Being endowed with rivers, beaches, sand dunes, many famous attractions, and having delicious food, Dong Hoi city, Quang Binh province is a famous destination for summer vacation and an ideal stop over for tourists on their self-driving journey from Ha Noi to Central and Southern regions.
Tourists, who choose Dong Hoi for their summer vacation, can stay in the city from three to four days to swim in the sea and admire Phong Nha town. For those who plan to stop over in the city on their journey to the Central or South Vietnam, 48-hour tour is a good choice.
Below is a 48-hour journey suggested by tourists Huy Dung from Ha Noi and Pham Thu, a staff of a tourism company in Quang Binh.
Day 1
On the first day, tourists can play sand sliding on Quang Phu sand dunes which are located 5km from the center of Dong Hoi City Garden Cafe . The rental price is VND 30,000 per skateboard. Tourists can also rent an ATV to ride through sand dunes at a price of VND 200,000 for an adult. The price includes free sandboards.
A tourist rides an ATV through sand dunes.
Thu suggested tourists play sand sliding on dry days. She also recommended watching and taking photos of the sunset at the sand dunes.
Tourists can also enjoy typical cakes in Hue, such as banh beo tom chay (Vietnamese savory steamed rice cake with shredded shrimp), banh bot loc (rice dumpling cake), banh nam (flat steamed rice dumplings), and banh khoai (Hue crispy pancake) with different flavor.
Huy Dung and Pham Thu also recommend visitors to stay overnight at resorts on the other side of the Nhat Le Bridge, such as Sun Spa Resort, Celina Peninsula Resort, Gold Coast Hotel Resort & Spa, or hotels near the Nhat Le River and Nhat Le Beach on Truong Phap and Quach Xuan Ky streets like Muong Thanh, Saigon - Quang Binh, Melia Vinpearl, Riverside.
Crab and gourd soup is one of the favorite dishes for tourists.
Afternoon is the time for relaxation and beach bathing, enjoying the fresh air. The beaches in Dong Hoi are quite clean, with clear water and golden sand.
In the evening, tourists can have dinner at seafood restaurants along Nhat Le Beach, such as Binh Yen floating restaurant, La Co restaurant, and Hai Dang restaurant, which serve delicious food. After dinner, they can tour Dong Hoi night market on Nguyen Van Troi street.
Day 2
Tourists can start the second morning by enjoying breakfast and coffee at resorts or hotels, walking, jogging, or cycling along the riverside or seaside roads. In the early morning, these roads are serene with fresh air.
A view of Ho Chi Minh Square in the center of Dong Hoi
Apart from beach bathing, tourists can consider visiting Ho Chi Minh Square, Mother Suot Monument, Dong Hoi Ancient Citadel, Nhat Le Bridge, Quang Binh Quan, and Tam Hoa Church; touring Dong Hoi market on Me Suot street.
In the afternoon, tourists can chill with a cup of coffee at Dandelion Bakery & Coffee, Trung Nguyen Legend Coffee, F-Coffee, Max Cafe, and Banana Café before leaving the city.
Broiled chicken dipped in salt
Apart from the above-mentioned destinations, Huy Dung and Pham Thu also suggested other places, including General Vo Nguyen Giap’s resting place in Vung Chua, Da Nhay beach, and such famous spots in Phong Nha town as Thien Duong Cave, Phong Nha Cave, Toi Cave, Mooc stream, and Ozo theme park, among others.
Translated by Tran Hoai