Qui Nhon history

The history of Qui Nhon is a tale stretching back centuries, recounting ancient kingdoms and great dynasties. Although the city was officially founded a little over a hundred years ago, its past extends for a millennium, making this coastal centre one of the most intriguing historical sites in Vietnam. Its strategic location on the coast of the South China Sea has always played a key role in its development, transforming it into a vital seaport.

The first significant pages of this land's history were written by the Champa civilization. From the 11th century, the territory of modern-day Qui Nhon was the heart of the powerful Champa Kingdom, with its capital, the city of Vijaya, located nearby. This ancient culture left behind a unique legacy, the most striking evidence of which are the famous Cham Towers, preserved in the city's vicinity to this day.

A new chapter in history began in the 18th century when Qui Nhon became the cradle of one of Vietnam's most famous peasant uprisings, known as the Tay Son Rebellion. The city is the homeland of its legendary leader, Nguyen Hue, who later became Emperor Quang Trung. The Tay Son brothers turned this region into their stronghold and made the ancient Cham citadel of Do Ban their capital, naming it the Imperial Citadel.

Thanks to such a rich past, the cultural landscape of Qui Nhon represents a unique weaving together of several eras. Here, one can trace the heritage of three great cultures: the ancient Champa civilization, the heroic Tay Son Dynasty, and the succeeding Nguyen Dynasty. Initially, the region's economy was built on agriculture and fishing, which is traditional for Vietnam's coastal settlements. This blend of cultures and rich historical background has turned Qui Nhon and its surroundings into a true open-air "living museum".

Key Dates in the History of Qui Nhon

• 11th-12th centuries – The city of Vijaya rises on the lands of modern Qui Nhon, becoming the capital of the Champa Kingdom.
• 1377 – The Dai Viet army unsuccessfully besieges the Champa capital of Vijaya.
• 1471 – Dai Viet troops capture and destroy Vijaya, leading to the decline of the Champa state and the annexation of these lands into Vietnamese territory.
• 1771 – In the Tay Son district, near Qui Nhon, the largest peasant uprising in Vietnam's history begins under the leadership of the Tay Son brothers.
• 1778 – The Tay Son brothers choose the ancient Cham citadel of Do Ban as their capital, renaming it the Imperial Citadel (Hoang De).
• 1788 – The leader of the uprising, Nguyen Hue, proclaims himself Emperor Quang Trung, officially founding the Tay Son Dynasty.
• 1792 – The sudden death of Emperor Quang Trung leads to the weakening and beginning of the decline of the Tay Son state.
• 1802 – The Tay Son rebellion is finally suppressed by the forces of Nguyen Anh (the future Emperor Gia Long) with French support.
• Late 19th - Early 20th centuries – During the period of French colonisation, the modern city of Qui Nhon is officially founded on the site of the old settlement.
• 1965-1973 – During the Vietnam War, Qui Nhon becomes an important strategic port and one of the largest US naval bases.
• 1986 – Qui Nhon receives the status of a provincial city within Binh Dinh Province.

Stages of Development: From Port to Scientific Centre

Over the past decades, Qui Nhon has undergone a journey of impressive transformations, evolving from a modest coastal town into a dynamically developing economic and cultural hub. The key milestones of this development reflect the city's strategic vision and desire to diversify its economy.

• Modernisation of the port and industry. Historically, the city's economy relied on fishing and agriculture. In the modern era, Qui Nhon Port has been significantly expanded and has become one of the main maritime hubs of central Vietnam. It plays a key role in logistics for the entire Central Highlands region and is actively implementing "green port" standards.
• Achieving city status. In 1986, Qui Nhon officially received the status of a provincial city, which became the starting point for its modern administrative and economic growth. This allowed for the attraction of investment and the launch of urban development programmes.
• Construction of infrastructure mega-projects. One of the symbols of the city's transformation became the Thi Nai Bridge, opened in 2006. As the longest sea-crossing bridge in Vietnam at the time, it connected the city centre with the Phuong Mai Peninsula and the Nhon Hoi Economic Zone, providing a powerful impetus for the development of new territories.
• Development of tourism as a key sector. The Vietnamese government has identified Qui Nhon as one of the three main tourist centres on the south-central coast, alongside Da Nang and Nha Trang. The city attracts travellers with its pristine beaches, tranquil atmosphere, and rich historical heritage, including the ancient Champa towers.
• Creation of a "City of Science". A unique milestone in development was the opening in 2013 of the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE). This project, often called the "Science Valley", has turned Qui Nhon into a prestigious venue for international scientific conferences and cemented its reputation as the country's intellectual hub.

