Banh Trang Mam Ruoc

Usually referred to as a paradise for students after school, Bo Ke is located right beside Tra Khuc River’s bank. Along the edge of the river, a great number of street diners have been put up for selling junk food, whose cost fluctuates at 10,000 VND, suitable for pupils’ pocket money. There are various types of food on offer here, but the special “Vedette” is Banh Trang Mam Ruoc-rice paper with condense shrimp sauce all over with eggs, onions, dried beef, cheese and other spices grilled on the hot bar.

Address: Bo Ke-along Tra Khuc riverside, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province.

Banh Can

This dish is a different version of Banh Xeo, but far smaller. The baking mould to make this food is similar to the one used to create egg waffles. However, this street food is particularly distinctive in its flavor that hardly anyone can resist. Egg and baking flour are the main ingredients. When well-cooked, it is served in a place with a set of ten. To make it tastier, you are recommended to eat with extra sliced mixed carrots and papayas and some fish sauce. You can ask for more with no addition charge if you want some more.

Address: Tran Hung Dao Street-right in front of the Old Church, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province.

Banh Trang Tron

Recently set into Quang Ngai, Banh Trang Tron immediately takes the lead in the preferable street food list for many people. Unlike Banh Trang Mam Ruoc, Banh Trang Tron is a rice paper that is torn into smaller portions and then well-mixed with extra spices, including quail eggs, sliced mangoes, chili powder, roasted groundnuts, lemon juice and the like. It is usually served in a tiny plastic box or nylon bags so that you can take it away to enjoy, very convenient for busy people.

Address: Phan Dinh Phung Street- right at the intersection of Phan Dinh Phung and Tran Hung Dao Street, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province.

Tau Hu Da

It is definitely an ideal beverage in such a scorching day. Hot Tofu with syrup has been a traditional junk food for many generations; however, this version is much more unique and favored by more teenagers. Iced blended tofu with an addition of jelly, fresh fruit, juice, condensed milk will attract you right from the very first taste. Its diverse ingredients and reasonable price are the things that make it popular among the young in Quang Ngai recently.

Address: Pham Van Dong Street-on the left side of the city’s Central Square, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province.

Banh Mi Muoi Ot

This has been a giant bomb in the Vietnamese street food’s world since the last summer. Banh Mi is no longer processed in the conventional way that we used to know. Instead, it is firstly flattened and laid on the hot grille. Super spicy sauce is sprayed on both surfaces. Then it is cut evenly into pieces and additives are added to maximize the flavor. Quail eggs, cheese, tiny shrimps, oil mixed with spring onions are on offer for selection. You can pick anything above for your portion and the vendor will base on it to charge you. But the price ranges from only 7,000 to 10,000 VND.

Address: Quang Trung Street, in front of the back gate of Tran Quoc Tuan High school, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province.

Hu Tieu

It is a close neighborhood of traditional noodles, but not less popular. Hu Tieu is not a new dish; frankly speaking, it has existed for ages. However, eating this kind of food along the street will give you a peculiar experience, rather than in a luxurious restaurant. For me, what distinguish the dish from yellow noodles are its translucent and tough fibers. A serving is valued around 15,000 VND and iced tea is offered for free.

Address: Le Khiet Street-close to Coopmart Supermarket, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province.

Banh Tieu Nhan Sau Rieng

Any fans of durians should never miss it. If you are tired of eating the entire durian, why not try a specific kind of donut with durian stuffing? It is worth giving a try in the end. Baking powder is prepared in advance in a flat shape. When you order, the vendor will take it out and put it right into a big pan of boiling oil. Immediately, the donut bloats and is ready for use. Don’t forget to break its crust to taste the filling inside with durian and sesame seeds. You can eat it as a light snack before main courses.

Address: Quang Trung Street-in front of the main gate of Tran Quoc Tuan High school, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province.

