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Provinces: Thanh Hoa | Nghe An | Ha Tinh | Quang Binh | Quang Tri | Thua Thien-Hue

NORTHERN CENTRAL AT A GLANCE:

The Northern Central Zone of Vietnam includes the provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue.

Thanh Hoa:

Thanh Hoa is located in the gateway connecting the northern and southern parts of the country. It is surrounded by Hoa Binh, Ninh Binh, Nghe An, Laos, and the East Sea.  Many ethnic groups live in this area, including the Kinh, Muong, Thai, H’mong, Dao, and Tho.  The tropical monsoon climate brings cold winters. Rains and typhoons are concentrated in August, September, and October.  The central region near Nha Trang in Thang Hoa province features some of the most beautiful beaches in Asia. The ocean waters are transparent, and the sands immaculate, attracting more and more visitors in recent times.  Tours cover the Cham Ponagar complex, the north tower of which was built in 817 A.D. Ruins of the long-deceased Champa still stand as a testament to this once prominent kingdom.  Famous sites include Sam Son Resort with smooth beaches, emerald waters, and a view of the Truong Le Mountain.  Doc Cuoc Temple is another interesting destination in the area. 

Nghe An:

Nghe An is a large province in the central part of Vietnam that connects the North and South. More than 90% of the population belongs to the Kinh ethnic group.  The tropical monsoon climate has an annual average temperature of 23°C.  Nghe An offers several historical sites such as the native land of President Ho Chi Minh and poet Nguyen Du. Other sites include Cua Lo, the Lam River, and the Ben Thuy Wharf. 

Ha Tinh:

Ha Tinh is located in North Central Vietnam between Nghe An and Quang Binh provinces and shares a border with Laos. The main ethnic group to live in this area is the Kinh, along with a small percentage of Chut.  Ha Tinh is influenced by the tropical monsoon climate: the cold rainy season from November to April and the dry hot season from May to October.  Famous sites include Vu Mon Waterfall, Vu Quang Forest in Huong Khe, Ke Go Lake, Son Kim Springs, and Ngang Pass.  Several nice beaches are located along the 137km coast.  Villages have erected many temples, pagodas, and shrines such as Huong Tich Pagoda, Tam Lang Temple, and Cua Dieu Stupa.  The harmonious combination of the traditional and intellectual cultures creates a sound atmosphere that is appealing to visitors. 

Quang Binh:

Quang Binh spreads along the northern part of Central Vietnam and is the narrowest part of the country.  The coastal line of Quang Binh is 126km long. The population constitutes 16 different ethnic groups, including the Kinh and Bru-Van Kieu.  Quang Binh has a tropical monsoon climate with an annual average temperature of 26°C. The hot and dry season lasts 170 days, from March to October.  The rainy season, during which temperatures can fall as low as 10°C, lasts from November to March.  The best period to visit Quang Binh is between February and April.  Famous sites include Phong Nha Caves, Nhat Le Beach, Ban Tro Lake, Ngang Pass, and Dong Hoi Citadel. 

Quang Tri:

Quang Tri is located in Central Vietnam near the crossways between North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Several different minorities populate this province (Kinh, Bru-Van Kieu). The humid tropical monsoon climate has an annual average temperature varying between 20 and 25°C.   Famous sites include Quang Tri Citadel and the holy land of La Vang.  Violent battles took place in Quang Tri during the war against the Americans; such battles have left revolutionary vestiges such as Hien Luong Bridge, Tung Gate, and Vinh Moc underground tunnels.

Hue at a glance | History of Hue | Hue Attractions

HUE CITY AT A GLANCE:

