9 Best Things To Do In Dong Hoi, Vietnam

Dong Hoi is easy to overlook when you’re planning a trip through central Vietnam. A lot of people arrive here, grab their bags and head straight for Phong Nha.

I’ve been to Dong Hoi a few times, and I always enjoy coming back. It’s a relaxed little coastal city where you can spend the morning by the sea, wander along the river in the afternoon and finish the day with a big seafood dinner.

And just outside the city, you’ve got huge white sand dunes that feel completely different from the green countryside around them.

You don’t need many days here. But if you have some spare time before or after Phong Nha, these are my favorite things to do in Dong Hoi.

Dong Hoi Travel Overview

Coming from Hanoi? My guide to getting from Hanoi to Dong Hoi covers the different ways to make the journey.

1. Spend a few hours at Nhat Le Beach

Nhat Le is where I’d head first if I arrived in Dong Hoi with a free afternoon.

The beach stretches along the edge of the city, so getting there is easy. You can swim, walk along the sand or find somewhere nearby for a drink without making a whole day of it.

I especially like coming later in the afternoon. Once the heat eases, more locals appear along the beachfront and the atmosphere becomes much livelier.

Stay for sunset if you can, then head out for seafood afterward.

It’s a very simple way to spend an evening, but that relaxed pace is a big part of why I like Dong Hoi.

2. Have a go at sandboarding at Quang Phu Sand Dunes

Quang Phu was one of the places around Dong Hoi that surprised me most.

You leave the city behind and suddenly find yourself surrounded by huge rolling dunes. There’s barely anything interrupting the view except ripples in the sand and the occasional person attempting to slide down without falling over.

And yes, you should try sandboarding.

Going down is the fun part. Climbing all the way back up with a board is considerably less glamorous, but I’d still do it again.

Late afternoon is my favorite time to visit because the sand isn’t as harshly bright and the low sun creates beautiful shadows across the dunes.

If you’re looking for something a little different from beaches and temples, Quang Phu is easily one of the best things to do in Dong Hoi.

3. Wander around Dong Hoi’s historic riverside

You don’t need to spend hours visiting individual historic attractions in Dong Hoi.

I’d simply walk around the riverside and see several of them together.

Quang Binh Quan is a good place to start. The historic gateway once formed part of a much larger defensive system, and today it stands right among the modern streets of Dong Hoi.

From there, make your way towards the Nhat Le River and the Mother Suot Monument. The monument is dedicated to Nguyen Thi Suot, who became known for ferrying soldiers and supplies across the river during the war.

Keep walking and you’ll eventually reach the ruins of Tam Toa Church.

Most of the old Catholic church was destroyed during wartime bombing, leaving part of the bell tower standing. I find it quite striking because the ruins sit right in the middle of modern Dong Hoi rather than inside a separate historical complex.

This is one of those parts of the city where I’d take my time, stop for a coffee along the way and enjoy the river rather than following a strict sightseeing route.

4. Pop into Quang Binh Museum

Quang Binh Museum wasn’t somewhere I expected to spend much time.

When we visited, we were the only people there, which made wandering around feel strangely peaceful.

The exhibits cover the history, archaeology and cultures of the region, with everything from old photographs to archaeological finds and wartime displays.

We spent around half an hour inside before going for a drink nearby, which felt about right.

I wouldn’t cross the city specifically for the museum, but it’s an easy addition while you’re exploring the historic center. And after seeing some of Dong Hoi’s wartime landmarks outside, the displays give you a little more context.

5. Wander through Dong Hoi Market

I love visiting local markets in Vietnam because you get such a quick look at everyday life.

Dong Hoi Market is busy, colorful and full of fresh produce, seafood, dried foods and little stalls selling things you probably won’t recognize immediately.

Come hungry because the food is half the reason to visit.

You’ll find local snacks, bánh xèo and noodle dishes around the market, and I’d rather walk around first to see what looks good than arrive searching for one famous stall.