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Quang Ngai can be compared to a melting pot where one-tenth of the regional population scale comes from other ethnic minorities, such as Cadong, Cor and so on scattering throughout the provincial city and 13 neighboring districts. Local residents here are hospitable and always helpful towards other people when in need. Besides, they are also laborious workers with abundant experiences and wonderful creativity, which make the cultural patterns more diverse than ever before. Some worth-mentioning highlights detected in local customs may include pottery making, mat weaving, fish sauce making or even carpentry. Quang Ngai is also widely acknowledged as home to many great men in Vietnamese history like Former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and Revolutionary Hero Huynh Thuc Khang. Thus, a journey to Quang Ngai will reveal lots of astonishment to tourists, giving them a deeper insight into this long-standing land.

Let alone all attractions mentioned above, Quang Ngai has won wide recognition as a spotlight in national tourism thanks to its out-of-this-world natural landscapes. A harmonious blend of nature’s charm together with ancient enchantment will capture one’s affection from the very first sight. Ranging from picturesque beauty spots to lifelong historical buildings, Quang Ngai caters for a wide variety of tastes that suit people of all ages.

What’s more? Specialties cannot be left out because there are some dishes that are totally exclusive to this coastal town and you can hardly find one with a similar flavor in other places. Have you ever heard of Goby, Don, Mach Nha or Glass Candy? If no, pack your bags immediately and head for Quang Ngai to get them.

It is indisputable that Quang Ngai has been greatly favored by Mother Nature as it has inherited beautiful presents from her. Thus, in recent years, with a view to exploiting the potential attraction of the destination, local authorities have made every effort to upgrade essential infrastructure to draw international investment and develop regional tourism. Resorts, ecology-friendly vacation spots and so on have been put under construction and are nearly on stage. These not only serve a purpose of offering best accommodations for short-term travelers but also gradually enhance the popularity of the place in tourism that was once considered a town off the bitten track.

To wrap it up, Quang Ngai is and will be a promising competitor in terms of tourism in the next few years. If you have a pure passion for travelling, don’t forget to write down the name on your notepapers or else you will feel sorry for missing such a miraculous place in this S-shaped nation.

There are some routes that you should take into consideration before deciding to pay a visit in Quang Ngai.

• By railway: Visitors from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and areas where railroad is accessible should take the route that leads directly to Quang Ngai gas station located in the central of the province.

• By passenger cars:

From Ho Chi Minh City, start your journey at Mien Dong bus depot and get off at Quang Ngai station right in the middle of the city. Some commonly suggested coach hosts may include Phuong Trang, Mai Linh, etc. It usually takes about 20 hours to reach the area and the fee for each passenger ranges around 400,000 VND.

From Hanoi, the suggested departure point is Nuoc Ngam or Luong Yen station and get off at Quang Ngai depot as concerned above. You can resort to some reliable coach owners such as Chin Nghia, Hoang Long and the like. The estimated duration is 20 hours and each person should pay approximately 500,000 VND for the one-way ticket.

From Da Nang, get on at Da Nang station and get off at Quang Ngai depot. Mai Linh is a worth-considering brand name. The time fluctuates from 3 to 4 hours per trip and the fee is 100,000 VND per person.

• By air: You can consider taking a flight to Chu Lai airport in Quang Nam province and then get on a coach or taxi to get to Quang Ngai city.

Where to go in Quang Ngai Province?

What and where to eat in Quang Ngai Province?

What and where to eat in Quang Ngai Province (Part2)?

Quang Ngai Itinerary

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If your time budget is limited in only one day, don’t worry because that is sufficient for a brief tour in Quang Ngai Provincial City.

