Quang Ngai is not as noisy as other famous tourist destinations, but possesses its own attractive beauty: wild, fresh, authentic. This is a province with many revolutionary relics, famous people’s relics, scenic relics and all types of tourism: spiritual tourism; sightseeing and historical research tourism; resort tourism; and eco-tourism. With a long coastline, majestic mountains, and many diverse natural and cultural relics, unique and diverse cuisine… this land is an ideal choice for tourists who love to explore deeply and experience the locality.
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General information about Quang Ngai
After merging with Kon Tum province, the new Quang Ngai province was named Quang Ngai province, with a total area of 14,832.55 km². Quang Ngai province borders Quang Nam province to the north and Gia Lai to the south; to the west, it borders Sekong and Attapeu provinces of Laos and Ratanakiri province of Cambodia. Quang Ngai has a 130 km long coastline, with many scenic spots and historical destinations.
What’s the best time to explore Quang Ngai?
The best time to travel to the coastal region of Quang Ngai is from April to August. This is a dry, sunny time, with almost no storms, making it convenient for traveling and participating in recreational activities.
The Central Highlands (formerly Kon Tum province) has two distinct seasons: rainy and dry. The rainy season usually starts from April to November, the dry season from December to March of the following year. The cherry blossoms stand out from the end of the year, which is also the season of many traditional festivals.
How to get there?
There are two main stops that attract the most tourists when coming to Quang Ngai: Quang Ngai city and Kon Tum. Quang Ngai does not have an airport, the nearest airport is Chu Lai (Da Nang), about 40 km from Quang Ngai city and another one is Pleiku (Gia Lai), about 45 km from Kon Tum center. At the airports, there are buses, taxis, and shuttle cars to the city center or neighboring areas.
The Thong Nhat train from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City stops at Quang Ngai station. The round-trip ticket price of the fastest train ranges from 1.4 million VND to 2 million VND from Hanoi and from 1 million to 1.5 million VND from Ho Chi Minh City.
Train station in Quang Ngai
Sleeper buses run on the Ho Chi Minh City – Kon Tum route, about 550 km, with prices ranging from 500,000 VND to 750,000 VND depending on the bus company and type of bus. If you choose a seat, the ticket price is from 350,000 VND. Travel time is from 10 to 12 hours.
Some bus companies from Saigon to Quang Ngai include Thanh Thuy, Thuan Tam, Chin Nghia, Chon My, Phuong Trang with ticket prices from 330,000 VND. Some bus companies from Hanoi to Quang Ngai include Hoang Long, Phuong Hoang with ticket prices from 650,000 VND.
Inside a sleeping bus to Quang Ngai.
Traveling in and around Quang Ngai city or Kon Tum, by motorbike is the most convenient. Tourists can rent a motorbike through the hotel for about 100,000 VND per day, depending on the type of vehicle. Tourist can also rent private car with a driver to explore and admire peaceful nature in here.
Accommodation in Quang Ngai
Quang Ngai does not have many luxury hotels or resorts. Accommodation areas are divided into areas, depending on the needs of tourists to visit and stay, choose a suitable place to rest.
In Quang Ngai city, on the south bank of Tra Khuc river, there is the oldest Tra River hotel here, nearby is Thien An Riverside Hotel, Luxury Hotel. Nearby areas have King Hotel, Central Hotel, Cam Thanh hotel. Room rates range from 400,000 VND to 700,000 VND per night. In addition, in the inner city, there are also some stylish motels and homestays such as Turi and Tron. Motels or budget hotels cost around 200,000 VND per night.
Cocoland river beach resort (photo source: booking)
In the southern suburbs of Tra Khuc River, there is Cocoland River Beach Resort & Spa in Bai Dua tourist area (Tu Nghia area), in the north there are homestays on My Khe beach or hotels such as My Khe Hotel.
In the Kon Tum area, visitors can choose Hoang Van Hotel, Tay Nguyen Hotel, Konklor Hotel, Window Hotel (1 and 2), and some other hotels on the booking website Agoda. Double room rates range from 300,000 VND to about 500,000 VND.
A homestay in Quang Ngai (source: Booking)
In the Mang Den area, there is only one large hotel, Golden Boutique Hotel. Double rooms cost from 1.5 million VND per night. In addition, Mang Den has many smaller hotels and homestays, with prices ranging from 300,000 VND to 700,000 VND per night.
