Nghe An Travel Guide

1. Where is Nghe An?

Nghe An is a coastal province in the Central region and is the largest province in Vietnam. The administrative center of Nghe An province is Vinh city, located 298 km south of Hanoi capital and 324 km from Noi Bai International Airport – Hanoi. The province is geographically located:

• The North borders Thanh Hoa province.
• The south borders Ha Tinh province.
• The East borders the Gulf of Tonkin.
• To the west, it borders the provinces of Hua Phan, Xieng Khouang and Bolikhamsai of Laos.

2. How is Nghe An Unique?

Nghe An is a place that contains many typical cultural and human values, and is the land that nurtures the talents of Vietnam. This is a land with the potential to develop cultural tourism with many historical and cultural relics. Most notably is the Kim Lien relic site – the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh. Along with that, Nghe An owns up to 82km of coastline with many beautiful beaches, cool blue water, golden sand and whispering white-capped waves day and night. Nghe An tourism is famous for beaches such as: Cua Lo, Cua Hoi, Bai Lu, Quynh beach… In addition to beautiful beaches and historical sites, Nghe An tourism also offers visitors interesting types of tourism such as: spiritual tourism, resort tourism, forest exploration tourism and exploring the unique culture of ethnic minorities. The types of tourism and new experiences here will make visitors have a memorable journey.

3. When is the best time to travel to Nghe An?

Nghe An province is located in the North Central region of Vietnam, with a tropical monsoon climate, hot and dry in the summer and cold and humid in the winter. According to travel experience, visitors can come here in any season, each season brings different beauty and experiences. However, if tourists love resort tourism and beach bathing, they should come to Nghe An in the summer and autumn months from April to August, which will be ideal. Especially in early summer from March to April and late winter from November to December is the right time for tourists who love nature. At this time, visitors coming here will admire the most beautiful and brilliant sunflower fields.

4. How to get to Nghe An?

Nghe An is a province with many national highways and expressways passing through, so getting here is relatively easy.

4.1. Travel by bus

Passenger vans are the means of transportation to Nghe An chosen by many tourists from the North and North Central Vietnam. There are many passenger van companies from Hanoi to Nghe An every day with different schedules. If departing from Hanoi, visitors can buy tickets at major bus stations: My Dinh bus station, Giap Bat bus station, Nuoc Ngam bus station to get to the bus station in Vinh city. Some reputable bus companies that visitors can refer to: Van Minh, Thai Minh, Thach Thanh, Van Xuan, Tuan Kiet, Hung Lai…

4.2. Travel by train

Nghe An is a province with the North-South railway running through it, so visitors can easily buy tickets and get here by train. The travel time is quite long due to having to go through many stations, but it can help visitors save money and experience a new feeling when taking the train. For visitors departing from Hanoi, you can buy tickets at Hanoi station or buy tickets online via the website with many trains at different times of the day. Trains from Hanoi station to Vinh station – Nghe An: SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7, SE9, SE19, SE35 and NA1.

4.3. Travel by motorbike or personal car

Traveling by motorbike or private car is suitable for tourists who love to explore, this will definitely be the perfect choice. This form of transportation will help tourists be proactive about time, freely enjoy the beautiful scenery during the journey to Nghe An. For tourists traveling by motorbike, starting from Hanoi city center, go straight along National Highway 1A to the South for about 247km, then continue straight through Thang Long => Nguyen Trai => Ha Huy Tap street for about 15km to reach Vinh city – Nghe An. Tourists traveling by motorbike should pay attention to wearing helmets and bringing all necessary documents when participating in traffic. For tourists traveling by private car, departing from Hanoi city center, follow Giai Phong street, pass Giap Bat bus station, turn and go straight on CT01 highway. After about 285km, tourists drive off the highway at Hung Tay intersection and go about 10km to Vinh city. Note, the distance from Hanoi to Vinh city – Nghe An is quite far, so visitors should consider traveling by car to ensure safety.

