Tourist guides to Hoi An and Quang Nam, Vietnam

QUANG NAM PROVINCE Capital: Tam Ky City
Tourist Highlights: Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary, Tra Kieu Citadel

The tourist potential of Quang Nam is indeed great, as there are a variety of attractions to please all visitors.
The province was founded in 1831, but has a much longer history since the Sa Huynh culture flourished in Quang Nam during the Iron Age, over 3,000 years ago.
The first inhabitants of this region were the ancestors of the Cham people. Many majestic palaces, temples and military relics from the 1st to the 13th centuries still remain in the ancient capital of Tra Kieu, My Son...
The Cham towers in Bang An, Chien Dan and Khuong My are tokens of the excellent creative talents of the Cham people in music, art, customs, and festivities. As for Hoi An, it is one of the most ancient towns of Southeast Asia and it has luckily been kept almost intact until today.
This province is home to the two World Cultural Heritage Sites of My Son and Hoi An.

Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An is located 30km south of Da Nang along the Thu Bon River. Known as Faifo to early Western merchants, it was a major trading centre in Southeast Asia between the 16th and 17th centuries. Hoi An was also an important port for Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and other merchant vessels from the Far East (later supplanted by Da Nang).
In the city, several streets have been kept relatively intact. Ali the houses were made of wood and were decorated with horizontal lacquered boards and vertical parallel panels engraved with Chinese characters. Pillars were engraved with ornamental designs. All together make Hoi An the most famous tourist destination of Quang Nam and Vietnam also. The most ancient city of Southeast Asian has been declared by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Hoi An Ancient Town

My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary is a group of temple-towers of Cham people. It lies in a narrow valley in Duy Tan Commune, Duy Xuyen District, 70km southwest of Da Nang City, 20km away from the Tra Kieu Citadel, and 40km away from the ancient city of Hoi An.
Various researches by archaeologists and architects have revealed that at the beginning, there was only one small wooden temple built by King Bhadresvara I in late 4th century. In the 7th century, King Sambhuvarman had it rebuilt, using more durable materials. From then on, successive Cham Kings, when enthroned, had their temple-towers constructed as offerings to their gods. During seven centuries (7th to 14th century), such temple-towers mushroomed in My Son, turning this land into a cultural, and religious center of the Cham Kingdom.
My Son was a complex of constructions, including different temple-towers and stela in various architectural styles. French researchers listed some 70 temple-towers there. However, time and war together have taken their toll on these relics. Now, only 20 temple-towers remain almost intact. The rest have been reduced to ruins. These vestiges are valuable treasures of information for studying the development of Cham culture. During its seven centuries of development, Cham arts produced many works equal to masterpieces of the world. Though less imposing than the Angkor in Cambodia and less diversified than the Pagan site in Myanmar, My Son is unique of its kind in Southeast Asia.
With its great value, in December 1999, the My Son Sanctuary has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. A Tourist destination you should not miss on your trips to Vietnam and Hoi An.


Tourist Attractions of Hoi An, Quang Nam

Japanese Covered Bridge

The Japanese Covered Bridge, also called the Pagoda Bridge, was built in the 16th century and is still incredibly well-preserved. On the northern side of the bridge is a Japanese pagoda to protect sailors. There are statues of two dogs located at the western end of the bridge and two monkeys at the eastern end. It is said that the construction started in the year of the monkey and finished in the year of the dog, according to Chinese calendar. Other legend is said that the statues on the bridge might have been put .there by the Japanese to control this monster, since the dog and the monkey are sacred animals according to their Totem religion.

This tourist attraction of Hoi An had being printed on the 20,000 VND bill of Vietnam. 

Quan Cong Temple 

Located at 24 Tran Phu St., Quan Cong Temple is one of the typical temples in Hoi An's old quarter. Built in 1653, it was dedicated to Quan Thanh De Quan (Quan Van Truong), a general in the three-kingdom period of ancient China who was a model of loyalty to the king and a dutiful son to his parents.
Quan Cong Temple was constructed according to the Chinese character "Quoc", with many houses combined together. The houses are linked together by rafters, and roofed with colourful glazed pipe-shaped tiles. They are also decorated with colourful porcelain lemon-tree flowers, dragons and small lions.
The temple was restored many times, in 1827, 1864, 1904 and 1966. Today, it still houses an archive of precious objects such as an honoured letter to the Emperor, 30 horizontal lacquered boards engraved with Chinese characters, 10 pairs of parallel sentences and the statues of Quan Cong, Quan Binh, and Chau Thuong.

Assembly Hall of Cantonese Chinese Congregation
The Assembly Hall of the Cantonese Chinese Congregation (Hoi Quan Quang Dong), located at 176 Tran Phu St. in Hoi An, was built in 1855 by members of the local Cantonese community. It was later restored in 1915 and again in 1990.
It was constructed according to the Chinese character "Quoc" and visitors will be amazed by its monumental and grand architecture in comparison with the other surrounding assembly halls.
Many ancient objects still remain inside, including four horizontal lacquered boards engraved with Chinese characters, a large 1.6m-tall and 0.6m-wide bronze incense burner, a pair of Chinese porcelain enamelled terra-cotta chairs and many other precious objects that belonged to the Chinese community of Hoi An.
The Assembly Hall is open daily from 6am -7.30am and 1pm - 5.30pm.

Tan Ky House

Tan Ky House tourist destination located at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Road, was constructed almost two centuries ago as the house of a Vietnamese merchant. It has always been lovingly preserved and now looks almost exactly as it did in the early 19th century.
The design of Tan Ky House shows how local architecture incorporated Japanese and Chinese influences. Japanese elements include the crab shell-shaped ceiling support ed by three beams in the living room. Chinese poems written in mother-of-pearl are hanging from a number of the columns that hold up the roof.

