Blindingly white Ky Co beach in Quy Nhon, which an indeterminate person once called "Vietnam's Maldives". Photo: Nguyen Trong Nhan/iStock

According to reporter Steve Madgwick of Australian travel magazine Traveller, Quy Nhon and Nha Trang share plenty of similarities as they perfectly embody the travel cliché of so far being relatively hidden from foreign tourism, as well as boasting all the necessary elements needed for those looking to enjoy a fantastic beach holiday.

Quy Nhon has been declared a “hidden gem” for two reasons. Firstly, Vietnam is home to a with myriad of compelling big-name destinations, ranging from Hoi An on the coast to Sa Pa in the hills, all of which draws the attention of travelers. Secondly, Quy Nhon both suffers and benefits from its distance away from other locations, particularly as it is not yet serviced by international flights, he explained.

The Australian reporter also reviewed some spots for visitors to enjoy food tours. Xuan Dieu, also known as Seafood Street, is packed with family-run restaurants serving delicious banh xeo tom nhay, also known as jumping shrimp pancake, at prices that local workers can afford.

Unlike Southeast Asia's usual 'themed' tourist streets, the scores of cafes which are based on Do Doc Bao, Coffee Street, cater principally to the local taste for strong Vietnamese coffee, with Starbucks-clones inevitably dripping into the mix.   

Madgwick suggested that tourists not miss out on Quy Nhon Private Tours which can show them traditional artisan villages around 30 kilometres outside of town, including Phu Gia village which produces Non La, leaf hats, and Van Son village which specialises in ceramics and the popular Bau Da rice wine.

With Phu Cat airport situated 30 kilometres from the city, only domestic connections from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are available right now, with direct international flights from Korea due to begin later this year. More international connections are rumored to follow, including potentially Australian cities, the magazine wrote.

The author notes that Quy Nhon feels like a city which is comfortable in its own skin, a place that appreciates and takes care of its natural beauty and UNESCO sites.