4.4. Travel by plane

Nghe An province has Vinh International Airport, so tourists from all over Vietnam who want to travel here by air can buy tickets from where they live to Vinh airport. However, Vinh airport currently only serves domestic flights, so foreign tourists who want to go to Nghe An by air must buy a plane ticket and travel to Noi Bai International Airport – Hanoi. Then, tourists can choose the means of transportation: bus, train, taxi or plane to go to Nghe An.

5. Discover the beauties of Nghe An

If you are wondering where to travel to Nghe An, let’s join Origin Vietnam to check out the famous tourist attractions in Nghe An that tourists should not miss right below!

5.1. Cua Lo Beach

Cua Lo Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in North Central Vietnam. With the advantage of long stretches of fine white sand, clear blue water and calm waves, this place attracts tourists to come and relax in the summer. The beach is also where many boats anchor and go out to sea to catch seafood, so besides swimming, visitors can also learn about the fishing work of the fishermen here or buy and sell seafood that has just been caught. In addition, Cua Lo beach is also an ideal place for activities for tourists to comfortably experience such as: swimming, playing volleyball, rowing a basket boat to go squid fishing at night, surfing, paragliding… Along with that, Cua Lo also has many high-class resorts and extremely beautiful small islands such as Song Ngu island, Lan Chau island.

5.2. Lan Chau Island

Lan Chau Island always creates its own attraction for tourists because of its beautiful location and clear blue water. The island is fondly called the Green Pearl of Nghe An. The island is located on the coast of Cua Lo, shaped like a toad stretching out to the ocean. On Lan Chau Island, there is still a resort villa built by King Bao Dai – the last king of the Vietnamese feudal dynasty, in 1936. Lan Chau Island is also the boundary dividing Cua Lo beach into two banks, one bank connecting to the mainland, the other bank extending out to the ocean. The steep cliffs on the island run out to the sea, under the influence of wind and waves, creating many unique shapes, attracting the eyes of viewers. The most wonderful scene is the high tide, visitors will admire the scene of the foot of the island gradually sinking into the water. This is a miracle of nature that makes Lan Chau island always have an irresistible attraction for any tourist.

5.3. Pu Mat National Park

Pu Mat is a large national park of up to 194,000 hectares in Nghe An province. It has the highest mountain peak in the region with an altitude of 1,841m above sea level. Pu Mat National Park possesses a diverse and rare flora and fauna along with areas possessing extremely wild and majestic natural landscapes. Coming here, visitors will admire the beauty of countless plants, flowers and leaves. From ancient trees that are thousands of years old to grasses, mosses, lichens and tangled vines. In particular, visitors can also experience unique activities in the space of amazing nature such as: boating on the river, visiting Pha Lai dam, Khe Kem waterfall and enjoying rustic dishes.

5.4. Kim Lien historical site

Kim Lien historical relic site is a famous tourist destination and has special historical value for the Vietnamese people. This place still preserves many relics and childhood spaces of President Ho Chi Minh, helping visitors better understand the life and the place where he was born and raised. Kim Lien historical relic site is famous for its beautiful landscape and peaceful space with thatched wooden houses, simple and rustic green areca trees and fragrant lotus trees blooming everywhere. The relic site includes both the maternal and paternal homelands, the tomb of Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan – President Ho Chi Minh’s mother on Dai Hue mountain and the Chung Mountain relic in the shape of the Chinese character Vuong.

5.5. Thanh Chuong Tea Island

Thanh Chuong Tea Island is a famous destination and attracts the attention of many tourists. The island has an area of ​​about 80 hectares with dozens of oases located close together, creating a beautiful scene. The lush green tea hills, interspersed with lakes, along with the fresh air, create a wonderful feeling for visitors. The path leading to Thanh Chuong Tea Island is designed in a spiral staircase shape, looking exactly like a giant maze between heaven and earth. In addition to standing on the tea hills to admire and check-in the lush green scenery, visitors can also buy tickets to take motorboat trips around the tea hills or kayak to see the tea island most fully.

