Top 10 Most Famous Tourist Destinations in Cửa Lò, Nghệ An

It would be a great miss if you visit Cửa Lò without exploring Cửa Lò Beach. Located in Nghi Thủy ward, Cửa Lò coastal town, Nghệ An province, this beach is rated as one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam with white sand, blue sea, and golden sunshine all year round. It boasts a rich marine life with over 200 different types of fish, along with exciting activities such as squid fishing, rowing, and surfing. Cửa Lò Beach stretches over 10 km with various accommodations ranging from budget to luxury. Around Cửa Lò, there are other famous attractions in Nghệ An province such as President Ho Chi Minh's hometown in Kim Liên village (Nam Đàn), Ho Chi Minh Square (Vinh city), and Pù Mát primeval forest (Con Cuông)…

Besides, you also have the opportunity to enjoy the most famous seafood dishes such as jumping squid, renowned squid dishes, ground anchovy fish sauce, 7-course fish, and eel porridge at rustic seaside restaurants. If you visit Cửa Lò during International Labor Day – the opening day of the Water Festival in Cửa Lò, marking the start of the beach tourism season, you will participate in many unique folk cultural activities such as traditional games, and admire the splendid fireworks.

Lữ Beach Resort is a high-end eco-tourism destination located in the two communes of Nghi Yen and Nghi Tien, Nghi Loc District, Nghe An Province. Lữ Beach Resort is situated 24.8 km from Vinh Airport, 25.6 km from Vinh Railway Station, 25.4 km from Vinh City, and 270 km from the capital city of Hanoi. The resort was inaugurated in May 2008, developed and managed by Lữ Beach Trading Company Limited.

The name Lữ Beach originates from the name of the majestic Lữ Mountain standing proudly for thousands of years overlooking the beach. Lữ Beach has now become a luxury resort area in Cua Lo with the perfect combination of sea, mountains, and forests, adorned with lush greenery of trees and grass, providing guests with the utmost relaxation and closeness to nature. Lữ Beach Resort offers 135 luxurious rooms, including 79 beachfront rooms and 56 hillside villa rooms.

In addition, there are three large-scale restaurants here: Chau Sa Restaurant, Sea Flower Restaurant, and Forest Fragrance Restaurant, offering delicious fresh seafood specialties and professional service. Lữ Beach Resort provides almost all necessary services for a trip, from accommodation to dining, bonfires, massages, karaoke, cultural performances, poetry clubs, barbecue villages, recreational fishing, or tandem bike rides.

Cua Lo - Nghe An is no longer an unfamiliar name to beach-loving tourists. Cua Lo Beach offers a simple and close-to-nature beauty to enjoy the wonders of the sky, water, and further beyond is Lan Chau Island, known as the miniature Cua Lo with its stunning scenery.

Lan Chau Island lies right next to Cua Lo Beach and divides this area into two distinct zones, resembling a giant toad stretching itself into the vast sea. Lan Chau Island is an ideal destination for those who love to explore pristine beauty. When the tide rises, the entire Lan Chau Island sinks into the clear, cool seawater.

The eastern part of Lan Chau Island features fascinating rock formations, protruding and stretching out towards the sea. At the island's peak sits the Wind Gazebo, built by King Bao Dai. This is a prime spot for visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the town and Cua Lo Port while casting their gaze out into the vast open sea. Lan Chau Island has been planned as a high-end tourist area with boats serving sightseeing tours, coastal tourism routes, and the development of water sports to cater to tourists.

Lô Sơn Pagoda located in Block 6, Nghi Tan Ward, Cua Lo coastal town, Nghe An province formerly known as Pho Am Tu, was built by General Nguyen Van Mien during the Vinh Thinh era (1705 - 1719) under the reign of King Le Duy Tong, nestled at the foot of Mount Cao. Over thousands of years, Lô Sơn Pagoda has retained its ancient beauty, harmonizing with the surrounding nature to become a unique cultural landmark.

