1 destination – 2 world heritages, along with numerous tourist attractions and enticing beaches, Quang Nam is the ideal destination for domestic and international travelers. Check out VNTRIP.VN's Quang Nam travel experience guide to prepare for a rewarding and exciting trip to Quang Nam.
Quang Nam is a province in the South Central Coast region. With its advantageous coastal location, Quang Nam is famous for its beautiful beaches. Moreover, as the province with two world cultural heritages, Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary, Quang Nam also preserves the unique Cham culture and cultural fusion with the outside world. Thanks to its diversity in both natural resources and distinctive culture, Quang Nam not only attracts domestic tourists but also beckons international travelers seeking exploration.
Ideal Time to Visit Quang Nam
Quang Nam experiences two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. During the rainy season (from September to December), there are often storms and floods, affecting travel plans. Therefore, the ideal time to visit Quang Nam is from April to August.
If you plan to explore Hoi An Ancient Town during your trip to Quang Nam, schedule your visit on the 14th day of each lunar month, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival. On this day, local people organize a lantern festival, and you can admire the Hoai River illuminated by thousands of shimmering golden lanterns.
Additionally, Quang Nam hosts numerous festivals throughout the year such as the Thu Bon Goddess Festival (12th day of the 2nd lunar month), the Chiem Son Goddess Festival (10th-12th day of the 1st lunar month), the Lantern Festival (15th day of the 1st lunar month), and more. Pay attention to the timing and locations of these festivals to plan your itinerary accordingly.
Transportation Options in Quang Nam
Getting to Quang Nam
When traveling to Quang Nam, you can choose transportation options based on your economic conditions and travel itinerary.
By Airplane: Traveling by airplane is both fast and convenient. Depending on your destination, you can choose to land at Da Nang Airport (Da Nang City) or Chu Lai Airport (Quang Nam). Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar, and Vietjet Air all offer flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to these airports, with ticket prices ranging from 600,000 VND to 1,600,000 VND per trip. From the airport, you can then travel to your predetermined destinations.
By Train: This is also a popular choice among many travelers due to its affordability and flexibility in choosing departure times. There are trains from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Tam Ky (Quang Nam) with various departure times. From Hanoi to Tam Ky, ticket prices range from 400,000 VND to 1,400,000 VND per person per trip. From Ho Chi Minh City to Tam Ky, ticket prices are slightly higher, ranging from 700,000 VND to 1,500,000 VND per person per trip, depending on the seat class and type of train.
Coach:
_From Hanoi: You can take a long-distance coach from Hanoi to Saigon then get off at Quang Nam. The average ticket price is about 400,000 VND per trip with a travel time of nearly 17 hours.
_From Ho Chi Minh City: it's advisable to choose a Saigon – Tam Ky (Quang Nam) route. Ticket prices range from 350,000 to 400,000 VND per trip with a travel time of over 19 hours.
Getting Around in Quang Nam
Taxi: Due to the large area of Quang Nam province, you can travel to tourist destinations by taxi. Taxis are very suitable for large tourist groups. Some reputable taxi companies include: Mai Linh Taxi Hoi An (0510.3929292), Mai Linh Taxi Tam Ky Quang Nam (0510.3838383), Faifoo Taxi Quang Nam (0510.3919191), VinaSun Taxi Quang Nam (0511.3686868),…
Bus: There are many bus routes to facilitate travel between tourist destinations conveniently and economically.
– Route 01: Hoi An – Da Nang. Ticket price 17,000 VND
– Route 04: Tam Ky – Da Nang. Ticket price 28,000 VND
– Route 05: Tam Ky – Nui Thanh. Ticket price 18,000 VND
Motorbike Rental: Traveling by motorbike allows you to explore the landmarks, landscapes, and tourist destinations in Quang Nam more freely. You can inquire about motorbike rental at the hotel or guesthouse where you stay, with prices ranging from 100,000 to 180,000 VND per day.
Must-visit Attractions in Quang Nam
Hoi An Ancient Town
Address: Le Loi Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Hoi An Ancient Town is an unmissable stop for every traveler exploring the land of Quang Nam. Once a thriving trading center in the late 16th and 17th centuries, Hoi An is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural values that are still preserved intact to this day through ancient houses, streets, and temples with a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures.
Hoi An captivates visitors with its romantic charm and tranquility emanating from the quaint streets adorned with ancient yellow walls and purple bougainvillea. Visiting Hoi An means crossing the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge over the Thu Bon River, taking a dreamy boat ride on the Hoai River, admiring the vibrant lanterns illuminating the streets, and immersing yourself in its idyllic, preserved atmosphere. Check out more Hoi An travel tips for a memorable trip!
My Son Sanctuary
Address: Duy Phu, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam
Located approximately 40km west of Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary boasts over 70 ancient temple towers built in the 4th century with Cham architecture. Among them, 20 temple towers remain well-preserved, such as My Son Tower, Bang An Tower, and Khuong My Tower. Originally used as places of worship by the Champa dynasty, these temple towers have now become tombs of ancient Champa kings. The harmonious combination of intricate carvings and motifs on the baked brick walls creates the unique architectural beauty of the ancient Champa culture.