Tourist attractions in Quang Ngai
Tourist attractions in Quang Ngai are spread across the province, so visitors need to choose the area to stay and the right place to visit, especially when they don’t have much time.
The best beaches and islands
Ly Son Island
Ly Son island district is 15 nautical miles from the mainland, has a natural area of 10.39 km², and a population of more than 22,000 people. Ly Son is considered a pearl in the middle of the sea.
In 2019, the island was voted by Forbes Magazine (USA) as one of the 10 places with the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. In particular, Ly Son is also known as the “Kingdom of Garlic”.
Ly Son has two volcanic craters, Tien Well and Thoi Loi, more than 50 historical and cultural relics, including 6 national relics, 19 provincial relics, and 2 archaeological sites. This is a place that preserves precious tangible and intangible cultural values, converging and crystallizing from three ancient cultures: Sa Huynh, Champa and ancient Vietnamese culture. There are also many traditional festivals on the island, especially the Hoang Sa soldier’s memorial ceremony and the four-spirit boat racing festival, which are included in the list of national intangible cultural heritages. This is also a place that preserves historical documents and evidence establishing Vietnam’s milestones and sovereignty in the East Sea with the two archipelagos of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.
My Khe Beach
My Khe Beach is located about 15 km from the center of Quang Ngai city, one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in the province. A taxi from the city center to My Khe costs about 200,000 VND. Visitors can also use bus route 03.
My Khe Beach is near Sa Ky port (about 10 km), so visitors can combine staying a night at My Khe beach before going to Ly Son island. Some prominent accommodations here: My Khe Hotel, Chau Ngoc Vien Hotel or homestays such as Nha Minh, Lang Bien…
Sa Huynh beach
Sa Huynh can be reached from Hanoi by car or by train. Sa Huynh beach lies close to National Highway 1, in Sa Huynh Commune, 60km south of Quang Ngai town, making it an ideal location for tourism. A motel was built here to provide travelers with a place to stay and relax by the sea for a day or two before continuing their journey. It is a beautiful beach with clear water, golden sand and pine trees. From here, visitors can go on excursions to Liet Son lake and nearby mountains which are home to great number of monkeys.
Historical and relic sites
Son My Vestige Site
The Son My massacre site is located in Son Tinh district, 13 km northeast of Quang Ngai city. This is where the crimes of the American invaders in the war of aggression against Vietnam are recorded. On March 16, 1968, a destructive operation was carried out by the American army, attacking the people of Son My. 504 people died, including 182 women, 173 children, 60 elderly people, 24 families, 247 houses burned. The Son My massacre was the pinnacle of the US imperialists’ crimes against the Vietnamese people during the war of aggression.
The Son My relic site is 2.4 hectares wide, next to Provincial Road 24B, including original relics that have been preserved and restored, and newly built works such as: additional exhibition houses, reception areas, monuments, garden statues. Outside the relic site are steles erected at the locations where the killings took place.
The relic site is open from Monday to Sunday, from 7am to 5pm, with an entrance fee of 20,000 VND.
Dang Thuy Tram relic site
Dang Thuy Tram relic site is an attractive tourist destination for young people, located in Pho Cuong commune, Duc Pho district. The relic site includes: Dang Thuy Tram Infirmary and historical destinations associated with the activities of doctor Dang Thuy Tram during the war such as: Bong Dau Mountain Forward Surgical Station, secret tunnel in the garden of physician Ta Thi Ninh in Pho Cuong Commune, Duc Pho Infirmary at Chay Hill, Dong Ram 1 Village, Ba Kham Commune, Duc Pho Infirmary in Nuoc Dang Village, Ba Trang Commune, Ba To District…
Martyr – Doctor Dang Thuy Tram is known for her work “Dang Thuy Tram’s Diary” and was born and raised in Hanoi. Dang Thuy Tram was assigned to be a doctor in the Southern battlefield, working at Duc Pho District Hospital. She died when she was not yet 28 years old, taking with her her youth, fighting spirit and youthful ambitions.
