Download - Central highland

VIET NAM INTINARY 1 – SOUTH CENTREL COAST REGION – CENTRAL HIGHLANDS REGION

Table of contentsVIET NAM..................................................................................................11

History........................................................................................................11

Politics........................................................................................................12

Economy....................................................................................................12

People........................................................................................................13

Culture........................................................................................................13

Climate.......................................................................................................14

Holidays......................................................................................................15

Itinary..........................................................................................................16

The region's tourism Vietnam.....................................................................17

The partitioning criteria tourism (Vietnam)..................................................17

Type a unique tourism product...............................................................17

The tourist areas in Vietnam.......................................................................17

Midland, mountainous north region.........................................................17

Red River delta and coastal Northeast region........................................18

North Central Region..............................................................................18

South Central Coast Region...................................................................18

The Central Highlands region.................................................................18

The Southeast region.............................................................................19

Southwest Region region........................................................................19

South central coast region..........................................................................20

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TRUONG DINH DUC – NHA TRANG COLLEGE -2013


Phu Yen......................................................................................................20

I. Information.........................................................................................20

Geography..............................................................................................21

Climate....................................................................................................21

Tourism...................................................................................................21

Transportation.........................................................................................21

II. Tourist Attractions...........................................................................22

a. Vung Ro and Nature Reserve.....................................................................................................22

b. Nhan Tower...............................................................................................................................22

c. Long Thuy Beach........................................................................................................................23

d. Dam O loan................................................................................................................................23

e. Da Dia Rapids.............................................................................................................................23

f. Tu Quang Pagoda.......................................................................................................................24

III. Festivals..........................................................................................24

a. Buffalo-Stabbing Festival...........................................................................................................24

b. Horse Racing Festival.................................................................................................................25

Binh Dinh....................................................................................................25

I. Information.........................................................................................25

Geography..............................................................................................25

Climate....................................................................................................25

Tourism and Economy............................................................................25

Ethnic groups..........................................................................................26

Transportation.........................................................................................26

II. Tourist attractions............................................................................26

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a. Doi Tower (Hung Thanh Tower).................................................................................................26

b. Banh It Tower............................................................................................................................27

c. Canh Tien Tower........................................................................................................................27

d. Duong Long Tower.....................................................................................................................27

e. Quang Trung Museum...............................................................................................................28

f. Hoang De Citadel (Do Ban Citadel)............................................................................................28

g. Long Khanh Pagoda...................................................................................................................29

h. Ham Ho Tourist Spot..................................................................................................................29

i. Hoi Van Hot Spring.....................................................................................................................30

j. Rang Cliff....................................................................................................................................30

III. Festivals..........................................................................................31

a. Tay Son Festival.........................................................................................................................31

b. Thi Tu Vilage Festival.................................................................................................................31

c. Do Gian Festival.........................................................................................................................32

Quang Ngai................................................................................................32

I. Information.........................................................................................32

Geography..............................................................................................32

Climate....................................................................................................32

Tourism...................................................................................................32

Transportation.........................................................................................33

II. Tourist attracions.............................................................................33

a. Chau Sa Citadel..........................................................................................................................33

b. Thien An Moutain and Tra Khuc River.......................................................................................33

c. Son My Site................................................................................................................................33

d. Ly Son Island..............................................................................................................................34

e. Sa Huynh beach.........................................................................................................................35

f. My Khe beach............................................................................................................................35

g. Sa Huynh archaeological relics...................................................................................................36

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III. Festival............................................................................................36

Central highlands region............................................................................37

Kon Tum.....................................................................................................37

I. Information.........................................................................................37

Geography..............................................................................................37

Climate....................................................................................................38

Tourism...................................................................................................38

Ethnic groups..........................................................................................38

Transportation.........................................................................................38

II. Tourist attraction.............................................................................39

a. Kon Tum Wooden Church..........................................................................................................39

b. Kon Tum Former Prison (Nguc Kon Tum)...................................................................................39

c. Commural House (Nha Rong)....................................................................................................39

d. Ba Na Village..............................................................................................................................40

e. Chu Mon Ray National Park.......................................................................................................40

f. Mang Den Ecotourist Zone........................................................................................................41

III. Festivals..........................................................................................41

a. Bo Ma Festival............................................................................................................................41

b. Village Land Praying Ceremony..................................................................................................41

Gia Lai........................................................................................................42

I. Information.........................................................................................42

Geography..............................................................................................42

Climate....................................................................................................42

Tourism...................................................................................................43

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Ethnic groups..........................................................................................43

Transport................................................................................................43


a. Buu Nghiem pagoda..................................................................................................................44

b. To Nung Lake.............................................................................................................................44

c. Xung Khoen Waterfall................................................................................................................44

d. La Phum Village..........................................................................................................................44

e. D'ko Tu Village...........................................................................................................................45

f. Dong Xanh Cultural Park............................................................................................................45

g. Funeral Houses in Tay Nguyen...................................................................................................45

III. Festivals..........................................................................................46

a. Buffalo-Stabbling Festival..........................................................................................................46

Dak lak.......................................................................................................47

I. Information.........................................................................................47

Geography..............................................................................................47

Climate....................................................................................................47

Tourism...................................................................................................48

Ethnic groups..........................................................................................48

Transportation.........................................................................................48


a. Khai Doan Pagoda......................................................................................................................49

b. Buon Ma Thuoc Penitentiary.....................................................................................................49

c. Buon Don...................................................................................................................................50

d. Major tourist attractions in Don Village.....................................................................................51

e. Dak Mil Lake and Forest ecological site.....................................................................................51

f. Tomb of King of elephant hunters.............................................................................................51

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g. Vestiges of ancient stilt house...................................................................................................52

h. Lak Lake.....................................................................................................................................52

i. Bao Dai Palace...........................................................................................................................52

j. Jun village..................................................................................................................................53

k. YorkDon Nation Park..................................................................................................................53

l. Thuy Tien Waterfall...................................................................................................................54

III. Festivals..........................................................................................54

a. Elephant Race Festival...............................................................................................................54

b. Celebration for Mature Man......................................................................................................55

Dak Nong...................................................................................................55

I. Information.........................................................................................55

Geography..............................................................................................55

Climate....................................................................................................55


Transportation.........................................................................................56


a. Pu Prang M'Noong Village.........................................................................................................56

b. Dray Sap Waterfall.....................................................................................................................57

c. Dieu Thanh Waterfall.................................................................................................................57

d. Ba Tang Waterfall......................................................................................................................58

e. Trinh Nu Waterfall.....................................................................................................................58

f. Gia Long Waterfall.....................................................................................................................59

III. Festivals..........................................................................................59

a. Spring Festival............................................................................................................................59

b. New Rice (Com Moi), Ceremony of the M'Nong........................................................................59

Lam Dong...................................................................................................60

I. Information.........................................................................................60

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Geography..............................................................................................60

Climate....................................................................................................60

Tourism...................................................................................................61

Ethnic groups..........................................................................................61

Transportation.........................................................................................62


a. Xuan Huong Lake.......................................................................................................................62

b. Da Lat Maket..............................................................................................................................62

c. Da Lat Power Park......................................................................................................................62

d. Da Lat Palace Golf Club..............................................................................................................63

e. Palaces.......................................................................................................................................63

f. Dalat Cathedral..........................................................................................................................63

g. Lam Dong Province Museum.....................................................................................................64

h. Datanla Waterfall and Tuyen Lam Lake.....................................................................................65

i. Prenn Falls.................................................................................................................................65

j. Bao Loc and Dambri Waterfall...................................................................................................65

k. Cam Ly Waterfall........................................................................................................................65

l. Linh Son Pagoda.........................................................................................................................66

m. Linh Phong Pagoda.................................................................................................................66

n. Thien Vuong Co Sat Pagoda.......................................................................................................66

o. Truc lam Buddhist Pagoda.........................................................................................................66

1.1.1 Around....................................................................................................................................67

p. Valley of love.............................................................................................................................67

q. Lake of Sighs..............................................................................................................................67

r. Lang Bian Moutains and Lat Village...........................................................................................67

s. Dankia Lake and Suoi Vang........................................................................................................67

t. Da Nhim Lake and Ngoan Muc Pass...........................................................................................68

u. Phong Gua Waterfall..................................................................................................................68

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III. Festivals..........................................................................................68

a. Ma Festival, Co Ho - New Rice Ceremony..................................................................................68

b. Buffalo - Stabbing Festival..........................................................................................................68

c. Worship of Source of Spirit........................................................................................................69

d. Worship of the Water Spirit.......................................................................................................69

Binh Thuan.................................................................................................69

I. Information.........................................................................................69

Administrative divisions:..........................................................................69

Geography..............................................................................................69

Climate....................................................................................................70


Ethnic groups..........................................................................................70

Transportation.........................................................................................70

II. Tourist Attractios.............................................................................71

a. Duc Thanh School......................................................................................................................71

b. Hang pagoda (Co Thach)............................................................................................................71

c. Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda (or Ta Cu Mountain Pagoda)........................................................71

d. Van Thuy Tu...............................................................................................................................71

e. Po Sha Nu Tower........................................................................................................................72

f. Po Klong Moh Nai Temple.........................................................................................................72

g. Cham Royal Family Collection....................................................................................................72

h. Mui Ne Beach............................................................................................................................73

i. Phu Quy Island...........................................................................................................................73

j. Bau Trang...................................................................................................................................74

k. Suoi Tien....................................................................................................................................74

l. Vinh Hao - Tuy Phong Resort.....................................................................................................75

m. Hon Rom Tourist Area............................................................................................................75

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n. At Cu moutain............................................................................................................................75

III. Festivals..........................................................................................76

a. Ka Te Festival.............................................................................................................................76

b. Dinh Thay Thim Festival.............................................................................................................76

Ninh Thuan.................................................................................................76

I. Information.........................................................................................76

Geography..............................................................................................77

Climate....................................................................................................77

Tourism...................................................................................................77

Transportation.........................................................................................78

II. Tourist Attractions...........................................................................78

a. Po Klong Giarai Towers..............................................................................................................78

b. Porome Tower...........................................................................................................................78

c. Bau Truc Pottery Village.............................................................................................................79

d. Ca Na Beach...............................................................................................................................79

e. Ninh Chu Beach..........................................................................................................................80

f. Vinh Hy Bay................................................................................................................................80

g. Nui Chua National Park..............................................................................................................81

III. Festivals..........................................................................................81

a. Kate Ceremony..........................................................................................................................81

b. Cha Bun Ceremony....................................................................................................................82

c. Roya Indiladha Festivals.............................................................................................................82

d. Gia Rai Tribe Festival..................................................................................................................82

Khanh Hoa.................................................................................................82

I. Information.........................................................................................82

II. Tourist Attractios.............................................................................83

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a. Ponaga Cham Tower..................................................................................................................83

b. Nha Trang Cathedral..................................................................................................................84

c. Hon Chong Promontory.............................................................................................................84

d. Long Son Pagoda........................................................................................................................84

e. Institute of Oceanography.........................................................................................................84

f. Thap Ba Hot Spring Center.........................................................................................................85

Around Nha Trang......................................................................................85

g. Duc My Hot Spring.....................................................................................................................85

h. Tri Nguyen Fish Pond.................................................................................................................85

i. Nha Phu Bay...............................................................................................................................86

j. Tam Island..................................................................................................................................86

k. Mun Island.................................................................................................................................87

l. Vinpearl Land.............................................................................................................................87

m. Alexandre Yersin's Grave.......................................................................................................89

n. Fairy Stream...............................................................................................................................89

o. Ba Ho Stream.............................................................................................................................89

p. Truong Xuan Stream..................................................................................................................90

q. Dien Khanh Citadel....................................................................................................................90

Beaches...........................................................................................................................................90

r. Doc Let Beach............................................................................................................................90

s. Tru Beach...................................................................................................................................91

t. Đai Lanh Beach..........................................................................................................................91

u. Van Phong Bay...........................................................................................................................91

v. Nha Trang City...........................................................................................................................92

III. Festivals..........................................................................................92

a. Whale Festival............................................................................................................................92

b. Thap Ba Festival.........................................................................................................................92

c. Am Chua Festival.......................................................................................................................92

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VIET NAM Capital: Hanoi Currency: đồng (VND)

Population: 90,549,390 (2011 est.)

Electricity: 220V/50Hz (American plug in south, European plug in north)

Calling Code: +84

Time Zone: UTC +7

Vietnam (Việt Nam) , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Cộng hòa xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam) is a country in Southeast Asia. Its neighboring countries are China to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west.

HistoryVietnam's history is one of war, colonisation and rebellion. Occupied

by China no fewer than four times, the Vietnamese managed to fight off the invaders just as often. Even during the periods in history when Vietnam was independent, it was mostly a tributary state to China until the French colonisation. Vietnam's last emperors were the Nguyễn Dynasty, who ruled from their capital at Hue from 1802 to 1945, although France exploited the succession crisis after the fall of Tự Đức to de facto colonise Vietnam after 1884. Both the Chinese occupation and French colonisation have left a lasting impact on Vietnamese culture, with Confucianism forming the basis of Vietnamese social etiquette, and the French leaving a lasting imprint on Vietnamese cuisine.

After a brief Japanese occupation in World War II, the Communist Viet Minh under the leadership of Hồ Chí Minh continued the insurgency against the French, with the last Emperor Bao Dai abdicating in 1945 and a proclamation of independence following soon after. The majority of French had left by 1945, but in 1946 they returned to continue the fight until their decisive defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. The Geneva Conference partitioned the country into two at 17th parallel, with a Communist-led North

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and Ngo Dinh Diem declaring himself President of the Republic of Vietnam in the South.

The tank that ended the war, Ho Chi Minh City US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the Southern Vietnam government, escalating into the dispatch of 500,000 American troops in 1966 and what became known as the Vietnam War - although the Vietnamese refer to it as the American War. What was supposed to be a quick and decisive action soon degenerated into a quagmire, and U.S. armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, on April 30, 1975, a North Vietnamese tank drove into the South's Presidential Palace in Ho Chi Minh City and the war ended. An estimated 3 million Vietnamese and over 55,000 Americans were killed.

The American Vietnamese war was only one of many that the Vietnamese have fought, but it was the most brutal in its history. Over two thirds of the current population was born after 1975. American tourists will receive a particularly friendly welcome in Vietnam, as many young Vietnamese aspire to American culture.

PoliticsVietnam is a one party authoritarian state, with the President as the

Head of State, and the Prime Minister as the Head of Government. The Vietnamese legislature is the unicameral National Assembly, from which the Prime Minister is selected. In practice, the President's position is only ceremonial, with the Prime Minister wielding the most authority in government.

EconomyEconomic reconstruction of the reunited country has proven difficult.

After the failures of the state-run economy started to become apparent, the country launched a program of đổi mới (renovation), introducing elements of capitalism. The policy has proved highly successful, with Vietnam recording near 10% growth yearly (except for a brief interruption during the

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Asian economic crisis of 1997). The economy is much stronger than those of Cambodia, Laos, and other neighboring developing countries. Like most Communist countries around the world, there is a fine balance between allowing foreign investors and opening up the market.

There are extreme restrictions on foreigners owning property or attempting to sell. It is very difficult for them to trade without negotiating 'fees'. Business can be done via local partnerships with all the attendant risks.

Power and services is another issue. There are often 'rolling blackouts' when there is not enough electricity at times.For this reason, many shops have portable generators.

According to government estimates Vietnam sees 3.3m tourist arrivals each year. Vietnam has a return rate of just 5% compared to Thailand’s whopping 50%.

PeopleMost people in Vietnam are ethnic Vietnamese (Kinh), though there is

a sizable ethnic Chinese community in Ho Chi Minh City, most who are descended from migrants from Guangdong province and are hence bilingual in Cantonese or other Chinese dialects and Vietnamese. There are also numerous other ethnic groups who occupy the mountainous parts of the country, such as the Hmong, Muong, and Dao people. There's also a minority ethnic group in the lowlands near the border with Cambodia known as the Khmer Krom.

Buddhism, mostly of the Mahayana school, is the single largest religion in Vietnam, with over 80% of Vietnamese people identifying themselves as Buddhist. Catholicism is the second largest religion, followed by the local Cao Dai religion. Other Christian denominations, Islam, and local religions also share small followings throughout the southern and central areas.

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CultureDue to its long history as a tributary state of China, as well as several

periods of Chinese occupations, Vietnamese culture is heavily influenced by that of Southern China, with Confucianism forming the basis of Vietnamese society. The Vietnamese language also contains many loan words from Chinese, though the two languages are unrelated. Buddhism remains the single largest religion in Vietnam, though like in China but unlike in the rest of northern Southeast Asia, the dominant school of Buddhism in Vietnam is the Mahayana School.

Nevertheless, Vietnamese culture remains distinct from Chinese culture as it has also absorbed cultural elements from neighboring Hindu civilizations such as the Champa and the Khmer empires. The French colonization has also left a lasting impact on Vietnamese society, with baguettes and coffee remaining popular among locals.

ClimateVietnam is large enough to have several distinct climate zones.

• The south has three somewhat distinct seasons: hot and dry from Mar-May/Jun; rainy from Jun/Jul-Nov; and cool and dry from Dec-Feb. April is the hottest month, with mid-day temperatures of 33°C (91°F) or more most days. During the rainy season, downpours can happen every afternoon, and occasional street flooding occurs. Temperatures range from stifling hot before a rainstorm to pleasantly cool afterward. Mosquitoes are most numerous in the rainy season. Dec-Feb is the most pleasant time to visit, with cool evenings down to around 20°C (68°F).

• The north has four distinct seasons, with a comparatively chilly winter (temperatures can dip below 15°C/59°F in Hanoi), a hot and wet summer and pleasant spring (Mar-Apr) and autumn (Oct-Dec) seasons. However, in the Highlands both extremes are amplified, with occasional snow in the winter and temperatures hitting 40°C (104°F) in the summer.

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• In the central regions the Hai Van pass separates two different weather patterns of the north starting in Langco (which is hotter in summer and cooler in winter) from the milder conditions south starting in Danang. Northeast monsoon conditions Sep-Feb with often strong winds, large sea swells and rain make this a miserable and difficult time to travel through Central Vietnam. Normally summers are hot and dry.

HolidaysLunar New Year dates

The year of the Snake started on 10 February 2013

• 2014 Horse - 31 January

• 2015 Goat - 19 February

• 2016 Monkey - 8 February

By far the largest holiday is Tết — the Lunar New Year — which takes place between late January and March. In the period leading up to Tết, the country is abuzz with preparations. Guys on motorbikes rush around delivering potted tangerine trees and flowering bushes, the traditional household decorations. People get a little bit stressed out and the elbows get sharper, especially in big cities, where the usual hectic level of traffic becomes almost homicidal. Then a few days before Tết the pace begins to slow down, as thousands of city residents depart for their ancestral home towns in the provinces. Finally on the first day of the new year an abrupt transformation occurs: the streets

become quiet, almost deserted. Nearly all shops and restaurants close for three days, (the exception being a few that cater especially to foreign visitors; and hotels operate as usual.)