Cham Island (Cu Lao Cham)
Address: Tan Hiep Island, Hoi An, Quang Nam
Recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve, Cu Lao Cham Island is surrounded by pristine turquoise waters and comprises 8 islands: Hon Kho Me, Hon Kho Con, Hon Lao, Hon La, Hon Tai, Hon Dai, Hon Mo, Hon Ong, along with many beautiful beaches such as Chong Beach, Ong Beach, Bim Beach, and Bac Beach. With abundant seafood, stunning coral reefs, and a cool climate all year round, Cu Lao Cham is an attractive destination for travelers who love to explore the untouched beauty of the sea.
Tam Thanh Mural Village
Address: Thanh Nien, Tam Thanh, Tam Ky, Quang Nam
Tam Thanh Mural Village is the first mural village in Vietnam located in Tam Ky city, Quang Nam province. Here, the small houses of local fishermen are transformed by vibrant murals painted by Korean artists. Each mural tells a familiar, authentic, and interesting story about the people of Tam Thanh fishing village.
Beautiful Beaches
Not only famous for its world cultural heritage sites, but also boasting 125km of coastline, Quang Nam province is home to stunning beaches with turquoise waters and white sands.
Cua Dai Beach
Address: Thanh Nien, Tam Thanh, Tam Ky, Quang Nam
Cua Dai Beach captivates visitors not only with its crystal-clear emerald waters and smooth white sands, but also impresses them with the fresh and delicious seafood specialties of Cua Dai. Restaurants, hotels, and tourist centers around the beach are bustling to cater to the needs of vacationers and travelers.
An Bang Beach
Address: Hai Ba Trung, Cam An, Hoi An, Quang Nam,
If you're planning to explore the ancient town of Hoi An, don't forget to discover An Bang Beach near Hoi An's old quarter. Voted among the top 25 most beautiful beaches in Asia, An Bang Beach charms visitors with its crystal-clear waters and long stretch of golden sandy shores. Despite the many restaurants, hotels, and resorts nearby, An Bang Beach still maintains its serene and tranquil atmosphere.
Ha My Beach
Address: Dien Duong, Dien Ban, Quang Nam
Unlike the bustling Cua Dai and peaceful An Bang, Ha My is a pristine, secluded beach. With typical features of the Central Vietnam coast, Ha My Beach has been selected by The Telegraph as one of the top most beautiful beaches in Asia.
Bang Than – Vung An Hoa
Address: Vung An Hoa, Nui Thanh District, Quang Nam
Bang Than – Vung An Hoa is likened to a 'masterpiece carved from black stone' with layers of black rocks resembling coal stretching and stacked on top of each other, naturally eroded by the sea into unique and fascinating shapes resembling extraordinary sculptures of nature. You will be amazed by the majestic natural scenery when visiting Bang Than – Quang Nam.
Hon Kẽm Stone Stop
Address: Hiệp Hoà, Hiệp Đức, Quảng Nam
Hon Kẽm Stone Stop attracts tourists with its vast natural landscapes and charming river and mountain scenery. When visiting Hon Kẽm Stone Stop, you will marvel at the harmonious natural scenery with two majestic stone mountains amidst the vast river, surrounded by green cornfields and orchards, evoking a sense of peace in a tranquil countryside.
Lake Giang Thơm
Address: Tam Mỹ Tây, Núi Thành, Quảng Nam
Lake Giang Thơm is a complex of various large and small lakes along with floating rock strips and has 11 waterfalls with a height of tens of meters with flowing water all year round. Surrounding the lake is lush green forest, creating a cool and fresh feeling for visitors.
Khe Lim
Address: Đại Hồng, Đại Lộc, Quảng Nam
Located at an altitude of 882m above sea level, Khe Lim originates from a stream flowing through an area with many lim wood trees and cascades down amidst majestic mountains, forming multiple layers from high to low. Explore the pristine Khe Lim and immerse yourself in the cool clear stream, dispelling the hot summer days of the Central region.
Dong Giang Tea Hills
Address: Quyet Thang Farm, Dong Giang District, Quang Nam
The lush green tea hills stretching in neat rows are sure to be an ideal destination for young people to freely take photos and enjoy the fresh, fragrant air, inhaling the rich and soothing aroma.
Mother Thu Statue
Address: Tam Phu, Tam Ky, Quang Nam
In remembrance of the sacrifices made by the heroic Vietnamese mothers, the Mother Thu Statue is erected in a sacred land in Tam Phu commune, Tam Ky city, Quang Nam province. As the largest statue in Southeast Asia, the Mother Thu Statue took 10 years to build and is made of granite depicting the figure of a Mother with outstretched arms embracing and protecting the nation's children.
Traditional Craft Villages
With over 16 traditional craft villages intertwined with tourism development, Quang Nam also attracts many tourists eager to learn more about the unique culture of local craft villages. Some notable villages include: Hoi An lantern-making village, Kim Bong carpentry village, Thanh Ha pottery village, Tra Que vegetable village,… Visiting traditional craft villages in Quang Nam, tourists can observe artisans creating fine art pieces, directly participate in making products, and immerse themselves in the lives of the Quang people, gaining valuable firsthand experience of these distinctive trades.
