Contents

Ha Noi	Ba Be National Park	Cham Holysee of Myson	Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Ha Long Bay	Ninh Binh	Quy Nhon	Tay Ninh
Hai Phong - Do Son	The Huong Pagoda	Nha Trang	The Cu Chi tunnels
Cao Bang & Lang Son	Hue	Ninh Thuan	The Mekong delta
Sapa	Da Nang	Mui Ne Beach	The Central Highlands
Dien Bien Phu	Hoi An

HAI PHONG

Hai Phong, means "coastal defence", is the big city connected to Ha Noi by the good road No. 5. Recognized as the second biggest seaport of Viet Nam, it is an industrial and commercial center in the north. It has become the entry and exit gate for merchandize to and from the north of Viet Nam. Historically, it used to be a vivid market during the Tran dynasty and was well developed until 1874. In the first century, the small village of An Bien was set up by Le Chan, a local guerilla who accompanied the Two Trung Sisters in the year of 39 during the struggle for national independence.

Hai Phong today is a relatively sleepy place with little traffic that still preserves the central colonial style quarter and the streets bordered by the flame flower trees.

Do Son

Do Son is one of the well-known seaside resorts in North Viet Nam, 20-km southeast of Hai Phong. This region is beautifully surrounded by green forests and sandy beaches. The beach here, 4 km long, are shaded by thousands of sandalwood trees and covered by mountains and pine hills. In summer, Do Son is especially alive with tourists from all over the world. They mainly come here to spend time on the beach, relax, and hike.

More recently, the town has become famous for the first public Casino to open in Viet Nam since 1975.

The Du Hang Pagoda

Founded three centuries ago under the Ly dynasty, Du Hang Pagoda is considered an ancient architectural relic of Hai Phong. People can find a gate of 2 storey, the statue of the Goddess of Mercy in the courtyard, many statues of Buddhisatvas, guardians, the wooden goddesses and much ancient furniture for worshipping. Inside the pagoda are several statues that are intricately engraved in the style of the Nguyen dynasty.

The Hang Kenh Communal House

Hang Kenh Communal House on Pho Hang Kenh is known for its 500 relief sculptures in wood.

Communal Houses are the most common places for worshipping village gods in Viet Nam. However, this long structured house also dedicated to a Vietnamese hero. It has the shape of a boat with a beautiful façade, the carved frame and precious wooden pillars. The central part is dedicated to King Ngo Quyen, the conqueror of the Chinese South Han in AD 938. The other alters are for his successors. Drums, a bronze bell, decoration weapons, wooden elephants and horses are displayed inside this wooden house.

     

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