Vietnam - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 224

WORTH A TRIP
GANH DA DIA

A smaller version of Ireland's Giant's Causeway, Ganh Da Dia is a spectacular outcrop of volcanic
rock that juts into the ocean south of Quy Nhon. Half the fun is simply getting there, as the scenery in
this coastal region is superb.
Ganh Da Dia is signposted from the small town of Chi Thanh, 68km south of Quy Nhon. Heading
down Hwy 1, take the turn just past the river bridge on the northern side of town. The route to the
coast meanders for 13km through a delightful pastoral landscape of rice paddies and farming villages.
Consisting of hundreds of interlocked columns of volcanic rock, Ganh Da Dia was created millions
of years ago as fluid molten basalt cooled. Some of the best sections are formed of incredibly regular
pentagonal- and hexagonal-sided horizontal rocks. The Vietnamese call this place 'the cliff of stone
plates,' and it's regularly used by Buddhist monks for ceremonies.
You can bathe in the tiny rocky cove next to Ganh Da Dia, but the drop-dead gorgeous sandy beach
on the south side of the bay, a five-minute walk away, is even more inviting. Fresh coconuts and
snacks are sold by local villagers at the car park.
Continuing south (and avoiding Hwy 1) you can take a lovely coastal road to Tuy Hoa. Head inland
(west) from Ganh Da Dia for 3.5km and then a side (paved) road heads south through sand dunes, past
cacti and agave to the fishing village of An Hai , where a row of seafood restaurants face the O Loan
estuary and make an ideal pit stop.
From An Hai, it's 27km south to Tuy Hoa. The route has a few twists and turns, but the kilometre
waymarks, which indicate the distance to Tuy Hoa, help guide you the right way.
Tuy Hoa is on Hwy 1, for all points north and south.

Sleeping & Eating

Anh Vy Hotel
( 056-384 7763; 8 Ð An Duong Vuong; r 160,000-250,000d; ) Owned by a very friendly
lady, and offering excellent travel information and bikes for hire. Boasts clean rooms with
satellite TV; those with sea views cost a little more.

HOTEL $

HOTEL $

Hotel Au Co - Ben Bo Bien
( 056-374 7699; [e-mail] ; 8 & 24 Ð An Duong Vuong; r 160,000-300,000d;

)

Under the same ownership, these two hotels confusingly share the same name. That one
of number 8 is slightly more atmospheric, with clean rooms (some with sea views and bal-
conies). No. 24 is even more kitsch (some rooms even have fake plastic trees!). Bicycles
(35,000d per day) and motorbikes (150,000d) are available for rent. Mr Thoai, the friendly
owner, speaks good English.