Tan Ky House

Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall

Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, also called Kim Son Pagoda, was built in Hoi An in 1692 by Chinese Phuoc Kien merchants. It has since been restored and enhanced many times. Because it was used for worship as well as for meetings by the Chinese from Phuoc Kien Province, this construction is now called the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall.
The Holy Mother and the Goddess of the Sea, Thien Hau, are worshipped in the main sanctuary. The Phuoc Kien ancestors and the God of Prosperity are worshipped in the sanctuary behind the main one. This temple is architecturally unique with its artistic ornaments and beautiful statues. The Chinese architectural style combined with Vietnamese workmanship has enriched it with Hoi An's cultural character. The Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall is located at 46 Tran Phu St. and is open for tourist from 7.30am to 12 noon and from 2pm to 5.30pm.

Thu Bon River

Thu Bon River is one of the nicest waterways in Viet Nam. As such, it has been repeatedly portrayed in poetry. The river begins at an altitude of 2,598m in the Ngoc Linh Mountain and then runs across the south-western and mountainous area to meet the Tien and Tranh Rivers at Que Tan. From there, it flows through Que Son, Dai Loc, Duy Xuyen, Dien Ban, Hoi An, and finally into the sea at Cua Dai Beach.
From Hoi An, visitors can rent a boat and stop at the beautiful villages located along the river. 

Tourist guides to Hoi An and Quang Nam, Vietnam.

Tourist destinations of Hoi An, Vietnam. 

Touristdestinations of Quang Binh, Vietnam

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park: the World Natural Heritage Site

The complex of Phong Nha - Ke Bang is 50km from the northwest of Dong Hoi City. It covers an area of 85,754 hectares. This complex is a part of the area of the oldest limestone mountains in Asia, which were taken shape 400 million years ago. In addition, it contains special values of the formation and development of the earth. Primitive forest accounts for 94 percent of the area of the entire forest, so its biodiversity is richest among Vietnamese forests. The forest boasts 568 floras and 876 faunas, many of which are listed in Viet Nam's Red Book. With the great value, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park was recognized as the World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003.

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park of Quang Binh

Phong Nha Grotto

The beautiful tourist destination grotto of Phong Nha is also a part of this world heritage site. It has a length of 13,000 meters with 14 large caves which are from 10 to 40 meters high. At the entrance are stalactites that look like huge teeth. Deep inside the caves are stalactites and stalagmites in various unusual shapes. A group of English geologists, together with Vietnamese colleagues, investigated Phong Nha Grotto and a number of other caves. The group boated deep inside the grotto and discovered that this is the longest underground river in Viet Nam. It is attractive to geologists, hydro geologists and explorers.
An investigation of Vietnamese and foreign geologists shows that Phong Nha has "seven best" in Viet Nam: longest cave, highest and widest entrance, the most beautiful sand and rock banks, the most beautiful underground river, the most magnificent and fanciful stalactites and stalagmites, the longest underground river, the widest and the most beautiful dry cave. Find out here more details about Phong Nha grotto.

Tien Son Grotto

400m from the entrance of Phong Nha Grotto and 130m above sea level is Tien Son Grotto. It is also known as Dry Grotto or Upper Phong Nha. Climbing to steps, visitors reach the entrance of Tien Son Grotto. Deep 1,000m inside the mountain, the grotto looks like a stone castle. Its vault is high and well-ventilated, and has white veins that seem to be gilded with silver and gold. Particularly, visitors to the grotto can enjoy acoustic resonance from slabs of stones and stone columns. When you knock at stones, they produce unusual sounds that seem to resound from the earth's womb. Tien Son Grotto is 980m long. Approximately 400m from the entrance is a 10m-deep abyss, and that is also the distance visitors are allowed to go in.
According to the studies of explorers from the British Royal Geographic Association, Tien Son Grotto was formed millions of years ago. It is even older than Phong Nha Grotto.Phong Nha and Tien Son create a beautiful picture in the complex of caves and grottoes in Phong Nha-Ke Bang Natural Heritage Site.
Phong Nha Caves are 50km from Dong Hoi City. Opening time of sightseeing site: 7am to 5pm every day.
Cultural and Ecological Tourist Center (under the National Park's Management Board): Son Trach Commune, Bo Trach District Tel/Fax: (052) 3677 323

Thien Duong Grotto (Paradise cave)

The newly-discovered Thien Duong Grotto is situated at Milestone 16 on the western line of the Ho Chi Minh Road, within the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Phu Trach Commune, Phu Binh District, about 30km from Phong Nha-Tien Son Grottos.
It is a dry grotto with no underground river. The early evaluation of the British Royal Expedition shows that Thien Duong remains untouched, with a very splendid beauty, longer and larger than Phong Nha or Tien Son Grottos. In the grotto, there are several high and wide arches with numberless strange shapes. Deep in the grotto, stalactites are much unique than elsewhere, even in Phong Nha or Tien Son Grottos. The big, round beautiful stalactites adjoining one another sparkle like stars in the dark sky.
Thien Duong Grotto contributes to promoting the values of the world natural heritage site of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

Quang Binh Citadel Gate

This structure consists of an arch-gate and walls built in 1630 to protect Phu Xuan, the remote capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. Due to several battles and the passage of time, the citadel gate has suffered heavy damages. Fortunately though, it has since been restored to its original design.
Visitors crossing the territory of Quang Binh will be delighted by the wonderful landscapes surrounding the Citadel Gate.

Nhat Le Beach and Bau Tro Remains

This beauty spot is 2km north of Dong Hoi City, next to the Nhat Le Estuary. Nhat Le Beach is beautiful and very popular. In addition to sea bathing, visitors also have an opportunity to see the Bau Tro vestige.
In 1923, a French geologist excavated and discovered remains of primitive Stone Age people 5,000 years ago. This is the point of intersection of the Vietnamese and Cham cultures.

Ly Hoa Beauty Spot

This beauty spot of QUang Binh is situated next to National Highway 1A, 24km from the city of Dong Hoi City. Ly Hoa is a small pass at the bottom of which there are many rocks breaking through the surface of the water. Not far from there, is Da Nhay Beach, a long expanse of white sand with blue water and gentle waves.
The landscape is fascinating and an ideal place for sea bathing. Visitors can also go and see the Phong Nha Caves via the river.