Chau Sa Citadel
Chau Sa citadel is the largest civil relic in the Quang Nam-Quang Ngai region of the ancient Champa region of Amaravati. The age of the citadel is determined to be around the end of the 9th century and the beginning of the 10th century. The citadel is built of earth, currently measured to be 4-6m high, 20-25m wide, and 5-8m wide. The four corners of the citadel now have four mounds of earth, which may be traces of four watchtowers. Around the citadel is a 20-25m wide moat. In Chau Sa citadel are the remains of Con Luy tower. the citadel is situated north of the Tra estuary, a rich agricultural region and a busy pottery trading centre of the Champa Kingdom during 9th century.
Nature and wildlife areas
Bui Hui Grassland
The grassland is located in Ba Trang commune, Ba To district, known as the “buffalo capital” of Quang Ngai, more than 70km west of Quang Ngai city. Bui Hui is dozens of hectares wide, with poetic rose myrtle hills. The rose myrtle season is around June-July when local people wear traditional costumes to go to the hills to pick rose myrtle. Bui Hui is home to the H’re community in Ba To district, whose gong performance art has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Therefore, visitors also have the opportunity to learn about the culture of the H’re people.
The sunrise and sunset in the grasslands are covered with clouds and fog, making visitors feel like they can touch the horizon. This is a suitable place for picnics and camping with friends and family after busy days in the city.
Sa Huynh Salt Fields
This is one of the most famous salt fields in the Central region, 110 hectares wide, located along National Highway 1A, in Duc Pho district, about 60 km south of the city center. Here, visitors can book a salt field tour to have members of the community tourism cooperative tell the story of the salt industry, how salt workers make salt by taking advantage of the sun and wind, the architecture of the salt fields from the ditches leading water to the fields. Visitors can also experience salt raking themselves, children can learn about the microorganisms in the salt fields.
This is also an easy place to take beautiful photos, especially at sunset, when the fields reflect the sunlight like a giant mirror.
Minh Long White Waterfall
Minh Long White Waterfall tourist area is about 30 km from the center of Quang Ngai city. The waterfall has a slope of over 40m, located in the middle of the mountainous forest, and is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the province. At the foot of the waterfall is a natural lake with cool, blue water, where visitors are allowed to swim. At the foot of the waterfall is a stream about 20 m wide, winding in the valley before flowing out to join other streams. Minh Long Waterfall is an attractive destination for backpackers.
Thien An Mountain
Thien An Mountain is considered a symbol of Quang Ngai, with a majestic landscape, about 135 m high. This place has been ranked as a national relic and scenic spot. Thien An Mountain is suitable for those who love backpacking and exploring. When coming here, you should visit Thien An Pagoda. The ancient pagoda was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic in 1990. The pagoda is surrounded by wild and majestic mountains and forests, so the space is fresh. The road to the pagoda is a bit winding, so visitors should be careful when moving.
Yen rapids
Yen rapids is located next to the fishing village of Thanh Thuy, Binh Hai commune, Binh Son district, 35 km north of Quang Ngai city. Coming here, you will admire the sedimentary rocks stacked on top of each other, creating interesting shapes. You will also see colorful coral reefs when the tide recedes. Yen rapids cape not only has geological beauty on the shore, but also has a rich and diverse marine ecosystem.
You can dive to see the dense flower corals below the seabed, or cast nets for fish, crabs, and squid with the locals. There are also fresh and cheap seafood dishes at the coastal restaurants.
Ngoc Linh Mountain
Ngoc Linh Mountain in Quang Ngai is part of the Ngoc Linh Lien Son mountain range, stretching across many provinces and cities. This mountain range has many high peaks and is home to many important peaks, an important intersection point of large river systems. Although the highest peak is not in Quang Ngai, this mountain is a source of water and is the homeland of rare Ngoc Linh ginseng, and is also an important cultural and spiritual site for ethnic minorities.
Located at an altitude of about 2,600m, Ngoc Linh Mountain is poetic and majestic. The mountain contains many spiritual values from generations of ethnic minorities here. With the characteristics of a tropical climate, the fog surrounding Ngoc Linh mountain range creates a magical space.
Chu Mom Ray National Park
Chu Mom Ray National Park is located in Ngoc Hoi and Sa Thay districts, about 30 km from Kon Tum city. Among the national parks in Vietnam, Chu Mom Ray has high biodiversity. Besides, this place is also the living area of the ethnic groups Ro Mam, K’Dong, Gia Rai, H’Lang and especially Bo Rau, one of the smallest ethnic groups in Vietnam. Chu Mom Ray National Park is a favorite destination for tourists who love to explore, expeditions, and research. Traveling to the national park is quite convenient by private car or bus from the city.