Hue served as Vietnam's capital under the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945, and is arguably the most beautiful city in Vietnam. The city’s regal past can still be seen today inside the walls of the Citadel and the war-ravaged Imperial City. Hue is also an important center of Buddhism.  In Hue and its surrounding, many pagodas were constructed more than 300 years ago, and a hundred of temples and pagodas built in the early century.  Hue is also a place where the royal music originated, and a place with traditional famous dishes and sophisticated handicraft.  Vestiges of Hue as an ancient capital have been classified by the government as unique and in 1993, Hue was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.  This small & poetical city of 280.000 habitants is one of the main tourism sites of Vietnam due to its splendid tombs of the Nguyen emperors, several notable pagodas especially the Thien Mu Pagoda, the remains of Citadel as well as the romantic Perfume River where a cruise tour with Hue music performance in the moonlight was always provided since long time ago.  Hue is one of places, which has many cultural heritages.  Up to now, there is no places like Hue remaining a lot of originally historical vestiges as in this ancient Capital City.  During the Tet Offensive of 1968, when the Communists took the city from the South and held it for 3 weeks, considerable damage was done to Hue.  The walls of the Citadel bear witness to the terrible fighting that went on within and are riddled with shrapnel and bullet holes. Now thanks to UNESCO funding, much of the City is being faithfully restored to its former glory. The Imperial City, created in the 19th century and modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, has many palaces and temples inside. Further echoes of the Imperial age can be found in Hue’s surrounding countryside. Here several of the tombs of former Emperors can be found. One of the most impressive tombs, that of Emperor Minh Mang, is set within a beautiful landscaped garden. It is said that it took 13 years to find an appropriate burial site for the Emperor, and upon arrival it's not hard to see why they eventually chose this location. Set on the banks of the Perfume River and surrounded by beautiful rolling hills it is a tranquil and idyllic place.  A boat trip on the Perfume River is definitely worthwhile. Along the way you can stop at the Thien Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda – Hue’s unofficial symbol. Situated 4 km upstream on the banks of the Perfume River, it is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601. One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, Thich Quang Duc, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. When you tire of sightseeing do try some Hue cuisine, widely acknowledged to be some of the best in Vietnam.

HISTORY:

Hue, the imperial city, the citadel-city of Phu Xuan was originally built up during the end of 17th Century and became a political capital as well as the Imperial City of Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 till 2nd September 1945 when the Communist Party, leaded by President Ho Chi Minh had declared the Independent of the Nation and took over the power from the defeated Japanese Governor. 

ATTRACTIONS:

On the Northern bank of the Perfume River are relics consisting of palaces, which were constructed as arc defensive ramparts with 11km length.  This valuable construction includes more than 100 architectural works which were extremely reflected the life of Emperors and mandarins under Nguyen’ reign.  The Forbidden City has a 10 km perimeter, 4 main entrance gates and is well defended by rampart.  It was built in 1804 by the first emperor Nguyen Anh on a site chosen by geomancers and look likes the Chinese forbidden city in Beijing.  Some parts of this Forbidden City were totally destroyed during the War and are under reconstruction providing UNESCO & Japanese non-government associations' fund.  Most of the main areas such as the Citadel (the Imperial Enclosure) and Flag Tower remain intact.  The Museum of Antiques (Imperial museum) is in a beautiful hall built in 1845.  The most precious artifacts were lost during the war (1954-1973) and during liberation (1975) but ceramics, furniture and royal relics are remain until the present time.  Situated in the middle of hills on the Southern bank of Perfume River are very beautiful tombs of Nguyen Kings.  Among these tombs are the four famous ones with the name and the arrangements of the tomb reflected each Emperor’s points of view, personality, and tastes.  This is majestic Gia Long Tomb, imposing Minh Mang Tomb, poetic Tu Duc Tomb and magnificent Khai Dinh Tomb, the final monument of the Nguyen Dynasty.  The complex features ceiling murals, frescoes and a dragon staircase.  Located on the slopes of the Chau E Mountain, six miles (10km) south of town, it took almost 10 years (1920-1931) to finish this grandiose concrete tomb which is completely unlike the others tombs where there was a mixture of typical Vietnamese & French colonial architecture.  After climbing 36 steps passing by rows of elephants, horses, civil & military mandarin you will be reached the main building where a full original artifacts are displayed to the public.  Tu Duc Emperor's Tomb is the most impressive of the tombs and pagodas at Hue.  Located at the tributaries of the Perfume River, seven miles (11km) south of Hue, this complex has beautiful architecture, intricate decor and military statues.  This majestic and serene tomb with lake view, grove of pines, temples, living house area is the most expensive tomb which was completely terminated after 5 years by thousands of labor-worker (1863-1868) for this intellectual-poet emperor.  Minh Mang Emperor's Tomb is located at the tributaries of the Perfume River, seven miles (11 km) south of Hue, this complex has beautiful architecture, intricate decor and military statues.  A 2 hour cruise is needed to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda along the Perfume River.  This pagoda, located on the hillock overlooking the Perfume River, built in 1844 by Thieu Tri emperor contains a 21m-high octagonal tower with seven-storey is one of the most famous structures in all over the country and become an unofficial symbol of Hue until now.

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