Canh Duong Sea Village

Visitors can reach this tourist destination of Quang Binh by the National Highway N°1A, it's close to Roon River Mouth, very convenient for traffic between the North and the South. Canh Duong is the most bustling and prosperous village in the coastal area of Quang Binh Province. Moreover, it also has a long history and cultural tradition. In 1643, people from Nghi Loc, Nghe An Province chose the sandy area near Roon River Mouth for their settlement. With the passage of time, the village has become crowded. Fishing, seafood processing and trade have been increasingly thriving. In addition to economic development, residents also pay much attention to cultural activities. Every spring, the village organizes festival with the ritual of deities procession, and traditional games, such as human chess, rice-cooking competition, boat race, and singing contest.

Bang Mineral Hot Spring

Bang Mineral Hot Spring

Located 60km south of Dong Hoi City, in Kim Thuy Commune, Le Thuy District, Bang Mineral Hot Spring has been recorded as the only hot water source in Viet Nam with an on-spot temperature of 105°C. The mineral water with a composition of many precious elements has become an internationally prestigious mineral water source. In addition, this hot spring is potential for resorts. Investments have been made on several ten hectares of land area for the development of swimming pools, spas, accommodation and tourist services to make Bang Mineral Hot Spring a favorite resort and wellness tourism destination of both international and domestic visitors.
Besides health and eco-tourism, the southern Quang Binh tours with many privileged natural landscapes are also favored tourist attractions of the area. These tours will provide tourists with memorable visits to the national General Vo Nguyen Giap exhibition house, the tomb and temple of mandarin Nguyen Huu Canh who greatly contributed to the national expansion to today Ca Mau Cape, picturesque An Ma Lake and many other cultural and historical vestiges.

Vuc Quanh Cultural and Ecological Tourist Site
Vuc Quanh Cultural and Ecological Tourist Site is located in Trung Nghia Hamlet 7, Nghia Ninh Commune, 4km west of Dong Hoi City, covering an area of about 10 hectares.
From the gate of this resort, follow a small path lined with trees on one side and a winding stream on the other side, one comes to a village with traditional houses having thatched roofs, walls made of mud mixed with straw. Each house has a yard, and an orchard garden with underground A-shaped shelters lying scattered around. Inside these shelters are displayed tools and equipment for kindergartens, schools, and hospitals. In the two banks of the stream are put gasoline drums and bags of rice. A network of trenches, ferries or communication lines are also built. Tourists feel like visiting Quang Binh 30 years ago, amidst its struggle against enemy fierce bombings.
Besides the war village-museum, the investor also sets up many camping sites for tourists along the stream. In addition, there is also about 1 kilometer of the reproduced Truong Son Trail.
Tourists can drive a Zin 130 truck in this rugged trail to experience the difficulties of the soldiers during the resistance war. This tourist site is just 2km away from the Ho Chi Minh Road and lies on the same route to Phong Nha Cave. It has become one of the famous tourist attractions in Quang Binh Province.

Tourist Guides For Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Ninh Binh Province has been favoured by nature, as the Day River, the Van Sang River, the Non Nuoc and Canh Dieu Mountains, etc., are all located in the region. The harmonious mingling of the mountains, plains, rivers, and sea has created strangely attractive landscapes.
In this province, Hoa Lu was chosen as the capital of Dai Viet in the 10"1 century. Besides, the Tam Diep Mountains were the location of King Quang Trung's headquarters on his way to fight Chinese invaders.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

In 968, Dinh Bo Linh ascended to the throne and took the name of King Dinh Tien Hoang. The country was then called Dai Co Viet and Hoa Lu was its capital for 41 years (968-1009). In 1010, Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long.
Hoa Lu is 13km from Ninh Binh City, near the village of Truong Yen. Tourists visiting Hoa Lu can see two temples located 500m apart from each other on the ground of the ancient palaces. One is dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang and the other to King Le Dai Hanh. On the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, a great number of pilgrims come to Hoa Lu to pay tribute to Kings Dinh and Le.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

King Dinh and Le Temples
Dinh Temple is located in Truong Yen Thuong Village, Hoa Lu District. It was built in the shape of a Chinese character.
After the first entrance, called Ngo Mon, there is a royal stone bed with Nghe (mythical animals of the old times) standing on both sides. Outside the temple, is Khai Thanh sanctuary dedicated to the parents of King Dinh.
The temple is divided in three sanctuaries: Bai Duong, for the community, Thien Huong, in honour of mandarins, and Chinh Cung, where the statue of Dinh Tien Hoang is located. On the left is the statue of his eldest son Dinh Lien. On the right are statues of Dinh Hang Lang and Dinh Toan. On each side of the altar, there is a stone placed near royal beds.
Le Temple is situated in Truong Yen Ha Village, Hoa Lu District, 500m from Dinh Temple. In terms of architectural design, Le Temple is very similar to Dinh Temple, but smaller. It also consists of three parts: Bai Duong, used for the community, Thien Huong, in memory of the royal mandarins of the King Le, and the altar in memory of the King. The statue of Le Hoan is at the centre,on the left is the statue of Queen Duong Van Nga and on the right is that of Le Ngoa Trieu, his fifth son and third king of the Pre Le Dynasty.

