Dong Hoi

In the never-ending quest to find off-the-beaten-track locations, travelers always find a hidden gem with regards to mountains, bodies of water, agricultural lands, forests, and the like but not so often do you find an entire city that lays claim to that attribute and Dong Hoi may just be the best-kept secret along the Vietnamese coast. The capital city of Quang Binh Province in North Vietnam that receives very few visitors. So, its population of roughly 170,000 freely gives hellos to the occasional wanderer, adding more charm and hospitality to the capital.

The City of Hue is the best access point to Dong Hoi, and catching a bus from there will yield you a journey of approximately 3 to 4 hours. Dong Hoians are the city’s biggest draw as they are known to be very friendly and don’t be surprised if you strike up a conversation with a well-educated Vietnamese fluent in English, which will be a great way to learn more about the city, its culture and customs, and its history while learning a few Vietnamese words and phrases along the way. Historical sites around town are the Tom Toa Church and the Dong Hoi Citadel Gates.

And since you’re in a coastal town, it’s best to hit the beach. Popular ones are the Bao Ninh beach and the Nhat Le beach. The city’s river also called Nhat Le is a great place to stroll with its landscaped promenade and a small number of tourists.

It’s also where a lot of the action happens as one of the major markets is situated along the river.