The seafood section is worth a look too. Being this close to the coast means there’s plenty of it.

If you enjoy food markets, this is one of the easiest ways to spend an hour in Dong Hoi.

6. Eat your way through Dong Hoi in the evening

Food becomes a very important part of my plans whenever I’m in a Vietnamese coastal city.

Dong Hoi is no exception.

Seafood restaurants fill the streets around the river and beach, while smaller stalls and casual places start getting busier once the sun goes down.

One local dish I’d look for is cháo canh, a thick noodle soup from this part of central Vietnam. It’s filling, comforting and exactly the sort of meal I want after spending half the day outside.

You can also wander around the evening market and riverside area to see what everyone else is eating.

Or, if you’d rather explore with someone local, there are bike tours that combine Dong Hoi sightseeing with street-food stops.

Book a Dong Hoi sightseeing and street food tour →

7. Visit Dai Giac Pagoda

Dai Giac Pagoda is a nice change of pace if you’ve spent most of your day around the beach and busy streets.

The temple has a spacious courtyard, traditional Buddhist architecture and a large Amitabha Buddha statue inside the complex.

It isn’t somewhere I’d put at the top of your Dong Hoi itinerary, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth seeing.

If you’re passing nearby, go in for a wander and enjoy the quieter atmosphere for a while.

You won’t need long here, which makes it easy to combine with other places around central Dong Hoi.

8. Head across the river to Bao Ninh Beach

If Nhat Le feels a little too busy, cross the river and try Bao Ninh instead.

The beach runs along the Bao Ninh peninsula and feels more removed from central Dong Hoi, with a long stretch of sand and fewer city buildings immediately behind it.

I probably wouldn’t try to visit both beaches if I only had one day.

But with an extra morning or afternoon, Bao Ninh is a lovely place to slow down, have a walk and find somewhere nearby for seafood.

It’s also where I’d go if I wanted more of a quiet beach afternoon than a lively city beachfront.

9. Take a day trip to Phong Nha

Of course, one of the biggest advantages of staying in Dong Hoi is having Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park nearby.

I’d still keep the two destinations separate. Dong Hoi deserves its own day, while Phong Nha has enough caves and outdoor activities to fill several more.

For a first visit, Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave are the obvious places to start.

Phong Nha Cave is reached by boat along the Son River before you continue into the cave itself. Paradise Cave gives you a completely different experience, with enormous chambers and a walkway leading deep underground.

If you want something more active, Dark Cave combines ziplining, swimming and a very messy mud bath.

You can stay in Dong Hoi and visit the national park on a full-day tour, which works well if you don’t want to move accommodation for one night.

Check Phong Nha day tours from Dong Hoi →

If you’re planning to spend longer there, have a look at my things to do in Phong Nha guide instead.

And if you’re traveling independently, I’ve also written a guide on how to get from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha.

Where to stay in Dong Hoi

I’d choose your hotel based on whether you want easy access to the beach or a more central base for restaurants and sightseeing.

voco Quang Binh Resort is one I’d pick for a relaxing beach break, with spacious suites and villas, direct access to Bao Ninh Beach and plenty of resort comforts for a slower few days between adventures.

Meliá Vinpearl Quang Binh is another great choice. It sits by the river in central Dong Hoi, with spacious rooms and a more polished feel if you want somewhere comfortable to come back to after a full day out.

Compare hotels in Dong Hoi →

Is Dong Hoi worth visiting?

I wouldn’t plan a whole Vietnam trip around Dong Hoi, but I definitely wouldn’t skip it when you’re already passing through.

One day gives you enough time to walk along the beach, explore the sand dunes, see a few historic sights and eat very well.

Stay an extra night and everything becomes even more relaxed.

That’s what I like about Dong Hoi. You don’t need a long sightseeing list or a carefully timed itinerary to enjoy being here.

Go to the places that interest you, leave some time for the beach and make sure you’re hungry by dinner.