This city in Vietnam is an undiscovered gem – it has some of the best beaches in Southeast Asia

DANANG, Viet Nam - July 22, 2024 - PRLog -- The city of Quy Nhon on Vietnam's east coast is a little-known secret with stunning beaches, as our writer discovered – with luxury accommodation starting from £125 a night

There's a well-trodden tourist path through Vietnam, but one place that isn't on it is the coastal city of Quy Nhon. And with some of the most beautiful beaches in all of southeast Asia, quite why this hidden treasure remains little known to visitors is hard to fathom.

It's only five hours by train down the coast from Da Nang, near Hôi An, and considering that Vietnam is more than 1,000 miles long – and it takes up to 37 hours to travel the length of it – that's pretty darn close. It's well worth a respite trip from the sensual overload of the country's hot spots. Just don't tell anyone else or they'll all go!

Where to stay in Quy Nhon
Affordable luxury is a buzzword that actually rings true in the case of The Avani Resort on Bai Dai beach. Staying next door to its sister hotel, the luxe Anantara, means guests can use all the facilities of both without busting the budget.

What to do in Quy Nhon
Very little, mostly. Quy Nhon has a kilometre of white sand and, with just a handful of resorts scattered around, you almost get the place to yourself. In fact, we did, as the beach was deserted. Take a traditional coracle out to sea, go snorkelling and explore the rock pools in search of crabs. The Avani will also organise fishing trips – go squid jigging after dark with the fishermen in Nhon Ly before cooking your catch on the boat.

The Avani has a pool with a view, and a kids' club. The spa offers family treatments, where kids have a mini massage and a milk bath, while parents have their own pampering session. Every morning, the spa also has free sun salutation yoga, and there are Vietnamese martial arts sessions with the local grandmaster, who is also the hotel's security guard.

What to eat in Quy Nhon
Sea.Fire.Salt, the restaurant at the Anantara, specialises in cooking on Himalayan salt bricks. Push the boat out with fresh lobster, or go for locally caught squid or king prawns, lamb chops or wagyu beef, served with a variety of flavoured salts.

How to book
Prices at the Avani Quy Nhon start at £125 including breakfast. The Vietage luxury train travels from Da Nang near Hôi An to Quy Nhon, or go to Vietnam Railways System for local trains.

More Information - https://www.thevietagetrain.com/