In the major cities, streets are decorated with lights and public festivities are organized which attract many thousands of residents. But for Vietnamese, Tết is mostly a private, family celebration. On the eve of the new year, families gather together and exchange good wishes (from more

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junior to more senior) and gifts of "lucky money" (from more senior to more junior). In the first three days of the year, the daytime hours are devoted to visiting -- houses of relatives on the first day, closest friends and important colleagues on the second day, and everyone else on the third day. Many people also visit pagodas. The evening hours are spent drinking and gambling (men) or chatting, playing, singing karaoke, and enjoying traditional snacks and candy (women and children.)

Visiting Vietnam during Tết has good points and bad points. On the minus side: modes of transport are jammed just before the holiday as many Vietnamese travel to their home towns; hotels fill up, especially in smaller towns; and your choice of shopping and dining is severely limited in the first days of the new year (with a few places closed up to two weeks). On the plus side, you can observe the preparations and enjoy the public festivities; pagodas are especially active; no admission is charged to those museums and historical sites that stay open; and the foreigner-oriented travel industry of backpacker buses and resort hotels chugs along as usual. Visitors also stand a chance of being invited to join the festivities, especially if you have some local connections or manage to make some Vietnamese friends during your stay. When visiting during Tết, it's wise to get settled somewhere at least two days before the new year, and don't try to move again until a couple of days after.

Lesser holidays include May 1, the traditional socialist labor day, september 2, Vietnam's national day, King Hung celebration on April 12th, commemorating past kings, and Liberation Day on April 30th, marking the fall of Saigon in 1975. Around those times, trains and planes tend to be sold out, and accommodations at the beach or in Dalat are hard to find. Best to book far in advance.

ItinaryThe term itinerary refers to the planned route for a journey especially

on the places one is expected to visit. It can also refer to an account of a journey or a travel document recording a journey.

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Complete travel schedule, as well as the itemized route of a means of transport.

Dentisnation, place: tourist attractions is where the focus a natural resource, human, economic, social or a separate building for tourism.

The region's tourism Vietnam

The region's tourism Vietnam partitioning criteria on the basis of route or destination based on the alignment and the similarities or tourist sites. Tourism Development Strategy for Vietnam 2020 divided into 7 zones instead of 3 tourist areas such as strategy until 2010, the tourist areas including the mountainous areas in the north, the Red River delta and the East Coast North, North Central, South Central coast, Central Highlands, Southeast and Southwest regions.

"Development Strategy of Vietnam's tourism in 2020, with a vision to 2030" has been prime minister Vietnam approved on 30/12/2011.

The partitioning criteria tourism (Vietnam)

Type a unique tourism product.

· Natural environmental conditions of travel.

· Environmental conditions humanities, especially the cultural heritage, history, traditions and festivals.

· Orientation for economic development - social development and urbanization level of per capita income.

· Conditions infrastructure, facilities engineering majors, especially hotel chains, restaurants, entertainment organization, travel and communications.

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The tourist areas in Vietnam

Midland, mountainous north region

Including Hoa Binh, Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang, Lang Son and Bac Giang associated with corridor and economic importance of border with China and Upper Laos

The key areas: TP. Lao Cai - Sa Pa - Fansipan; City. Dien Bien Phu and its vicinity; City. Lang Son Hung Temple and its vicinity, the ATK.

Red River delta and coastal Northeast region

Includes Hanoi and Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Thai Binh, Ha Nam, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, Hai Phong and Quang Ninh associated with key economic areas in the North.

The key areas: tourism of the quadrilateral is defined as follows: Hanoi - Quang Ninh - Ninh Binh and Hai Phong

North Central Region

Including the provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien - Hue system linked to international border with Laos, with tourism corridor and marine systems, central North Island.

The key areas: Hue and its vicinity; Kim Lien - Vinh - Cua Lo - Cau Treo.

South Central Coast Region

Including the provinces of Quang Nam, TP. Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan associated with the economy the central key, the system south central island.

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The key areas: Da Nang - Quang Nam, Nha Trang - Ninh Chu, Phan Thiet - Mui Ne.

The Central Highlands region

Including Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong association with Vietnam Development Triangle - Laos - Cambodia The key areas: Dalat city and its vicinity, TP. Buon Me Thuot and its vicinity; Coast Area Health-TX. Kon Tum - TP. Pleiku.

The Southeast region

Includes TP. Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh associated with the southern key economic and tourism corridors across Asia.

The key areas: Ho Chi Minh City - Tay Ninh, Vung Tau - Con Dao.

Southwest Region region

Including the provinces of Long An, Dong Thap, An Giang, Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, Tien Giang, Hau Giang and Can Tho city.

The key areas: Delta key economic region of Can Tho, An Giang, Kien Giang, Ca Mau, as well as a tour of the quadrilateral Mekong Delta.

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South central coast regionThe six coastal provinces of South-Central Viet Nam are all

surrounded by the imposing Truong Son Mountains on one sides and the East Sea on the other. The coast features many ports and beautiful beaches, such as Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Quy Nhon, Ninh Chu, and Sa Huynh. Offshore, there are also numerous islands of various sizes. Many short but beautiful rivers run through provinces and there are a lot of hot water springs. South-Central Viet Nam, more specifically Binh Dinh Province and Tam Quan District, is filled with coconut plantations.

This region possesses a large tourism potential due to the harmonious mingling of the sea and the mountains. But it also possesses a fascinating history since South-Central Viet Nam was one of the first areas in Viet Nam to be populated. The archaeological site in Sa Huynh shows that civilization began developing in this area during the Iron Age. Then, came the Cham whose kingdom reached its height between the 11th to 13th

centuries. Valuable historical relics of the exceptional Cham civilization can still be seen in the whole region. Visitors can visit Chau Sa Citadel (Quang Ngai) and Cham Towers, such as Po Nagar, Po Klong Garai and Porome. Cham sculptural works, such as statues of spirits, kings, queens, and dancers, demonstrate the skilful techniques and eminence in caving strong and imaginative ornamental designs.

The Cham culture still exits to this day. Cham people have continues to practice their old rites, such as the opening ceremonies before digging a channel, building a dike, blocking the source of a river, planting new rice and celebrating the new rice crop.

South-Central Viet Nam is also the native land of national hero Quang Trung who defeated and killed foreign invaders at Dong Da. Quang Trung also invented many martial dances and music for traditional Tay Son drums that are still played today. A museum dedicated to him can be visited in Binh Dinh Province.

Phu Yen

I. Information

Area: 5,060.6 sq. km. Population: 873.3 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Tuy Hoa City.

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Districts: Dong Xuan, Song Cau, Tuy An, Son Hoa, Tay Hoa, Dong Hoa, Song Hinh, Phu Hoa.

Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Cham, Ba Na, E De. Highlights: Da Dia Rapids, My A Beach, Buffalo-Stabbing Festival

of the Ba Na Phu Yen

Geography

Situated in South-Central Coast, Phu Yen shares border with Binh Dinh Province on the north, Khanh Hoa Province on the south, Dak Lak and Gia Lai provinces on the west and East Sea on the east.

The terrain is divided into two main area including mountain, hill, plain and more than 100km seaside.

Phu Yen has a quite diversified resources of land, forest, sea, rivers, lagoons, bays such as Cu Mong, Xuan Dai bays, O Loan, Vung Ro lagoons, Ba, Ky Lo, and Ban Thach rivers. Phu Yen owns Da Rang Bridge, the longest one in Central Vietnam.

Climate

Influenced by ocean climate, the weather here is hot with high humid and lots of rain. Annual average temperature is 26.5oC.

Tourism

Phu Yen has beautiful landscapes following: Nhan Tower on the northern bank of the Da Rang River. This was a place of worship for the Cham people dated in the late 11th to the early 12th centuries.

On the north, visitors are able to swim in My A Beach (Long Thuy), an incredibly beautiful beach with white sand and clear water under the shadows of coconut trees, or discover O Loan lagoon, Hon Chua, Hon Yen islands, Tien Beach, Da Trang Pagoda, and discover Da Dia Rapids with special 35,000 stone columns. On the south, there are Vung Ro Port, Ro Bay and Bac Deo Ca Natural Preservation that has rich of flora and fauna. The west of Phu Yen is Krong Trai National Preservation and Go Thi Thung Vestige. The most famous seafood dish form in this area is grilled blood clam.

Transportation

Tuy Hoa City is 120km from Nha Trang, and 561km from Ho Chi Minh City and 1,156km from Hanoi. National Highway No.1A and North-South

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Express Train run throw the province and stop at Tuy Hoa City. There are two flights a week from Ho Chi Minh City to Tuy Hoa Airport.

II. Tourist Attractions

a. Vung Ro and Nature Reserve

Vung Ro is in the south of Phu Yen Province, 25km from the city of Tuy Hoa on the National Highway. It is definitely one of the most beautiful seaside landscapes of Central Viet Nam. Surrounded by the Hon Ba Mountains, Vung Ro is an enclosed bay that is so deep it can receive ships weighing more than 10,000 tons. Along the coast, there are small, beautiful and attractive beaches, such as Hon Mua Beach.

Next to Vung Ro is Bac Deo Ca Nature Reserve, north of Ca Hill, which is a protected forest stretching across the Vong Phu Mountains. The forest, which covers an area of 8,780ha, has rich flora and fauna, including 191 species of plants, 22 animal species, and 55 species of birds. Some precious and rare animals, such as pheasants, red-faced monkeys, Tibetan bears, Malayan bears, pangolins, and panthers, also live in the forest.

b. Nhan Tower

Location: Nhan Tower is near to Nhan Mountain, on the northern bank of Da Rang River, close to National Highway 1A in Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province.

Characteristic: The tower has quadrilateral shape with four stories; the fourth story is smaller than the first one.

Nhan Tower was worship place of ancient Cham people in dated in the late 11st to the early 12nd centuries. The tower is 20m high; each side of the foot tower is 11m long. The middle gate sharp is with monsters on the top. This top is special one because it was harmoniously combined with the pyramidal symbol with linga symbol; one of Cham’s worships. During the French domination, the tower was nearly ruined. At the end of the year 1960, the tower was rebuilt by the administration of Diem’s regime. Nowadays, there is only a flat stone with the high of 1,30m and lotus flower carved at the foot of the stone. At the foot of Nhan Mountain, there is another stone on which were 3 ancient letters (the same Phan letter).The stone has square shape; each side is 5m wide. Nhan Tower is a symbol for the architectural art of Cham in Phu Yen Province.

(Source Skydoor.net)

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c. Long Thuy Beach

Located in An Phu Commune, Tuy An District, 12km north of Tuy Hoa City, Long Thuy Beach is an incredibly beautiful beach of white sand and clear water flowing under the shadows of coconut trees. From the beach, there are big islands visible in the distance. Among them, Hon Chua Island displays 22ha of beautiful landscapes and an ocean ecology that is favourable for sea exploration activities.

Travelling further to the north by boat, visitors will reach Hon Yen and Hon Lao Mai Nha Islets. These places are beautiful scenery as well as diversify marine ecosystem.

d. Dam O loan

O Loan (Ôloan), a brackish water lagoon which is right at the end of Quan Cau (Quán Cau) pass, is very near the national highway 1A. It is 22-km away from Tuy Hoa (Tuy Hòa) city. This is the famous place for its historical movement named Can Vuong (Cần Vương) in Phu Yen (Phú Yên) province.

(Source Skydoor.net)

e. Da Dia Rapids

The Da Dia Rapids is located in An Ninh Dong Commune, Tuy An District, 80km north of Tuy Hoa City, close to the sea. These strangely structured rocks include large upright stones equally arranged in a star pattern.

There is a also a pile of dark cylin-drical stones,half immersed in the water. It is stimated that there are 35,000 stone columns; each one is 60-80cm high. In the middle of the rapids, there is a small fissure filled with rain and sea water and containing blue, red, violet and yellow fish. Around the fissure, rocks stick out at odd angles. The waves break into white foam as they wash up on the rocks. In front of the rapids, there is a large and deep cave. This cave can hold up to 100 people.

This site is quite difficult to reach, as the landscape is still wild and primitive. Visitors can visit Da Dia Rapids all year round, except the rainy day and the storm sea. The rapids have been listed as a National Heritage Site by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

(Source VN Guide)

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f. Tu Quang Pagoda

Tu Quang Pagoda was built in 1797, under Emperor Quang Toan of the Tay Son Dynasty on the slopes of Da Trang Mountain in An Dan Commune, Tuy An District, 20km north of Tuy Hoa City.

Also called Da Trang Pagoda, it is one of the most well-known pagodas in Phu Yen. Founded by Buddhist monk Phap Chuyen of the Lam Te faction, the pagoda is currently run by the tenth generation of Lam Te Buddhist monks.

Facing the Cai River, it stands on an area approximately 100m high, which was once the capital of Phu Yen Province in the 17th century. There is a treacherous road paved with stepping-stones leading to the gate of the pagoda. The pagoda was honoured by the emperor in 1889, and burnt to a cinder in 1929. It was then rebuilt with funds raised by numerous Buddhists from provinces throughout central Viet Nam. In 1988, the sanctum of the Da Trang Pagoda was restored.

Behind the sanctum is a tower yard and a worshipping house for ancestors. The towers are carved with ornamental images, including the four sacred animals (dragon, unicorn, turtle, and phoenix). Surrounding the pagoda is an ancient green garden of mango trees. The Da Trang mango is a special product of Phu Yen known for its sweet smell and delicious taste.

(Source VN Guide)

III. Festivals

a. Buffalo-Stabbing Festival

3 days & 3 nights of the 2nd to the 3rd lunar month.The Buffalo-Stabbing Festival of the Ethnic Group in Son Hoa, Song

Hinh, Dong Xuan districts annually takes place in 3 days and 3 nights at the time from the 2nd to the 3rd lunar month. It is the most important, and probably the most tradition. It is held to thank the god of village, thank the Heaven and Earth of the people living in the east of the Truong Son Mountains. The Buffalo-Stabbing Festival is also the ritual of thanksgiving Water Deity, Mountain Deity after they have overcome great disasters, such as crop failure, illness, and the death of domestic animals.

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b. Horse Racing Festival

Horse Racing Festival 4th of the 1St lunar monthEvery year the Horse Racing Festival, takes place at the An Xuan

Commune, Tuy An District. The festival both is a competition among the men in the village and also bears the martial spirit of villagers, expressing their bravery to cope with nature.

Binh Dinh

I. Information

Area: 6,039.6 sq. km. Population: 1,489.7 thousand habitants (April 2009) Capital: Quy Nhon City. Districts: An Lao, Hoai An, Hoai Nhon, Phu My, Phu Cat, Vinh Thanh,

Tay Son, Van Canh, An Nhon, Tuy Phuoc. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Cham, Ba Na, Hre.

Geography

Binh Dinh is located on the coast of Central Vietnam. It is surrounded by Quang Ngai in the north, Phu Yen in the south, Gia Lai in the west, and the East Sea in the east with the coastline of 100km and some island offshore. The topography is divided in four regions: highlands, midlands, plains, and coast.

Climate

The annual average temperature varies between 26 and 280C. It is hottest in August and coldest in January. The annual average rainfall is 1,700mm- 1,800mm. The rainy season lasts from August to December.

Tourism and Economy

The long coast with many coves and lochs makes many beautiful spots and beaches such as Phuong Mai Peninsula, Queen, Quy Hoa and Ghenh Rang beaches. Besides these, Ham Ho Valley is a beautiful fresh water spot as a change for visitors who prefer tramping in the bush and a swim in the fresh water stream.

Binh Dinh is famous as the centre of the old Sa Huynh Culture. It used to be established as one of the capital cities of the former Cham

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Kingdom for a long period. The popular Cham towers are Banh It, Duong Long, Canh Tien, and Doi. Binh Dinh has special products such as silk, swallow nest, shrimp, fish, precious wood, vegetable oil, rice, marble, titanium, and handicraft articles.

Ethnic groups

Binh Dinh is homeland of national hero, Quang Trung- Nguyen Hue. His name can be related to the great Tay Son Uprising and the glorious victories over the forceful invaders of Chinese and Siam. Binh Dinh is cradle of Tuong opera (hat boi), Tay Son martial music, bai choi musical plays, ba trao festival music of the littoral people, and especially Tay Son wasted sect. The traditional festivals are Tay Son, Ca Ong, An Thai Village and Thi Tu Village.

Transportation

Road: Binh Dinh is 1,065km from Hanoi and is accessible either by car, train, or plane. Quy Nhon is 174km from Quang Ngai, 186km from Pleiku, 223km from Buon Ma Thuot, 238km from Nha Trang, 304km from Danang and 677km from Ho Chi Minh City. There are National Highways No. 1A and 19.

Bus: There are buses departing to Dalat, Danang, Hanoi, Hue, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, and others.

Air: Phu Cat Airport is 30km north of Quy Nhon. There are flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Quy Nhon everyday and flights between Danang and Quy Nhon twice a week.

Train: The Thong Nhat Express Train runs from the North to the South through the province. It stops at Dieu Tri, 11km from Quy Nhon.

Water: The province has Quy Nhon Port, an important port of South- Central Coast.

II. Tourist attractions

Cham Towers

a. Doi Tower (Hung Thanh Tower)

Located at Dong Da Ward, Quy Nhon City, 3km from the city center, the Doi Tower site was built in the late 12th century and early 13th. Here, there are 2 towers of 18m and 20m in height respectively. Both of them

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have got a special structure different from traditional, multi-storey towers. They are composed of two main parts: the square-shaped body and the similarly curved roof.

b. Banh It Tower

Located at the high hill in Dai Loc Hamlet, Phuoc Hiep Commune, Tuy Phuoc District, 25km from Qui Nhon City. The Banh It Tower site now includes 4 towers: Main Tower, Nam (South) Tower, Cong (Gate) Tower, and Dong (East) Tower. The Main Tower is 22m in height. The architecture of Banh It Tower bears the Binh Dinh sculptural style of 12th century with small, embossed lines on the walls. Leaf- and flower-shaped motifs are only found on edges of the roofs, and dancing senses are found on false gates. Carvings of dancing girls and many valuable sculptures such as the stone statue of Siva, statue of Ganesa, statue of goddess Uma, and bronze statue of Bhahma, were discovered here in the French domination period (and brought to France).