Lô Sơn Pagoda is nestled against the mountain, surrounded by ancient, lush trees, creating a cool, green space reminiscent of an attractive Feng Shui painting. In 2005, the pagoda was ranked as a provincial-level historical relic. At the beginning of 2011 Lô Sơn Pagoda was honored to receive the SanVaDo ritual from the Suyli Pagoda in Myanmar. The pagoda festival is usually held on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month and the seventh lunar month each year. On these days, monks and Buddhists from all over come here to make offerings, bathe the Buddha, release lanterns, and pray for peace and happiness to all households, bringing blessings to all beings. Visitors can visit the pagoda and admire the scenery, as Lô Sơn Pagoda is not only famous for its sanctity but also for its beautiful landscape, serene scenery that soothes the soul, making everyone feel peaceful and all worries in life vanish.

Hiền Beach is located near the national highway, just 35 km from the center of Vinh city. Hiền Beach boasts a unique beauty with its crystal-clear water and rocky shorelines adorned with hundreds of thousands of rocks running along the beach. This is where, according to legend, King An Dương Vương beheaded Princess Mỵ Châu and then followed the Golden Tortoise God into the sea. The beach in the Cửa Hiền area is extremely flat with fine sand and maintains its pristine beauty, being the only location in Nghệ An province not affected by the hot dry Laos wind.

As soon as you step foot on Hiền Beach, you will admire the rocky shorelines with peculiar shapes stretching along the coast. The clear blue sea is ideal for swimming, immersing yourself in the cool water to forget all worries. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to taste the fresh seafood of the coastal area and participate in squid fishing and fishing with local fishermen, with unforgettable experiences. Hiền Beach in Nghệ An is now one of the most attractive destinations for many tourists to rest and relax, thanks to its romantic and peaceful beauty. Visitors to Cửa Hiền Beach not only enjoy the natural scenery but also immerse themselves in the life of the coastal people, enjoying moments of peace amidst the sea and sky here.

Quỳnh Beach is a collective term referring to 7 consecutive beaches of 7 communes in Quỳnh Lưu district, Nghệ An province with a coastline of nearly 20km. These are the beaches: Quỳnh Phương, Quỳnh Liên, Quỳnh Bảng, Quỳnh Lương, Quỳnh Minh, Quỳnh Nghĩa, and Tiến Thủy. They are beautiful beaches, with pristine beauty, romantic caves, abundant aquatic resources, and delicious seafood, located 70km north of Vinh city. Quỳnh Beach tourism is increasingly attracting more attention from tourists, especially those who seek a peaceful place to relax. Quỳnh Beach is one of the large beaches in Nghệ An that has been developed for tourism but still retains its original pristine beauty.

Visiting Quỳnh Beach, tourists will have the opportunity to explore the majestic beauty of nature and enjoy delicious seafood from the Central coastal region. Quỳnh Beach has smooth sandy stretches, gentle waves, and a peaceful atmosphere, giving you an extraordinary sense of tranquility.

The best time to visit Quỳnh Beach is in the summer, from May to July. This is when Nghệ An has less rain and clear blue skies. The climate of the northern and north-central provinces is at its hottest during this time of the year. Therefore, seeking out the beaches and immersing yourself in the cool water to escape the summer heat is everyone's desire.

Cửa Lò not only mesmerizes tourists with its beach tourism but also its spiritual tourism is well-known. When in Cửa Lò, don't forget to visit the Vạn Lộc Temple – a temple built during the reign of Emperor Lê Trung Hưng, this is an ancient architectural work of great magnitude located in Nghi Tân Ward - Cửa Lò Town.