• Quang Ngai City is different from other sleepless cities like Ho Chi Minh City where their inhabitants are familiar with waking up rather late in the morning. In Quang Ngai, people start their new day at an early time, so you better get up around 6:30 to stay prepared for the forthcoming trip.
• 7:30 AM: Boost your energy to the highest level with a bowl of Quang Noodles at Thu Bup #234 Hung Vuong Avenue. The price per dish ranges around 35,000 VND, not so expensive and definitely worthwhile afterwards.
• 8:00 AM: Treat yourself with some beverages and mini-cakes for dessert at Ocean Blue Cafe #268 Tran Hung Dao. This is among the most highly-rated cafes in town, not only for a diverse selection of drinks on offer but also a luxurious view. Here, have a sip and spend a little time chatting with your friends before moving on to the next destination.
• 8:30 AM: Stand up and head for Quang Ngai market to get some “countryside-style” experiences. You need to take a taxi to go there because it is quite far from your present place. The market sells a variety of things, ranging from food, house appliances to clothes. You can wander around and pick up your favorites or buy some souvenirs for your friends. It is pretty crowded in the early morning , so you have to take your time for the following spots.
• 9:30 AM: Thien An Mountain is the next place you will visit and don’t forget your cameras or smartphones to take some photos on the way. Taxi is the most ideal mode of transport in such burning days; however, you may resort to motorbike drivers if you are short of money. It’s up to you in the end. If you want to get to the peak of the mountain in shortest time, ask your driver to give you a lift directly to the top. Besides, if you prefer to go on foot, there is a stone road for hikers that lead you to the place. Apart from getting a whole view of the city in your vision, you may want to pay a visit in the pagoda nearby. Except for big holidays such as Buddhist feast of Vesak or Hung Kings Commemorations, it is rather quiet and peaceful here as usual. Spare some time to look around the place before returning.
• 11:00 AM: Recharge your stomach by having a hearty lunch. Don’t need to go so far since right at the foot of the mountain lies a restaurant named Gio Doi. Its specialty is Roasted Chicken. This, for sure, won’t let you down.
• 12:00 AM: Return to the hotel for a short nap. Rest yourself within about 1-2 hours to get ready for the afternoon.
• 1:30 PM: Take a taxi to get to Son My Relics-a place to commemorate the historical slaughter in My Lai in 1968. Grasp your chance to learn more about Vietnamese history and witness photos on display that vividly visualize the war crime in the most obsessing days of Quang Ngai people.
• 3:30 PM: Head for Mi Khe Beach that is located around 10km from the previous spot. Spend the rest of your afternoon with fantastic on-shore activities there, such as swimming, volleyball, sand castle building (the Vietnamese’s favorite beach activity) or simply strolling along the shore. You may have some refreshments offered in some restaurants situated right on the beach. They usually serve seafood as the main dish. Try once because the food provided here is fresh and you can even enter the cooking area to pick alive fish, shrimp or crab that you want to add to your meals.
• 6:30 PM: Contact a taxi brand to take you back to the inner city. Go straight to the city’s square to while away the time. There are a lot of nightlife activities here, including riding tricycles, pedicabs, having a picnic or street dancing. You can stroll along the ecological reservoir nearby.
• 7:30 PM: Go shopping at Coopmart supermarket within the walking distance. You may pick up something that you need or simply you want to refresh yourself in air-conditioned atmosphere.
• 8:15 PM: It is time for snacks. You can find a wide range of street food in the local area. Dumpling is a good choice. From the back gate of the supermarket, go straight ahead for 300 meters and turn left. A small trolley that sells dumpling is located about 100 meters in front of you. There are no seats, so you can buy some packed ones in a bag and bring them to the opposite ice-cream stall to enjoy and, by the way, get something to drink, too.
• 9:00 PM: Return to the hotel to take a rest after an exhausting journey.

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Bánh Bèo
Why not jump-start your day by trying this local dish for breakfast? Though not exclusive to the region, in other words, this food owes its origin to Hue, it has been successfully improved in a more specific way by such creative vendors. What makes it different here is its viscid and rich filling topped with ground pork, shrimp, and crunchy fried onions. By the way, don’t forget to spray some spicy fish sauce all over to have a better taste.

Address: Quang Trung Street, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province (opposite to former Nguyen Nghiem primary school)

Bánh Bao (Dumpling)
Are you a crazy fan of Chinese baozi? If so, don’t hesitate to include such a wonderful street food in your list of must-eat foods when going to Quang Ngai. It is also rumored that the vendor, herself, is a native Chinese, so don’t worry about its quality since it will not let you down. At first, you may not get impressed by its ordinary appearance; yet, soon you will find your mouth watering once you break the soft crust. A blended mixture of well-cooked pork, pigskin and especially accompanied by 2 big quail eggs is stuffed inside with a stimulating odor. Additionally, the price for each ranges around 10,000 VND - such a bargain that is nowhere to be found in other cities.