The Banh It Tower has got specific architectural characteristics and is one of the great temple-towers of the Champa Kingdom, which draw the attention of researchers.

c. Canh Tien Tower

The tower is located in the place used to be the middle of the Do Ban Citadel in Nhon Hau Commune, An Nhon District, and 27km northwest of Quy Nhon City. The 20m-high tower has got a square base and several stories built of bricks. In the distance, it looks like two wings of a fairy flying up to the sky. This is one of the towers of typical Binh Dinh architectural style (dating back to the 12th century). Its structure is composed of the front hall and shrine (now, the front hall has collapsed). The outer walls are decorated with pilasters and vertical, protruding frames. Different from other Cham Towers, the pilasters and edges of the roofs of Canh Tien Tower are built of sandstone. At the four corners of each tower's storey are stone motifs of phoenix tail.

d. Duong Long Tower

The tower is located at Go Gang, Binh Hoa Commune, Tay Son District, 40km from Quy Nhon City and 270km from Da Nang City.

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Duong Long is a group of the three biggest of the existing Cham Towers. The highest tower, 24m high, is in the middle. This group with a very beautiful architectural design was built in the late 12th century.

The tower's body is built of bricks. The corners have got motifs with stone carvings of sacred animals such as Garuda birds, elephants, and eagles. Its gate faces the east and is built on a 1.5m-high base and the gate's frame is made of big stones. Its upper part is built of big stones, which are skillfully superimposed on each other. Many big, body leaf-shaped bas embossments describing monks, dancers and singers are found on the walls. These figures with rather big heads wear corner hats. Especially, the top of the tower looks like a great lotus with its rising petals.

All the decorative motifs of the tower are very big and carved on sandstone. They are well-preserved. This tower complex is one of the most beautiful in Central Viet Nam.

e. Quang Trung Museum

This museum is dedicated to Nguyen Hue (Quang Trung), a national hero of the 18th century. The museum was built in his native village of Kien My in Binh Thanh Commune, Tay Son District, 45km from Qui. Nhon, and 5km off the highway.

Nguyen Hue was one of the three brothers who led the Tay Son Insurrection. In 1788, he led his troops from Phu Xuan (Hue) to the north. It took them 35 days and nights to reach Thang Long (Ha Noi), where they defeated 290,000 Chinese invaders, thereby liberating the royal capital. He declared himself Emperor Quang Trung the same year.

Visiting Quang Trung Museum, visitors will enjoy the music and demonstrations of Vo Tay Son, a traditional martial art of Binh Dinh. A display of Emperor Quang Trung 9th generation's niece playing the 11 battle drums can also be seen.

f. Hoang De Citadel (Do Ban Citadel)

The Hoang De Citadel is located 27km northwest of Quy Nhon City in Nhon Hau Commune, An Nhon District. The citadel was built at the end of the 10th century, during the reign of Emperor Yangpuku Vijaaya. This was the last capital of the Champa Kingdom where the Cham Kings lived between the 11th and the 15th centuries. Several pieces of stone walls, moats, and granite-tiled roads remain from the Citadel.

Inside the Citadel, there are ancient Cham remains, such as square wells and statues of small lions and elephants. Next to the back door is

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Thap Thap Hill (Ten Tower Hill), on which there are ten Cham Towers. Of note is the 20m-high Canh Tien Tower with white-stone statues of a snake, two elephants, and monsters on the corners. There are many remains and objects related to Cham culture and the Tay Son movement in Thap Thap Di Da Pagoda and Nhan Thap Pagoda, two ancient pagodas situated to the north and south of the citadel.

In 1778, Nguyen Nhac proclaimed himself the Central Emperor. He established the capital, which he named Hoang De Citadel, expanded the citadel to the east, and built many grand monuments. In 1799, the citadel was occupied by the Nguyen Dynasty, and rebap-tized Binh Dinh Citadel. In 1814, the Nguyen Dynasty destroyed the old citadel and built a new one about 5km south of the old citadel.

g. Long Khanh Pagoda

Located in the centre of the city of Quy Nhon, Long Khanh Pagoda was built during the 18th century under the reign of Emperor Le Du Tong. During that time, Buddhism was preached there.

Today, the pagoda still preserves two valuable objects from the reign of Emperor Gia Long: Thai Binh Hong Chung (Thai Binh bell) cast in 1805, and a seal engraved with the words "Long Khanh Tu" in 1813.

h. Ham Ho (Hầm hô) Tourist Spot

Ham Ho is located in Phu My Hamlet, Tay Phu Commune, Tay Son District, about 50km north-west of Quy Nhon City. This is a 3km long complex of spring, waterfalls, lakes, rivers and canals along Kon River's lower branch. This region is called Ham Ho (Ho means call) because of cult of genii (wind call) to pray for rain.

With the width of 30m, the river's bed is full of gleaming and bright granite stones like, millions of diamonds in the green and clear water. The stones seem alive and meaning full because of legends such as Jar of Wine (Hon Vo Ruou), Footprints of Giants (Hon Dau Chan Ong Khong Lo), Fairy Chess Board (Ban Co Tien)... Along the riverside tourist will see Thanh Mountain which looks like a wall covered with green moss and ancient roots.

Ham Ho is also famous for variety of fishes, especially during flood seasons when fishes from Kon River gather here to cross the waterfall and swim upstream to Da Han (Đá Hàn), the source of the river for breeding. Old legend said that every year the Deity of Water held an examination of the fishes' climbing-up-waterfall capabilities in Ham Ho. The fishes that

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courageously passed the examination woudl transform into dragons. Because of this legend, the Ham Ho Waterfall is also called Ca Bay (Flying Fish) Waterfall.

One of the most interesting timesto visit is when the Loc Vung ornamental trees (lecythidales) come into flower.

The nature here creates a lively and fanciful drawing and is an ideal place for tourist to relax. Tourists can go boating and fishing, walk in the forest, swim or just relax in one of the stilt houses on the banks of the river. Adventurers can kayak on the river, or take a ride in a small canoe.

To sample the regional culinary specialties tourists should taste fried fish served with Loc Vung leaves, chim mia a kind of bird, forest vegetables and a type of snail that lives in the rocks.

On the left side right at the entrance to Ham Ho, there is a temple worshipping forefathers Le Kim Boi and Le Kim Bang who established Ham Ho. Every year, on the 20th day of the first lunar month, there is a solemn ritual of the locals to commemorate their forefathers and that day also becomes the festival of 'Ham Ho.

i. Hoi Van Hot Spring

Hoi Van village in Phu Cat District, 50km from Quy Nhon, is well known for its hot spring. The temperature of the water is 76°C (168.8°F) and is composed of various mineral components useful for the treatment of cardiovascular and skin diseases, rheumatism, and mental disorders. In addition to the hot spring, there is also a sanatorium that offers steam baths in mineral water at 38°C (100.4°F).

j. Rang Cliff

A virgin picturesque area, Rang Cliff is situated south of Quy Nhon City, 3km from the downtown. It is a part of Vung Chua Mountain jutting out into the sea and forming a charming landscape.

The path to Rang Cliff is treacherous, with wild flowers growing low clinging to tourists. Rang Cliff Beach is a picture of rocks, sea waves.

The beach is lined with scattering rocks; it turns out to be a golden sand beach at low tide. In the early 19th century, Queen Nam Phuong would bath and relax there. There are many rocks weathered by waves scattering all over an immense beach. At the low tide, a yellow sand ground is exposed. At the foot of Rang Cliff, there are a lot of egg-shaped rocks polished by waves and a gently-sloping beach protected by a natural rocky wall. In the early 20th century, this was the reserved beach for Queen Nam

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Phuong (King Bao Dai's wife), so it was called "Queen Beach". At that time, the king had a ship-shaped pleasure-house built here.

Rang Cliff is marvelous for its vermilion twilight and moonlit nights amid the vast water and sky. The path to Rang Cliff passes by the modest grave of poet Han Mac Tu. Looking at the dazzlingly yellow chrysanthemums, visitors may feel full of pity for the miserable life of this talented poet. The grave all the year round is drenched in sunlight, clouds, winds, moonlight and the murmurs of the sea.

III. Festivals

a. Tay Son Festival

5th day of the 1st lunar monthThe Tay Son Festival is held annually for seven days in Nghi Binh

Commune, Tay Son District. The main day of the festival is the 5 th day of the 1St lunar month, which is the second day of the festival.

The festival is organized to honour the leaders of the Tay Son movement, Vietnamese hero Quang Trung in particular, and to celebrate the Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da victory in 1789 in which 290,000 Qing soldiers from China were defeated.

In addition to the traditional ceremony, the festival involves many cultural folk activities of the Vietnamese people, such as the Viet and the Ba Na. There are many martial art performances, such as playing with fighting sticks and quyen (a Vietnamese form of Kung Fu, a system of unarmed combat using the hands and feet as weapons).

This festival features a drum competition in which 12 leather drums called the Tay Son fighting drums are played while an imitative battle is simultaneously acted out to relive the Tay Son movement that occurred many years ago in Tay Son-Binh Dinh Province.

b. Thi Tu Vilage Festival

12th day of the 2nd lunar monthThi Tu Village, belonging to Dap Da Small Town, An Nhon District, is

famous for its traditional lifestyle that includes iron forging and gold carving. The annual festival of the Thi Tu Village is held in honour of Dao Gia Tuong, the blacksmith master who taught his art to the villagers. The festival takes place at the Dao Family Temple. After the worshipping ceremony, there are many games and songs and lots of music.

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c. Do Gian Festival

15th day of the 7th lunar monthDo Gian Festival is celebrated in Ba Pagoda located in An Thai

Village, An Nhon District. This is also when the traditional boxing competition in An Nhon District takes place. There are various kinds of cultural activities throughout the festival, including boi singing, (classical drama). The main part of the festival is the boxing competition between opponents from different villages. The winner receives a roasted pig to take back to his village where he is then honoured.

Quang Ngai

I. Information

Capital: Quang Ngai city Ethnic groups: Viet(Kinh), Hre, Co, Xo Dang Highlights: Chau Sa citadel, Sa Huynh and My Khe beaches, Son My

site

Geography

Located on South-Central Vietnam, Quang Ngai borders Quang Nam Province on the north, Binh Dinh Province on the south, Kon Tum Province on the west and East Sea on the east with 135km seaside.

The province is surrounded by Truong Son Mountains on one side and the East Sea on the other. As a result, the topography includes mountains, plains, seaside and offshore islands. The main rivers are Tra Khuc, Tra Bong, and Ve rivers.

Climate

The rain season lasts from September to December. It is hot between April and August and the weather is cold from January to March. Annual average temperature is 260C.

Tourism

Quang Ngai is famous for the cultural vestiges of Chau Sa Citadel, Ong and Mai Son pagodas. The beautiful landscapes are An Mountain, Thien An Mountain and Tra Khuc River, Co Luy Commune under coconut trees, Sa Huynh and My Khe beaches.

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Sa Huynh Beach is well-known with clear water, golden sand and pine trees. My Khe Beach is the most beautiful beach in Central Vietnam. It has fine white powdery sand, gently waves and poplars forest.

Coming to there, tourists have chance to visit old battlefields with popular names like Ba To, Tra Bong, Ba Gia, Van Tuong and Son My.

Transportation

Quang Ngai City is 100km from Hoi An, 131km from Danang, 174km from Qui Nhon, 238km from Hue, 860km from Ho Chi Minh City, and 889km from Hanoi. National Highway No.1A and North-South Express Train runs through the province. National Highway No.24A links Quang Ngai to Central Highlands and Laos.

II. Tourist attracions

a. Chau Sa Citadel

The imposing Chau Sa citadel was built in the 9th century and has been almost completely preserved. Surrounded by two 5m high walls, the citadel is simulated north of the Tra estuary, a rich agricultural region and a busy pottery - trading center of the Champa Kingdom during the 9th century. In Chau Sa Citadel are remains of Con Luy Tower. The 25m high walls of the tower jut out of the sea to protect Chau Sa Citadel.

b. Thien An Moutain and Tra Khuc River

Near the Tra Khuc Bridge, on the bank of the Tra Khuc River, stands Thien An Mountain. There is a spiral path shaded by Banyan trees leading up from the foot of the mountain. At the top of Thien An mountain, there is a great view of the Tra Khuc River and the surrounding landscapes.

c. Son My Site

The site was built in 1976 in Tu Cung Hamlet, Tinh Khe Commune, Son Tinh District, in memory of the civillians who were killed during the American War. It is located in the land where the American troops cruelly massacred the local people on the morning of 16 March 1968.

Here, 504 innocent people were killed cruelly in many forms such as being shot to dead, killed by grenades, or thrown into wells. Most of them were old people, women, and children.

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Crossing the entrance gate, at the end of the lane, visitors will see the main memorial with spiraling incense smoke. On its pedestal, there are the statutes of victims showing their utmost pain before dead.

On the two sides of the entrance, there are many small statutes describing various position of the ill-fated victims.

The House of Evidence lies on the left of the entrance. In the front and around the House are trimmed trees in the shape of tomb. The exhibits in the House documents, photos, and objects which testify to the massacre such as shirts, a pair of sandal of a killed child, all kinds of cups and plates, cookers and pans holed by cartridge, and wooden bells used for reciting prayers. All of them stir deep feelings in the visitors.

Outside the House of Evidence, there is a waterway on which 170 people were killed, 24 house foundations with 24 stelae dedicated to 24 families whose members were all massacred. On each stele, the name and age of the victims are listed. There are some stelae scattering over the hamlets at places where massacres occurred. At My Hoi Hamlet, Co Luy Commune, there is a stele lying among luxuriant coconut trees and listing the names of 97 killed villagers in massacre.

At the Son My Site visitors have a chance to review the evidences and think of the utmost suffering of the innocent victims of war. The Son My Site welcomes all visitors every day, especially foreigners who are increasing in number. Many American veterans come here to confess their sin towards the ill-fated victims, or to express their sympathy towards their painful losses caused to the local population by their action. Many of them show their shame and repentance.

d. Ly Son Island

Ly Son Island, formerly known as Re Island, is also a district of Quang Ngai Province with a total area of about 10 km2 including 3 communes of An Vinh, An Binh and An Hai, about 24km from the mainland. Ly Son Island contains big potential for tourism and valuable materials. In addition, the island is distinguished for its vast garlic fields, hence also called the kingdom of garlic.

The wild and gigantic beauty of rock mountains on Ly Son, such as Thoi Loi, Gieng Tien, Hon Vung, Hon Soi and Hoi Tai, is the island’s pride. Looking down from mountains, tourists will be overwhelmed by the spectacular colorful scenery with immense fields of green grass in the pan-shaped valley and a whole word of colors form the blue ocean, white sand, and red basalt soil to the green garlic fields.

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Moreover, Ly Son is a lively museum of legends, stories, folk songs, spiritual festivals… This used t be the departure point of the naval task group that protected the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands under the Nguyen Dynasty. Khao le the linh Hoang Sa (Hoang Sa Troop Feasting Festival) is a unique rite merely practiced on Ly Son Island by household/families whose relatives enlisted the Hoang Sa – Truong Sa naval task group to protect the territorial waters and seek for sea treasures. Annually those families hold the festival from the 10th to the 20th day of the second lunar month – the moment the Hoang Sa troops were ready to go offshore. And this festival is also organized at Am Linh Tu on the 15th and the 16th days of third lunar month. In addition, there exists in the island the traditional boat-racing festival held yearly from the 4th to the 7th day of the first lunar month, beside An Hai Fastival, Whale Worship Festival, Doi Bong Festival…

Nowadays, Ly Son Island is an attractive destination for tourists where occupies unique natural landscapes as well as many cultural relics including temples, tombs and pagodas.

e. Sa Huynh beach

Sa Huynh Beach lies close to National Highway 1, in Pho Thanh Commune, Duc Pho District, 60km south of Quang Ngai City, making it an ideal location for tourism. It is a beautiful beach with clear water, golden sand, and pine trees. From here, visitors can go on executions to Liet Son Lake and the nearby mountains, which are home to a great number of monkeys.

Nowadays, hotels and resorts have been built in the area of Sa Huynh Beach to provide travelers with places to stay and relax by the sea while exploring the wild and splendid landscape.

f. My Khe beach

Located 15km from the city of Quang Ngai in Tinh Khe Commune, Son Tinh District, My Khe Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Central Viet Nam. It is approximately 8km long and has fine white powdery sand gently waves. Close to swimming beach and along the coast is the poplars forest with the age of 15 - 20 years creating a green space of hundreds hectares running along the internal tourist area with the direction of South-North. My Khe Tourist Site is located in this area, 15km north-east of Quang Ngai city, 16km south of Dung Quat seaport and industrial zone,

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14 nautical miles west of Ly Son Island. My Khe Tourist Site is the center of Quang Ngai city - Dung Quat - Ly Son.

On the way to My Khe Beach, visitorscan stop at Son My, a village destroyed by the Americans during the war. A monument was built here in memory of civilians who were killed.

g. Sa Huynh archaeological relics

Sa Huynh Archaeological relics, about 60km south of Quang Ngai City, lies on the coastal line of Sa Huynh in the area of Pho Thanh and Pho Khanh communes, Duc Pho District.

Sa Huynh Archaeological relics were found for the first time by French archaeologist M.Vinet in 1909. This is a large area densely buried with jar graves of Sa Huynh culture residents, which dated back over 2,000 years. The jar-shaped coffins vary in sizes and shapes such as pillar-shaped or egg-shape… Some of the jars have the of 1.8 metre high, 1 metre in diameter but most of which are under 1 meter high and around 0.5-0.6 metre in diameter. Inside the jars were buried many articles such as bells, bracelets, iron knives, axes, agate chains, nephrite earrings, ceramic wares likes panes, bowls, vases decorated with diverse patterns.

A bif archaeological excavation, which was carried out by Vietnamese Institute if Historical Research in 1978, revealed 114 objects made of stone, bone, iron…offering new insights into the birth and development progress of Sa Huynh culture.

New archaeological sites of Sa Huynh culture have been continuously discovered and various objects have been found… These relics are proving their strong attractiveness to many domestic and foreign tourists, researches and scientists.

III. Festival

Nghinh Ong Festival

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Central highlands regionThe Central Highlands (Tay Nguyen) are a region of plateaus in

South Central Viet Nam. It is where the past and the present unite, a land of mysterious mountains and forests where gongs can be heard, a world of customs that fascinate generations of anthropologists.

It is a region of rolling mountains, forests, and immense coffee and rubber plantations that are divided into three levels of land called high plateaus, including Kon Turn, Dak Lak and Lang Biang. Endowed with a cool and pleasant climate, the city of Da Lat became a hill station for the French. It is a favourite destination for Vietnamese lovers.

The climate is divided into two distinct seasons. The rainy season lasts from May to October, and the dry season from November to April. The lowest temperature is 18°C and the highest is 25°C.

The area is accessible by plane from either Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh City, and there are bus services to Buon Ma Thuot and Pleiku. The area can also be reached by car. The road passes by many remains and sites, including Cham Towers and Ngoan Muc Pass.