Dak Bla River
Dak Bla River is not only a source of water and alluvium for agricultural production of the people but also a beautiful landscape and tourist destination in Kon Tum city. The river is 137 km long, originating from the foot of Ngoc Linh mountain, flowing across the city, when reaching Gia Lai, converging with Ia Grai river to form the famous Se San river in the Central Highlands. This is an ideal place for visitors to watch the sunrise or sunset. Along the two banks of the river, there are flower gardens and amusement parks for visitors. In addition, there is a boat service to enjoy the scenery on the river.
Scared churches and pagodas
Kon Tum Cathedral
The Kon Tum Cathedral (also known as the wooden church) was built in Roman architecture combined with the traditional stilt house style of the Ba Na people. The church was started in 1913 and completed in early 1918. The structure is entirely made of ca chit wood, the walls are made of soil mixed with straw, no reinforced concrete is used. Inside the church, there are many rows of small columns connected by wooden arches that form an arch supporting the windows above. The church has stained glass panels depicting biblical stories and stories that represent the spirit of the Central Highlands people.
Kon Tum Bishop’s Palace
The Bishop’s Palace was built in 1935, combining traditional indigenous architecture with Western architecture. Except for the pillars under the floor, which are built with reinforced concrete, the rest of the structure is made of precious, durable wood. In particular, there is a traditional house here that is considered a small museum of household items, farming tools, and cultural objects of the ethnic groups living in the area. Kon Tum Bishop’s Palace is closed on Tuesdays, and is open to visitors on the other days of the week.
Museums
Kon Tum museum
The museum was built with a scale and architecture exploiting the Central Highlands’s plastic arts, the image of a Rong house imbued with the traditional identity of Kon Tum ethnic minorities. The museum is designed with 3 floors: The 1st floor displays topics serving current events during major holidays and anniversaries of Kon Tum province, and is also used to show documentaries and scientific films for visitors. The 2nd floor attracts attention because of the richness and diversity of the collection of ceramics, jewelry and production tools from ancient times, especially the collection of artifacts from the Lung Leng archaeological site. In addition, visitors also have the opportunity to fully learn about unique customs and practices, along with festivals, traditional crafts and admire the ethnic cultural artifacts that are displayed quite fully and vividly. Next, the 3rd floor will take visitors back in time to review the heroic tradition of the Vietnamese people in the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism and in the construction and protection of the Fatherland. The images and artifacts here have also left a strong impression and a sense of pride in viewers about a long, persistent and heroic revolutionary struggle of the ethnic people of Kon Tum province.
Museum address: 659 Nguyen Hue, Kon Tum City – Kon Tum Province.
Kon Klor communal house
Kon Klor communal house is located on Tran Hung Dao street. To the right of the communal house is the Kon Klor suspension bridge and green sugarcane fields. The communal house is built in the traditional style with wood, bamboo, thatch, thatched roof and has elaborate decorative motifs and patterns. The artisans and people of Kon Klor village have coordinated to preserve the characteristics of the communal house. Kon Klor communal house is considered a characteristic of the village soul, and is also the pride of the artisans and Ba Na people.
Gia Lai specialties
Don
Don is a family of clams. This is a specialty of Quang Ngai, appearing a lot in two big rivers, Tra Khuc and Ve. Usually in the dry season around April-May, people around the river go to rake don. Don lives buried in the sand, so raking is quite hard.
After buying or catching don, wash it, put it in boiling water, stir vigorously and continuously to open its mouth, so that the boiled water is sweet. Remove the pot from the heat, take the clear water into another pot and season to taste. Don is served with the inside. When customers order, the seller scoops a little don and breaks a rice paper into a bowl, adds onions, green onions and cilantro, then pours in the water.
Don is served with chili, garlic, pepper…. Don can be enjoyed at any time of the day, but local people usually eat it in the afternoon. Some addresses: Don Co Luy – 115 Chu Van An St; Don Gao Dua – Truong Sa St; Don Thanh Nhan in Quang Trung St…
Tra River Goby
Local people often eat goby in their daily meals and consider goby as an indispensable dish in life. Tra River Goby is most delicious in the summer. Fishermen often catch fish with a bamboo tube (a bamboo tube about 1 meter long, with a hole at both ends and a sharp stake stuck in the water). The goby is brought home fresh, put in a clay pot with spices such as chili, onion, pepper, and enough water to cover, then simmered over low heat with spices such as onion, chili, garlic, a little pepper and water for more than an hour. The fish is chewy, fragrant and salty, eaten with white rice.
