Binh Dinh, the land of martial arts and literature, is not only famous for its ancient Champa relics or renowned specialties but also boasts countless mesmerizing beaches. Among them, Queen Beach in Quy Nhon stands out like a sparkling sapphire, possessing a pristine, unique beauty associated with distinctive historical and cultural stories. If you are looking for a destination to immerse yourself in magnificent nature and explore profound cultural values, Queen Beach in Binh Dinh is definitely an unmissable choice.
Location and How to Get to Queen Beach
Queen Beach, also known as Bai Da Trung (Egg Stone Beach), is located in the Ghenh Rang tourist area, Ghenh Rang ward, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province. It is only about 3km southeast of Quy Nhon city center, making it very convenient for visitors to travel and explore.
To reach Queen Beach, you can easily choose from various means of transport:
- Motorbike or self-driving car: This is the ideal option if you want to actively explore Quy Nhon and the surrounding areas. From the city center, just follow the Xuan Dieu coastal road, then turn into Han Mac Tu street and go straight to the Ghenh Rang tourist area. The route is quite easy and has clear signposts.
- Taxi or ride-hailing service: If you don’t want to drive yourself, taxis or ride-hailing apps like Grab and Gojek are also convenient and quick options.
- Bus: In Quy Nhon, bus route T2 departs from Quy Nhon bus station and has a stop near the Ghenh Rang tourist area, helping you save on transportation costs.
When you arrive at the Ghenh Rang tourist area, you will easily find the path down to Queen Beach. The path down to the beach is designed with stone steps, winding through rows of green trees, creating a relaxing and nature-friendly feeling.
Path leading down to Queen Beach in Quy Nhon
The Unique Beauty of Queen Beach
Queen Beach does not possess the gentle beauty of smooth white sand like many other beaches. Instead, this place strongly impresses visitors with its uniqueness, unspoiled nature, and somewhat majestic appearance. The most special feature of this beach is the round, smooth stones like giant bird eggs, stacked on top of each other along the coastline.
Strange Egg Stone Beach
The egg stone beach is one of the most unique highlights of Queen Beach. Stones of all sizes, with round shapes, polished by sea waves over millions of years, create an extremely strange and impressive scene. Stepping on the stone beach, you will feel the cool, smooth touch of the stones under your feet, a very interesting and different experience.
Many visitors are amused to compare this stone beach to “dinosaur egg beach” or “giant bird egg beach” because of their special shapes. Geologists explain that the egg stone beach was formed due to the weathering and erosion of sea waves on large granite blocks. Over a long period, these blocks broke into smaller pieces, then continued to be smoothed by sea waves, forming the round shape we see today.
Unique egg stones at Queen Beach
Pristine Natural Scenery
Not only does it have a unique egg stone beach, Queen Beach also captivates visitors with its pristine, majestic natural scenery. The beach is surrounded by towering cliffs, creating a private, quiet space, separate from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The seawater here is as clear as jade, and you can see the smooth white sand bottom. Gentle waves lapping on the shore create melodious, peaceful sounds. Surrounding the beach are rows of green trees, providing shade and bringing fresh, pleasant air.
Standing on Queen Beach, you can look far into the distance, admiring the vast, immense ocean. On clear blue sky days, you can also see small islands bobbing on the horizon, creating a poetic and romantic scene.
Sunset and Sunrise on Queen Beach
Queen Beach is one of the most beautiful places to watch the sunset and sunrise in Quy Nhon. In the late afternoon, when the gentle golden sunlight begins to fade, the entire beach seems to be dyed a brilliant orange-yellow color. The sun slowly descends into the sea, creating a romantic and captivating sunset scene.
In the early morning, when the first rays of sunlight appear, Queen Beach puts on a pure, fresh beauty. Sunrise on the sea brings a feeling of peace and tranquility, helping you feel the vitality of nature and start a new day full of energy.
Beautiful sunset scene at Queen Beach
Legendary and Historical Stories
The name “Queen” of this beach is associated with many interesting legendary and historical stories, further increasing the attractiveness and curiosity for visitors.
The Origin of the Name Queen Beach
There are many different legends about the origin of the name Queen Beach. One of the most popular legends tells that in the past, this place was where fairies often came down to bathe and play. Therefore, the beach has a fairy-like beauty, captivating people’s hearts.
Another legend tells of the tragic love story of a talented young man and a beautiful girl. The young man had to find 100 swiftlet nests to make wedding gifts for his bride. The girl waited at home in vain, and on the appointed day, she still did not see her lover return. She sadly went to look for him and disappeared into a mountain crevice near the sea. The young man, after returning, was also heartbroken and together with his lover, they transformed into a pair of seabirds. Local people believe that the beauty of Queen Beach bears the mark of this romantic but troubled love story.
However, the story that is most widely known and believed is related to King Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong.