Address: Quang Trung Street, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province (in front of the back gate of Tran Quoc Tuan high school) - Banh Bao Anh Ky

Ốc Hút
Have you got fed up with starchy food? Do you want to enjoy your meal here without gaining weight? Oc hut is a good suggestion, particularly when you visit here in winter. Faraway, you can easily detect the spiraling smoke from large pots of cooked snails, and of course flavorsome with an addition of peppers and citronella. The atmosphere is very busy in the evening as many people - both locals and tourists - all come to try this special food. The proper way to way to eat this is also really interesting: don’t consider using any forks and all you need to do is to suck the snail out of its shelf to enjoy.

Address: #67 Nguyen Du Street, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province - Oc hut Cay me

Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm
It seems understandable to say that Quang Ngai is a melting pot- a place where immigrants gather to reside. The next dish I want to show you has almost no relation to Quang Ngai at all. However, since it was introduced into the town, it has gained a positive reply from all walks of life, specifically teenagers. Served on a big round tray, a course often includes block-shaped noodles, vegetables, boiled sliced meat, deep-fried pork rolls, and most importantly, a bowl of shrimp paste. A harmonious blend of different ingredients when dipped into spicy sauce can make you feel irresistible at the very first sight. Beverages are on offer for wider preferences too.

Address:  #420 Nguyen Nghiem Street, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province - Bun Dau Mam Tom Ba Tram

Ram Thịt Nướng
Chances are that you will come across a family-owned restaurant selling this type of food in every corner of Quang Ngai provincial city. The moment houses in town are lightened up is also the time when those restaurants are best-patronized. You can either stand by to see how the chefs cook outside or have a seat indoors to wait for your turn. You may hear your stomach drum while seeing spiced beef, together with shrimp rolls evenly grilled on hot iron gates. When served, they are usually “hand in hand” with thin rice paper and a small bowl of ketchup with nut toppings. A tip for you is that you roll cucumber and extra vegetables on request inside so as not to lose your appetite quickly because it is a little bit greasy for inexperienced ones.

Address:  #32 Nguyen Nghiem Street, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province - Ram thit nuong 72

Don
We can say that the quintessence of Quang Ngai’s cuisine lies in Don - a brilliant culinary “invention” of all times in recognition of both Vietnamese and international friends. You may miss everything in the post but not this one, truthfully. Or else, you will regret for a long time afterwards. For more information, don is a kind of mollusc that lives along the bank of Tra Khuc river. After some preliminary treatments, it is stir-fried with green onions and other spices to eliminate the original stinky smell. There are 2 versions of this serving: dry and watered. Yet, the latter is more common and preferred. But I recommend you try both to experience the so-called matchless dish of Quang Ngai province.

Address: #16 Tran Hung Dao Street, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province

Cá Bống Sông Trà (Goby)
In terms of specialties, besides Don, Quang Ngai also has a reputation for Goby, which is considered to be a highlight in cooking traditions of this place. From the prerequisite ingredient - that is goby for sure, people create various versions of it by following their own secret recipes including refined sugar, coconut milk and the like. Goby would be better if you enjoy it with rice or porridge, of course in hot condition. Moreover, you may find some shops that sell this food as a souvenir so that you can drop by to get some for your relatives right before returning from the journey.

Address:  #11, 13 Quang Trung Street, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province

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Sa Huynh
Nestled in South Pole of Quang Ngai province, Sa Huynh attracts a considerable number of seasonal tourists every year for its gorgeous seashore. Known as the largest salt flat in the middle part of the country, the destination has raised a special feeling of curiosity among travelers who first come here. There are also a lot of things to discover in Sa Huynh, such as An Khe lagoon, Viba mountain, Tu Phuoc pagoda, Fish temple and the like. Besides, fresh exclusive seafood adds to the reasons why you should go to Sa Huynh once in a lifetime. And if you prefer to spend your nights here, don’t be nervous since a great number of qualified resorts and motels are there to cater for the accommodation demand of guests.