Hotels in Quang Nam
There are plenty of hotels and guesthouses in Quang Nam for you to consider.
Vinh Hung Library Hotel
Address: 96 Ba Trieu, Cam Pho, Hoi An City, Quang Nam
Rating: 2 stars
Vinh Hung Library Hotel features modern and elegant design. Additionally, the hotel houses a large library with novels and books on travel, art, culture, and more for guests to enjoy.
Azumi Villa
Address: 104 Ly Thuong Kiet, Son Phong Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
Azumi Villa looks like a mansion located near Cua Dai Beach. From here, you can easily explore various attractions in Quang Nam province. The hotel boasts elegant design with lush greenery and a large swimming pool.
Pearl River Hoi An Hotel & Spa
Address: 12-14 Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam
Rating: 4 stars
Pearl River Hoi An Hotel is located on the banks of the Thu Bon River. With its convenient location, traditional architectural style, spacious pool, and modern, beautiful interiors, the hotel promises to provide you with the best experience when traveling to Quang Nam.
You can explore more hotel options in Quang Nam on the VNTRIP.VN website.
Delicious Dishes in Quang Nam
Quang Noodle Soup
Quang Noodle Soup is a familiar dish in Quang Nam. The noodles are made from thickly sliced rice cakes, topped with various ingredients such as pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, eggs, jellyfish, etc., mixed with broth, and served with roasted peanuts, chili, lime, and fresh vegetables. Additionally, a crispy sesame rice cracker is essential in a bowl of Quang Noodle Soup.
Cao Lau Noodles
When visiting Quang Nam, don't forget to indulge in Cao Lau noodles, featuring chewy, golden noodles mixed with pork, shrimp, a bit of broth, and various fresh herbs. The name “Cao Lau” originates from the old-time Hoi An merchants who used to climb up to the high floors of their shops to oversee their goods. From this name, nowadays there are many Cao Lau eateries in Hoi An where you can enjoy delicious food while admiring beautiful scenery.
Quang Nam Tò Cake
During every Tet holiday, while the North has chung cakes and the South has Tet cakes, Tò cakes are the traditional Tet cakes in Quang Nam. These cakes are made from two simple ingredients: glutinous rice and sugar. The glutinous rice is ground into flour, mixed with beaten sugar and a little ginger to give it a fragrant aroma, then poured into banana leaves and grilled over charcoal. When eating Tò cakes, you'll taste the sweetness and fragrance of sugar and glutinous rice along with a hint of spiciness from ginger.
Pork Rice Paper
The rural area of Dai Loc (Quang Nam) is renowned for its specialty pork rice paper. Made from fragrant, chewy rice paper rolled with thinly sliced flavorful pork and aromatic herbs like basil, bean sprouts, cucumber, and sour mango grown in the local gardens, then dipped into rich traditional fish sauce. Not only in Dai Loc, you can also savor this dish in Hoi An and Tam Ky – Quang Nam.
Cầu Mống Roasted Beef
When visiting Quang Nam, don't miss out on indulging in the famous Cầu Mống roasted beef in Điện Phương commune, Điện Bàn district. The roasted beef here boasts a unique, delectable flavor like nowhere else. The beef is roasted to perfection, retaining its tender skin and thinly sliced, wrapped in rice paper along with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and young mustard greens, offering a beloved dish of Quang Nam locals.
Le Pass Bamboo Chicken
Each region in Quang Nam brings forth its own renowned specialty dish, and the Le Pass bamboo chicken is an unmissable delicacy in the land of Quế Sơn. The chickens are naturally raised, resulting in firm and flavorful meat. Restaurants in Quế Sơn offer a variety of dishes made from Le Pass bamboo chicken, but the most aromatic and delicious is the grilled chicken. The chicken is marinated generously and grilled evenly, resulting in crispy skin, tender and fragrant meat.
Hoi An Chicken Rice
Despite being chicken meat, the unique preparation method by the people of Quang Nam has captivated many visitors to this place. Hoi An chicken rice in Quang Nam is made from shredded boiled chicken mixed with various herbs such as coriander, spring onion, pepper, and served with fragrant, sticky rice mixed with turmeric powder for an enticing yellow color.
In addition to the aforementioned dishes, Quang Nam also offers countless other specialties such as savory pancakes, smashed rice crackers, wet cakes, corn pudding, and more, which you can enjoy at numerous eateries while exploring Quang Nam.
What to Buy in Quang Nam
You can choose to buy souvenirs from traditional craft villages in Quang Nam. The vibrant lanterns in Hoi An, the soft Duy Trinh silk, or the charming wooden souvenirs from Kim Bong carpentry village... are meaningful gifts for your family and loved ones after an exciting trip to Quang Nam.
Above is the most comprehensive Quang Nam travel guide by VNTRIP.VN for you. Hope you will find more useful information and wish you a memorable journey!