Connection with King Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong
According to historical records, in 1927, King Bao Dai chose Ghenh Rang as a resort. The pristine, charming beauty of the beach conquered the heart of this king. In particular, Queen Nam Phuong, King Bao Dai’s wife, loved this beach very much and often came here to swim and relax. To show his favor to the Queen, King Bao Dai named this beach Queen Beach. Since then, this name has become popular and is used to this day.
Imprint of Han Mac Tu
Not only associated with historical and legendary stories, Queen Beach also bears a strong cultural and artistic imprint. This place was once the retreat of the talented but ill-fated poet Han Mac Tu in his last years.
Han Mac Tu came to Quy Nhon in 1936 to treat leprosy. He lived and composed poetry in the Ghenh Rang area. The pristine, majestic beauty of the sea and mountains here became an endless source of inspiration for his haunting and poignant verses.
Today, visitors to Queen Beach not only admire the natural beauty but can also visit Han Mac Tu’s tomb and Han Mac Tu flower garden nearby to remember and honor the talented poet of Vietnam.
Han Mac Tu flower garden near Queen Beach
Travel Experiences at Queen Beach
Coming to Queen Beach, you will have the opportunity to experience many interesting and memorable tourist activities.
Fun Activities
- Swimming and relaxing: Although not a long sandy beach, Queen Beach is still an ideal place to swim and relax. The clear, cool seawater will help you dispel the fatigue and stress of everyday life.
- Exploring the egg stone beach: Walking on the egg stone beach, touching the smooth stones, and taking souvenir photos are must-do activities when coming here. Be careful when moving on the stone beach, especially when it rains or there are big waves.
- Sightseeing and photography: With its pristine, unique beauty, Queen Beach is a great destination for those who love photography. You can unleash your creativity and capture memorable moments here.
- Climbing Ghenh Rang and admiring the panoramic view of the sea: If you want to have a more panoramic view of Queen Beach and the Ghenh Rang area, climb to the top of Ghenh Rang. From above, you can admire the entire beach, the vast ocean, and the beautiful city of Quy Nhon.
Visiting Ghenh Rang Tien Sa
Queen Beach is located in the Ghenh Rang Tien Sa tourist area, so when you come here, you can combine visiting other famous tourist attractions in the area such as:
- Ghenh Rang: A place concentrating many attractive attractions such as Queen Beach, Doi Thi Nhan (Han Mac Tu’s tomb), Ghenh Rang church, Tien Sa beach…
- Tien Sa Beach: A small, quiet beach near Queen Beach, also with pristine beauty and clear blue seawater.
- Han Mac Tu’s Tomb: The resting place of poet Han Mac Tu, a cultural and spiritual destination attracting many tourists.
- Ghenh Rang Church: An ancient church with unique architecture, located on Ghenh Rang hill, with beautiful views of the sea.
Local Cuisine
Coming to Quy Nhon, you cannot miss the opportunity to enjoy the famous specialties of this land. Near the Ghenh Rang tourist area, there are many restaurants and eateries serving fresh seafood and Binh Dinh specialties such as:
- Fresh seafood: Shrimp, crab, squid, snails… prepared in a variety of attractive ways.
- Bun cha ca Quy Nhon (Quy Nhon fish cake noodle soup): A typical dish with a rich, delicious flavor.
- Banh xeo tom nhay (jumping shrimp pancake): Crispy pancakes with fresh shrimp.
- Nem nuong Cho Huyen (Cho Huyen grilled sausage): A famous grilled sausage of Binh Dinh, with a special flavor.
- Banh hoi Dieu Tri (Dieu Tri woven vermicelli): Soft woven vermicelli served with grilled meat and raw vegetables.
Huynh De crab specialty in Quy Nhon
Accommodation and Ideal Time
The Ghenh Rang area and Quy Nhon city have many diverse accommodation options, from high-class hotels and luxury resorts to budget guesthouses and cozy homestays. You can easily find accommodation that suits your needs and budget.
The best time to travel to Queen Beach in Binh Dinh is during the dry season, from March to September. At this time, the weather is sunny, with little rain, and the sea is calm, very suitable for swimming, playing, and exploring activities.
Useful Travel Tips
- Bring suitable shoes: To conveniently move on the egg stone beach, you should bring soft, comfortable shoes or sandals.
- Prepare sunscreen and hats: The weather in Quy Nhon is quite sunny, especially in the summer, so prepare enough sunscreen and hats to protect your skin and health.
- Drink enough water: When sightseeing and playing outdoors, you should drink enough water to avoid dehydration and fatigue.
- Maintain environmental hygiene: Let’s join hands to protect the beauty of Queen Beach by not littering indiscriminately and maintaining general hygiene.
Conclusion
Queen Beach in Binh Dinh is a unique, attractive, and exciting tourist destination. This place not only possesses pristine, majestic natural beauty with a one-of-a-kind egg stone beach but also carries distinctive historical and cultural stories. If you want to find a novel, different travel experience and want to explore the hidden gems of Vietnam, come to Queen Beach in Binh Dinh. Surely, you will have memorable memories and wonderful experiences here.