Kon Tum

I. Information

Capital: Kon Turn City Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Xo Dang, Ba Na, Gie Trieng, Ra Glai Highlights: Ba Na Village, Nha Rong (Communal House) Area: 9,690.5 sq. km. Population: 383.1 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Kontum Town. Districts: Dak Glei, Ngoc Hoi, Dak To, Kon Ray, Kon Plong, Dak Ha,

Tu Mo Rong, Sa Thay. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Xo Dang, Ba Na, Gie Trieng, Ra Glai...

Geography

Kontum is on Central Highlands. It shares border with Laos, Cambodia on the west, Quang Nam Province on the north, Quang Ngai Province on the east and Gia Lai Province on the south.

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On the north, there is highest granite mountain region in Southern Vietnam with Ngoc Linh 2,598m and Ngoc Phan 2,251m. It is source of Tranh, Thu Bon, Tra Khuc, Ba rivers.

Forest covers 50% total of Kontum area with valuable wood, rare birds. Basalt soil is suitable to plan rubber, coffee, tea, sugar cane. The province has 26,000ha grassland that gives good condition to raise cattle.

Climate

Kontum has feature climate of Central Highland. That is tropical monsoon one. There are two seasons. The rain season lasts from May to October. The dry season lasts from November to April next year.

Annual average temperature is 23.4oC. Annual average rainfall is 1,884mm.

Tourism

Coming to Kontum, visitors enjoy mountainous landscapes like Ngok Linh Mountain, Chu Mon Ray Primitive Forest, Dak Tre Tourist Site, and Dak To Hot Spring. Tourists are interesting in historical relics such as Kontum Former Prison, Dak Glei Prison, Ho Chi Minh Trail, Dak To, Tan Canh Battle Field.

Visitors would observe beautiful wooden stilt houses in Ba Na villages and Communal House (Nha Rong) that only be found in villages on the north of the Central Highlands.

Ethnic groups

Ethnic minorities make up 51% population of Kontum. Most of them are Ba Na, Xo Dang, Gie Trieng, Gia Rai, B'Rau, and Ro Man. They work on fields in the mountains.

Kontum has colorful, diversified culture of ethnic groups. Their customs are unique with special traditional festivals like cong chieng (gongs), buffalo stabling, leaving- the- tomb, new rice festivals.

Transportation

Kontum is 246km from Buon Ma Thuot, 215km from Quy Nhon, 49km from Pleiku. National Highway No.14 runs from west of Quang Nam, vie Kontum Town, then to Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Ho Chi Minh City. National Highway No.24 connects Kontum to Quang Ngai(Source: vacationtravel.com.vn)

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II. Tourist attraction

a. Kon Tum Wooden Church

The Kon Turn Wooden Church, located on Nguyen Hue Street, Kon Turn City, is a unique architecture of wooden materials and good fine-arts.

The church was built from 1913 to 1918, initiated by a French priest, with hundreds of cubic meters of such high-quality wood as rose-wood and ca chit, a valuable wood once growing in abundance across the Central Highlands but rather rare these days. The church's architecture combines Roman and Gothic arches and features of Viet Nam's Central Highlands styles. The whole structure stands one meter above the ground on wooden pillars like many hill tribes' houses and communal houses (Nha Rong). The church's inside was also decorated in the Central Highlands style to make it suitable to the traditional culture of the people in the region.

The church stands on a vast area with various closed-loop works: church, lounge, exhibition centre of ethnic groups and religions, communal house. Besides, there are also an orphanage, a brocade weaving and sewing facility and a carpentry workshop.

The church is not only a place of worship for Catholics but also a cultural and tourist site for visitors to Kon Turn.

b. Kon Tum Former Prison (Nguc Kon Tum)

Kon Turn Prison is located in the western part of the City of Kon Turn. The prison was built by the French to detain patriotic revolutionaries.

Since 1975, the end of the war, Kon Turn Prison has been a historical vestige of Viet Nam. It has been badly damaged over the years and now only one stele and eight graves of revolutionary combatants remain.

c. Commural House (Nha Rong)

The Communal House (Nha Rong) can only be found in villages to the north of the Central Highlands. It is a large, imposing, beautifully decorated stilt house built in the middle of the village. It is the meeting place for all the villagers on the occasion of important events such as let celebrations, village festivals, wedding ceremonies, or praying ceremonies. It is also the place for reception of guests.

Nha Rong of each ethnic group has its own architectural style, design, and decor. Yet there are shared features. In the village, it is often

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the biggest house roofed with yellow-dried gianh leaves and having 8 big wood columns. The rafters are decorated with patterns of bright colours, depicting religious scenes, legendary stories about ancient heroes, stylized animals, and other familiar things of the village life. The most salient feature of the decor of Nha Rong is the image of the brilliant Sun deity.

Nha Rong is a symbol of the culture of Central Highlanders, an age-old and stable culture. The bigger the Nha Rong, the wealthier and the stronger the village. It is a pride of the whole village.

d. Ba Na Village

There are several Ba Na minority groups living in Kon Turn, or more generally in the Central Highlands, including the Ba Na Kon Turn, Ba Na Go La, and Ba Na Na Ko. Each group resides in a different area. Visitors to a Ba Na village will observe beautiful wooden stilt houses. The staircases leading to the houses are made from tree trunks; each step meticulously chiselled by the skilled Ba Na men.

The Ba Na ethnic group was the first among the minorities of the Central Highlands to write, and to use buffaloes and cows to plough their fields. Nevertheless, their lifestyle has remained primitive. The Ba Na is nationally famous for their hunting skills. Like other ethnic minorities, the Ba Na people keep fires burning in the middle of their houses. Family members and friends sit around the fire to drink, eat, and talk. The fire also keeps the house warm.

Men sometimes have a scar on their chest. It is a result of a wound inflicted on themselves with fire in sign of sorrow when one of their close relatives dies.

e. Chu Mon Ray National Park

Chu Mom Ray National Park, located at the T-junction of Indochina, adjacent to two nature reserves of Laos and Cambodia, has an area of 56,621 ha, belonging to Sa Thay and Ngoc Hoi Districts, about 30km to the northwest of Kon Turn City.

This park is one of places that have the most ancient flora in Viet Nam. According to surveys, there are about 508 species of trees, belonging to 324 genera, 115 families. In terms of fauna, there are many species of mammal such as elephants, bulls, and birds including 352 ones of vertebrata on land. There exists a number of extremely valuable and rare animals such as: forest buffalo, Banteng bull, gayal, and even grey cow, etc.

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Chu Mom Ray National Park boasts imposing and wild special natural landscapes. Diversified natural resources of flora, fauna definitely bring a lot of funs and enjoyment to tourists and scientific researchers. In addition, coming here tourists will have chance to visit villages where are home to ethnic groups such as Ro Mam, Gia Rai, Brau.

f. Mang Den Ecotourist Zone

The Mang Den Ecotourist Zone lies in Kon Plong District, about 50km northeast of Kon Turn City, at about 1,200m above the sea level. Year-round, it has average temperature of 18-20°C. Thanks to these features, the Mang Den Ecotourist Zone has earned the fame as the second Da Lat tourist city" in the . Central Highlands.

The name Mang Den is transcribed from the word 'T'mang Deeng' of the Mo Nam ethnic people ("T'mang" means a flat land and "Deeng" means a residential area). The land is blessed with scenic landscapes and mild weather year round. It nestles amidst primitive forests and a large area grown with age-old pine trees, spotted by natural lakes, waterfalls and springs.

Living in the area are mainly the Mo-nam and Ca-dong ethnic people who have well preserved their authentic lifestyle, distinctive culture and customs, and traditional crafts as they were. These ethnic minorities have often settled down nearby lakes, waterfalls or rivers, building their stilted houses and "Nha Rong" (the communal house in the Highlands) next to slash-and-burn rice and food crops.

III. Festivals

a. Bo Ma Festival

This funeral ceremony of the Gia Rai, Ba Na and E De minorities is organised at the cemetery a few years after a death and lasts from two to five days. This ceremony is the last step in accompanying the dead to the other world and is considered to be the most important step in the burial process. After this ceremony, the ties between the living and the dead come to an end. These festivities express the highly collective spirit of these ethnic groups.

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b. Village Land Praying Ceremony

End of the 2nd and beginning of the 3rd lunar monthThis is a festival of the Ba Na people who live in Kon Turn and Gia

Lai. Ba Na villagers hold the Village Land Praying Ceremony in preparation for the new crop or before moving to new land. Before the days of establishing the new village, Ba Na people held a two-day ceremony. They prayed to their deities in hope that they would be given favourable working conditions and to inform the deities about the work in the upcoming year.

Gia Lai

I. Information

Capital: Pleiku City Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Gia Rai, Ba Na, Tay Highlights: Pleiku, To Nung Lake, D'ko Tu Village Area: 15,536.9 sq. km. Population: 1,161,7 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Pleiku City.

Administrative divisions:- Town:An Khe, Ayun Pa- Districts: Chu Pah, Chu Prong, Chu Se, Duc Co, Ia Grai, Kbang, Krong Pa, Kong Chro, Mang Yang, Dak Doa, Ia Pa, Dak Po, Phu Thien. Ethnic groups:Viet (Kinh), Gia Rai, Ba Na, Tay...

Geography

Gia Lai is located in the Central Highlands. It shares the border with Kon Tum Province on the north, Dak Lak Province on the south, Cambodia on the west, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen provinces on the east.

Gia Lai is source of Ba and Se San rivers with Yaly hydroelectricity plant. It owns many springs, lakes, waterfalls, rives, and primary forest.

Climate

There are two seasons: the rainy season lasts from May to November and the dry season lasts from December to April. The annual average temperature varies between 21 and 25oC. The west of Truong Son Ranges has annual average rainfall is 2,200 - 2,500mm. The east of Truong Son Ranges has annual average rainfall is 1,200 - 1,750mm.

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Tourism

Coming to Gia Lai, visitors have a change to discover many impressive, poetic scenes. They are Kon Ka Kinh, Kon Cha Rang tropical forests, Xung Khoeng Waterfall, Phu Cuong Waterfall, Da Trang, Mo springs and Ayaun Ha Lake. Located on the top of an extinct volcano, Bien Ho (To Nung Lake) is called the 'Pearl of Pleiku'. Its water is so clear that visitors can see fish swimming under blue water.

The province is also proud of funeral houses, La Phum, D'ko Tu traditional villages with special Rong house. Whenever going to this windy and sunny land, visitors are likely to see the unique architectural style of the statues in funeral houses, and to investigate the local customs and practice mysterious to them. Apart of that, tens of thousands of visitors are attracted to Dong Xanh Cutural Park in which many typical varieties of flowers and trees of Central Highlands are planted.

Gia Lai has historic sites such as King Quang Trung's guerilla base, Nup hero's homeland, Pleiku Prison, Pleime, Cheo Leo, and La Rang battlefields.

Ethnic groups

Many ethnic groups live together. Kinh make up 52% of population, Gia Rai (33.5%), Ba Na (13.7%), then Gie Trieng, Xo Dang, Co Ho, Nhang, Thai, Muong...

Gia Lai has long history and old ethnic culture, mainly Gia Lai and Ba Na ethnics. This uniquely character stamps of rong house, house on stills, tomb-house statue architectural styles, traditional festivals, customs and musical instruments. In attractive events like Po Thi (leaving-the-tomb) ceremony, buffalo stabbing festival, xoang dance the ethnic groups show their customs with colorful, mystical pattern, perform many traditional dances and uniquely musical instruments (horn, gong lu, gongs).

Transport

Pleiku is 186km from Quy Nhon, 197km from Buon Ma Thuot, and 550km from Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam Airlines has daily from Danang and Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku Airport. Pleiku Airport is 25km from Pleiku City centre, 45km from Kon Tum.(Source: vacationtravel.com.vn)

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a. Buu Nghiem pagoda

Buu Nghiem Pagoda was built in 1964 at 200 Duy Tan Road, in Dien Hong Ward, Pleiku City. In 1978, the main temple.was restored. Over the past few years, the Bonze Superior Thich Tu Huong has continued the restoration process, expanding the pagoda as well as participating in local cultural-humanitarian activities.

b. To Nung Lake

To Nung Lake, located 8km north of Pleiku, along Route 14, is the site of an extinct volcano that has been inactive for millions of years. The lake is filled with water so clear and blue that fish can be seen swimming underwater. With the average depth between 15m and 18m, it is a natural container of fresh water fish. The fishing industry provides hundreds of tons of fish for local consumption.

The landscape around the lake is unique, as the quiet tranquility of the area has been completely preserved.

The already poetic scenery is enhanced by the boats sailing on the lake shrouded in fog and mist. To Nung Lake is one of the highlights of the Central Highlands.

c. Xung Khoen Waterfall

Xung Khoeng Waterfall is 30km south-west of the city of Pleiku in Chu Prong District. The waterfall is about 40m high. The water makes its way into the cracks of the rocks to form a clear lake that is surrounded by rugged walls. On either side of the falls, there are lush trees and plants.

d. La Phum Village

La Phum village is about 32km north of Pleiku. Go along Route 14 for about 16km to the Yali junction. Then, go another 15km to Mo Nong School. Continue 600m, then turn right along the small path to the village. La Phum is a traditional village of the Highlands. In the middle of the village is the Rong House and, at the end, is the Village of the Dead, also called Heaven Village. This place is comprised of ten long-houses in which there are a dozen or more urns of ashes. Wine bottles, bows and other utensils are neatly arranged. Another house features wooden statues reflecting daily life.

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e. D'ko Tu Village

To reach the D'ko Tu Village, belonging to Ba Na ethnic group, go along Hung Vuong Road

to Route 19 towards Quy Nhon. At the km 33 marker, go 500m further. The Rong House, with its nicely decorated high-gabled roof, stands in the middle of the village.

At the west end of the village is an area of grave houses, which are smaller than the grave houses of the Gia Rai. One of them is especially noticeable because of its colourful decorations: there is an airplane shape on a small column and the two roofs are in boat style. Several researchers believe that this ethnic group might have originated in the Central Coast.

f. Dong Xanh Cultural Park

Dong Xanh Cultural Park is situated in An Phu Commune, 10km from the center of Pleiku City.

The park covers an area of 8 hectares and is built in the style of the Central Highlands. It opened in late 1999. The Central Highlands' Rong houses, long stilt houses and statues of the tombs are displayed in this area. Many typical varieties of flowers and trees of the Central Highlands are planted in the park. Miniature mountains, lotus lake, fountain, pavilion, and flower garden are arranged harmoniously, creating a beautiful scenery. The park also boasts T'rung musical instrument played with water and a modern water park with recreation works.

In addition, visitors to the park can take part in festivals of the local residents. Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the park every year.

g. Funeral Houses in Tay Nguyen

After burying the deceased, the E De, Ba Na, and Gia Rai people will build a makeshift hut (called nha mo - funeral house) to protect the grave from harm caused by weather. Inside the funeral house are put some belongings of the deceased, including an alcohol jar, and a rucksack with rice, food, tobacco, and so on.

Relatives of the dead person usually visit and Olean the funeral house, as they believe the departed soul still lingers somewhere. After One, two, or even three years, a new tomb is built in which wooden statues are displayed and which is surrounded by a hedge.

The Ba Na people believe that statues in the funeral house are intended to see the deceased off to the other.world. As such, they need all

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the necessities for their after life. Theirs is similar to the life in this world with birth, growth, entertainment and other pleasures. The statues in the new funeral house are, therefore, arranged into three groups. The first group represents earthy life, the birth end growth of human beings. One should not miss such statues as a pregnant woman, an embryo, a happy couple, and a figure with expression of sadness. The second group comprises statues of domestic animals such is the dog, buffalo, ox, and elephant. Meanwhile, the third group of statues depicts community activities like. hunting.

In the Central Highlands, the Gia Rai people can talk big about their large and beautiful funeral houses at La Phum Village, Gia Lai Province, 32km away from Pleiku City in the direction toward the Yali Hydro-electrical Station. The so-called 'village of the dead' lies in the shade of luxuriant old trees at the far end of La Phum Village. There are some ten funeral houses of which each shelter up to tens of dead persons. Inside each funeral house are displayed rows of alcohol jars, rice bowls, bottles, rucksacks, and so on. Groups of statues scatter around the funeral houses. The funeral houses awaiting the 'grave abandoning' ceremony are surrounded and cleaned. After this ceremony, they are left to reduce to ruins.

The 'grave abandoning' festival often takes place in spring. People bring meat, alcohol, and other votive offerings to the funeral houses, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Admiring funeral houses in the Central Highlands, tourists feel that each statue has a soul. Whenever going to this windy and sunny land, they are likely to want to see the unique architectural style of the statues in funeral houses, and to investigate the local customs and practices mysterious to them.

III. Festivals

a. Buffalo-Stabbling Festival

This is a popular festival in the Central Highlands, and the most well known cultural activity in the region. The festival is held at the Nha Rong (Communal House).

After the praying ceremonies for the deities to come and witness the villagers' keen sincerity and to receive their offerings, the buffalo is then brought to a column in the middle of the yard, where everyone, young and old, female and male, dance to the sound of gongs. A buffalo-stabbing group, which consists of young strong men armed with cold spears,

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appears and the buffalo stabbing ceremony begins. The villagers kill the buffalo, which is sacrificed to Giang (God), and then they celebrate with a big feast.

The Buffalo stabbing Festival usually lasts for two or three days on special occasions for the village or household. The whole community happily participates.

Dak lak

I. Information

Capital: Buon Ma Thuot City Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), E De, Nung, M'Nong, Tay Highlights: Buon Don Village, Lak Lake, YokDon National Park. Area: 13,139.2 sq. km. Population: 1,737.6 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Buon Ma Thuot City. Districts: Ea H'leo, Ea Sup, Krong Nang, Krong Buk, Buon Don, Cu

M'gar, Ea Kar, M' Drac, Krong Pac, Krong Ana , Krong Bong, Lak, Cu Kuin.

Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), E De, M'Nong, Nung, Tay.

Geography

Dak Lak Province is in Central Highland in 400 - 800m high above sea. It has border with Gia Lai in the north and east-north, Lam Dong Province in the south, Cambodia and Dak Nong Province in the west, Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa provinces in the east.

Dak Lak has a large natural area. 35% the province's area is 1,000 - 1,200m high mountain area while the Buon Ma Thuot Highland occupies 53.5%. The rich, flat red soil is a great advantage to develop long day - industrial trees like coffee, rubber, tea, and pepper..., to raise cattle and to grow forest. Alluvia soil is rice paddy and natural grass field. Dak Lak's forest has abundant wood reserve and various rare animal species as elephant, lion, tiger, beer... There are many beautiful rivers, high waterfalls and lakes.

Climate

The Dak Lak's climate is temperate with the annual average temperature is 24oC. There is a difference of only 5oC between the hottest

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month and the coldest one. The dry season lasts from November to April next year. It is quite cold, windy, and dry. The rainy season lasts from May to October with high rainy amount.