Address:  Pho Chau and Pho Thanh Commune, Duc Pho District, Quang Ngai Province

Ly Son
Ly Son Island is no longer a strange destination for those who are interested in traveling. If Hawaii is addressed as the pearl of the Pacific Ocean, Ly Son is favorably called a fairy island for its miraculous beauty. Located around 30 kilometers off shore, with an area of 10 kilometers square and population of up 20,000 inhabitants, the so-called paradise leaves unforgettable memories in visitors’ soul afterwards. Among all landscapes detected there, To Vo gate is presumably a preferable check-in place of many people, especially teenagers. With an open space in the bare nature, you can while away the time with your family and friends by enjoying the glorious moments of dawn and sunset all together. Moreover, if you are lucky enough to drop by in the spring, chances are that you can join the crowds in Tu Linh Sailing festival, annually held in Lunar New Year. This celebration doesn’t simply serve entertaining purposes, but it is also a tradition that is maintained throughout centuries by its people. It is also a good opportunity for you to learn more about the region’s custom so that don’t let the chance go by if you have it.

Address: Ly Son District, Quang Ngai Province

Chung Tich Son My (Son My Relics)
It is exactly an ideal destination for those who have a passion for historical events and buildings. It is rumored that on 16th March 1968, a small village bore a brunt of a terrifying war disaster in which innocent ordinary people, including the old, women, children and so on were all killed. The death toll, after that, was claimed to reach up to 504- a dramatic figure in comparison to the population scale at that time. Until the present days when Vietnam has been liberated from wars, this village is still under special maintenance and brought on display so that the locals can always commemorate those who passed away in that disastrous event and tourists can visit here for more information about Vietnamese history. Photos that depict the occurrence and carefully listed statistics will help people gain a deeper understanding and a special guide is always available on request for further support.

Address: Tu Cung Village, Tinh Khe Commune, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province

Nui Thien An (Thien An Mountain)
Classified as one national historical monument by Ministry of Culture and Information, Thien An Mountain has become a crowded tourist attraction for the past 20 years. To reach the summit, you can either resort to car or motorbike since the slope is not too steep. Besides, there is a shortcut leading to the peak that is designed only for hikers. From the top of the mountain, a breathtaking view of the whole province with rivers, fields, and villages will appear in front of your eyes, which makes you feel like grasping the nature in the back of your hand. What’s more? You can also pay a visit to Thien An pagoda in the proximity if you still spare some time. It is especially busy during Buddhist festivals (Buddha Day, 4/15 in Lunar calendar) when the locals and visitors will gather for worship. Thus, take your time and you can explore new things here. By the way, I want to introduce you some family-run restaurants at the foot of the mountain. If the trip has sucked out your energy, help yourselves with some meals provided there to relieve your hunger before continuing the half-way journey.

Address: Tinh An Dong Commune and Truong Quang Trong Ward, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province

Thac Trang Minh Long (Minh Long White Waterfall)
Are you in search of a place off the beaten track to spend your days in Quang Ngai? Thac Trang is a wonderful proposal to take into consideration. Located about 23 kilometers from the provincial city to the Southwest of Minh Long district, it is considered the most picturesque waterfall detected in mountainous areas of Quang Ngai. At the foot of the cascade appears a deep natural reservoir that extends hundreds of meters- an ideal spot for some selfie photos with your fellows. It is recommended that you go in summer because the breezes and flows here will help cool your nerves in such a burning atmosphere. Recently, Thac Trang has been exploited as an ecological tourist spot that ensures the provision of a wide selection of services to fulfill visitors’ demand, ranging from accommodation, meals and recreational activities for all ages. Let’s write down the name of the destination on your to-do list to enjoy satisfying moments here.

Address: Tinh Do Village, Thanh An Commune, Minh Long District, Quang Ngai Province

Bai Dua (Coconut Plain)
The final place I want to show you today is Bai Dua - an ideal place for those who are already fed up with the busy pace of life and try to find a serene space to relax yourselves. In addition to witnessing long lines of willows and palms that run along the bank, you will have a chance to set foot on floating bamboo rafts. You can appreciate not only the simple beauty of nature but the locals’ daily activities as well. Above all, the experience of savoring fresh seafood right on the float in the open air will give you chills, which you may hardly find one in another region. Why not give it a try and treat yourselves with such a trip after hardworking days. You deserve it, don’t you?

Address: Nghia Hoa Commune, Tu Nghia District, Quang Ngai Province

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