Vinh

Understand

Vinh's role as an industrial port city led to heavy destruction by aerial bombing during the Vietnam War. As a result it has remained a drab, rather uninteresting place. However, there are some sights around such as some old citadel gates and a square which can be seen. It also makes for a good pitstop for the train journey between Hue and Hanoi as there is a recreation centre near the train station which provides some leisure activities.

Getting there

By bus As the largest city between Hanoi and Hue, it's on the bus route along the coast.

By train

The train line between Vinh and Dong Hoi to the south takes an inland route different from Hwy 1. There is some excellent scenery along the way. If you're travelling along the coast by bus, consider taking a break here and going by train. There are trains daily from Hanoi to Vinh.

By plane 1 Vinh Airport (VII IATA). (updated Dec 2023)

Getting around

2 Vinh bus station. There does not seem to be information on the public bus routes. (updated Nov 2023) Otherwise, walking, taxi and Grab/Uber are available as always.

See

There are three old citadel gates: 1 the front gate, 2 the western gate and 3 the eastern gate. There are some informational plaques at the gates which are only in Vietnamese. The gates are marked with signs in Chinese (前门, 左门, 右门). 4 Ho Chi Minh Square. Has a statue of Ho Chi Minh and a fountain. (updated Nov 2023) 5 Ho Chi Minh's childhood home (Hoàng Xuân Đường) (some distance away). (updated Nov 2023) 6 Pù Mát national park (in the vicinity of Vinh). (updated Nov 2023)

Do

1 Vinh Recreation Centre. Indoor pool, cinema, gym, children's playground, arcade and karaoke machine. (updated Nov 2023)

Buy

There are small shops and convenience stores dotted around.

Train Station Market 1 Chợ Ga Vinh (near the station as well as Vinh Recreation Centre). It has various stalls. (updated Nov 2023)

Eat

What Chao Luon (the local specialty of eel porridge) may be found at various roadside stalls or small eateries. Banh Muot (rice rolls with fried onion and Vietnamese pate) may be found at roadside stalls.

Where Vinh Recreation Centre has a Breadtalk, King BBQ (Korean BBQ) and Highlands Coffee.

Drink & nightlife

Highlands Coffee at Vinh Recreation Centre Otherwise, there are numerous coffee and beer shops dotting the city, as with most other cities in Vietnam.

Sleep

There are several Khách Sạn (hotels) near the train station.

Go next

Hanoi – The tourist-loaded capital Dong Hoi – A sleepy beach and seaside town on the way to Hue with all the necessary infrastructure; laid back, authentic and genuinely friendly, with at least half a dozen hostels, convenient for accessing Phong Nha Ke Bang national park. Laos:

Phonsavan, Laos – The bus leaves every second day at 06:00 and costs 850,000 dong for foreigners. As of December 2022, visa on arrival is not available and e-visa is not accepted.