Phat Diem Cathedral

Phat Diem Cathedral complex is located in Luu Phuong Commune, Kim Son District, 130km south of Ha Noi, 29km from Ninh Binh City. It was built between 1875 and 1899. It is an ensemble of constructions in the Oriental architectural style. They are divided into two sections: the worshiping section and the section for residence and teaching of religious doctrines.
From the entrance a path leads us to a rectangular lake. In the centre of the lake is an island with a statue of Christ. Next comes a huge three-level square pavilion, 24m long, 17m wide and 25m high, built of stepping-stones. Its arches are made of sophisticated overlapped stones. Both sides of the four walls around the pavilion are decorated with embossments, many of which show the Christ shouldering the cross, and other gods. On the second layer of the pavilion there is a drum and on the 3rd layer there is a bell cast in 1890, 1.4m high, 1.1m in diameter and nearly two tons in weight. The pavilion consists of five arches; each arch stands in each of the pavilion's four corners and the highest arch is on the 3rd layer. The roofs of these five arches are not as high as those found in other cathedrals but typically curvy and they resemble the arches of ancient Vietnamese temples and pagodas.
The main cathedral was built in 1891. It has five delicately carved entrances and three high curvy roof towers. It is 74m long, 21m wide and 15m high, having four roofs and six rows of ironwood pillars, the two pillars in the middle are 11m high and 2.35m in circumference. The main altar is a stepping stone 3m long, 0.9m wide, 0.8m high and about 20 tons in weight. Its three facades and two sides are carved with flower decorations.
Lying parallel to the main cathedral are four smaller ones, each different from others in style. At the end of the main cathedral to the north are three man-made caves, the biggest of which is Lo Due natural-looking cave in the northeast. At the far end, to the northwest is the Stone Cathedral - the place for worshiping the heart of Virgin Maria. It earns such name because all of its columns, beams, walls and window bars are stonework. Its inner wall is made of marble with embossments of stone lions and phonics. It was built in 1889, measuring 15m long and 9m wide.
Phat Diem Cathedral is a solemn and interesting architectural complex, reflecting the skilful and excellent stone carving art of the Vietnamese workers. This place is attracting many visitors.

Trang An Eco-tourism Complex

A scenic watery area covering 2,168ha, the Trang An Eco-tourism Complex is located in the vicinity of Hoa Lu and Gia Vien districts, and Ninh Binh City. From Ha Noi, visitors travel 90km on highway 1A southward to the Ninh Binh Television Station (in Ninh Binh City); turn right and the Trang An Eco-tourism complex is reached by traveling for 3km.
According to incomplete statistics, the Trang a An eco-tourism complex boasts 12 historic relics and numerous grottoes and caves, including a system of 48 aquatic caves and caverns with a total length of 12,226m and springs, streams and rivers serving as portals into limestone mountain ranges. Geologists have figured out that Trang An is where sea waters overwhelmed. The process of geological evolution 200 years ago had created a subsurface system of interconnected caverns, caves and streams in the limestone mountains. The size and shape of caves has made up the maze-like formations to defend the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. Vestiges found at the foot of the limestone mountain have provided proofs of the existence of sea here long ago. That's why the Hoa Lu limestone mountain area is also called "inland Ha Long Bay".
In Trang An, boat trips are offered to enable visitors to explore the breathtaking beauty of the maze-like aquatic cave system, which is famed as the "sole aquatic cave system" in Viet Nam's northern delta region. The caves, sculpted into an unlimited variety of geological formations, each reaching from dozens of meters to hundreds of metres in length, are connected by 31 "thung" (lakes). Distinguished from one to the other by its own unique beauty or a fairy tale attached, each bears its own name, such as Sang (Light) Cave, Toi (Dark) Cave, Ba Giot (three-drop) Cave, Nau Ruou (Brewing wine) Cave, Dia Linh Cave, Ao Trai Cave, Si Cave, Sinh Cave and others.
The very rich fauna and flora that has survived the time adds more weight to the spectacular beauty of the Trang An Eco-tourism Complex. Here, it is home to large trees, such as cho chi (Parashorea chinensis), and nghien (Burretiodendron hsienmu), and rare species of animals, like phuong hoang dat (Buceros bicornis) and vuon yem trang (Nomascus leucogenys). Here, traces of pre-historic peo-ro pie believed to inhabit here 5,000-30,000 years ago have been found in Boi and Trong caves and on archaeological sites on Cho Cave limestone mountain and Hay limestone mount. Ancient pottery wares and objects used for making alcohol had been found in Nau Ruou Cave.

Tam Coc Caves

Tarn Coc has been called "inland Ha Long Bay". Tam Coc means three tunnel caves, entailing Ca Cave, Hai Cave and Ba Cave. Tam Coc can also be called Tam Thuy Dong as the Ngo Dong River wends through all three tunnel caves that have bored through the limestone hills.
The enchanting world of Tam Coc can only be entered from the Van Lam Wharf. Here, visitors travel by rowboat on the Ngo Dong River about 3km to visit all three caves. The first is Ca Cave which is 127m long and 20m wide. The next is Hai Cave of 60m long and 18m wide which is reached by traveling about 1 km from Ca Cave. And the last is Ba Cave with 50m long and 18m wide located near Hai Cave These caves are adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and colours that sparkle like gem-stones.
This is very peaceful and scenic trip while admiring a magnificent view of the river, mountain, and caves. Worth visiting Tam Coc takes place in March, or the end of May and early June. In March, the Ngo Dong River peacefully blends with green rice fields and cotton trees having red flowers in the spring. At the end of May and early June, the Ngo Dong River goes together with fields of ripe rice covered the yellow colour. During the time, boats carrying tourists in and out of Tam Coc are mingled with the locals transporting harvested rice.

On The Way to Tam Coc Caves

Fairy Cave (Dong Tien)

Fairy Cave, also known as Moc Cave (Dong Moc), is located in Dam Khe Village, Ninh Hai Commune. The cave is about 1 km from Bich Dong and can be reached by boat or by foot.
The grotto is divided into three big and deep caves that are reached via an uneven narrow path. The cave ceiling is decorated with rainbow coloured stalactites, some of which reach down from the ceiling to the floor, similar to the roots of an old Banyan-tree. Some stalactites bear names related to their appearance, such as Silver Tree, Bouddha, Fairy, Elephant, Tiger, etc. Bathed with supernatural light, the cave looks like a splendid palace from a fairy tale.

