Asian Current

Volcanic Soil, Beautiful Lagoons, Spectacular Beaches & Ethnic Tribes of Central Vietnam

Vietnam is a land that strikes a tourist immediately with its stunning natural beauty. Talk of Vietnam and the images that sprig to mind are those of the Red River Delta to the north, the Mekong Delta to the south, and almost the entire coastal strip with its rich tapestry of brilliant green rice paddy fields, tended by the local women in their conspicuous conical hats.

But there are more pictures to Vietnam than these, and you will see them if you delve deeper into the country, both geographically and culturally. The central region of Vietnam offers a more rounded picture of the country’s roots and origins. The major sites of interest are loosely gathered around the three main towns in the region, Hoi An, Hue and Da Nang.

In the heart of the coastal provinces, between the North and South Vietnam, is the imperial city of Hue. It was the capital of southern Vietnam during the 18th century. Hue is still untouched by rampant westernization that is noticeable in the rest of the land, and still remains a non-westernized enclave of Vietnam’s traditions, and an important repository of its ancient past. Populated by majestic temples, ancient tombs and the imperial citadel, Hue is a place in which time seems to have stopped. In the inland highlands of Central Vietnam are found many of Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups.

Hoi is a small seaport town where Chinese, Japanese and French architecture blends in perfect harmony under the mossy-clad houses.

Between Da Nang and Hue, the road merges into the hills until it reaches the excellent panorama of Hai Van Pass. The impressive views in the north and the south have always been strategically important, and this explains the cluster of rugged pillboxes and older French forts, complete with bullet holes. Today it’s a place for tourists to stop off and stretch their legs.

50 km south of Hoi An are the best ancient ruins of Vietnam. The remote My Son Temples are a testament to the Cham civilization of 7th to 13th centuries.

Central Vietnam is slowly opening up and becoming more accessible to tourists. Vietnam is unique in offering an opportunity to see a country of traditional charm and rare beauty while rapidly opening up to the outside world. As the frontier between former North and South Vietnam, the Demilitarized Zone saw some of the worst ravages of the war with the devastation still very obvious. But on a broader basis, Central Vietnam is a picturesque area graced with emerald paddy fields and some surprisingly attractive beaches and beautiful lagoons.

Speaking of beaches, Central Vietnam also has one of the country’s most picturesque and uncrowded beaches at Nha Trang. If you love serene, calm beaches, you’ll just adore Nha Trang. In fact, the idyllic Central Vietnam coastline is frequented by photographers from all over for that great shot of the sea and the sand.