Central Vietnam South
Mountainous scenery, beautiful beaches, hot springs and ancient pagodas
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The six provinces are all surrounded by the imposing Truong Son mountains and the East Sea. The coast of south central Vietnam has many ports and beautiful beaches such as Quy Nhon, Ninh Chu, and Sa Huynh. There are also numerous big and small islands, rivers, generally short but very beautiful, run through the provinces. Many of the provinces have their own hot water springs.
South central Vietnam is one of the
first areas populated in Vietnam. The archaeological site in Sa Huynh
shows that civilization has been developing there since iron age. Who
founded the Champa Kingdom. It could be said south central Vietnam is
the native land of the Cham, where valuable historical relicts and an
exceptional Cham civilization still remain.
Area: 5,177 sq.km
Population: 1,199,000
Capital: Quang Ngai
Located in Central Vietnam, Quang Ngai Province is almost equi distant from both ends of the country, with mountains on one side and the sea on the other. Tourist attractions include:
Chau Sa
Citadel
Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Champa Kingdom. It
is surrounded by 5m-high walls and has a 25m-high tower. The Citadel is
almost completely preserved.
Thien An
Mountain
A beautiful vista overlooking nearby Tra Khuc River and the Tra Khuc Bridge.
There is a path leading to the top that is shaded by banyan trees.
Sa Huynh
Beach
A popular tourist spot with golden sand, clear water and pine trees
located near National Highway 1. Nearby are Liet Son Lake and the mountains.
My Khe Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in Central Vietnam. It stretches
for about 8 km and has powdery white sand.
Area: 6,076 sq.km
Population: 1,481,000
Capital: Qui Nhon
Located on the coast of Central Vietnam, Binh Dinh Province has four distinctive regions: highlands, midlands, plains, and coast. It is the home of old folk opera, Bai Choi folk songs and these tourist attractions:
Duong Long
Cham Towers
One of the most beautiful tower complexes in Central Vietnam. Also
called Thap Nga meaning "ivory tower," a group of 3 towers;
the central one is 24m high, and the 2 others 22m.
Doi Cham
Towers
Built in the late 11th century and restored in 1996. There are two
pyramid-shaped towers 18m and 22m high.
Hoang De
Citadel
Built in the 10th century during the reign of Emperor Yangpuku Vijaaya.
The Citadel was the last capital of the Champa Kingdom. Today, there are
ancient Cham artefacts, such as statues of animals and square wells. Nearby
there are ten Cham towers and two ancient pagodas.
Hoi Van Hot
Spring
A well-known hot spring with a temperature of 76°C. People come
from near and far to soak in its medicinal mineral waters at the nearby
sanatorium.
Quang Trung
Museum
Dedicated to Nguyen Hue
(Quang Trung), an Emperor and national hero who led an army to defeat
290,000 Chinese invaders in Hanoi.
Area: 5,278 sq.km
Population: 804,000
Capital: Tuy Hoa
Phu Yen Province borders the coast
of Central Vietnam about 561 km north of Ho Chi Minh City. It has many
beautiful beaches, as well as these well-known tourist sites:
Nhan Tower
A 20m-high tower built near Nhan Mountain and close to National Highway
1. This was a place of worship for the Cham people during the 2nd century
BC.
Tu Quang
Pagoda
Built in 1797 on the slopes of Da Trang Mountain during the reign
of Emperor Quang Toan. It is one of the best-known pagodas in the province
and is currently run by the tenth generation of Lam Te Buddhist monks.
Ro Bay and
Natural Preservation Area
One of the most beautiful coastal landscapes in Central Vietnam, near
National Highway 1. Ro Bay is surrounded by the Hon Ba Mountains and has
several attractive beaches. Nearby is a Natural Preservation Area with
a protected forest of over 8,700 hectares rich in plant, animal and bird
life.
Da Dia Rapids
A National Heritage Site with strange rock formations, foamy rapids,
a fissure with multi-colored fish, and a deep cave.
Area: 4,626 sq.km
Population: 1,017,518 people
Capital: Nha Trang
With a coastline stretching for 160 km, Khanh Hoa Province is blessed with some of the country's most splendid seaside attractions. Here are the key tourist sites:
Nha Trang
The capital and a leading holiday destination, with a 7 km-long beach
and various relics from the Cham Kingdom.
Po Nagar
Cham Towers
A group of Cham towers built between the 8th and 12th centuries in
Nha Trang. Only four stand today, with the largest at 23m dedicated to
Lady Po Nagar or Goddess Uma, the wife of Shiva.
Duc My Hot
Springs
Located near a beautiful tropical forest close to National Highway
1. The medicinal waters reach 80°C.
Ba Ho
An amazing natural landscape with several rapids and pools attracting
many visitors. Located about 25 km from Nha Trang.
Doc Let Beach
A popular tourist spot with fine white sand and a protected shoreline.
Area:3,427sq.km
Population:515,000
Capital: Phan Rang
Lying along the coast below Khanh Hoa Province is Ninh Thuan Province. It is known for its favourable climate, with an annual average temperature of 27°C and only 50 days of rain per year. Visitors also come to view these sites:
Po Klong
Garai Towers
A group of four towers (once six) that were built in the 13th century.
The main tower is almost 22m and was dedicated to King Po Klong. Located
7 km east of Phan Rang.
Porome Tower
A Cham tower built around the turn of the 17th century. Standing 8m
and in a pyramid shape, the well-preserved tower was dedicated to King
Porome.
Ninh Chu
Beach
A beautiful white-sand beach with pine trees located about 6 km from
Phan Rang. It was once reserved for the exclusive use of high-ranking
officials.
Area: 7,992 sq.km
Population: 1,066,000
Capital: Phan Thiet
Binh Thuan is located along the coast east of Ho Chi Minh City. It is known for its marvellous scenery and traditional temples, pagodas and shrines. Here are some of its tourist attractions:
Hang Pagoda
Built in the 19th century in a large cave by Buddhist monk Bao Tang.
A stone path and stairs lead up to the pagoda. It is located on a beach
105 km north of Phan Thiet.
Po Sha Nu Towers
An architectural masterpiece of the Cham culture built in the 8th
century. There are three towers constructed in the Hoa Lai artistic style
situated on a hill called the Prince Palace. The site is just 6 km from
Phan Thiet.
Cham Royal
Family Collection
A collection of more that 100 rare and precious objects once belonging
to King Po Klong Moh Nai, the last Cham king who ruled in the early 17th
century. There is gold jewelry, clothing and other artefacts.
Mui Ne Beach
A popular tourist destination featuring an unspoiled beach, pristine water,
sand dunes and rows of palm trees.