Quang Binh Travel Attractions
Tourist information in Quang Binh
Area: 8,065.3 sq. km.
Population: 847.9 thousand habitants (2006)
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Bru – Van Kieu, Chut, Tay
Capital: Dong Hoi City.
Districts: Tuyen Hoa, Minh Hoa, Quang Trach, Bo Trach, Quang Ninh, Le Thuy.
Geography
Located in North-Central Vietnam, Quang Binh Province is surrounded by Ha Tinh Province on the north, East Sea on the east, Laos on the west and Quang Tri Province on the south.
The provincial topography is narrow and sloping from the west to the east. The area is divided into specific geological zones: mountainous, hilly and midland, lowland, coastal sandy area. The seaside stretches 116km with large Gianh and Nhat Le ports.
Quang Binh belongs to the monsoon-tropical zone. The climate is divided into two seasons. Rainy season lasts from September to March next year. The annual average rainfall is 2,000-2,300mm. Heavy rains concentrate in September, October and November. Dry season lasts from April to August. Annual average degree is 24ºC-26ºC.
Tourism
Quang Binh is famous for many charming landscape of mountain and sea. The coast is dotted with blue water, yellow sand beaches that sparkle under forests of green willow trees.
Every year, Quang Binh attracts many visitors coming to interesting landscapes such as Phong Nha, Tien Son caves, primitive forest in Phong Nha – Ke Bang reserve, Nhat Le, Da Nhay beaches, Bang Mineral Hot Spring, etc. Among of them, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park has been recognized as the World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003.
In addition of these, Quang Binh preserves objects from Bau Tro Remains, Hoa Binh and Dong Son culture as well as historical relics like Quang Binh Gate, Luy Thay, Rao Sen… Many places related two resistance wars name Cu Nam, Canh Duong, Cha Lo, Cong Troi, Xuan Son, Long Dai and Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Festivals
Canh Duong Festival
Time: 3rd to the 7th day of the first lunar month.
Location: Canh Duong Commune, Quang Trach District, Quang Binh Province.
Activities: Including cau ngu ritual and ky yen ritual. Contest of rice cooking in-group, have to cook rice while preventing a toad out of a circle.
Ho khoan (Alternate singing between rowers) Festival
Time: the 29th day of the second lunar month.
Location: Le Thuy District, Quang Binh Province.
Activities: Ho khoan song with 9 tunes (mai), each tune is symbolize a kind of work. At the night of the festival, alternate singing between boys and girls are taking Location.
Bao Ninh Village Festival
Time: From the 14th day to the 16th day of the fourth lunar month.
Location: Bao Ninh Commune, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province.
Objects of worship: Nhan than (father and son of fisherman) and Ca Ong (whale).
Activities: Procession of Ong's bone, “Ho khoan, cheo can” performance, bong (flower) dance. Sea festival involves the ceremony of floating paper boats, paper fish to the sea and praying, the boat race of six villages.
Cau Ngu Festival
Time: 14th day of the fourth lunar month.
Location: Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province.
Objects of worship: Ca Ong (whale).
Activities: Procession of Ong's bone from village to communal house.
The worshipping ceremony of the beginning crop of cultivating rice seedlings in Le Son Village
Time: 1st day of the eleventh lunar month.
Location: Le Son Village, Tuyen Hoa District, Quang Binh Province.
Objects of worship: Village's tutelary god.
Activities: Worshipping to tutelary god (10 trays of steamed glutinous rice, 10 cocks), after that a couple which is good at work and has son and daughter is chosen to cultivate rice seedlings in the field which is in front of the communal house.
Transportation
Road, rail and shipping routes are fairly well developed. Dong Hoi City is 491km from Hanoi, 94km from Dong Ha, 166km from Hue, and 197km from Vinh. National Highway No.1A and North-South Express Train runs throw the province and stop at Dong Hoi City. Quang Binh has Cha Lo Border Gate in Minh Hoa District to Laos.