Day Trips in Quy Nhon
Part of the Quy Nhon travel guide — see every topic in All Quy Nhon Guides.
Quy Nhon is a good base for trips along the coast. Within an hour you can reach sand dunes, fishing villages and quiet bays. With a full day, you can drive south to the volcanic rock columns of Ganh Da Dia near Tuy Hoa. This guide covers the best day trips, how long they take and what to bring.
Phuong Mai sand dunes
The Phuong Mai sand dunes are on the peninsula across the bay, about 20 km from the city. The wind shapes the golden sand into high ridges and slopes, with views of the sea and the hills. The shapes change with the wind, so every visit looks a little different. Visitors come for photos, short walks and sand sliding. Go very early in the morning or late in the afternoon, because the sand gets very hot at midday. Bring water, a hat and sunglasses. The dunes are easy to combine with Ky Co, Eo Gio or Nhon Hai on the same day.
Nhon Ly village
Nhon Ly is a fishing village near the north end of the Phuong Mai peninsula, about 20 to 25 km from the city. It is the main boat departure point for Ky Co. But the village is also worth a visit on its own. It has a calm beach, many colourful boats and simple seafood restaurants by the water. Early morning is the best time, when the boats return and the beach is busy with the catch. The road there crosses the Thi Nai bridge, which is nearly 7 km long and has wide views over the lagoon.
The coastal road south
National Route 1D runs south from Quy Nhon along the coast. It passes Ghenh Rang, Quy Hoa and the fishing village of Bai Xep, then climbs over green hills above the sea. There are many viewpoints over bays and rocky capes. The road continues to Song Cau and the bays of the former Phu Yen province, which is now part of Dak Lak province. The road is good for a half-day drive or ride. Stop for a swim at a quiet beach and fresh seafood in a village. Drive slowly, as the road has sharp bends.
Ganh Da Dia and Tuy Hoa
Ganh Da Dia is a coast of black basalt rock columns, formed long ago when lava cooled. Many columns have six sides and stand close together like a giant honeycomb at the edge of the sea. It is about 35 to 40 km north of the city of Tuy Hoa, so it is a long but popular day trip from Quy Nhon. The drive takes about two hours or more each way. It is a national scenic site with a small visitor area. Many tours from Quy Nhon combine Ganh Da Dia with Bai Xep and other coastal stops. Go in the dry season for calm sea and good light.
Planning your day
Start early on every day trip. Mornings are cooler, the sea is calmer and the light is better for photos. A car with a driver is the easiest option for the longer trips, such as Ganh Da Dia. Group day tours are also sold by hotels and travel shops in Quy Nhon. For the peninsula trips, a motorbike is common, but the hills are steep. The dry season, about March to August, is the best time. In the wet season, from about September to December, check the weather first, because boat trips and some roads can be affected by storms.
Day Trips at a glance
| Getting there | Car, taxi or motorbike; group day tours from hotels and travel shops |
|---|---|
| Hours | Peninsula trips half a day; Ganh Da Dia a full day |
| Cost | Small entry fees at some sites; car with driver costs more but is easier |
| Best time | About March to August; start early in the morning |
| Bring | Water, sun cream, a hat and cash |