ancient sites have been preserved by the Vietnamese government and they have been opened to the public for daily tours. Most tourists in the province will visit the Tháp Dôi, Duong Long, or Bánh Ít Towers.

Hike Núi Vung Chua Mountain

Just outside of Quy Nhon is the Núi Vung Chua Mountain. Featuring over 800 steps to the top, the mountain gives tourists an excellent view of the city and surrounding landscape. Visitors have the option of hiking to the summit, or they can drive to a lookout. Popular times to hike include sunrise and sunset.

Snorkel Ky Co Beach

Considered to be the “Maldives of Vietnam”, the water at Ky Co Beach is beautiful beyond words. Clear and lined by pristine sand, this is one of the best places to snorkel in Vietnam. A crescent-shaped coastline is bordered by mountains on three sides, which helps shelter and protect the beach from strong waves. Popular tours at Ky Co include snorkeling, speed boating, and swimming.

Read more about the top things to do in Binh Dinh.

Special Events

Besides celebrating many of Vietnam’s national holidays, the Bình Dinh Province’s most well-known festival honors Vietnamese traditional martial arts. The Bình Dinh Province and greater South Central Coast Region are known as being the birthplace of Vietnam’s martial arts.

Called the Vietnam International Traditional Martial Arts Festival, the city hosts celebrations every year, usually during the month of August. Visitors can view demonstrations of Vietnamese traditional martial arts, which are performed by renowned artists, coaches, and athletes.

Weather

There are two distinct seasons in the Bình Dinh Province – wet and dry. For most of the year from January to August, the province is dry. The weather during the dry season will have little rain and lower levels of humidity. Most tourists choose to visit the province during the dry season because the conditions are perfect for adventuring around the coast.

The rainy season lasts from September to December, and it is the time when there are high levels of humidity and wind. Less popular than the dry season, tourists may visit at the end of the rainy season for the December holidays.

A gateway to some of Vietnam’s most impressive landscapes, the Bình Dinh Province is one destination that you don’t want to miss. Relatively unknown to the international community, crowds in the province are still limited. Though, with unbeatable attractions and multiple destinations, tourism is guaranteed to keep growing in Bình Dinh during the coming years.

Activities near Binh Dinh Province

Towns:

• Quy Nhon

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