If you came to Quang Nam many years ago, your first sight would have been of the long white coastline, and the forested riverbanks leading to the port of Hoi An. Because Quang Nam once hosted the only international trading port in Vietnam, the province became a place where ideas and cultures entered Vietnam, and where Vietnam sent its best products to be sold around the world.
Today the province is no less beautiful, and its forests, hills, plains and rivers are dotted with fascinating relics from the many people who have visited and lived here before. From world-class historic sites to lush rainforests and sparkling islands, Quang Nam still surprises travelers with its timeless charms. Read on to find out more about this special part of Vietnam.

History

Sandstone sculptures in My Son Sanctuary show the refined skills of the Cham craftsmen.
Sandstone sculptures in My Son Sanctuary show the refined skills of the Cham craftsmen.

The Sa Huynh are the first people who left their mark in Quang Nam, and the remains we have of their civilisation date from 1000 BCE to 200 CE. The Sa Huynh were followed by the Cham, a seafaring people who followed Hinduism and built the religious capital of their expanding kingdom, known as Amaravati, in the valley of My Son.

The riverfront of the historic trading port of Hoi An, formerly knowns as Faifo.
The riverfront of the historic trading port of Hoi An, formerly knowns as Faifo.

The Cham eventually lost control of Amaravati to the Dai Viet people from the north of Vietnam. The Dai Viet established a thriving foreign shipping trade in Hoi An, and profited from taxes on merchant ships. Over the years, the rivers leading to Hoi An gradually silted up, and the international port was moved to a new location in Da Nang. My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An Ancient Town were inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1999.

Geography

An Bang Beach with the city of Danang and Truong Son Mountains in the distance.
An Bang Beach with the city of Danang and Truong Son Mountains in the distance.

Quang Nam is part of Central Vietnam. To the north you’ll find Da Nang City. To the east, long sandy beaches face the East Sea. To the south is Quang Ngai province and Kon Tum Province, and to the west Quang Nam shares a border with Laos. The Cua Dai estuary is partially sheltered by the Cham Islands, making it ideal for boats to enter and journey inland.

Part of the Truong Giang River in the south of Quang Nam Province.
Part of the Truong Giang River in the south of Quang Nam Province.

The land in Quang Nam descends gradually from West to East, carved by the Vu Gia, Thu Bồn, and Tam Kỳ river systems, which branch off into countless meandering canals as they as they flow to the sea. The variety of terrain in Quang Nam creates constantly changing scenery: mountains and riverheads in the uplands, plains and forests in the midlands, and deltas, dunes and coastline in the lowlands.

Nature

The eight islands of the Cham Archipelago are listed as a World Biosphere Reserve.
The eight islands of the Cham Archipelago are listed as a World Biosphere Reserve.

Unspoiled nature is one of Quang Nam’s best assets. The province boasts 15 islands, 10 lakes, 9 main rivers, and 125 kilometers of sandy beaches. This means that if you love water, you’ve come to the right place. The Cham Islands are one of the best places in Vietnam to experience underwater flora and fauna, with 135 species of coral and more than 900 aquatic species.

Cinnamon and ginseng grow in the forested mountains and hills of Dong Giang.
Cinnamon and ginseng grow in the forested mountains and hills of Dong Giang.

You don’t have to go far in Quang Nam to find vast plains planted with neat squares of rice paddies; however not many people know that half of Quang Nam is covered in thick forests. Quang Nam’s two nature reserves are home to rare plants and evergreen tropical forests, and hide refreshing waterfalls and mountain streams. Close to the coast, nipa palm mangroves help protect the land during storms, and create a rich haven for young marine life.

Discover the timeless culture, delicious cuisine, blissful beaches and natural beauty of Quang Nam.

For more trip inspiration, follow us on Facebook or Instagram: @visitquangnam