Bich Dong Cave

Bich Dong Cave is in the Ngu Nhac Son Mountains, in Dam Khe Village, Ninh Hai Quarter, Hoa Lu District.
In 1773, Mr. Nguyen Nghiem (the father of the great writer Nguyen Du) visited this cave. After viewing the whole scenery of the mountains, waterways, fields, and sky covered in green mist, he gave the cave a very beautiful and romantic name, Bich Dong (which literally means "Green Pearl Cave"). Bich Dong Cave is said to be the second most beautiful cave in Viet Nam.

Dich Long

Cave Dich Long Cave was found in 1739 in Gia Thanh Commune, Gia Vien District. It is as large as a ten-room house. Because, there is a stone inside that looks like a Buddha statue, a Buddhist altar was built and, in 1740, the cave became a Buddhist Pagoda. It shelters statues of Buddha, Arhats and a guarding colossus standing on stone pedestals. In particular, there are two beautiful statues carved from one block of blue stone. The cave has three sub-caves that are linked together; namely, the caves of Buddha, Darkness, and Brightness.
The Dich Long Cave gives visitors the feeling of being lost in a stone world of stalactites. There are stalactites of various shapes, such as a drinking elephant, a kneeling elephant, a reclining tiger, a dancing phoenix,drinking dragon, and an ape with a baby on its back. Every wall and ceiling in the grotto is a work of art created by nature and time.
The colours of the stalactites in the cave change with the brightness of the sun. Early in the morning they have a pink colour, which turns into twinkling crystal in the midday, and then to red at sunset. It is as if there were ways to heaven and to hell from the cave.
The shadowy beauty of the cave has been complimented in many poems. King Minh Mang himself called it Nam thien de tam dong (the third most beautiful cave in Viet Nam).

 
Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve

Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve

Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is located in seven communes of Gia Vien District, about 90km south of Ha Noi. Covering an area of nearly 3,000ha, Van Long is the largest wetland nature reserve in Northern Viet Nam with canals, lakes and streams wend through an island-like landscape of karst limestone mountains. Start from Ha Noi and go along Highway 1A southwards for about two hours, tourists will reach the T-junction of Gian Khau. Turn right and go 7km further; they will arrive at Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve.
Van Long is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including 457 species of plants, of which 8 species are listed in the Viet Nam's Red Book; 39 species of mammals, of which 12 species are listed in the Viet Nam's Red Book as well. Lucky tourists can spot the Delacour's Langur Trachypithecus here in its natural environment. This species occurs only in a small area of Northern Vietnam and nowhere else in the world today.
Van Long is also known for many beautiful caves and grottoes, such as the Ca, Rua, Chanh and Bong caves. Among them Ca (Fish) Grotto at the foot of Hoang Quyen Mount is considered the most beautiful. This grotto, 250m long and half submerged, is the habitat of many species of fish, such as the catfish, anabas and black fish. Besides, there are hundreds of mountains, such as the Meo Cao, Nghien, Voi Dung, Mo Coi, Horn Sach, Da Ban and Co Tien.
From Van Long Wharf where hundreds of boats anchor close to one another, the tourists can take a ride on a boat to discover the beauty of Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve. In the rainy season, the water flows look like silk bands stretching between rows of clumped grass. The water surface is dotted with wild flowers of different colours. In addition, the tourists can make a tour around the Van Long Village on ox carts to learn about the daily activities of the rural people and buy the local products.

Van Trinh Grotto

Van Trinh located in Thuong Hoa Commune, Nho Quan District is one of the dozen of grottoes in the wetland of Van Long.
The grotto is deep inside a 100 meter-high mountain. The entrance of the grotto is approximately 40m from the foot. A narrow path leads to the main grotto with area of 4,000m2 that is as magnificent as a castle with numerous stone sculptures in different shapes and sizes. Natural statues of monks, animals, flowers on the cliffs, ceiling and floor
look so lively. They seemed to be petrified by magic. In addition, wells with clean and cold water in the grotto also bring visitors pleasant feelings.
Deep inside the grotto is a small hold with beautiful stalagmites that look like bald cypresses. Sunlight shines through an opening on the ceiling, creating fanciful scenery.
Please come to Van Trinh to discover the secrets of nature and enjoy fresh air of the countryside.

Kenh Ga Hot Water Stream

The Kenh Ga Hot Water Stream is in Kenh Ga Village, Gia Thinh Commune, Gia Vien District. A boat takes the visitors up to the stream among the mountains and the rice fields. Although the fragrant stream has existed for a long time, it was only first studied and exploited by the French in 1940. The mineral water here is of extremely high quality and contains chloride-natrium, chloride-kalium, calcium, and magnesium chloride. The water is clear and has a stable temperature of 53 degrees Celsius with a source capacity of 5,000 cubic meters per hour. Ninh Binh is lucky to have this natural hot water stream used for relaxation and self-treatment.
Kenh Ga Hot Mineral Water is now being processed and packaged for sale.

Where to go aroung Hai Phong, Vietnam

Trang Kenh Landscape

Trang Kenh is a poetic, natural area of hills, limestone mountains, caves and rivers in Thuy Nguyen District, 20km north-east of Hai Phong.
U Bo is the name of one famous mountain peak. A myth tells that this mountain is from where Tran Hung Dao commanded the naval battle against the Chinese Yuan-Mongol aggressors in the 13th century. On U Bo Peak, visitors can view the entire panorama of the Bach Dang River. The silence of the river, the immensity of the sea and the existence of mythical stories, all make this a fascinating area.
Archaeologists have concluded through investigation that Trang Kenh was a jewellery workshop of the ancient people who lived here 4,000 years ago. In more recent times, it was a revolutionary base of Hai Phong civil and military forces during the resistance struggle against the French.
Around Trang Kenh, there are some strange caves, including Hang Vua (King's Cave) in Minh Tan Commune. It is thus called due to a myth that the King Hung established a separate palace here. The altar of King Hung in the centre of the cave is a lively-looking stone carved statue of him. There are many small tunnels criss-crossing the 18m-high cave and fresh water streams running through it.

