Quy Nhon - 10/07 -
Quy Nhon, the capital city of Binh Dinh Province, is a thrivingseaside town, but yet untouched by mass tourism. The city was for centuries a cradle of the Cham civilization and evidence remains today of the spectacular towers they built.
 Location: on the coast of Central Vietnam, in Binh Dinh Province, 690km north of Ho Chi Minh City, 304km from Danang
Access: 1 hour by plane and 12 hours by train from Ho Chi Minh City. There are buses departing to Dalat, Danang, Hanoi, Hue, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, and others. Phu Cat Airport is 30km north of Quy Nhon. There are flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Quy Nhon everyday and flights between Danang and Quy Nhon twice a week. The Thong Nhat Express Train runs from the North to the South through the province. It stops at Dieu Tri, 11km from Quy Nhon.
Main attractions: beautiful and interesting Cham towers. The Tay Son Museum, 60km from Quy Nhon, displays relics of the Tay Son rebellion in the 18th century and presents a lively martial art show.
The ancient capital of the Cham Tra Ban (1000-1471) is located 26 km far from Quy Nhon. It is also the homeland of the most respected Vietnamese hero: Nguyen Hue. Being the cradle of the classic theatre "Tuong" and the martial art of Viet Nam, it used to be the important commercial centre of exchanging trade with China. Nowadays Quy Nhon is famous for its local products like bird's nests.
There are fourteen Cham towers and monuments in varying stages of decay around Binh Dinh province, but the most convenient are a mere two kilometers from Qui Nhon City centre. Banh It Towers are 25 km away from Quy Nhon, include total four towers, also called Thap Bac meaning Silver Towers. The main tower is 22m high. Standing by Banh It Towers, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of this very fertile countryside. The Thap Doi Cham Towers are surrounded by buildings, which diminished their impact somewhat, but they are good examples of Cham craftsmanship. Leaf- and flower-shaped motifs are only found on edges of the roof, and dancing senses are found on false gates. Carvings of dancing girls and many valuable religious sculptures such as the stone statue of Siva, statue of Ganesa, statue of Goddess Uma, and bronze statue of Bhama, are on displayed.
Around 50km from Qui Nhon, the three Thap Nga (Ivory) Cham Towers are regarded as one of the best Cham tower complexes in Vietnam. It is a group of three towers. The central one is 24 m high. The two others are 22m high. The largest one is embellished with granite ornamentation representing Naga and Elephants. Quang Trung Museum is dedicated Nguyen Hue, a national hero of the 18th century. It was built in his native land of Kien My village in Tay Son district, 45 km from Quy Nhon, and 5 km off the highway. On visiting Quang Trung Museum, one will enjoy music and Vo Tay Son demonstrations, a traditional martial art of Binh Dinh. |
