Go to Quy Nhon and experience the beauty of Vietnam's niche seaside

Gui Nguyen, this seaside city hidden in central Vietnam, is like an uncarved jade. Compared to the famous Da Nang and Nha Trang, it is a little less hustle and bustle, more of a tranquility, like a time-forgotten paradise. Taking advantage of the warm sunshine of March’s dry season, I set foot on this land to kick off an unforgettable trip to Guiren. Landing Guiren: Initial Impressions I took a flight from Ho Chi Minh City and arrived at Guilin Phuket Airport in less than two hours. As soon as we left the airport, the warm and humid sea breeze wrapped in the faint air of sea water hit our faces, instantly dispelling the fatigue of the long flight. The airport is not big, but it is very orderly. On the way to the city by taxi, tall coconut trees sway in the wind along the roads, and low-rise buildings dotted around the streets are full of rich tropical vibes. Stroll around the city: feel the smoke The city of Guilin is like a vivid picture of life. The streets are spacious and tidy, there are not many vehicles and pedestrians, and the rhythm is leisurely. When passing by Guiren University, I decided to go in for a stroll. The campus is covered with greenery, and the young students are either reading on the lawn or sweating on the court with youthful smiles on their faces. There are many snack stalls at the school entrance, selling various Vietnamese specialty snacks. I tasted a portion of fish sauce stir-fried noodles. The delicious fish sauce was paired with refreshing rice noodles, plus tender green bean sprouts and fresh mint leaves. As night falls, the night market in the city becomes lively. Motorcycles carrying a wide variety of merchandise shuttled among them, and stallholders enthusiastically greeted customers. I tasted fresh grilled seafood at the night market, charred shrimp and tender and juicy squid with a special chili dip, and every bite was a feed from the sea. Check-in attractions: Enjoy the beauty of nature and humanity Cham Pagoda: Through the Dust of History The Cham Pagoda is a must-visit historical site in Quy Nhon. It was built by the Cham people from the 11th to 12th centuries using terracotta bricks and stones. Tickets cost only 15,000 VND, which is about RMB 4. Standing under the tower, you can hear the echo of history and feel the splendor of the Cham civilization. The tower body is carved with exquisite patterns, and although it has been eroded by the years, the exquisite craftsmanship can still be seen. In the sunlight, the red tower body looks particularly spectacular against the green trees and blue sky. Yuhe Temple: Feel the tranquility and solemnity Yuhe Temple is about 29 kilometers from the city, about 40 minutes by motorcycle. The most eye-catching feature of the temple is the 30-meter-high double-sided statue of Guanyin, facing the mountain on one side and the sea on the other. Standing under the Guanyin statue, you can overlook both the vast sea and the lush mountains. The temple is small and exquisite, covered with green trees, and the air is filled with a faint smell of incense, which makes people instantly calm down. Inhae Fishing Village: Enjoy the tranquil fishing village time Inhae Fishing Village is a quiet and clean small fishing village, where the water is crystal clear and the beach is delicate and soft. I strolled through the fishing village, watching the fishermen drying their fishing nets and repairing their fishing boats, and felt their simple and rustic life. At the seaside, you can also see some tourists playing out-of-sea entertainment. If you are lucky, you can also taste the fresh seafood just caught from the sea. The taste is not to mention how beautiful it is. Luxury Experience: Stay at Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô To add a touch of luxury to my trip to Guilin, I chose to stay at Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô. Winner of the World’s Best New Hotel Award in 2021, the hotel was built by a French hotel group and perfectly blends luxury and tranquility. It takes about 60 - 80 minutes to drive from the airport to the hotel, and I contacted the hotel in advance to arrange a pick-up service, which was very convenient. The hotel has a total of 73 detached villas, I stayed in a terrace villa on the hillside. From the terrace, the panoramic view of the sea and hills is breathtaking. Each of the hotel’s three restaurants and one bar have their own characteristics, and at breakfast, kick off your day by sitting outside and tasting delicious pho while admiring the beautiful sea views. For dinner, you can enjoy exquisite cuisine in peace indoors, for around 300 yuan per person, every dish is stunning. The hotel’s water activities are rich and varied, and on the first day of arrival, the butler will give you a schedule of activities stating the free and paid daily seaside activities and times. I took a free coral snorkeling course and felt like I was in a fantastic underwater world in clear waters surrounded by colorful coral reefs and tropical fish. In addition, the hotel offers guided trekking, atoll biking and other land activities, which gave me a comprehensive view of the surrounding natural scenery. The trip to Gui Nin gave me a taste of the different beauty of Vietnam. There are no crowds, no commercial hustle and bustle, only beautiful natural scenery, simple folk customs and deep history and culture. If you’re craving a trip away from the hustle and bustle and back to nature, Guiren is definitely a place to visit.