Trang Kenh of Hai Phong

Cat Ba Island and National Park - World Biosphere Reserve
Cat Ba is an archipelago covering approximately 366 islands of different shapes and sizes. The main island is Cat Ba, located 30 nautical miles from Hai Phong, with an area approximately 200km2.
The topography of the park mainly consists of limestone mountains with many grottoes and caves, as well as beaches with white powdery sand. The limestone mountains have an average height of 150m, the highest of which is Cao Vong Peak, 322m above sea level. Cat Ba is characterized by beautiful natural scenery, and abundant forest and sea resources. There are numerous beaches on the island that are clean and smooth, with translucent blue water. Cat Ba National Park has the largest area of tropical virgin forests in Viet Nam and boasts diversified and rare fauna and flora.
According to research, there are 620 species of plants, 438 lines of descent, and 123 families, among which there are 350 medicinal plants such as cho doi, trai ly, lat hoa, kirn giao, and va nuoc. More than 32 species of mammals, 69 species of birds, as well as 20 species of reptiles and amphibians can be found in Cat Ba National Park. The White-headed Vooc, an endangered bird species, is found on the cliffs separating the island from the sea. The yellow monkey, chamois, and many beautiful birds s ch as the cao cat, boi ca (kingfisher), hut , and dau riu also live on the island.
In 2004, Cat Ba was recognized as World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Nowadays, Cat Ba is the perfect place to bath in the sea, relax and recuperate. While in Cat Ba, tourists can also explore primeval forests and unique caves.

Doctoral Laureate Nguyen Binh Khiem Site

The site is located in Trung Am Hamlet, Ly Hoc Commune, Vinh Bao District. It has nine separate structures: the Kinh Thien pen-shaped tower; the temple built after the death of Nguyen Binh Khiem in 1585 with three front halls and two back sanctuaries. In front of the temple are two ponds, which represent the earth and the sky. The horizontal lacquered board kept in the temple reads: "An Nam Ly Hoc" (Master of Philosophy in An Nam); the exhibition room with details on Nguyen Binh Khiem's biography and career; the tomb of his father at the adjacent of the temple; the stone statue of Nguyen Binh Khiem, 5.7m in height and 8.5 tons in weight; the semi-circular pond 1,000m2 in area; Song Mai Pagoda; the Ancestor Worshipping House with the statue of Minh Nguyet, Nguyen Binh Khiem's wife, and Trung Tan pavilion, whose name gives a new interpretation of the concept "Trung" (loyalty): everyone tries to reach "chi trung chi thien" (absolute loyalty and goodness).
Nowadays, the site having been upgraded is a major tourist attraction in the region. It is also where big festivals commemorating Nguyen Binh Khiem as a cultural celebrity are held.

Do Son Beach

Do Son, located in Do Son District, 22km south-east of Hai Phong, lies between the mouth of the Lach Tray River and the mouth of the Van Uc River. This 5km-long promontory is dotted with a succession of beaches, hills and quiet pine forests.
Immediately upon setting foot in Hai Phong, the French turned Do Son into a summer tourist area for their expatriate community and the Vietnamese upper class. Do Son Airport was built in 1950. The former summer residence of Bao Dai, the last King of the Nguyen Dynasty, is located there. There is also a pagoda and, at the very tip of the peninsula, on the top of a large hill, the former Van Hoa Hotel.
This hotel was the finest building in Do Son. With its stone basement and walls built on the edge of the water, the two-tower, red-tiled hotel stands out from the green landscape like an ancient citadel. The Van Hoa Hotel also houses the first casino to open in Viet Nam. Nowadays, the casino was changed from Van Hoa Hotel to the 4-star Do Son Hotel in Green Valley area.


Bao Dai Residence

The Bao Dai Residence situated atop Doi Vung Hill in zone II of Do Son Beach has been restored in 1999. From this ideal altitude, you can view the immense sea and the high sky Do Son. Visiting the Bao Dai Residence, you can learn more about the last days of King Bao Dai - the last King of Nguyen Dynasty. You will also have a chance of enjoying royal feasts or staying in the king's room, the queen's room, or the princess' room. On the way to the residence, you can call by at Nam Phuong Villa lying halfway to the top mountain.

Tien Lang Hot Spring Tourist Site

Tien Lang Hot Spring

Tien Lang Hot Spring Tourist Site is located in Tien Lang Town, Tien Lang District, about 20km from centre of Hai Phong and about 85km from Ha Noi. Covering an area of 10ha, the tourist site is greatly preferential treated by the nature, has a hot spring belching from the bowels of the earth at 850m depth, at 54°C, being valued one of the five special mineral water streams of Viet Nam with content of highly mineral elements, preventing and curing diseases, restoring health well.
The site has swimming pool and a modern system of bathtub intermingling with nature. Sauna & steam-bath system imported from French helping to reduce stress, consume unnecessary energy, take away dead cells, bring a stronger and slender body. Especially, technically philological staffs have much experience in massaging bring to tourists the most of enjoying, relaxing & reinforcing health after bathing.
In addition, there are two large fish surrounding by a system of restaurants and pentagon cottages where tourists can fish while admiring the scenery and enjoying food. The tourist site has other services such as tennis court, badminton court, billiard, karaoke, camping fire...

Voi (Elephant) Mountain

Voi Mountain is 20km south-west of the centre of Hai Phong, by the side of the Lach Tray River, is the site of a widely diverse natural landscape. It is the highest peak to the north of Kien An.
At the foot of the mountain is Long Tien (Water Fairy) Cave where the local people worship Le Chan, a female general in the army of the two Trung Sisters. It was Le Chan who established An Bien Village, which is now Hai Phong. In Voi Mountain, there are many "fairy caves", such as Hong Voi, Chieng, Ca Chep, and Be. To the south of Voi Mountain is the Nam Tao Cave, and to the north is the Bac Dau Cave. According to Chinese myth, Nam Tao and Bac Dau are the two gods who care for life and death. In the cave, there are many stalactites of various shapes, looking like kneeling dragons, tigers, and the head of an elephant.
On top of the mountain, there is an even, flat area, which is called the "Fairy Chess Board". There are also ruins of pagodas and citadels from the 16th century Mac Dynasty on the mountain. Of particular note are the remains of the ancient Viet civilisation, such as stone axes and chisels, which date back to over 3,000 years.