Tourism

There are beautiful and famous waterfalls such as: Thuy Tien, Trinh Nu, Krong Kmar, Bay Nhanh, among many big lakes such as Lak, Dak Mil. Coming to there, tourists are able to get in the primitive forests of the Chu Yang Sin, Yok Don National parks, visit Buon Don that is a well-known local of hunting and taming wild elephants, or make tour to Dak Lak's historical vestiges like Bao Dai Palace, Yang Prong Tower, Buon Ma Thuot Prison, Dak Tua Cave.

Ethnic groups

There is not only imposing cultural heritage of native ethnic groups such as E De, M'Nong with remarkable epics such as Dam San, Dam Bri, Xinh Nha, genie lunar New Year pole, but also valuable tangible cultural heritage: dan da (stone musical instrument), gongs, T'rung, Klong Put...

Dak Lak has 44 ethnic groups living together. Although the ethnic groups do not form separate inhabiting territories, they are concentrated in certain regions with individual identity and tradition, created unique folk culture of particular characteristics of Central Highlands.

Traditional culture of Dak Lak is very plentiful and really attractive, especially historians, culturists, phonetics. Besides, traditional professions such as sculpting statues in tombs, knitting brocade, and original cultural rituals such as celebrating harvest festival, elephant race, and gong festival.

Transportation

Road: Dak Lak is 183km from Nha Trang (by National Highway No. 26), 180km from Pleiku (by National Highway No. 14), 352km from Ho Chi Minh City (by National Highway No. 14), 200km from Dalat (by National Highway No. 27), and 1,390km from Hanoi.

Air: Buon Ma Thuot Airport is 10km from the city centre. There are daily flights from Danang and Ho Chi Minh City.(Source: vacationtravel.com.vn)

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a. Khai Doan Pagoda

The pagoda was built in 1951-1953 on a large area at 89A Phan Boi Chau Road, Thong Nhat Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City. This is a pagoda of the Viet residents in Dak Lak Province. Architecturally, the pagoda consists of three parallel buildings: a three-entrance two-storey gate (7m high, 10.5m wide), a main sanctuary, and a patriarch-worshipping house. The Palace of Avalokitesvara is built separately; its columns are decorated with dragons and clouds.

The main sanctuary, where Sakyamuni is worshipped, has two parts: the front looks like the long house of the ethnic minorities in Central Highlands, but the columns and beams are in the Viet style. The rear is very modern. In the pagoda, there is a 380-kg bell bronze cast in 1954.

b. Buon Ma Thuoc Penitentiary

Nowadays in this exciting Buon Ma Thuot City, many young people probably surprised when they are told that over 50 years ago the city was thinly populated, surrounded by great wild jungle and considered as unwholesome jungle, malarial water, few people in plains wanted to set their steps on this place. At that time, there was a penitentiary (special ]all for political prisoners) where had many cruel measures applied by French colonialist. If you want to learn about the area, the people here, you can not help visiting this historic vestige classified by the Government. At this penitentiary, you are told stories about glorious revolutionary tradition of former communists.

Buon Ma Thuot Penitentiary is not only a crime evidence of French colonialism but also a significant training school of many persistent revolutionists of Viet Nam such as: Ho Tung Mau, Phan Dang Luu, Nguyen Chi Thanh, To Huu... and a lot of talent revolutionists all the country.

Buon Ma Thuot Penitentiary played a great important role in the August Revolution in Dak Lak. The communists who were put into this penitentiary became men of sowing revolutlonary seeds on the highland.

Buon Ma Thuot Penitentiary for Vietnamese patriots was widened and built more concretely from 1900 to 1930 on the base of a prison.

Presently, coming to Buon Ma Thuot Penitentiary, you will witness such cruel evidences of French colonialist. Thereby, you will think of the penitentiary under the former cruel and hard regime as a hell of French

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colonialist. When the time passes by, those evidences still impress deeply in everybody's mind. During your visitation, you will surely grieve, thrill because of observing many bilboes as well as more admire manly revolutionists who were no afraid of sacrifice, resolvedly defeated their enemy and contributed to disenthralling of our nation.

Buon Ma Thuot PenitentiaryNowadays in this exciting Buon Ma Thuot City, many young people

probably surprised when they are told that over 50 years ago the city was thinly populated, surrounded by great wild jungle and considered as unwholesome jungle, malarial water, few people in plains wanted to set their steps on this place. At that time, there was a penitentiary (special ]all for political prisoners) where had many cruel measures applied by French colonialist. If you want to learn about the area, the people here, you can not help visiting this historic vestige classified by the Government. At this penitentiary, you are told stories about glorious revolutionary tradition of former communists.

Buon Ma Thuot Penitentiary is not only a crime evidence of French colonialism but also a significant training school of many persistent revolutionists of Viet Nam such as: Ho Tung Mau, Phan Dang Luu, Nguyen Chi Thanh, To Huu... and a lot of talent revolutionists all the country.

Buon Ma Thuot Penitentiary played a great important role in the August Revolution in Dak Lak. The communists who were put into this penitentiary became men of sowing revolutlonary seeds on the highland.

Buon Ma Thuot Penitentiary for Vietnamese patriots was widened and built more concretely from 1900 to 1930 on the base of a prison.

Presently, coming to Buon Ma Thuot Penitentiary, you will witness such cruel evidences of French colonialist. Thereby, you will think of the penitentiary under the former cruel and hard regime as a hell of French colonialist. When the time passes by, those evidences still impress deeply in everybody's mind. During your visitation, you will surely grieve, thrill because of observing many bilboes as well as more admire manly revolutionists who were no afraid of sacrifice, resolvedly defeated their enemy and contributed to disenthralling of our nation.

c. Buon Don

Don Village lies in Krong Ana Commune, Buon Don District, 42km from Buon Ma Thuot City. It wins kudos not only for its magnificent landscapes, its customs bearing the deep imprints of the Central Highlands, but also for its tradition of hunting and taming elephants.

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Nobody knows when the art of elephant-hunting and taming began in Don Village, and how many elephants have been tamed so far. It is said

that long ago, there was a powerful leader. He reigned over a large area of land, and brought its fame to as far as Myanmar, India, and France through commercial and cultural exchanges. Talented elephant hunters and tamers in Don Village are called Kru (king of elephant hunting). They pass down their skills to their children only. It takes six, seven months, or even up to a year to tame a wild elephant.

Don Village is proud of its natural forest ecoenvironment, the violent Serepok River, and many attractive tourist sites. Here, tourists have chances to ride elephants to explore and conquer nature. Fascinating extras include crossbow shooting, fish roasting, can alcohol drinking, sleeping in stilt house, suspension bridge crossing, and much more.

Visiting Don Village in spring (in March), tourists can take part in the Elephant Racing Festival. The beautiful landscape and the rustic life of Don Village make visitors feel it worth their journey to the Central Highlands.

d. Major tourist attractions in Don Village

e. Dak Mil Lake and Forest ecological site

Dak Mil Lake is 2km north of Don Village. The 15 meter-deep lake covers an area of 200ha, providing local people fish, shrimps, and water. Chu Ke and Chu Min mountains stand surrounded three sides of the lake. Elephants are abundant here. Hence its nickname 'the valley of elephants'. Going there, tourists can visit the villages of ethnic minorities, walk through herds of domestic elephants, go boating, go climbing, or go camping in the forest.

f. Tomb of King of elephant hunters

The real name of the king of elephant hunters is N'Thu Knul, a tribal chief. He is also worshipped as founder of the craft of hunting and taming elephants in Don Village. During his life, he had tamed hundreds of elephants. In 1861, he caught a white elephant and

presented it to the Royal family in Thailand. The Thai King conferred on him the title of 'Khunjunob (King of elephant hunters). A year after his death, in 1939, his nephew R'Leo Knul held the ceremony of 'grave abandoning' and had a tomb built for him in the M'Nong-Laos architectural style.

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The tomb of R'Leo Knul himself lies next to his uncle's tomb. Born in 1871, he succeeded Khunjunob as tribal chief, and developed the tradition of elephant hunting and taming in Don Village. R'Leo Knul tamed a white elephant for the late emperor Bao Dai and helped him form an elephant hunting team named Bao Dai Royal. R'Leo Knul died in 1941 at the age of 70. In 1950, former Emperor Bao Dai held the ceremony of 'grave abandoning' and had a tomb built for him.

g. Vestiges of ancient stilt house

The ancient stilt house bearing the Laos architectural style lies at Tri Village. Its two gables jut out to the sky. The three-compartment stilt house consists of 8,726 planks of 2x12x35cm of ca chit wood, which can be easily tenoned. The house was constructed on 7 October 1883 according to the design of a Laotian carpentry artisan Kha-Vi-Vong-Sao. His, assistants included 14 major workers, 10 subordinate workers, and 18 elephants.

The construction one year four months and twelve days. The stilt house was completed on 9 December 1885 and priced at twelve long tusked elephants. In 1929, the house was disassembled and moved to its present-day place, 1 km away from its former location, to avoid a fire.

h. Lak Lake

Lak Lake, located 56km from Buon Ma Thuot, is in the southern part of the province, close to National Highway 26. This great body of water, hemmed between low mountains, is home to many kinds of wading birds.

On the shore of Lak Lake, there is a magnificent palace, which was owned by the last Nguyen King, Bao Dai. Standing on the second floor balcony, there is a panoramic view of the valley and lake below. There are also the remains of the royal boat that was used for short cruises by Bao Dai when he stayed there.

Nearby the lake is Jun village, a symbolic village of the M'Nong ethnic group. Staying overnight in Jun village, you will have an opportunity to hear and enjoy Gong music. The lake views are fantastic.

i. Bao Dai Palace

Bao Dai Palace is located atop a 200m-high hill near by the Lak Lake. This is the place where Bao Dai (the last king of Viet Nam) used to stay when spending his vacations, enjoying picturesque view, going hunting and fishing.

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In 2001, the Bao Dai Palace was restored and it has been used as a holiday destination which serves accommodation, food and beverage since September 2004. There are six international standard bedrooms overlooking the Lak Lake, especially the king room is very splendid and luxury. In addition, there are two mini restaurants offering both Asian and European cuisines and local specialties in the area of Lak Lake known as corn lam (rice cooked in bamboo tubes), chicken baked with citronella and chilli salt, fried fish pie, roasted pig, Lak lake's egged-chub cook with brine, bitter leaf soup...

From the Palace tourists can enjoy a clear sight beyond the vast expanse of the Lak Lake, villages of M'Nong people, and the mysterious Chu Yang Sin Mountain.

j. Jun village

Jun Village, a traditional village of M'Nong ethnic group, belongs to Lien Son Townlet, Lak District, nestling by the romantic Lak Lake and boasting the pristine beauty of a typical village in the Central Highlands. Despite historical upheavals, Jun Village has always been preserving and promoting its traditional cultural identities and customs.

The houses on stilts, the daily life's activities as brocade weaving, knitting, fishing, farming... are among unique cultural characteristics descending from their ancestors.

Coming to Jun Village, tourists can ride elephants to go sightseeing amidst the magnificent landscape. Fascinating extras include rowing a piragua on Lak Lake, enjoying lam rice (rice cooked in bamboo tube) and other specialties.

During festive time, visitors will be attracted in pleasant atmosphere of Gong sounds, traditional songs and dances of charm and

romance. Sitting around a jar of can alcohol, visitors may learn about Khan Story, legends, long poems of this land.

k. YorkDon Nation Park

The YokDon National Park lies in Krong Na Commune, Buon Don District, 40km west of Buon Ma Thuot City. As one of the largest national parks in Viet Nam, it covers 115,545 hectares, not including 10,000 hectares of its belt zone.

YokDon National Park is proud of its biodiversity, which attracts both tourists and scientists. Its jungles bear the characteristics of tropical forests in Southeast Asia. According to primary survey, YokDon boasts 464

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species of flora, most of which are Michelia (ngoc Ian). In dry seasons, it is still cool, just like the climate in Da Lat, and orchids are still in full bloom.

The most attractive thing for tourists to see in this park is its diverse kinds of forest. Nowhere else in Viet Nam preserves so many species of precious birds and animals as in YokDon National Park. This natural park is home to 62 animal species, 196 bird species, 46 reptile species, 15 fresh water fish species and thousands of insect species. Of the 56 precious animal species of Indochina, YokDon National Park preserves 38, of which 17 are listed in the World Red Book. This park is the only place in Viet Nam where great numbers of precious animals are still preserved: elephants, wild bulls, gayals, sambar deer, peacocks, water varans, and so on.

Visiting YokDon National Park, tourists can ride on elephant's back to make a sightseeing tour in the forest, or to wade across Serepok River. They can enjoy traditional specialties

or drink can alcohol together with the locals while listening to village patriarch's stories about legends of this land. Coming to YokDon National Park, you will have a chance to discover fascinating things, which surely leave unforgettable impressions on your mind.

l. Thuy Tien Waterfall

Thuy Tien is a poetic beautiful waterfall, 7 km northeast of Tam Giang Commune in Krong Nang District. Coming to this place, visitors can immerse themselves in nature; listen to the sound of spring in a wide majestic forest. Atop the waterfall, water falls down onto rocky terraces, creating much white spume, which make the waterfall looks like a lively picture, fanciful scenery of mountain landscape of the Central Highlands.

III. Festivals

a. Elephant Race Festival

Around 22nd-26th March in even yearsThe Elephant Race Festival takes place in the spring in Buon Don or

in the sparse forest surrounding the Serepok River (Dak Lak). The race track is an even ground, 1 to 2km long and wide enough for ten elephants to stand side by side.

At the horn signal, the mahouts take their elephants to the start line. When the start command is given, all the elephants rush forward to the beat of drums and gongs, accompanied by the cheers of the spectators.

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Elephant races are the largest festival to take place in the Central Highlands bearing the martial spirit of the M'Nong ethnic group. M'Nong men are well known for their bravery and experience in hunting wild elephants.

b. Celebration for Mature Man

This celebration of the E De ethnic minority lasts for two entire days and is celebrated to mark the coming of age of E De boys. Many tribal rites are performed along with cultural activities, such as reciting popular stories.

Dak Nong

I. Information

Area: 6,516.9 sq. km. Population: 407.3 thousand habitants (2006). Capital: Gia Nghia Town. Districts: Dak Nong, Dak R'Lap, Dak Mil, Dak Song, Cu Jut, Krong

No, Tuy Duc. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), E De, Nung, M'Nong, Tay...

Geography

Dak Nong Province is located on Central Highlands. It is surrounded by Dak Lak Province on the north, Lam Dong Province on the east and south-east, Binh Phuoc Province and Cambodia on the west.

Dak Nong has even and flat terrain with vast plain and plenty of grasslands on the east. The south is flood plain with many lakes and lagoons. There are main rivers such as Ba, Serepok, other small rivers, and high waterfalls.

Climate

The weather is quite temperate. The average temperature is 24oC. The dry season extends from November to April following year. It is windy, cold and dry. The rainy season lasts from May to October with high amount of rainfall.

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Tourism and Economy

Dak Nong has flat cultivated surface, mainly bazan. So the province has the advantage for industrial tree especially coffee tree. By there, the traditional culture of ethnic groups is diversified and distinct.

Dak Nong is suitable for tourists who like discovering superb natural fall scenery. Coming to Dray Nur Waterfall, one can hear the murmur sound of its flow from afar, and coming nearer, the sound becomes roaring. In Gia Long Waterfall, the flow is much smoother. Its stream does not flock into one side but gently passes through stones, tree roots and then runs to rivers. Apart of that, let save your time to visit Dray Sap Waterfall (Misty Waterfall), Ba Tang, and Dieu Thanh waterfalls.

Transportation

Dak Nong has transportation mainly by road. Gia Nghia Town is 245km from Ho Chi Minh City by National Highway No. 14 then No.13, 84km from Di Linh (Lam Dong) by National Highway No. 28, 179km from Phan Thiet (Binh Thuan) by National Highway No. 28, and 125km from Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak) by National Highway No. 14.


a. Pu Prang M'Noong Village

From Gia Nghia Town, following Highway 14 towards Buon Ma Thuot City for about 28km then turn left for 2.5 km, tourists will arrive at the Pu Prang Village (Dak Rung Commune, Dak'Song District) where still preserves many unique M'Nong cultural features, works of folk literature such as: the anthem, the epic...

Pu Prang Village preserves more than 200 epics of M'Nong ethnic group (also called Ot-Nrong). The epic collection has great human values (genealogy epic set). In the village, family of Dieu Kau artist has been studying, collecting, compiling and storing hundreds of Ot-Nrong of this region. The way to show the Ot-Nrong songs is to sing (sing at mountain field, nearby the cooking fire, in the festivals...). Ot-Nrong singing expresses high solidarity in family and community, associates with the education of community tradition and is indispensable to M'Nong people after hard working days.

Coming to Pu Prang Village, visitors will have opportunity to visit the graves of M'Nong people. These are traditional relics showing decorative

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art; symbols and patterns elaborately carved on wood reflect the beliefs of M'Nong ethnic group. Visitors will be able to join many festivals of the ethnic minorities here if visiting the village in March.

b. Dray Sap Waterfall

Some 30 kilometers from Buon Ma Thuot City Iles Dray Sap Waterfall, which means "the Misty Waterfall". This name is derived from a legend of love story between a boy and a girl

who lived in this area. Everyday,H'Mi - name of the girl used to go to the milpa With her lover.

One day, while resting on a flat stone, they saw a monster, whose head was as big as a mountain, eyes like bronze urns: Its body was glittery with silvery scales. Suddenly, the monster dived down from the sky and his trunk plunged into the ground, stirring up a colossal column of water. The monster Spread out its large wings, flew around seversI times, making a fierce rain then flied away. In terrible shock, the girl disappeared into the mist, The boy was transformed into a big Stump, whose roots stuck into the rock. This place was then called the Dray Sap, or Misty Waterfall.

The rains impetuously rumble down and all of a sudden stop. The sunshine filtered through foliages, making the waterfall look more miraculous. This stream looks like a mixture of water and clouds. Tourists will feel at ease hero.

Nature has endowed Dray Sap Waterfall the rugged beauty of mountain and forest. The legend of the love story adds more colours to this waterfall. Save your time to visit Dray Sap Waterfall, to enjoy the pure air at night, to welcome the dawn, to hear the chirping of birds, and to have a sense of how beautiful life is!

c. Dieu Thanh Waterfall

For a long time, Dieu Thanh Waterfall has won kudos for its pristine and poetic beauty. Dieu Thanh Waterfall is located on Dak Tit Stream, the natural border between Nhan Co Commune (Dak R'Lap District) and Quang Tan Commune (Tuy Duc District). This waterfall has been stood in the middle of mountain and forest since time immemorial, despite various changes of the surrounding scene and natural environment.

