Danang City is located in the centre of the
country. It has a deep water seaport, an
international airport, rail links with Hanoi and
Ho Chi Minh City and a relatively well developed
infrastructure that continues to grow at a rapid
rate.Like other areas
within China its history is a lengthy one and
places of interest are plentiful such as The
Museum of Cham which is located in the city
centre. This is reputedly the finest collection
of Cham sculpture in the world. The museum,
which is a replica of Cham architecture,
displays about 300 original sandstone and
terra-cotta artifacts, dating back to between
the fifth and the sixteenth century.
The Marble Mountains
are another popular spot that consist of five
mounts representing the five old Chinese
elements of the universe: metal, wood, water,
fire and earth. A picturesque spot with many
imposing caves and pagodas and a marble carving
village it's a good place to visit.
Cham Ruins
This is definitely a full day affair for those
interested in all that these fifteen towers have
to offer. The towers are located at My Son in
the Duy Xuyen district of Danang.
Another worthwhile spot is the
Ho Chi Minh Museum located in the centre
of Danang. It displays memorabilia relating to
President Ho Chi Minh’s life and the wars
against the French and Americans in Central
Vietnam.
Halong Bay
Similar to the islands found along the west
coast of Thailand, this is one of Vietnam's most
beautiful areas, Halong Bay has fascinating
limestone formations, coves for night-time
excursions, sheer cliffs, grottoes, arches and
scores of small islets.
Haiphong is known as the City
of Flower-lined Streets, and is the third
biggest city of Vietnam, in comparison with Ho
Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
The city is fascinating and has a number of
worthwhile sightseeing spots such as Hang
Kenh Communal House which has exhibits
inside for worshipping the Village God and Ngo
Quyen, a Vietnamese hero who fought against the
Chinese enemies on the Bach Dang River.
Du Hang Pagoda
is one of the most ancient pagodas in this city
and is one you need to take your camera for. It
was built three centuries ago and the decoration
on the pagoda is exquisite as well as houses
many ancient furnishings.
The Bach Dang River
is where the Vietnamese managed to defeat the
Chinese invasions 3 times. The third victory is
known around the world and many of the teakwood
pointed spikes that were used in the battles
have been discovered in this river.
Do Son Beach
located 20 km from Hai Phong is good for
bathing, during the monsoon season however, the
Red River's alluvial sands causes the water to
become yellow, but it's still safe for swimming
even if the colour is off-putting.
Cat Ba Island
is the largest in the Cat Ba archipelago. This
is one of the major beach destinations in
Vietnam and has beautiful beaches and pristine
waters. The mountains are riddled with caves and
grottos. Located 58km east of the city.
There are lots of things to
see and do in this city and below are listed a
few of the more interesting spots:
Lenin Park (Thong Nhat Park) Built over a
former marsh, this park surrounds a large lake
containing a statue of Lenin, often the object
of jokes among the locals. The park itself is
quite beautiful. It is located on Tran Nhan Tong
Street, Hanoi.
One Pillar Pagoda
This small pagoda, is one of the most delightful
in Hanoi. The old wood and ceramic status on the
altar are very different to those found in the
south.
Temple of Literature
consists of five courtyards divided by walls,
Khue Van pavilion, which is at the far side of
the second courtyard, was constructed in 1802
and is considered a fine example of Vietnam
architecture. The temple constitutes a rare
example of well-preserved traditional Vietnam
architecture and well worth visit.
Hoan Kiem Lake
is considered the most beautiful lake in the
city.
National Preserve of Cuc
Phuong This national
park is one of the last tropical primeval forest
reserves on Earth. There are 64 species of fauna
and thousands of species of flora, many of which
are extinct everywhere else in the world.
Bizarre and fascinating species of animals from
flying lizards to monkeys dwell within the
park's 61,000 acres. Caves and grottoes, where
various artefacts have been discovered, can be
located in the mountains within. It is located
approximately 120km southwest of Hanoi.
Ngoc Son Temple
is reached via the wooden The Huc (Where rays of
morning sunshine touch) Bridge. To the left of
the gate stands an obelisk whose top is shaped
like a paintbrush and is an interesting temple
and worth the odd photo.
West Lake
is an attractive spot at the West of the City.
West Lake has an area of 500ha and is the
largest lake in Hanoi. Tran Quoc Pagoda
located on an island in the West Lake, was built
in 541 and is the oldest pagoda in Vietnam.
Co Loa Citadel
is the first fortified citadel recorded in
Vietnamese history it was built by Thuc An Duong
Vuong in III Century BC. The citadel comprises
of 3 turns: the exterior, the medium and the
interior turn. At the base of the exterior
rampart, was a deep moat, where boats could
pass.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Was constructed between 1973 and 1975. The
mausoleum is divided in to three levels with a
combined height of 21.6 m and is where the body
of President Ho Chi Minh is kept.
History Museum
Includes artifacts from Vietnam's prehistory:
proto-Vietnamese civilisations (1st and 2nd
millennia BC), the Dong Son civilisation (7th
century BC to 3rd century AD), the Oc-Eo (Funan)
culture of the Mekong Delta (1st to 6th century
AD); the Indianised kingdom of Champa (1st to
15th century), the Khmer kingdoms, various
Vietnamese dynasties and their resistance to
Chinese attempts at domination, the struggle
against the French, and the history of the
Communist Party.
Army Museum
Weaponry supplied to the North are on display
outside the building, alongside French and
US-made weapons captured in the Franco-Viet Minh
War and the Vietnam War. Other displays include
scale models of various epic battles from
Vietnam's long military history, including Dien
Bien Phu and the capture of Saigon.
Fine Arts Museum
Here you can see sculptures, paintings, lacquer
ware, ceramics and other traditional Vietnamese
fine arts.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
is dedicated to scientific research and the
enhancement of the cultural and historical
heritage of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. It
has a collection of close to 25,00 objects from
the people of Vietnam, as well as photographic
and audio-visual resources.
Thu Le Park
is another interesting park located northwest of
Hanoi in the Thu Le village. It is a zoo as well
as a park and is the perfect spot to while away
the hours with the children or just meander
around yourself and look at many of the plants
and animals to be found in Vietnam. Perfect for
that 'not so perfect (sunny) day'.
Revolutionary Museum
Presents the history of the Vietnamese
Revolution.
Quan Thanh Temple
was built in Ly Thai To Dynasty (1010 - 1028),
it is dedicated to Tran Vu Saint who both a
legendary character and a saint in Vietnam. |