Bao Ha Stage and Water Puppetry

Puppetry is an old popular art form in Hai Phong. As a matter of fact, the puppetry guild of Bao Ha in Vinh Bao District (30km from the centre of Hai Phong) has been performing for seven generations.
Like other forms of art, Bao Ha puppetry has developed over time. Current performances are always accompanied by music and lyrics. This stage puppetry is similar to opera.
Nhan Hoa water puppetry is a theatrical performance mixed with nature and fireworks. The puppets are made of painted, lacquered wood, and they do not wear fabric clothing. Most performances used to be held in lakes or ponds. Now, however, water tanks have been built so that water puppet shows can be played on a stage.

Tourist Attractions of Hai Phong

Hang Kenh Communal House

Located on Hang Kenh St., Hang Kenh Communal House was built in 1717 and expanded in 1905. It is famous for its valuable wooden sculptures, of which there are 156 pieces with a dragon as the main theme. Altogether, there are 308 dragons of different shapes and sizes. The communal house also has a statue of Ngo Quyen and a palanquin. Every year from the 16thto 18th of the 2ndlunar month, ritual ceremonies, festivals, traditional games, and performances of cheo, tuong, and other folk songs are held at the communal house, attracting large crowds.

Hang Kenh Communal House

Municipal Theater

The Municipal Theatre, also called the Great Theatre, was built in 1904 in the heart of Hai Phong. The entire project was supervised by the French; the materials were imported and the architects were French. The theatre is a two-story building with a veranda, a large hall, a mirror-room, a cloakroom and a dining room. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 400. The ceiling is ornamented with flowers frescoes and the names of famous writers and artists. All great festivities of the city are held in the Municipal Theater Square.

 

Du Hang Pagoda
This pagoda, named by scholar Phuc Lam Tu, is located in Ho Nam Ward in Le Chan District, 2km south-west of the center of Hai Phong.
The pagoda was built during the Early Le Dynasty (980-1009). King Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308), a devout Buddhist, used to preach at the pagoda. The pagoda has undergone repair and restoration on several occasions, and is now listed as a historical site containing many relics, including Buddha statues, bronze urns, bells, gongs and the prayer book of Trang A Ham, an ancient Buddhist script. 

Nghe Temple
Nghe Temple is situated in the center of Hai Phong, approximately 600m south-west of the Municipal Theater. The temple is devoted to the cult of Le Chan, a female general of the Trung Sisters' insurrection in the first century (40-43). Le Chan founded An Bien Village, which became Hai Phong.
Originally, the temple was only a small shrine, but in 1919 a sanctuary was built and, in 1926, the kowtowing court was built. Nghe Temple contains stone elephants and horses, as well as stelae.

Flower Stalls (Quan Hoa)
These flowers stalls were built in the end of 1944. Located in the centre of Hai Phong City, they constitute a row of five small, attractive flower stalls built in an oriental architectural style, topped with curved roofs covered with tiles and supported by four round columns. Resting in the shadow of green trees, their flowers have a gentle beauty much like the traditional beauty of Hai Phong City.

Sat Market

Located on the adjacent banks of the Cam River and the Tam Bac River, the Sat Market is the biggest market in Hai Phong City. In the past, it was known as An Bien Fair. When the city was established in 1888, the market was divided into large sections, constructed mainly of iron and steel with cement floors. That is why it was called Sat Market, or the "Iron Market".
In May 1992, the Iron Market was transformed, into a 6-story trade and service centre. The first, second and third floors feature more than 2,000 stalls and the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors are used for a hotel, restaurant, discotheque and representative offices.

Binh Thuan is not just Mui Ne

Where to go around for tourists of Binh Thuan.
Beside the must visit place Mui Ne Beach, here are some other tourists destinations of Phan Thiet - Binh Thuan that visitors should not miss when traveling here.

Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda (or Ta Cu Mountain Pagoda)

The pagoda is perched at 400m on Ta Cu Mountain In Tan Lap Commune, Ham Thuan District, about 28km south of Phan Thiet. The pagoda was founded by Patriarch Huu Due in the late of 19th century, and was restored in 1963.

The site includes the Patriarch's Tower and, behind the pagoda, there is a 49m-long and 6m-high statue of Lord Buddha at his Parinirvana, built in 1963. The landscape here is majestic and romantic with a long beach, rock mountains, and lush green forests.

The Buddha statue on Ta Cu mountain

Hang Pagoda (Co Thach)

Hang Pagoda, also called Co Thach Pagoda, is located on the beach of Binh Thanh Commune, Tuy Phong District, 105km north of Phan Thiet City.
It was built in a large cave by Buddhist monk Bao Tang in the middle of the 19*h century. The path and stairs that lead up to the pagoda are made of stone, and the two sides of the balcony are decorated with dragons. On the small rock mountain by the sea is a statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, and the pagoda contains a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha.

Next to the pagoda is the Ca Duoc multicolored rocky expanse that stretches for nearly 1 km along the coast. Recently, a new Co Thach tourism village was constructed with many attractive stilt-houses available to both pilgrims and to those who come to enjoy the beautiful landscape.

Duc Thanh School

Duc Thanh School is where President Ho Chi Minh, called Nguyen Tat Thanh at the time, taught in 1910-1911. The school, situated in the centre of Phan Thiet, was transformed into a museum displaying exhibits about President Ho Chi Minh's life and his revolutionary ideas.

Van Thuy Tu

Van Thuy Tu Communal House was built in 1762 at Ngu Ong Street, Phan Thiet City. The Communal House is dedicated to Nam Hai God. About 100 skeletons of whale have been kept at the communal house, of which one is of great size and strictly preserved during the past 200 years.