Besides the biggest water column, which comes down from the height of 30m, Dieu Thanh Waterfall also comprises of some small other water columns, creating a thin mist that cools down the temperature at the foot of the rocky mountain. Under the waterfall, there are several deep

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grottoes and inside them there have many large and smooth rocks for tourists to take a short rest. The temperature here is always cool. When standing on the summit of the waterfall, you can admire a part of the magnificent mountain and forest of the Central Highlands.

Though Dieu Thanh is located in a calm place of jungle but it is still one of the interesting beautiful spots which not only attracts visitors in Dak Nong Province but also in other provinces such as: Dak Lak, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Ho Chi Minh City and so on. Especially on festivals or Tet holidays, a lot of people flock to this place.

d. Ba Tang Waterfall

It is a beautiful spot, 8km from Gia Nghia Town. To reach this waterfall, go along National Highway No14 in the contrary direction to Buon Ma Thuot. The waterfall cascades down over three levels before reaching the stream below, hence its name Ba Tang (three-storey cascade). The waterfall is about 40 m high. The first layer is not too high, water falls down from the height of 1.5m to the bottom. The second one is about 20m from the first one. In this layer, the clear blue stream flows through rocks and from a height of 2m, the water overflows downward, creating white spume. The third layer, about 20m from the second, the biggest and the main one of this waterfall, is 20m high, overflowing in two sides of the stream.

The spring is quite wide; its two banks are covered by shady trees where tourists may take a rest and enjoy the natural beauty. Looking upward, it seems to us that there is a misty veil created by the powerful flow of the falling water in an ever roaring sound.

The waterfall is surrounded by old trees. There is a large, flat ground for visitors camping, and relaxing. Together with Dieu Thanh Waterfall, Ba Tang Waterfall creates a place for interesting trekking tours in Dak Nong Province.

e. Trinh Nu Waterfall

Before discharging into the Serepok River, the Krong No stream snakes its way through rocky stones of many shapes and sizes, cre^ ating a magnificent natural landscape called Trinh Nu (Virgin) Waterfall. Legend has it that the name of the waterfall stemmed from a moving love story. A girl at the age of puberty had to commit suicide in the waterfall to ease her heart-rending love story, hence the name Trinh Nu Waterfall, one of the most famous tourist attractions in the Central Highlands.

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Trinh Nu Waterfall is situated 1km from the town center of Cu Jut District. On the way to the waterfall, one seems to blend with nature. From a distance, the sound of the waterfall can be heard. Amidst the imposing natural landscape, tourists feel free from all the trouble of life.

Coming here, tourists have a chance to enjoy the natural beauties as well as the excellent services.

f. Gia Long Waterfall

Gia Long Waterfall is located in Dak Sor Commune, Krong No District. Gia Long is the upper waterfall in the system of Gia Long, Dray Nur and Dray Sap waterfalls of Serepok River.

Formerly, Emperor Gia Long had a nice road built to reach this waterfall. He also intended to build a suspension bridge across the waterfall. However, the bridge was never completed and no one knows why only two bridge's piers were dug, which still remain now.

The beautiful landscape of waterfall and clear and pure lake makes the site attractive to naturallovers.

III. Festivals

a. Spring Festival

10th, 11th lunar months to the 1st, 2nd lunar monthsThe Spring Festival lasts for two or three months, from the day when

the rice is first planted to the day when the first thunder resounds announcing the beginning of the harvest season. The Spring Festival is the time when production activities stop.

One of the activities of the festival includes the stabbing of a buffalo with a spear to implore the genies for protection. People also believe that the soul of the buffalo follows the dead to the next world. The participants sing and dance in the sounds of gongs. The people here are very hospitable and guests are sure to be received with courtesy and friendliness.

b. New Rice (Com Moi), Ceremony of the M'Nong

New rice (Corn Moi), Ceremony of the M'NongThe New Rice Ceremony is anually organised at the beginning of

August when paddy ripens, signalling a bumper crop. According to the M'Nong's custom, the New Rice Ceremony Ii usually held in the evening. The host Spreads out fresh banana leaves inside a Marge bamboo basket,

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then put cooked rice, Chicken on them, and takes a bowl of rice with a wax-lamp stand inside for worshipping ceremony. Tools of production are also put on the basket. The host puts some rice, pig's blood, cock's blood, and can alcohol on the blades of those tools to express the gratitude to them for their help in harvesting crop. After the worshipping ritual, the host serves the meal on banana leaves, and invites guests to enjoy. Each household sends one represenwtive to the ceremony. Those who cannot go Will receive a gift, which comprises of a big bowl of rice, and some pieces of meat and fish, After the meal, all the villagers drink can alcohol.

Lam Dong

I. Information

Capital: Da Lat City Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Co Ho, Ma, Nung Highlights: Da Lat Flower Gardens, Waterfalls, Lakes, Palaces,

Ngoan Muc Pass

Geography

Located in the Central Highlands region, Lam Dong is a mountainous province, and 70% of its area is covered in forest. To the north, it borders on Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces, to the south-east, on Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces, and to the west, on Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai provinces. The remarkable characteristic of Lam Dong's topography is the fairly distinctive division of tiers from north to south.

The north of the province is high mountains, the Lang Bian plateau, with summits of altitudes between 1,300m - above 2,000m such as Bidoup (2,287m), Lang Bian (2,167m). The east and the west are mountains with modest altitudes (500m- 1,000m). The south is topographically the transition from the Di Linh- Bao Loc plateau to the semi-flat country.

Climate

Lam Dong province has a tropical climate with monsoon. On the whole territory, due to a complex topography, there is a difference in elevation and degree of vegetation covering. However, the weather of Lam Dong is temperate and mild all the year round, notable changes are rare in

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the annual cycle. The temperature varies distinctly between areas and the higher it is, the lower temperature is. The range of the average annual temperature is 16ï¿½C- 23ï¿½C. Dry season is from December to March next year. Rainy season is from April to November. It is always sunny everyday. The annual rainfall is not distributed equally in time and place. Its range is 1,600- 2,700mm. The side of the area towards the southwest wind (Bao Loc City) has a high annual rainfall amounting to 3,771mm.

Tourism

The unique tourism of Lam Dong Province is made from the combination of topographical, climatic and hydrographical factors. Together with its forests and regional flora and fauna, Lam Dong offers distinctive scenery with many picturesque lakes, falls, hills and pine forests. Some of the natural scenic spots include Xuan Huong Lake, Dan Kia- Suoi Vang Lake, Tuyen Lam Lake, Lake of Sighs, Valley of Love, Da Nhim Lake, Camly Falls, Datanla Falls, Prenn Falls, Pongour Falls, Dambri Falls, Bobla Falls, Liliang Falls, Voi (Elephant) Falls, Ponguar Falls, Golf Hills, Lang Bian Mountain, etc.

Places of historical and cultural interest include some French style palaces, Linh Son Pagoda, Linh Phong Pagoda, Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Dalat Cathedral, Cat Tien archaeological site.

Dalat, capital of Lam Dong Province, exhales its own poetic and romantic charm. Situated at 1,500m above sea level, Dalat has a cool climate. The annual average temperature is 18oC. It is also famous for its lakes, waterfalls, pine-tree forests, vegetable gardens and flowers such as rhododendron, cherry, mimosa, hydrangea, rose, daisy, and dahlia. Dalat offers a harmonious combination of natural scenery and historical sites.

Ethnic groups

The population is mainly composed of Kinh people, Co Ho, Ma, Hoa, Nung, Tay, and Chu Ru ethnic minorities. Starting from Dalat, tourists will be able to visit villages of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands in order to discover their customs, festivities and original handicraft products. This extraordinary experience will leave the visitors with unforgettable memories to cherish.Local minority communities also hold a variety of festivals including the buffalo sacrifice festival and the gong performance festival. All visitors are invited and welcomed to share in these festivals.

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Transportation

Road: Dalat is 110km from Phan Rang (Ninh Thuan), 200km from Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak), 205km from Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), 293km from Ho Chi Minh City, and 1,481km from Hanoi.

Airlines:Lien Khuong Airport is 30km south of Dalat. There are daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and two flights a week to Danang


a. Xuan Huong Lake

Xuan Huong is a beautiful lake located in the centre of Da Lat. It is a poetic site, attracting both tourists and lovers.

The surface of the lake is as smooth as glass with the reflection of the surrounding pine

trees. The road around the lake is also encompassed by pine trees. Visitors can enjoy a

glass of fresh sweet water while fishing and resting under ancient conifers, pedal boating on the lake or admiring the lovely architecture of Thuy Ta Pavilion.

b. Da Lat Maket

Da Lat Market is one of the most colourful and lively markets in the country. Hundreds of stalls display a wide array of flowers, fruits and vegetables from the tropical and temperate zones. From here come most of the flowers and fresh vegetables that are sent to Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces.

c. Da Lat Power Park

Da Lat Flower Park is famous fonts diverse species of flowers. It is considered a natural museum that houses a fine collection of native and exotic flowers. The park cons least 300 different kinds of flowers, of which are in blossom all year rc Flower Park is located at 2 Phu Dc Vuong St., which leads from Xua Lake to Da Lat University.

The Flower Park is open daily fron to 4pm.

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d. Da Lat Palace Golf Club

The 18-hole golf course is located it tre of the city. The course became of in early 1994 and meets internation cal standards. Da Lat Palace has recent years, considered as a reno% course in Vietnam and the region. Tt runs past several low hills close to th Ho Xuan Huong (Xuan Huong Le unique design of the course and i esque landscape attract many golfers.

e. Palaces

Da Lat has three magnificent, large which are simply referred to as F Palace 2, and Palace 3. Located on hills in beautiful natural surround palaces were built according to design. They are accessible by long brick steps, which are completely cc a broad canopy of pine trees.

Palaces 1 and 2 were owned by higl officials during the French colonial period. Palace 2 is a dignified building of modenr design, built in 1933. Consisting of 25 rooms,the palace is now used as a guesthouse and for official receptions. Palace 2 is located up the hill from the intersection of Tran Hung Dao and Khoi Nghia Bac Son, 2km east of the centre of Da Lat. It is open daily from 7am to 11am and 1.30pm to 4pm.

Palace 3 was owned by the last emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, Bao Dai. It is located on Le Hong Phong Road, 500m south-east of Pasteur Institute and 2km south-west of the centre of Da Lat. The palace is extremely interesting. The royal living quarters, including the room of Bao Long (Bao Dais eldest son), which is decorated in yellow, are located upstairs. In the family meeting room, there are yellow chairs where his three daughters used to sit, and pink chairs that were used by his two sons.

The palace is open daily from 7am to 11am, and 1.30pm to 4pm.

f. Dalat Cathedral

The cathedral, which is located on Tran Phu Road, near the Novotel Da Lat Hotel, was built between 1931 and 1942. This cathedral was used by the French and other Europeans who used to live in Da Lat or to spend holiday a there. The Cathedral looks like a European

cathedral from the Middle Ages with its many stained glass windows and 47m bell-tower.

Masses are held from Monday to Saturday at 5.30am and 5.15pm, and Sunday at 5.30am, 7am, and 4pm.

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g. Lam Dong Province Museum

The Lam Dong Province Museum is located at 4 Hung Vuong Road, on the top of a hill, about 3km from central Da Lat City. Here, there are local historical and traditional displays, including archaeological and ethnological artifacts.

Woodblocks of the Nguyen DynastyVisitors will be surprised and overwhelmed with 34,555 plates of

woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty when visit the exhibitionarea of the National Archive Centre IV at No, 2 Yet Kieu Str., Da Lat

City.The woodblock is a plate of wood on which charaters written in

Chinese or Chinese-transcribed Vietnamese were carved in reverse as a method of printing books in feudal time, They were researched, edited and carved on wood by the Cabinet of the Nguyen Dynasty and Historiographer's Office. The woodblocks contain the contents of various books on history, geography, socio-politics, military, legislation, education and literature. They were considered as national treasure in feudal period, which could only be accessed by authorized mandarins who worked in the Historiographer's Office and were merely carved by the Emperors' orders.

Apart from their historical value, the wood-blocks also have artistic and technical value, marking the development of woodblock carving and printing profession in Viet Nam.

Inscriptions on the woodblocks are very refined, delicate and plain, which convey the feeling as well as devotion of the wood-engravers. Wood used to make the wood-blocks is very special, from trees as Th! (Diospyros decandra Lour), Le (Pirus communis Linn), Tao (Jujube) and Nha dong that are both soft and smooth with an ivory white colour.

Such woodblocks carved with official literary and historical works of feudal dynasties are very rare in the world. Due to their importance and high values, these records had been preserved with much caution by feudal dynasties and state regimes in history of Viet Nam.

On 31st July 2009, the woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty were recognized as a world documentary heritage by the International Advisory Committee (IAC) of the UNESCO. They became the first entry of Viet Nam in the list of UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme.

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Waterfalls

h. Datanla Waterfall and Tuyen Lam Lake

Datanla Waterfall is situated in the middle of the Prenn Mountain Pass, approximately 5km from Da Lat.

The cascading water falls to the ground before disappearing through layers of marble scattered in the small stream. Legend has it that this was where fairies from heaven gathered together to bathe. Thus, this flat portion of the stream has been named Suoi Tien (Stream of Fairies). Nearby is Tuyen Lam Lake, which is perfect for activities such as hiking, boating, fishing, etc. The waveless water surface harmonizing the green of trees and the blue of-sky reflecting on the lake in combination with vast forest of pine trees covering the area makes a picturesque and romantic landscape.

i. Prenn Falls

Prenn Falls is located at the foot of the Prenn Mountain Pass, a 10km long pass on the route between Da Lat and Ho Chi Minh City. These famous waterfalls are located approximately 100m from the road. Approaching the falls, there is a subtle change in temperature caused by the mist of the water falling. The base of the falls is a small valley covered with flowers and pine trees. The 10m cascading water falls down over the small bridge built across the little lake.

j. Bao Loc and Dambri Waterfall

On the way to Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can stop by Bao Loc, the land of tea, coffee and mulberry. From Bao Loc, tourists have to turn off the main highway and follow the local road for 18km to arrive at Dambri Waterfall. Dambri Waterfall is one of the highest and most magnificent waterfalls in Viet Nam.

k. Cam Ly Waterfall

The noise produced by the running water of the Cam Ly Waterfall can be heard even

before arriving at the site of the falls. The city's lake is supplied with water from a small stream that runs north of the lake. On the other side,

there is another small stream that brings water from the lake to the western part of the city. This stream runs beneath a bridge near a bus

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station where there is a small dam. Both the streams to and from the lake are named Cam Ly.

2km from the lake, the water runs through a rough bed of large boulders called Cam Ly Waterfall. The waterfall is being under construction with the aim to improve its landscape and environment, offering tourists better services and experiences.POGODAS

l. Linh Son Pagoda

Linh Son Pagoda, located on Nguyen Van Troi St., was built in 1936 on a hill overlooking the centre of Da Lat. The pagoda has been managed by a succession of monks. The present monk, Thich Tu Man, has been residing in the pagoda since 1964. In the middle altar, there is a 1,250kg bronze statue of Sakyamuni Buddha cast in 1952. In addition, there is a room in the pagoda where Buddhist books and souvenirs are sold.

m. Linh Phong Pagoda

Linh Phong Pagoda is located on large and beautiful grounds on Hoang Hoa Tham Road. The pagoda was built in 1944. On the main altar there are bronze statues of Amitabha, Aualoketecvara and Dai The Chi.

n. Thien Vuong Co Sat Pagoda

Thien Vuong Co Sat PagodaThis is a popular tourist site, for Chinese visitors in particular. The

pagoda is located on a palm tree covered hill at 385 Khe Sanh Road, km from the city centre. It was built in 1958 by the Bonze Superior Tho Da, a Buddhist dignitary and member of Chinese Society, to follow Chinese Hue Nghiem Buddhism.

In, ,1989, Mr. Le Van 'Can organized the restoration of the Thien Vuong Pagoda, also palled the Chinese Pagoda. It consists of three yellow buildings. In the Minh Quang Shrine, there are three statues of the three 3uddha, Bodhisattva at Bodhisattva. The Ih 1.5 tons and were mg in 1958 by the There are also four cur Heavenly Kings, made of concrete.

o. Truc lam Buddhist Pagoda

Truc lam Pagoda is located amidst beautiful natural scenery, by Tuyen Lam Lake, War 3 in Dalat. The contruction of the pagoda started on

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April 28,1993, on a 24ha area covering a Buddhist institute and a 22ha garden.

The pagoda was later inaugurated on 8 Febuary 1994. The Bonze Superior Thich Than Tu, sho built and still manages this pagoda, is also the Buddhist dignitary of Thuong Chieu Chieu pagoda in Dong Nai.1.1.1 Around

p. Valley of love

The Valley of Love is surrounded by pine tree covered hills, approximately 5km north of the centre of Da Lat,on Phu Dong Thien Vuong Road. During Emperor Bao Dai's reign, the !Valley was called Hoa Binh (Peace), but the name was later changed to the Valley of Love. In 1972, Da Thien Lake was added to the valley. As a result of this enhancement, the valley has become even more poetic and seductive.

q. Lake of Sighs

This natural lake situated on top of a hill covered with pine trees, 6km north-east of the centre of Da Lat was enlarged by a French - built dam. The lake has a vast and calm surface. Standing on the edge of the lake, a small path running towards the forest can be seen.

The sounds from the forest resemble the sighing of an invisible man The lake has been surrounded by many stories and legends with sorrowful endings in which the heroine drowns in the lake to keep her true love forever.

r. Lang Bian Moutains and Lat Village

Located 12km north of Da Lat, Lang Bian Mountains are an ideal place for mountain climbing, paragliding, trekking or studying flora and rare bird species. At the foot of the mountains is Lat Village, where the Co Ho Minority lives.

s. Dankia Lake and Suoi Vang

Dankia Lake and Suoi Vang, also called the Golden Source, are two famous spots of Lam Dong province. Located 20km north of Da Lat, Dankia Lake extends along the foot of the imposing Lang Biang Mountains. The ethnic minorities of Lat Village have maintained their traditional customs. Thus, this is an ideal site for ethnological tourism.

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t. Da Nhim Lake and Ngoan Muc Pass

Located 40km east of Da Lat in Don Duong District, Da Nhim Lake was created by a dam built between 1962 and 1964. The water from the dam travels through two pipes down from the Ngoan Muc Pass to supply electricity to much of the South. These two sites make visitors feel small in the grandness of nature and they are a reminder of the ability of human beings to manipulate nature for their own benefit.

u. Phong Gua Waterfall

This waterfall is the most magnificent and powerful waterfall in the vicinity of Da Lat. Located more than 45km away, in the mountains, Pong Gua Waterfall is 40m high. The water falls into a big lake producing a great noise, whose echo can be heard far away.