5.6. Nghia Dan Sunflower Field

When mentioning the most beautiful tourist destinations in Nghe An, we cannot ignore the Nghia Dan sunflower field that blooms brilliantly across the area. The flower field covers an area of ​​up to 100 hectares and is recognized as the largest sunflower field in Vietnam. The special beauty of the field lies in the bright yellow color of the sunflowers, creating a stunning scene. Visitors can enjoy watching and taking pictures of the endless, brilliant yellow flower field. When the flowers bloom, this place attracts a large number of tourists to visit and take pictures. In addition, this place also organizes the Sunflower Festival every December to promote the beauty of the flower fields to tourists.

5.7. Quynh Beach

Quynh Nghe An Beach is considered a paradise thanks to the natural beauty and fresh air. Because it is famous for its long beach, fine white sand, clear blue water creating a wild and poetic scene. The sea here is quite shallow, so it is very safe for visitors to immerse themselves in nature and participate in underwater activities. In addition, the cave system along the sea has its own beauty, creating an attractiveness for the beach. This will definitely be a great experience to help visitors put aside all the worries and pressures of life.

5.8. Lu Beach

Bai Lu Nghe An is a destination that blends the wild beauty of green pine forests and the smooth, curving white sand beach. The space here creates a beautiful natural picture, like a miniature Da Lat in the heart of Nghe An. Bai Lu has a clear beach with not too strong waves. This place becomes an ideal playground for sea activities. Moreover, when the sunset comes, visitors can relax by cycling around Bai Lu to admire the dreamy scenery. In particular, the experience of camping on the sim hill and admiring the beautiful ocean scenery is also a memorable experience that visitors should not miss when coming to Lu beach.

5.9. Hon Ngu Island

Hon Ngu Island, a pristine paradise gifted to us by Mother Nature, is truly a wonderful destination in Nghe An. Also known as Song Ngu Island, the island is located about 4km from Cua Lo beach and has a total area of ​​only about 2.5km2. Coming to Hon Ngu Island, visitors can immerse themselves in the poetic beach, cool, clear blue water and long stretches of pebbles with many beautiful colors. Not only that, the island also attracts visitors with many interesting recreational activities such as: squid fishing on a basket boat, visiting the Cobia farm or visiting and worshiping at the ancient Hon Ngu pagoda.

6. Enjoy specialties in Nghe An

Nghe An tourism, in addition to beautiful beaches, cannot lack attractive and rich specialties. Let’s find out about the specialties here!

6.1. Clams with rice paper

Clams with rice paper is a famous specialty that any tourist must try when traveling to Nghe An. This dish is a harmony of clam meat stir-fried with chili, shallots, then served with crispy Do Luong rice paper, fragrant roasted peanuts and raw vegetables, truly creating an irresistible flavor.

6.2. Nghe An eel

Anyone who comes to Nghe An must try the famous specialty of this place, eel meat. Through the skillful hands of the chef, preparing, seasoning and cooking, dishes such as eel soup, eel porridge, eel stewed with banana and bean… all have the rich flavor of eel, delicious and unique.

6.3. Wet cake

Banh muot is a famous cake in Nghe An that any tourist who comes here to enjoy it will praise. Banh muot is usually as long as an adult’s index finger, rolled with fried onions inside, soft, smooth, and clear white. The cake is made only from rice flour, the rice is soaked in water for a long time, then taken out and ground and left to ferment for many hours. Banh muot is often eaten with grilled beef skewers, grilled pork, beef wrapped in lolot leaves and caul fat, fried spring rolls… and a bowl of sweet and sour fish sauce.

6.4. Do Luong rice paper

Rice paper is available in many provinces in Vietnam, but when mentioning rice paper of the Central region, people immediately think of Do Luong rice paper of Nghe An. The rice paper is about 20 cm in diameter, sprinkled with black sesame on top, so it is very rich and fragrant when eaten. The cake is usually grilled with charcoal or fried with cooking oil to create a thin, crispy and delicious cake.