This temple was built to worship Thái úy Quận công Nguyễn Sư Hồi (1444 -1506), who was the eldest son of Thái sư Cương quốc công Nguyễn Xí and made significant contributions in helping the Lê dynasty eradicate foreign invaders, establish villages, and encourage people to build the present-day Vạn Lộc village. Vạn Lộc Temple is situated in a prime location, with a mountain-view facing the calm Cấm River in front, and the Lò and Rồng mountains on the right, Tượng Sơn mountain on the left, creating a picturesque landscape. In 1991, Vạn Lộc Temple was awarded the National Historical and Cultural Monument title by the State.

Every Lunar New Year, typically every three years, the people of the Cửa Lò river region solemnly organize the Vạn Lộc Temple Festival at Vạn Lộc Temple to commemorate the contributions of Thái uý Quận công Nguyễn Sư Hồi and other deities worshipped in the temple and pray for calm waves, tranquil seas, and abundant harvests.

Cửa Hoi Ecotourism Area was established in 2000 with a total area of ​​5 hectares, nestled under a lush bamboo forest. Here, there are plenty of dining options featuring seafood, separate stilt house accommodation, and exciting activities like freshwater fishing or beach bathing. Especially from this tourist area, visitors can easily admire the beautiful Ngư Island.

In addition, this tourist area also includes a complex of entertainment hotels and resorts like Vinpearl Cửa Hoi to maximize the needs of all tourists when visiting Cửa Lò. Cửa Hoi Ecotourism Area is the ideal place for you to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Cửa Hoi Beach has gentle waves all year round. In the summer evenings, the beach is crowded with swimmers. The cool, clean water has attracted tourists to Cửa Lò. Summer here is special because the sunlight lasts until 7 p.m. So you can enjoy swimming at sunset without worrying about darkness. After swimming, you can enjoy delicious dishes at restaurants with affordable prices. In the not-too-distant future, Cửa Hoi Ecotourism Area will be planned as part of the land for the project Vietnamese Cultural Tourism Village in Cửa Lò. When this project is operational, it will contribute to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of Nghệ An province, prolonging the stay of tourists, and creating an important highlight for tourism in Cửa Lò.

Song Ngư Island or also known as Fish Constellation Island is a relatively new destination located about 4km from Cửa Lò Beach, Cửa Lò coastal town, Nghệ An. The Song Ngư Island consists of two large and small islands, with the larger one being 133m high and the smaller one 88m high above sea level; this place has long been featured in the literature and history books of many scholars such as Phan Huy Chú, Bùi Dương Lịch with its splendid beauty encompassing the island, sky, clouds, and water. This island not only serves as a wave barrier for Cửa Lò tourist area but also a new and extremely attractive sightseeing spot. For those who love exploring and getting close to nature, Song Ngư Island is definitely a must-visit destination.

Stepping onto Song Ngư Island, tourists will feel extremely delighted to directly admire a unique pebble beach stretching for kilometers. Besides, you can also swim at the pristine beach under the crystal-clear water where you can see the bottom. Moreover, you also have the opportunity to enjoy delicious freshly caught fish directly from the sea. Furthermore, this place is also very suitable for those who enjoy diving, fishing activities, or gathering with friends on weekends or holidays.

Cửa Lò Port is located on the southern bank of the Cấm River, in Nghi Tân Ward, Cửa Lò Town, offering a convenient location for international trade especially for transshipment of goods to neighboring Laos and northeastern Thailand. The port was built in 1979 and put into operation in 1985. After several expansions and upgrades, Cửa Lò Port covers a total area of ​​32 hectares, with 4 wharves totaling 780 meters in length; the depth of the anchorage area is 7.5 meters, and the depth of the fairway area is 5.5 meters; equipped with many modern and synchronized equipment, including a 130-ton lifting crane for handling oversized and overweight cargo.

In Cửa Lò, this port area is also an ideal tourist destination that tourists should not miss. Visiting Cửa Lò Port, tourists will have the opportunity to learn about the culture and people here, understand the maritime economy activities, and admire the beautiful scenery as this port area possesses a prime location. You will witness the majestic scene when the fishing boats return after a night of fishing. The boats full of seafood are the result of the diligent labor of coastal fishermen.