III. Festivals

a. Ma Festival, Co Ho - New Rice Ceremony

K'ho new rice ceremony is celebrated by the Mn and Co Ho minorities to pray for good woather and to prevent wild animals from destroying their crops. The festival, which nonrly coincides with the lunar New Year of Ihu Viet people, is held in B'Lao, Bao Loc. ho Ma and Co Ho worship the new rice to unsure their offspring are aware of the imporlonce of the rice. The offerings for the cereniony include new sweet-smelling rice, a cock, a castrated hog and other wild animals, find a pot-bellied jar of wine that is drunk out d the jar through bamboo straws.

Iin festival begins with a ceremony led by a holy man to pray to the Gods, followed by a wino-throwing ceremony to pray for good kick. Finally, the participants drink wine, sing love songs, recite long poems and sing tam lint folk songs (Ma and Co Ho) accompanied by gongs. The festival lasts through the night unlll the next morning.

b. Buffalo - Stabbing Festival

The Buffalo - Stabbing Festival of the Co Ho othnic group is usually held after one harvest lo prepare for the next. During the festival, the Co Ho people kill a buffalo and play numerous kinds of traditional musical instruments.

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Sitting around the kitchen fire with a wine urn, the village patriarchs tell the younger generations stories about various historical events, recite poems and sing popular songs explaining their origins.

c. Worship of Source of Spirit

The people of the Ma ethnic group believe in the spirit of the Sun, River, Mountain and Fire. The ceremony of the Ma ethnic group to worship the Source Spirit incorporates folk beliefs.

d. Worship of the Water Spirit

The largest ceremony of the Chu Ru ethnic group usually takes place in the 2nd lunar month. This ceremony is closely connected to agricultural rituals fro the Water Spirit, the rice paddies and the new rice.

Binh Thuan

I. Information

Capital: Phan Thiet City Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Cham, Ra Glai, Hoa, Co Ho Highlights: Hang Pagoda, Mui Ne Beach Area 7,836.9 sq. km. Population: 1,163 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Phan Thiet City.

Administrative divisions:

- Town: La Gi - Districts:Tuy Phong, Bac Binh, Ham Thuan Bac, Ham Thuan Nam,

Ham Tan, Duc Linh, Tanh Linh, Phu Quy. Ethnic groups:Viet (Kinh), Cham, Hoa, Co Ho, Ra Glai.

Geography

Binh Thuan Province is located on coast of South Central Vietnam. It shares its border with Ninh Thuan Province to the north-east, Lam Dong Province to the north, Dong Nai Province to the west, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province to the south-west, East Sea to the east and south-east.

Binh Thuan has three types of topography: mountainous, plain and coastal. The coast longs over 192km with many capes: La Gan, Mui Nho, Mui Rom, Mui Ne, Ke Ga. They create good seaports: La Gan-Phan Ri,

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Mui Ne - Phan Thiet, La Gi. The Phu Quy District offshore links mainland to Truong Sa Island. The main rivers run through the province are La Ga, Quao, Cong, Dinh.

Climate

The province lies in the monsoon tropical area with two distinct seasons. The rainy season: from May to October and the dry season: from November to April following year. The annual average temperature varies between 27oC and the yearly rainfall is 800mm - 1,500mm.

Tourism and Economy

Binh Thuan has many forests so that wood, cashew nut processing and handicraft are strong point of province. The long coast-side is convenient for sea economy such as fish catching, salt and fish sauce processing, frozen seafood. Binh Thuan attracts tourists by lovely landscapes. The mountains lie from west to east and reach beautiful beaches. Famous tourist sites include Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, Doi Duong and Ham Tan. Coming to there, tourists are able to have leisure activities as swimming, fishing, climbing, yachting, golf playing in many beaches and resorts such as Vinh Hao - Tuy Phong, Hon Rom, Novotel Ocean Dunes, Malibu, Palmira resorts... Apart of that, there are many great architectural sites such as Po Sha Nu Tower, Ta Cu Mountain, Hang Pagoda, Cham Royal Family Collection etc.

Ethnic groups

Binh Thuan has a diversified culture of 30 ethnic groups. The stamp of Sa Huynh and Cham ancient cultures have been preserved include clothes, musical instruments, dances, and singings. The ancient architecture, archaeologic relics, historic vestiges, traditional festivals of Viet, Cham are together for making the special culture of Binh Thuan.

Transportation

Road: Phan Thiet is 200km from Ho Chi Minh City, 247km from Dalat, 250km from Nha Trang and 1,518km from Hanoi. The National Highway 1A passes through Phan Thiet.

Train: The express train between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City stops Muong Man station.

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II. Tourist Attractios

a. 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.

b. Hang pagoda (Co Thach)

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 19th 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 multicoloured rocky expanse that stretches for nearly 1km 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.

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

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 Thuan400 - Viet Nam Tourist Guide Book District, about 28km south of

Phan Thiet. The pagoda was founded by Patriarch Huu Duc 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.

d. 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.

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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 Duc, 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.

e. Po Sha Nu Tower

Po Sha Nu TowersThe 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.

f. Po Klong Moh Nai Temple

Po Klong Moh Nai TemplePo 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.

g. Cham Royal Family Collection

Cham Royal Family CollectionThis 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,

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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.

h. Mui Ne Beach

Mui Ne is 22km from the centre of Phan Thiet City. Along the road from Phan Thiet to Mui Ne are innumerable sand dunes with imposing landscape of beautiful rows of coconut trees and clean beaches. The typical scenery of Mui Ne lies in the moving lines of golden sand caused by the wind and when

they are seen from afar they look like moving waves. The beautiful sand dunes of Doi Cat have long been a creative subject of photographs and paintings. The place is suitable for rest and relaxation all year round. Several beaches in Mui Ne now remain its pristine scenery and pure atmosphere. Traveling to Mui Ne, visitors can take sea bathing, playing water sports such as surfing, parachute pulling, playing golf and go fishing. At present, Binh Thuan has many resorts.

Also worth visiting in this area: Suoi Tien (Fairy Spring), the Ong Hoang Building, and the Po Sha Nu Cham Tower (about 5km out of Phan Thiet on the way to Mui Ne).

i. Phu Quy Island

Phu Quy IslandPhu 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.

Location: It lies at the junction line of the mainland and Truong Sa (Spratley) Island, 120km from Phan Thiet City.

Characteristics: In the island, several pagodas and temples such as Linh Quang, Cao Cat, An Than have been recognized to be cultural -historic relics.

(source VN Guide)

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Phu Quy Island has an area of 16.5km. The island is surrounded with white sandy beaches and 9 islets, of which Hon Tranh, Hon Den (Black Islet), Hon Trung (Egg Islet) are attractive aqua tourist spots.

Phu Quy is close to the international maritime route and an important in-between logistic destination linking the mainland to Truong Sa archipelago. It is a floating baseï providing services to ships fishing offshore. With such an important position, people built a light house guiding ships going out and coming in.

Source: vietnamtourism.com

j. Bau Trang

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 middle 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.

k. 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

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hill then go down. The water stream of Suoi Tien marvellously 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.

l. 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 to (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.

m. 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.

n. At Cu moutain

Location: In Ta Cu Mountain, Tan Lap Commune, Ham Thuan Nam District, Binh Thuan Province, 30km south of Phan Thiet City.

Characteristics: The pagoda was founded by Patriarch Huu Duc in the late of 19th century, and was restored in 1963.

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Ta Cu Pagoda, also called Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda, is perched at 400m on Ta Cu Mountain Behind the pagoda is the Lying Sakiyamuni Buddha, a 49m long, 6m high concrete Buddha. Here, the scenery is enchanting with a long coast, diverse rocks, and surrounding forest, which make Ta Cu Pagoda appear great and imposing.

III. Festivals

a. Ka Te Festival

1St day of the 7th month according to Cham calendar (equivalent to 25 September to 5 October)

The Kate Festival takes place between 25 September to 5 October. It is first celebrated In the towers and mausoleums, and then the celebrations move to the family homes.

This Cham festival is also an occasion to commemorate heroes and spirits (Po-Nagar), kings of merit (Kings Po Klong Garai and Porome), and their people. On this occasion, the Ra Glai people from other areas also join the celebration with the Cham.

b. Dinh Thay Thim Festival

15th and 16th days of the 9th lunar monthThe Dinh Thay Thim Festival is celebrated in Binh Thuan. According

to legend, Thay and Thim were a virtuous man and his wife. They were making traditional medicines and living a secluded life. .

The festival commemorates the anniversary of their death and still involves superstitious elements. Numerous people come to the festival to pray, xin xam (to get one's fortune told), and to attend vegetarian and meat banquets.

Ninh Thuan

I. Information

Capital: Phan Rang - Thap Cham City Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Cham, Ra Glai, Hoa, Co Ho Highlights: Po Klong Garai Cham Towers, Porome Towers, Ca Na

and Ninh Chu Beaches

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Area: 3,363.1 sq. km. Population: 567,9 thousand habitants (2006) Capital: Phan Rang - Thap Cham City Districts: Ninh Hai, Ninh Phuoc, Ninh Son, Bac Ai, Thuan Bac Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Cham, Ra Glai, Co Ho, Hoa.

Geography

Located in South-Central Coast, Ninh Thuan shares border with Khanh Hoa Province on the north, Lam Dong Province on the west, Binh Thuan Province on the south and East Sea on the east.

The terrain is a mixture of mountain, plain and seaside. Main rivers name Sat, Cai, Ong, Gia, Can, La, Quao. Mountains surround three faces of Ninh Thuan including Tha Nhonh, Chuan, Suong Mu, and Hon Dien mountains. Long seaside makes Da Vach, Thi, Ca Na capes and sea ports.

Climate

The climate is a combination of the tropical monsoon and dry and windy weather. It is hot, dry, windy all of year. There is two seasons: the rain season lasts from May to November, the dry season lasts from December to April. Annual average temperature is 27 C.�

Tourism

Ninh Thuan belongs to tourism triangles: Dalat - Nha Trang - Phan Rang. Coming to there, tourists are able to relax in Ca Na Tourist Site, swim in Ninh Chu Beach, Vinh Hy Bay, climb to Da Trang Mountain, and observe natural animals in Phan Rang Reservation, or visit Pi Nang Tac Stone Trap.

Being home of Cham minority group, Ninh Thuan has characters culture of Cham ethnic, which stamp in local custom, Cham dance, sculpture, pottery, and brocade and agriculture of Cham towers. Famous towers name Po Klong Garai and Porome.

Nowadays, Cham people still preserve matriarchy, a valuable inheritance of Vietnam, and special festivals such as Kate, Cha Bun ceremonies, Royal Idiladha and Ra Glai Tribe festivals and other ceremonies like dig a ditch, dam up, new rice...

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Transportation

Phan Rang - Thap Cham City is 105km from Nha Trang, 110km from Dalat, 350km from Ho Chi Minh City and 1.382km from Hanoi. Phan Rang Town is on North - South Express Train, National Highway No.1A and National Highway No.27.

(Source: vacationtravel.com.vn)

II. Tourist Attractions

a. Po Klong Giarai Towers

The tower is lqcated on Trau Hill in Do Vinh Ward, approximately 9km north west of Phan Rang - Thap Cham, near Thap Cham Railway Station. This group of four towers remains from a group of six towers constructed in the late 13th century and early 14th century to worship King Po Klong Garai, who did great service to the country and people. The king is hailed by the Cham people as the God of Water. The whole complex is surrounded by walls.

The main tower is 20 meters high. Each of its base sides is 10 meters long. It has several stories. Its base is made into a square in conformity with traditional Cham architecture. Its interior is an east-west rectangular and the entrance looks east.

Po Klong Garai is a group of marvelous towers, reaching the peak of the Cham architectural art. This is also the place for the Cham people in Ninh Thuan Province to do rituals and have fun during the annual Kate Festival.

During excavation projects in the area, French archaeologists found a number of gold and silver bowls and jewellery. During recent restoration works, other gold bowls were also found.

b. Porome Tower

The tower is located on a hill in Hau Sanh Hamlet, Phuoc Huu Village, Ninh Phuoc District. It is 15 kilometers southwest of Phan Rang-Thap Cham. Porome Tower was built between the end of 16th century and the beginning of 17th century. At present, there exists only the 19-meter-high main tower. This tower worships the stone statue of King Porome, which takes the form of Mukha Linga and the stone statue of Queen Bia Thanh,Chanh of E De origin. The statue of the king is 1.2 meters high and

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made into a high relief. It is.put in front of an arched tombstone decorated with small relief at the back. Behind the main tower is a small shrine dedicated to the stone statue of Queen Bia Thanh Chih of Cham origin. Though not big, the tower has a distinctive style. It is considered the last tower in the history of Cham architectural art in Viet Nam. Cham people often come here to pray to King Porome on festival days.

c. Bau Truc Pottery Village

Bau Truc - a famous pottery craft village of the Cham ethnic group is located on National Highway IA in Phuoc Dan Town, Ninh Phuoc District, about 10km south of Phan Rang - Thap Cham City. It has existed since the reign of Cham King Po Klong Garai (11511205) and is considered one of the two oldest pottery villages in Southeast Asia.

Villagers take soft sand from the Quao River and mix with clay to create the basic material with high adhesion. The techniques they use have been passed down from generation to generation. All stages, from drying and soaking the materials in water, mixing sand and kneading the soil, etc, to creating styles and decorating designs before firing, are hand-manipulated. The technique to create the materials by the villagers remarkably distinguishes itself from others. Instead of using the potter's wheel to shape the products, Bau Truc craftsmen place their product on a chair or a table, go around it and make the shape. The ceramic making art is only with an anvil, some simple tools, moulds and their skillful hands. The patterns are free decorated, sophisticated and especially drawn by simple things as tree branches, shells... Besides, craftsmen also use traditional and unique techniques to colour the pottery items in mysterious and old styles.

Bau Truc pottery products are now very diverse and plentiful in designs, sizes and colors with traditional items such as urns and water pots, fine art works for interior decoration and souvenirs for tourists.

d. Ca Na Beach

Ca Na Beach is located nearby National Highway 1A, 32km south of Phan Rang - Thap Cham City in Phuoc Dien Commune, Ninh Phuoc District.

The beach is considered as "a princess in sleep" because it still remains primitive nature and landscape. Coming here, visitors will enjoy swimming in clean and blue water with high salinity. It also boats white

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sandy banks, granite rapids, dotted with romantic mountainous scenery. Many small paths run around straits which create an imposing landscape.

Tourists can visit the picturesque grottoes such as Ong Phat Grotto, Ong Nong Rapids, Bac Mountain, and visit traditional villages in Ninh Phuoc District, or relax on the splendid white sand beaches dotted with huge boulders.

The place has all favourable and ideal conditions for many kinds of entertainment such as climbing and discovering islands, and sea with colourful coral reefs.

e. Ninh Chu Beach

Ninh Chu Beach is located 5km east of Phan Rang - Thap Cham, in Ninh Hai District. It is famous for its 10km of white sand shaped like a crescent moon, turquoise water, and green pine trees. The atmosphere is refreshing,

water is crystal clear, and waves crash onto the sea shore all the year round.

The comfortable Ninh Chu Hotel and Bungalows here are hidden in immense poplar forest, near limitless rice fields smelling sweet.

Near the beach is also Nai Pond full of fish, shrimp, prawn, lobster, craw-fish:.. and Ca Du Mountain, Da Chong Mountain with different sized rocks pilling up, which create a harmonious nature.

f. Vinh Hy Bay

Vinh Hy Bay is located in Bac Son Commune, Thuan Bac District, about 42km northeast of Phan Rang - Thap Cham City.

The bay has preserved its natural beauty with white sand beaches circling steep rocky mountains and streams babbling in extensive green forests. The bay is very calm, with clear blue water, and in some places, the bay's bed can be seen.

Vinh Hy Bay is where the most beautiful coral reefs in Viet Nam can be found, according to a survey by the United Nations environment program. The best places to catch a glimpse of the coral reefs are Tay Sa and Tai Islets. Tourists can discover the peaceful and poetic scenery of Vinh Hy and view the coral with glass-bottom boat.

Coming to Vinh Hy Bay, tourists can also have a swim and relax at Ba Dien Beach with white smooth sand or Phu Beach with shallow shelf.

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g. Nui Chua National Park

Nui Chua National Park, located in Ninh Hai and Thuan Bac Districts, about 20km from Phan Rang - Thap Cham City, has an area of 29,865ha, including 22,513ha of land and 7,352ha of sea.

Nui Chua National Park is a special type with a dry ecology in Southeast Asia. The natural

resources of Nui Chua National Park have been recognized that not only being abundant and diverse in biological elements but also possessing endemic, rare, precious and valuable characteristics, and tourism potential, especially eco-tourism. The park owns a rich flora with 1,265 varieties of plants, of which 390 are medicinal plants, over 100 belong to bonsai trees and many are edible. It also has a diverse fauna with 306 species of vertebrate animals, including many rare and precious animals, such as the blackshanked douc, white-collared bear, puma and jaguar...

It is interesting that the forests are filled of many thorny trees with few leaves. There are rows of cacti growing on the hill and mountain slopes. The trees growing on the rocky land look scrawny but full of vitality. Especially, there is a forest of apricot trees which look like bonsai trees, but in spring they turn into yellow blossom, producing a beautiful landscape. Hong mai trees which have red flowers are the typical ones of this area.

Nui Chua National Park is a complex of natural landscapes arranged within ranges of mountains being bordered almost by the sea, forming many splendid attractions.

III. Festivals

a. Kate Ceremony

1St day of the 7th month of the Cham calendar (equivalent to 25 September to 5 October)

This is the biggest and the most joyful festival of the Cham people, taking 'place in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan Provinces. The ceremony is held at Poklong Garai and other Cham towers to commemorate national heroes, ancestors, and deities of the Cham, as well as King Poklong and King Porome.

People from surrounding areas gather at the towers to attend the simple but very signifi-

cant ceremony. After the teacher reads excerpts from Taoist books and the holy man observes certain rituals in the courtyard, every one enters

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the tower to witness the female medium and the holy man washing. There is also the changing of clothes ceremony of the stone statue of King Poklong Garai, praying, and singing folk songs.

After the rituals, there are singing and dancing performances on the river and worshipping rituals in front of the main temple.

b. Cha Bun Ceremony

10th month according to the Cham calendarThe Cha Bun Ceremony is held at the Poklong Garai Tower or et the

Ponagar Temple. This ceremony of Cham agricultural tradition takes place for two days during the harvest period. On the day of the Cha Bun Ceremony, people gather at the tower to worship and thank the Ponagar Mother Deity and the Earth Deity for providing them with good crops.

c. Roya Indiladha Festivals

7th to the 10th of the 12th month (following the Islamic calendar)The Roya Idiladha Festival is celebrated by the Cham Islamic

community. After the ritual ceremonies, there are many cultural and athletic activities, such as singing and boat racing. The festival is also an occasion for people to visit and congratulate each other, and to pray for good things for everyone.

d. Gia Rai Tribe Festival

This festival celebrated by the Ra Glai minority is generally organized after the harvest. It is a time for music, theatre, dancing, singing, sword dancing, and graphic arts. This festival takes place to celebrate a victory, abundant crops, or the inauguration of a communal house; it can also be held to pray for peace or to destroy a bad omen. Sometimes, one family in the village will organize the ceremony to thank the Genies for a particular deed or favour. The entire village is ten invited.