6.5. Flashing ink

Flashing squid in Cua Lo Nghe An is a dish ranked in the Top 10 seafood specialties of Vietnam. It is so named because the squid is caught alive, its body is transparent, and its skin is always flashing with phosphorescent spots. Flashing squid will be enjoyed on the spot, right after the squid is caught. Tourists can experience squid fishing service by basket boat in Cua Lo and enjoy the specialty. This service has created a unique feature, bringing a unique identity to Cua Lo tourism.

6.6. Thanh Chuong Chicken Soup

Thanh Chuong chicken soup is prepared with the most rustic spices, giving it a rich and delicate flavor when enjoyed. The chicken is cleaned and the bones and meat are separated. The meat is cut into moderate pieces, marinated immediately with lemon leaves, white salt, turmeric and crushed fresh chili. The bones are minced and rolled into balls. When the chicken is marinated, put it on the stove and simmer for about 5 minutes, then add enough water to cover, bring to a boil, season to taste and sprinkle the chicken bones on top. The pot of chicken soup is kept warm. The soup brings a calm, delicate flavor, preserving the essence of the chicken meat of the midlands.

6.7. Leaf mold

Khuoc lam is a typical dish of the Thai ethnic group in Nghe An. Khuoc lam is elaborately processed from tadpoles in streams. After cleaning the tadpoles with a thin bamboo stick, they are mixed with lemongrass, chili, mac khen, fish sauce, salt and crushed broken rice. Then, put everything into 2 bamboo tubes, seal them tightly and put them on the charcoal stove. This is a traditional Thai way of cooking that keeps the food from losing its aroma. The dish has a characteristic sweetness and the warm taste of lemongrass, the spicy taste and aroma of spices mixed with the smell of fresh bamboo when burned on charcoal.

6.8. Thanh Chuong pickled vegetables

Thanh Chuong pickled jackfruit is considered the Kimchi of Nghe An. This dish is made from young jackfruit, salted and eaten all year round. Pickled jackfruit is often used to make sour soup, salads, stir-fried with rolled meat or cooked alone to have its own flavor. Nhut has a sour and crunchy taste, just a little fish sauce is enough for dipping sauce. Although it is a rustic and popular food of every family, up to now, nhut has become a specialty of Nghe An known to many people.

6.9. Nam Dan Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is one of the traditional specialties of Nam Dan people. The main ingredients to make soy sauce are all things that are close and familiar to life such as: soybeans, sticky rice or corn, salt and water. Nam Dan soy sauce is unique in that it is made from beans that are only crushed into bean pieces, not crushed. Nam Dan soy sauce is not brown but golden yellow like honey. The bean pieces are suspended in the thick, fragrant and sweet soy sauce. The soy sauce is used to dip or braise fish and especially to dip water spinach or sweet potato leaves.

7. Accommodation while travelling Nghe An

7.1. Best rated hotels and motels in Nghe An

For the convenience of long-term trips in Nghe An. Origin Vietnam Team has compiled the most prestigious and quality hotels for visitors to refer to:

• Lam Giang Hotel. Address: 43 Quang Trung, Vinh City, Nghe An
• Tecco Sky Hotel & Spa. Address: 72 Le Loi, Hung Binh, Vinh, Nghe An
• Muong Thanh Grand Cua Dong Hotel. Address: 167 Nguyen Phong Sac, Hung Dung, Vinh City, Nghe An
• Saigon Kim Lien Hotel. Address: 25 Quang Trung, Vinh City, Nghe An
• Thanh Dat Guesthouse. Address: 59 Le Ninh, Quan Bau, Vinh City, Nghe An
• Muong Thanh Luxury Song Lam Hotel. Address: 13 Quang Trung, Vinh City, Nghe An
• Muong Thanh Vinh. Address: 1 Phan Boi Chau, Le Loi, Vinh City, Nghe An
• Hong Kong Hotel II. Address: Hoa Tien Hamlet, Vinh City, Nghe An
• Vinh Plaza Hotel. Address: No. 3 Mai Hac De, Le Loi, Vinh City, Nghe An
• Gold Vinh Hotel. Address: 1A Le Huan, Hong Son, Vinh City, Nghe An
• Muong Thanh Cua Lo Hotel . Address: 232 Binh Minh, Thu Thuy, Cua Lo, Nghe An
• Summer Cua Lo Hotel. Address: 268 Binh Minh, Nghi Huong, Cua Lo, Nghe An
• Lam Son Hai Hotel. Address: Nguyen Thuc Tu Street – Nghi Huong, Cua Lo, Nghe An
• Muong Thanh Grand Con Cuong Hotel. Address: Con Cuong Town, Con Cuong, Nghe An

7.2. Beautiful Homestays in Nghe An

For tourists who love nature and plants, choosing a homestay is the most suitable choice. Origin Vietnam has compiled a list of Homestays with beautiful views, quality and amenities for tourists to refer to:

• Chez Thuy Farmstay. Address: Dong Hieu, Thai Hoa Town, Nghe An
• Nhuong Thanh Homestay. Address: Con Cuong, Nghe An
• Hoa Thu Homestay. Address: Yen Khe, Con Cuong, Nghe An
• Hanh Chien Homestay. Address: Yen Khe, Con Cuong, Nghe An
• Dong Du Village Lakeside Farmstays. Address: Nghia Thuan, Nghia Dan, Nghe An
• Hong Long Moc Homestay. Address: Luc Da, Con Cuong, Nghe An

7.3. Resorts in Nghe An

Nghe An is investing heavily in tourism and there are many resorts being built and fully equipped with the best rated services. The Origin Vietnam Team has compiled a list of good quality resorts for visitors to refer to:

• Melia Vinpearl Cua Hoi Beach Resort . Address: Binh Minh, Nghi Hai Ward, Vinh City, Nghe An
• Cua Lo Golf Resort. Address: Binh Minh Street, Nghi Huong, Cua Lo, Nghe An
• Saigon Kim Lien Resort. Address: 212 Binh Minh, Cua Lo, Nghe An
• Bai Lu Resort. Address: Nghi Yen, Nghi Loc District, Nghe An
• Sen Vang Resort. Address: Dien Thanh Beach, Dien Chau District, Nghe An
• Ruby Star Quynh Resort. Address: Quynh Nghia, Quynh Luu, Nghe An

8. Some notes when traveling to Nghe An

To have a complete, economical and wonderful tour to Nghe An, you should note some useful travel experiences in Nghe An below:

• Check the weather forecast before departure to bring suitable luggage and to avoid going on rainy and stormy days, which may affect the trip.
• Prepare appropriate clothing for weather conditions, terrain and different types of travel.
• Tourists should limit their visits to Nghe An from September to October. Because this is the time of the rainy season in Central Vietnam.
• Don’t forget to bring insect repellent and medicine for common illnesses to protect yourself.
• Bring tents and necessary equipment if you intend to camp here.
• When visiting sacred sites, dress modestly to show respect.
• You should book hotels, motels, and homestays at least 2 weeks before your trip to have more options and avoid running out of rooms.
• Bring all necessary documents for convenience when checking in for flights, checking into hotels, and renting cars.

With a variety of scenic spots, famous beaches and a rich system of relics and cultures, it will bring new and exciting experiences to visitors. Hopefully, the special tourist destinations in Nghe An in this article can help you get many suggestions for your upcoming trip. If you are planning to travel to Nghe An, please contact Origin Vietnam – the leading tour operator in Vietnam. With a team of enthusiastic and experienced consultants, we will help you have the most complete and memorable tour Vietnam to explore Nghe An.