The Communal House houses a bronze bell cast in 1872, under the reign of King Tu Due, and 24 royal edicts, one of which dates back to 150 years ago. This communal house has been recognized a national treasure in 1996. A festival takes place twice a year at the communal house, in the 2nd and 8th lunar months.

Po Sha Nu Towers

The complex is a masterpiece of the Cham nation, also called Phu Hai Tower, where three" towers can still been admire. These constructions of My Son E1 artistic style date back to the 8th century. They are located on Lau Ong Hoang Hill in Thanh Hai Ward, 6km north-east of Phan Thiet City, which is named the Prince Palace.

The area between Phan Thiet and the Prince Palace is a site that attracts many researchers and tourists. The rocky path going up to Prince Palace displays many ancient remains and beautiful landscapes.

Next to Po Sha Nu Complex is the Buu Son Pagoda and Co Mountain, where patriot poet Nguyen Thong was buried. Further along the beach are the Ong Dia Temple and Mui Ne Beach.

Po Klong Moh Nai Temple

Po Klong Moh Nai was the last Cham king, who ruled at the beginning of 17th century.

The Po Klong Moh Nai Temple, also called Bac Binh Temple, is located on a hill close to National Highway 1A, in Bac Binh District, 60km north of Phan Thiet.

Three statues sculpted in dark blue stone representing Po Klong Moh Nai and his two wives, as well as numerous other meticulously sculpted statues, remain in the temple.

Cham Royal Family Collection

This collection is composed of precious articles that belonged to King Po Klong Moh Nai and other Cham kings. More than 100 original rare and precious objects are displayed in this exhibition, in Phan Thanh Commune, Bac Binh District, about 60km north of Phan Thiet. The most remarkable items are the gold jewellery and the clothing (royal coats and boots) of King Po Klong Moh Nai and Queen Popia Som. The collection reflects the well-developed handicrafts (sculpture, carving) of the Cham people.

Phu Quy Island

Phu Quy Island is 56 nautical miles (100km) from Phan Thiet. On the 16.5 sq.km island, there are large well-known pagodas, such as Linh Quang Pagoda and Cao Cat Pagoda, which have been listed as national heritage sites. The long coast line fine white sand beaches with clear blue water.

Phu Quy is surrounded by nine small islands, including Tranh, Den, and Trung islands, where there are many beautiful landscapes with potential for developing aquatic ecological tourism.

Bau Trang (or White Lake)

Bau Trang is located in Hoa Thang Commune, Bac Binh District, about 65km northeast of Phan Thiet City.

Bau Trang was formed a long time ago; as for its name, this is a fresh-water lake in the mid- die of the vast sand dune. Among the dune are groups of short trees. The lake water is very fresh and clear. It has the area of 70ha, the widest place is about 500m, the average depth is 5m, and the deepest is 19m. From the distance, visitors can see a cool green color covering the white sand dune.

A dune divides Bau Trang into two, Bau Ong (Man Lake) and Bau Ba (Lady Lake). With year-round fresh water, it relieves the scorching air of the immense sand dunes. Bau Trang is not only the place to enjoy fresh water but it is also a beautiful sight. Along the £ lake side, there are many lotuses. They grow naturally, and bloom in almost seasons that have complemented to the sand dune a blaze of color.

Visitors to Bau Trang can hire local boats for going on excursions, enjoying the lake view and fishing or camping at the lake side. In addition, visitors can go to the south of Bau Trang to see the remains of Yana Temple that the Cham people had built to worship the God who brought the water source for humans and animals in the dry season.


Suoi Tien

The environment untouched site of Suoi Tien

Another place to go for tourist of Phan Thiet - Binh Thuan is Suoi Tien. Suoi Tien (Fairy Spring) is situated in a nice place on the way to Mui Ne, about 18 km northeast of Phan Thiet City. One side of Suoi Tien are solid white and red sand hills mixing together, another side are rows of shading coconut palms, lines of trees with luxuriant leaves. The spring derives from the height of some 6 meters on hillslopes around Ham Tien, crossing green lines of coconut palms and a red immeasurably high sand hill then go down. The water stream of Suoi Tien marvelously turns into red color thanks to the combination of sunlight and the red sand in the bottom of the stream.

Coming to Suoi Tien, visitors will have the chance to contemplate a natural beauty spot with a magnificent landscape of mountains and water, the color blending of nature of soil and sand, a primitive environment untouched by human beings.

Vinh Hao - Tuy Phong Resort

Tuy Phong is the northern district of Binh Thuan Province, bordering Ninh Thuan Province and lying along National Highway 1A. It is famous for Vinh Hao Mineral Spring. Its 50-km seashore is where Vinh Hao Resort, Lao Cau and Ganh Son islands are located and such historical and cultural sites as Co Thach tu (Hang Pagoda) and Podam Tower.

The route from Ho Chi Minh City, Dalat, or Nha Trang, to Tuy Phong is very convenient. Tuy Phong has comfortable hotels, villas, and inns.

You can visit Hang Pagoda and the exhibition house of Cham royal family's relics, or go to Lao Cau Island to view sea animals, to sea-bathe or go sailing, immersing yourselves in nature and the fresh atmosphere.

Hon Rom Tourist Area

Travel 22km from Phan Thiet to Mui Ne, then follow the 4-km coastal road, you will arrive at the Hon Rom Tourist Area. The beach here is clean and the water clear. Behind the beach are fruitful coco trees, and wavy dunes of yellow and white sand one after another. The dunes keep changing their shapes as a result of wind blowing. All this creates a wild, attractive scene. Tourists often come here to sight-see and discover the unique beauty of the sand dunes. Newly-built bamboo cottages on sand dunes and new forms of entertainment such as sand surfing, sea-bathing, fire burning outside camps, or boarding on fishing boats add greater charm to the resort

Where to go around for tourists of Binh Thuan