Khanh Hoa

I. Information

Capital: Nha Trang City Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Ra Glai, Hoa, Co Tu

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Highlights: Beaches & Islands in Nha Trang, Po Nagar Cham TowersKhanh Hoa is a coastal province in South Central Viet Nam. The

terrain of this region gradually declines from the mountains to the west towards the hills, deltas, and a 200km-long coastline and islands to the east.

Offshore there are 200 islands of various sizes, with the Truong Sa Island District accounting for over 100 of them. The two largest rivers flowing through the province are the Cai and Dinh rivers. Specific resources from the province include precious wood and sea products. The climate here is oceanic with tropical monsoon, but quite mild. The average annual temperature is 26.5°C (79.7°F).

Khanh Hoa's infrastructure is better than some of the other South Central localities. The system of ports, airports and land routes are convenient for various means of travel and transportation. Khanh Hoa is succesbfully developing. Its fishing, agricultural, and industrial economy.

II. Tourist Attractios

a. Ponaga Cham Tower

This group of Cham towers is located on top of a low marble mountain formerly surrounded by the sea. Construction of the towers began in the 8th century and finished in the 12th century. The most beautiful of them were built in 813 and 817. Unfortunately, time and environmental factors have destroyed most of the towers. Now, only four remain.

One of these four towers is dedicated to Shiva Hindu god. Another is dedicated to Ganesha, whose human body is attached to an elephant head. The largest tower (25m) is dedicated to Lady Po Nagar, or the Goddess Uma, the wife of Shiva. The four-sided tower, built in 817 with baked bricks, has a pyramid-shaped apex. On top of the entrance is a statue of Shiva with four arms sitting on the back of a bull. The exterior of the tower is a masterpiece of chiselled carvings of fairy dancers and scenes of hunting, boat racing, and pounding rice into a mortar.

The interior of the tower is reserved for the worshipping of Goddess Po Nagar, who taught people how to plant rice. It is believed that this was where the villagers held offering rituals.

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b. Nha Trang Cathedral

The construction of the Nha Trang Cathedral began in 1928 and was completed in 1934. Three large bells were provided by the Bourdons Carillons Company in 1934, and a big clock that was assembled on the tower in December 1935. The buildings of the Nha Trang Cathedral, which is now over 70 years old, are still intact and attract many visitors.

Mass is held Monday to Saturday at 5am and 4.30 pm, and Sunday at 5am to 7am, and 4.30 pm.

Hon Chong PromontoryHon Chong Promontory, located in the sand dunes near Cu Lao

fishing hamlet, looks like the work of a giant who has put several massive rocks together. It forms a small crescent-shaped bay with a marble peninsula of massive rocks layered on top of one another. A cluster of rocks offshore serves as natural wave breaker. Hon Chong is located 3.5km from central Nha Trang.

c. Hon Chong Promontory

d. Long Son Pagoda

The pagoda was founded in the late 19th century and renovated in 1940. Located about 500m west of the train station, it is the biggest pagoda in Nha Trang and the seat of the Buddhist Association of Khanh Hoa Province. The entrance and roofs are decorated with mosaic dragons constructed of glass and bits of ceramic tiles.

At the top of Trai Thuy hill is the huge white Buddha Kim Than Phat To seated on a lotus blossom. From there, there is a fantastic view of the entire city.

e. Institute of Oceanography

The Institute of Oceanography, which was established in 1923, was one of the first centres for scientific research in Viet Nam. It is located on an elevated land next to Cau Da Wharf, about 6km from the centre of Nha Trang. Nha Trang is an excellent location for tropical oceanographic research because it is close to the ocean, of course, and the waters are deep.

Coming to the Institute of Oceanography, tourists will have a chance to visit the Marine Creature Museum, which shows more than 80,000 sea

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and freshwater specimens, as well as living creatures that are kept in glass tanks.

f. Thap Ba Hot Spring Center

Thap Ba Hot Spring Center is situated in Group 25, Ngoc Son Hamlet, Ngoc Hiep Ward, Nha Trang City, about 5km from the north of city centre. In Viet Nam, Thap Ba Hot Spring Center has honour of being the first place to: exploit mineral mud for social health care, creating new leisure and recreation activities for Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa.

Behind Po Nagar Cham Tower, Thap Ba Hot Spring Center covers an area of 3ha with many trees and flowers. Hot mineral water containing clean chloride sodium silica is taken from a depth of 400m under the ground. At the temperature of 38-40°C the mineral substances in the water penetrate the body; it has goods`effect widely acclaimed, not only in community convalescence and relaxation but also in treatment of diseases: arthritis, muscular, joint rheumatism, and exterior nervous system. At present, mineral mud bath is considered as one of the best natural therapy for health recovery and skin care.

The services in Thap Ba Hot Spring Center have been continuously renewed and upgraded to satisfy increasing demands of, tourists. The best services including: V.I.P Spa, Tien Sa Mineral Bath, Special Mineral Mud Bath, Collective Mineral Mud Bath, Mineral Swimming-pool (warm and cool), Hydrotherapy by hot spring, Mineral water-fall...

Around Nha Trang

g. Duc My Hot Spring

The Duc My Hot Spring is located 25km north-west of Nha Trang, close to National Highway 1. The small path leading to the stream runs through a beautiful tropical forest. The water from Duc My Hot Spring reaches 80°C (176°F) and is said to have medicinal properties able to cure several ailments.

h. Tri Nguyen Fish Pond

Tri Nguyen Fish Pond is a reputed tourist attraction in the province. It is situated on Bong Nguyen Island, also called Hon Mieu Island, half an hour from Cau Da Port. It is a lake on the sea dammed up with system of stone embankment. Hundreds of nine and precious marine sea creatures

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are bred in the lake, looking a real marine museum. The fish in the pond are divided into three categories: ornamental fish, edible fish, and carnivorous fish. Guesthouses are located close to the edge of the water. Visitors may take a walk around the lake or seating on the house close to the edge of the water, they can see many kinds of colourful sea-fish that live in the clear blue water of the lake.

Close to the Tri Nguyen Fish Pond is the Sea World Area. The Sea World Area has many kinds of fish, especially the precious sea creatures. On the island also has Bai San Beach, one of the beaches that is attractive to many visitors.

i. Nha Phu Bay

15km away from Nha Trang Beach to the north, Nha Phu Bay has peaceful waves all year around. In the middle of the sea and

blue and clear sky, the cluster of dreamlike islands looks like the sails to be filled with winds going offshore. Lao and Thi Islands have become attractive ecotourism resorts for international and domestic tourists when visiting Nha Trang and chose tour Nha Phu Bay.

Thi Island is a wonderful natural landscape where green and wild natural forests still exist.

Lao Island is named "Monkey Island" because there are hundreds of monkeys living in flocks in the wild forest and they are friendly with visitors. As coming to Lao Island, tourists can enjoy entertainment and recreational activities as sea bathing, boat racing, horse riding, fishing, flowers, birds and golden fishes parks, especially circuit performances of elephants, bears, monkeys, dogs and cats. On Lao Island, there are guesthouses and accommodation establishments available, which bear in-depth traditional identities and unique characteristics of Viet Nam.

j. Tam Island

About 7km southeast from Nha Trang City, Hon Tam Tourist Zone is located in Hon Tam, one of the most attractive tourist islands in Nha Trang. With an area of over 110 hectares, the site still preserves its virgin nature with green tropical forests and long sand beach similar to a sleeping siren.

After a trip with motorboat (7 minutes) or shiF (25 minutes), Hon Tam appears in front of vis itors. From a distance, one can see thE. .thatched huts along the fine white sand-dunes and nice villas looming behind leaf canopies.

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In Hon Tam, there are volleyball and soccer. courts right in the beach. Not only sea-bathing and relaxing, you can take part in many interesting activities such as mountaineering, forest exploring, rowing, fishing or show your courage through water sports (parachute jump, surfing, diving). Lighting and dancing around camp-fires, enjoying fresh air and listening to soughing waves are the unforgettable experiences for everyone who has a chance to stay overnight in the island. Seafood is very healthy and delicious.

k. Mun Island

Named Hon Mun because in the South East of the Island, it has high-rise cliffs with dangerous wattles forming caves and grottoes, especially its stones are as black as ebony, which could rarely be found in other areas.

It is located 10km from the centre of the city, not far from Tam Island, identified by the black rocks covering its shores, which is probably the most visited destination for divers.

In the black-stone caves of Hon Mun, every year flocks of Yen birds migrate to the area and build their nests. Due to the island's location adjacent to the hot sea-currents from the equator, suitable to the development conditions of corals and various types of tropical sea creatures, the sea bed of Hon Mun is home to an abundant and diverse group of marine species, an interesting and useful place for researchers, oceanographers and tourists to observe and explore more of the sea creatures' life.

Mun Island is the scene for well-known sites such as "Madonna Rock" and "Coral Garden" where divers can view the kaleidoscope of bright fish and coral. It takes 15 minutes to get there by boat and is so popular it can have up to 10 boats moored off its shores at any one time.

In Mun Island tourists will have a chance to get a trip in glass-bottomed boats and for diving.

l. Vinpearl Land

Located in the north of Hon Ire Island, about 4km off the coast of Nha Trang City, Vinpearl

Land is a unique destination. It is an international-class entertainment-tourist complex with all modern comforts including a 5-star resort & spa and the biggest amusement park in Viet Nam.

From the Station of Vinpearl in Iran Phu Street, after just a few minutes travel by speed motor, boat or ferry; or more than 10 minutes

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enjoying Nha Trang's panorama from Vinpearl cable-car system, the longest sea-crossing cableway in the world, visitors will be on Vinpearl Land - The Viet Pearl.

Vinpearl Resort and Spa, with hundreds of beautifully designed rooms, including a number of luxurious rooms and presidential suites, can satisfy the most fastidious visitors by bringing them comfort, privacy, convenience, and perfect services. The resort has 700m long natural beach in Nha Trang and modern outdoor swimming pools covering an area of 5,700m2 (the largest one in the Southeast Asia) with lots of coconut trees, green grass, nice plants and trees. Besides, there are beauty and health care services in Viet Spa and other relaxing activities, tours - in combination with sports for all ages. A diversified system of restaurants, serves typical Vietnamese, other Asian and European flavor.

Vinpearl Amusement Park, an independent system - but harmonious with Vinpearl Resort & Spa, covering an area of 200,000m2, offers a lot of modern and unique constructions to meet the needs of entertainment, relaxation and discovery. It can be compared with well-known entertainment parks in other countries in the region. Vinpearl Amusement Park includes large-scale constructions such as:

- Guinness-nominated 3,320 m sea-crossing Cable-car System;- Shopping Mall of 6,000m2 area with uniquely designed stalls and

pavilions;- Vinpearl Water Park of 60,000m2 area with exciting adventurous

games;Amphitheatre with over 5,000 seats;Event Hall with capacity of over 1,500 people, equipped with modern

audio and visual appliances. A great number of cultural-entertainment events have been held here, especially major Vietnam and World beauty contests such as Miss Vietnam, Miss World Vietnamese, Miss Earth, and Miss Universe;

- Vinpearl Underwater World with nearly 300 species of sea animals and a 90m-length underwater path.

The park now uses package cards, which are the first to be used in Vietnam. With this card, visitors can use cable car or ferry to go to Vinpearl and return, play all kinds of indoor and outdoor games in the Amusement Park, Water Park for unlimited times, and enjoy visiting wonderful Underwater World.

Visit time:

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From Monday to Thursday: 8h00 - 21h00 From Friday to Sunday: 8h00 - 22h00

m. Alexandre Yersin's Grave

Alexandre Yersin (1863-1943) was born in Switzerland to a Swiss father and a French mother. He studied in Switzerland and later moved to France where he obtained a degree in medicine.

He travelled to Nha Trang for the first time in 1891. At the end of 1899, he came back and established the Pasteur Institute. He devoted 50 years of his life to microbiology, virology, and epidemic research and he was the one to develop a vaccine against the bubonic plague.

. Living modestly, he gained the trust of Con hamlet villagers. He travelled in the mountains and recorded his observations. He also recommended to the government to establish a hill station in what is now Da Lat.

Yersin died in Nha Trang on 1 March 1943. According to the instructions in his will, his body was buried with his face touching the ground and facing the sea so that he could forever embrace his second homeland.

His grave is located on top of a hill at Suoi Dau area in Dien Khanh District.

n. Fairy Stream

The Fairy Stream is located in the southern area of Dien Khanh District, about 20km from Nha Trang. The stream starts in the Hon Ba Mountains, then flows down gorges, around trees, and across valleys. Before reaching Suoi Tien village, the stream meets a natural dam and divides into two branches. One flows north to the rice fields, and the other flows to the east over a hard rock platform to A join the Cai River.

The charming scenery has been the inspiration for many legends. For example, fairies would leave Heaven to come and bathe in the stream; or male fairies played chess on the stone blocks; and there are foot prints left by a giant who, in a moment of enchantment upon seeing the swimming fairies, slipped and nearly fell into the water.

o. Ba Ho Stream

Ba Ho Stream lies in Ninh Hoa District, 25km north of Nha Trang City. From the peak of Mount Hon Son, the stream falls down 660m to the rice

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fields in Phu Ich Village, Ninh Ich Commune, Ninh Hoa District before flowing into Nha Phu Bay. Before discharging into the sea, this stream forms three lakes of different beauty in the middle of the mountain. Hence its name Ba Ho (Three lakes).

Hopping to Ba Ho Stream, tourists can enjoy an interesting mountain climbing to discover its stunning beauty. The trek from the First Lake to the Second Lake spans nearly 1000m of traveling along a sloping stream's bank. After enjoying the beauty in the two lakes, tourists should go another 300-400m to the Third Lake. The journey meanders between towering cliffs full of reeds. The difficult journey is worth effort as tourists can enjoy the fresh atmosphere and the feeling of excitement when they finish their adventurous tour.

p. Truong Xuan Stream

Truong Xuan Hot Stream is located in Ninh Tay Village, approximately 50km north of Nha Trang. The temperature of the water is 76°C (168.8°F) and contains minerals necessary for the human body. The precious natural mineral water is processed into beverages or used for its medicinal properties. Visitors to the hot stream can also travel to a nearby area where they are able learn more about the lifestyle of the E De and Ra Glai ethnic groups.

q. Dien Khanh Citadel

These ancient ramparts were built in 1793, and surround a 3.6ha area. Many portions of the hexagonal ramparts still remain. They have been listed as Historical Remains by the State.Beaches

r. Doc Let Beach

Located at Ninh Hoa Beach, 45km north of Nha Trang, Doc Let is a famous beach with blue and pure seawater, smooth waves, fine and white sand. Natural landscapes on coast and sea of Doc Let also attract visitors. The surrounding landscape of small islands that protect the shore from waves is magnificent. Visitors can enjoy delicious seafood, such as shrimp, crab and fish.

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s. Tru Beach

It is situated on Hon Tre Islet in Vinh Nguyen Ward, Nha Trang City. This is one of the most natural idyllic and finest beaches in Khanh Hoa, especially the purity of sea water and beach, and the surrounding environment. Though the beach is on island but the waves are soft thank to Hon Tre Mountain lying as a standing wall that prevented the ocean storm and wind. Not far from the main beach there is a small fishing village, located at the foot of mountain. Visitors can come here to know the habits of the fishing village, enjoying coconut fruit and fresh fruits.

t. Đai Lanh Beach

Dal Lanh Beach is located next to the border between Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa Provinces, approximately 90km from Nha Trang.

Dai Lanh Beach has calm, clear blue water as well as soft, white sand (offering safe swimming conditions). A fresh water source runs from the bottom of a mountain through the beach. From Dai Lanh Beach, visitors can travel to the fishing villages in Khai Luong and Dam Mon.

u. Van Phong Bay

Van Phong is one the most beautiful bays in Viet Nam, about 70km north of Nha Trang City, in Van Ninh District, Khanh Hoa Province.

The bay is surrounded by a peninsula which is a 18-km-long sand dune lying between the shore and two islands - Gom and Lon. With ,the water area of 43,544 hectares and the depth of 20-37m, the bay is an ideal shelter for ships and boats in stormy days. The entrance is 6km wide, reaching standards for an, international-level entrepot harbor. It is possible to organize different tourist and sports activities in the water and on the mountains (diving, surfing, sailing, hunting, mountaineering, bathing in mineral water, etc.).

From the quay, you can take a boat trip to .Dam Mon, a part of the Van Phong Bay. The sea in Dam Mon is beautiful. Here, there are also fishing villages under the rows of green coconut trees, white sand dunes and mysterious rocky cliffs. All these form a picturesque landscape.

From Dam Mon, one can continue to Xuan Dung. On the way, you will have opportunities to visit Hon Ong tourist zone, mother-of-pearl raising farms, mountains, and white sand dunes. Xuan Dung Sea is waveless, green and limpid, with white fine sand grounds. You can have a bath here before returning Dam Mon to visit the Whale Mausoleum.

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v. Nha Trang City

Nha Trang, with its 7km long beach, Nha Trang is a leading holiday destination in Viet Nam. It is also well known for its Cham relicsand its various remains, pagodas, and temples. With numerous beautiful spots, Nha Trang is one the great tourism centres. Nha Trang attracts a lot of tourists to relax and sightsee all year round. Nha Trang with Van Phong Bay is considered as one of the 29 beautiful bays in the world.

III. Festivals

a. Whale Festival

These festivities are tied to a legend in which Emperor Gia Long was saved by a whale while he was at sea. Every year, there is a celebration in Khanh Hoa in honour of the Whale. The rituals are held in communal houses and during the ceremony there is ba trao singing and chau performances.

b. Thap Ba Festival

20th to the 23rd of the 3rd lunar monthThe Thap Ba Festival is the largest festival in this region organised to

commemorate the female genie Po Nagar. The festival is divided into two parts: the Thay Y (clothes changing ceremony) on the 20th, and the Cau Cung ceremony on the 23rd. These are followed by diverse forms of entertainment, including folk dancing, a flower-offering dance and traditional opera.

c. Am Chua Festival

22nd day of the 4th lunar monthThe Am Chua Festival takes place at Chua Mountain in Dien Dien

Commune, Dien Khanh District. It is organized to commemo-rate the genie of Lady Thien Yana, who is worshipped as the Mother

of the Region".

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