Along with don (a family of clams), Tra River Goby is in the top 50 most delicious dishes in Vietnam recognized by the Vietnam Record Book Center.
Crispy pancake
Unlike crispy pancake in the South, crispy pancake in Quang Ngai is cast in a small mold, about 20 cm in diameter. The cake crust is made from fresh rice flour, the finished cake is usually soft, with shrimp, bean sprouts… According to the experience of the people, the longer the cake mold is used, the more delicious the cake is when baked, without sticking or burning. The best pancakes are eaten with sliced bananas, cucumbers, herbs, lettuce, fish mint and dipped in fish sauce mixed with chili and Ly Son garlic. Some addresses: 124 Phan Dinh Phung, 471 Le Loi, Mrs. Loi My Khe beach, Mrs. Dung Tinh Khe…
Spring rolls with corn
Glutinous corn or American corn is shredded, mixed with salt, sugar, pepper, onions and chives, then wrapped in rice paper, a thin and chewy type of cake. After rolling, the ram bap is fried in a pan of boiling oil, giving a golden, crispy finished product. Spring rolls with corn is best eaten hot with sweet and sour fish sauce and raw vegetables. Not only appearing in family meals and some snack shops, the spring rolls is also one of the indispensable vegetarian dishes in the ancestral worship occasions, full moon days of Quang Ngai people.
Seafood
Like many coastal areas in Vietnam, Quang Ngai has many types of fresh seafood caught and consumed on the same day. Crabs, sea urchins, oysters… are dishes that cannot be missed. Seafood in Quang Ngai is not expensive, with less than 300,000 VND per person, visitors can have a full meal. Some addresses: seafood restaurants along My Khe beach, Tra Khuc embankment, Tuan Map on Tran Phu street, Phuong Oc on Truong Quang Giao street, Vu Cua on Phan Dinh Phung street…
Leaf salad
This can be considered a specialty that cannot be missed when coming to Kon Tum. In the dry season, leaf salad only has about 30-40 types of forest leaves. When the rainy season comes, leaf salad will have at least 70 types, and people even count that if complete, there must be at least 100 types of leaves. Leaf salad is eaten with boiled meat, shrimp, and pork skin. The special dipping sauce of the salad is made from a mixture of fermented sticky rice, incubated with dried shrimp, pork belly, has a light yellow color, rich in flavor.
Grilled chicken and bamboo rice
This is a traditional dish of the locals. Chickens are often raised naturally so the meat is firm. Before grilling, the chicken is stuffed with wild pepper leaves, onions, lemongrass, chili so when cooked it is very fragrant. The charcoal stove for grilling must be very hot, each batch grills for about 20 to 30 minutes. Grilled chicken is best eaten while still hot, the skin is crispy, evenly golden, the meat is fragrant. Grilled chicken is often eaten with sticky bamboo rice, peanut salt or sesame.
Xuan Tieu Hot Pot
Xuyen Tieu Hot Pot is made from cinnamon sausage, river fish, shrimp, chicken or beef with mushrooms and green vegetables grown in Mang Den. The name of the dish suggests a spicy taste, but thanks to that, it is very suitable for the Mang Den climate. The hot pot broth is stewed from vegetables and fruits, with herbs such as wolfberry and red apple. The broth is stewed for many hours to bring out a natural, sweet and clear taste. Xuan Tieu hot pot is served in a similar form to Sichuan hot pot, divided into two compartments with two different flavors, one spicy and one normal. To feel the best taste of the dish, diners should try the spicy hot pot.
Mirror candy
Mirror candy is clear, has a light yellow color of peanuts, a yellow-white color of sesame and is easily broken. This is a dish that followed some Chinese people from Chaozhou, Guangdong (China) to settle in Nghia Hoa commune, Tu Nghia district. The craft of making mirror candy spread and developed into a traditional profession that has been preserved through many generations. Mirror candy is crispy, has a sweet and fatty taste, and is very suitable when combined with lotus tea.
Source: collected by An
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