Architectural Eras and Urban Planning of Qui Nhon

The urban landscape of Qui Nhon is a visual chronicle of its rich history, where ancient temples, elegant colonial buildings, and bold modern projects coexist in harmony. Each historical period has left its unique mark on the architectural appearance of the city, creating a multi-layered and interesting urban environment.

Legacy of the Champa Kingdom (7th–15th centuries)

The oldest architectural layer of Qui Nhon and its surroundings is the legacy of the powerful Champa Kingdom. Their style is characterised by monumental red brick kalan towers, which served as Hindu sanctuaries. Typical of Cham architecture are exquisite stone carvings depicting deities and mythological scenes, as well as a unique masonry technique without visible binding mortar. These structures are a vivid example of the fusion of Indian cultural traditions and local craftsmanship.
Landmark sites: The brightest examples of this style are the Twin Towers (Thap Doi), located right within the city, and the majestic Banh It Towers complex, rising on a hill nearby.

Period of the Tay Son Dynasty (18th century)

The era of the Tay Son Dynasty, which originated in these lands, left its mark in the form of fortification architecture. The main focus was on creating powerful citadels and defensive structures that served as military and administrative centres. Although mainly ruins have survived to this day, they demonstrate the principles of Vietnamese military architecture of that time, oriented towards strategic functionality.
Landmark sites: The ruins of the Imperial Citadel (Hoang De), the former capital of the Tay Son rebels, serve as the main reminder of this heroic period in Vietnam's history.

French Colonial Influence (Late 19th – Mid 20th century)

The modern layout of the central part of Qui Nhon was largely established during the period of French colonisation. This style brought European principles of urban planning to the city's development: wide, tree-lined boulevards, villas with tiled roofs and characteristic shutters, as well as administrative buildings in neoclassical or mixed Indochinese style. The French not only built individual buildings but also formed a cohesive urban structure that still defines the look of the historic centre.
Landmark sites: Qui Nhon Cathedral, as well as a number of old government buildings and private villas along the seafront, are living witnesses of that era.

Modern Architecture (Late 20th century to present)

After the reunification of the country, Qui Nhon's architecture began to reflect its new status as an important economic, tourism, and scientific centre. This period is characterised by the appearance of both functional high-rise buildings and iconic objects of modern engineering and design. Infrastructure development, such as the construction of massive bridges and roads, has fundamentally changed the cityscape and contributed to the city's growth.
Landmark sites: The grandiose Thi Nai Bridge, which was the longest sea bridge in Vietnam at the time of construction, became a symbol of the new era. Meanwhile, the futuristic building of the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE) demonstrates the city's aspiration for innovation and global integration in the scientific world.

Distinguished Personalities Linked to Qui Nhon

Binh Dinh Province, of which Qui Nhon is the capital, is known in Vietnam as the "land of martial arts and literature". This region has gifted the country many heroes, commanders, poets, and artists whose names are forever inscribed in the nation's history.

• The Tay Son Brothers (Nguyen Nhac, Nguyen Hue, and Nguyen Lu) — national heroes of Vietnam, leaders of the greatest peasant uprising of the 18th century. The eldest, Nguyen Nhac, founded the Tay Son Dynasty, while the youngest, Nguyen Hue, became famous as a brilliant commander who never lost a single battle, ascending the throne as Emperor Quang Trung. Their activities laid the foundation for the unification of the country.
• Bui Thi Xuan — an outstanding female general of the Tay Son era. She was one of the key figures in the rebel army, renowned for her bravery and strategic talent. Bui Thi Xuan became a symbol of the strength and courage of Vietnamese women and is revered as a national heroine.
• Dao Tan — a great playwright, poet, and theatrical figure of the 19th century. He is considered the "patriarch" of Vietnamese classical theatre Tuong (Hat Boi). Dao Tan was born in Binh Dinh Province and made a huge contribution to the systematisation and development of this art form, writing numerous plays and training a whole generation of actors.
• Han Mac Tu — one of the most famous and tragic poets of 20th-century Vietnam. He was the pioneer of "chaotic" and "mad" poetry, distinguished by its innovative style and deep emotionality. He spent the last years of his short life in a leprosy hospital in Qui Nhon, where he was buried. His grave on Thi Nhan Hill has become a place of pilgrimage for poetry lovers.
• Xuan Dieu — the "King of Love Poetry", one of the leaders of the "New Poetry" movement in Vietnam. Born in a neighbouring province, he is closely linked to the literary circle of Binh Dinh. His work has had a colossal influence on all modern Vietnamese literature.