1. Overview about Dong Hoi City
A trip to Dong Hoi city is filled with excitement and adventure during your exploration. Beside visiting other popular cities in our S-shaped country, Dong Hoi is a prominent destination for authentic traveler seekers. Being as the capital of Quang Binh province, Dong Hoi city offers breathtaking landmarks to travelers internationally and domestically.
When we mention about Dong Hoi city, we all will automatically think about Phong Nha National Park which is located 45km away from Quang Binh capital. Being as a world heritage site, Phong Nha cave has drawn the attention of worldwide travelers. However, there are also nearby attractions which are in Dong Hoi city area to discover such as Nhat Le beach, Quang Phu Sand Dunes, Tam Toa Church, Dong Hoi Citadel and so on. A stay in Dong Hoi is memorable and authentic for travel enthusiasts. In this travel blog, Explore Vietnam Travel will mention all things to do in this city for visitors to take note. Together, let’s read this article carefully.
2. Where is Dong Hoi City, Vietnam?
Being located in the north-central coast of Vietnam, Dong Hoi is not yet a tourist destination for worldwide travelers. Most of visitors travel to Dong Hoi because of the magnificent cave systems in Phong Nha and rarely know about the unique things to experience at this capital of Quang Binh province. Dong Hoi is rising as a worth destination for natural and historical seekers. Especially, its noteworthy features include a 12-kilometer stretch of white sandy beaches.
3. When is the best time to visit Dong Hoi?
Dong Hoi, Vietnam experiences a tropical monsoon climate, with two distinct seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season spans from April to August, with average temperatures ranging from 36 to 37 degrees Celsius. The remaining months, from September to December, comprise the rainy season, characterized by abundant rainfall.
The best time to visit this city is during April and May, when the weather in Dong Hoi is pleasant with minimal rain and mild sunshine. For those interested in swimming, June and July are the ideal months to visit the city. During this period, the weather is hot, allowing for comfortable water sports activities.
4. How to travel to Dong Hoi?
Various transportations can be chosen to travel from any destinations to Dong Hoi city. The following information are our travel advices in term of transfer vehicles:
- Traveling by train: This is a safe and convenient option for most of travelers. You can depart from at major cities of Vietnam. Arriving at Dong Hoi train station, you get book a taxi or motorbike driver take you to your accommodation.
- Traveling by bus: Buses operate widely with affordable prices for all travelers. This is the low budget option. Depending on your departure location, you can choose sleeping buses or sitting buses. The drivers will drop you at the bus station in Dong Hoi when you arrive. The travel time might expect to be longer compare to other vehicles but it is worth to try in Vietnam.
- Traveling by plane: Dong Hoi has airport to serve diverse clients from different routes especially for who travel from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. Traveling by plane will save your time so you can consider this as an option of transfer vehicles
- Traveling by motorbike: If you love freedom and adventure, traveling by motorbike is an option for you. With the renting cost from 10 USD – 15 USD/ day, you will have a full day experience Dong Hoi city authentically. There are some motorbike rental shops have one-way rental service which allow you drop the motorbike at their office branches when you finish your trip. Kindly look at Motor Vina Rental Shop has a reference.
5. Best places to visit in Dong Hoi
5.1. Nhat Le Beach
A famous attraction has drawn attention of all visitors is Nhat Le beach. A trip to swim, walk and try local seafood are memorable. Visiting Nhat Le Beach is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Dong Hoi, Vietnam. This beach boasts crystal-clear blue water, soft white sand, and a tranquil atmosphere. It is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and unwinding.
As the most famous among Dong Hoi beaches, this beach is also surrounded by many hotels, resorts, restaurants, and bars, making it an ideal spot for tourists to enjoy a variety of amenities and activities.
5.2. Dong Hoi Citadel
Your holiday is not complete in any cities of Vietnam without learning its history. Dong Hoi Citadel is a historical landmark built in the 19th century by the Nguyen Dynasty to protect the city against foreign invaders. The citadel features a star-shaped layout, with gates and walls made of bricks and stones. It also served as a military stronghold during the French colonial period.
Today, Dong Hoi Citadel is a popular attraction in Dong Hoi, Vietnam for tourists to learn about Vietnam’s history and admire the architectural beauty of the past.
5.3. Tam Toa Church
Seeking religion knowledge is an interesting to do at any countries in the world. The attractive and informative of spiritual beliefs will leave you strong feelings. Tam Toa Church is a Catholic church located in Dong Hoi, Vietnam. It is renowned for its magnificent architecture, with a history that dates back to the late 19th century.
After a heavy bombing during the war, behind a wrought iron gate, only the facade and bell of the church remain, serving as a powerful symbol of Vietnamese resilience. It is now a popular tourist attraction in Dong Hoi for history buffs.
5.4. Quang Phu Sand Dunes
It is such a fun entertainment activity when you participate some games at the sand dunes adventures. Quang Phu Sand Dunes are a popular attraction in Dong Hoi, Vietnam. This place presents an incredible natural landscape with undulating sand dunes. Tourists can rent an ATV or take a jeep tour to explore the dunes, indulge in sandboarding, or simply relish the awe-inspiring vistas from the dunes. It is a must-see destination for photography buffs, especially at sunset.
5.5. Dong Hoi Night Market
Night market seems to be an enjoyable and relaxing thing to do at night in most of the cities in Vietnam. Dong Hoi Night Market is a bustling and vibrant destination that comes alive as the sun sets in the city. Located along Nhat Le River, it is a popular spot for locals and tourists to enjoy a wide variety of street foods, drinks, and entertainment options. The market offers a range of local specialties and souvenirs, making it a great place to experience the culture and flavor of Dong Hoi.
6. Local cuisines in Dong Hoi Must Try
Traveling without tasting regional cuisines is not a vacation at all. Each destination in our S-shaped country offers their own flavors. There is a wide variety of tasty dishes to try in Dong Hoi, Vietnam. Let’s take a look at some of these local delicacies:
- Chao canh Quang Binh: This Quang Binh’s signature dish is a hearty bowl of thick noodle soup topped with fish, offering a perfect blend of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. It is typically served with crispy fried spring rolls locally known as “ram”.
- Vietnamese Tapioca Dumpling (Banh bot loc): This is a Vietnamese dumpling made from tapioca starch and filled with shrimp and pork belly. This Dong Hoi food is often served with a sweet and savory dipping sauce.
- Water Fern Cake (Banh beo): This is a type of small steamed rice cake from Central Vietnam, usually topped with savory ingredients such as minced shrimp, scallions, and crispy fried shallots.
- Banh Khoai: This Vietnamese pancake is made of rice flour, water, and turmeric powder, and filled with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, and onions. It is typically served with lettuce and herbs and dipped in a sweet and sour sauce.
- Khoai Deo: This sweet and chewy snack made from dried sweet potato is often bought as a gift from Dong Hoi, Vietnam.
7. Conclusion
A stay in Dong Hoi city for 2 – 3 days is memorable to all travelers. Whether you seek for historical or natural landmarks, Dong Hoi offers everything you need to explore. The locals are friendly and warm-hospitality, they make sure you will have special vacation. Explore Vietnam Travel hopes this travel blog is useful for your trip plans. Do not hesitate to contact us for any travel tips or advices in Vietnam.