QUANG BINH

TOP 7 MUST – SEE DESTTINATIONS IN QUANG BINH

Quảng Bình onVietnam’s North-Central coast has a border with Laos in the west with the South China Sea/North Pacific its eastern boundary. At its narrowest the province is just 40 km wide. Fairly mountainous, the highest peak is over 2,000 meter with some 85% being hills and mountains. It was once part of the Cham Kingdom before being taken by the Đại Việt. It was part of Annam under French rule and then North Vietnam, just a short distance from the Demilitarize Zone during the Vietnam War; consequently it suffered tremendous damage from bombing during that struggle.

The coastline is almost 120 km long with five rivers flowing into the sea within its borders while there are over 150 lakes, some manmade within the Province. Quang Binh is a fairly poor province though agriculture and fishing continue to be developed.
1.Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
Recognized as the world’s natural heritage by UNESCO since 2003. Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park and grotto complex remains intact with many outstandingly gorgeous caves on majestic limestone mountains, and with its abundant fauna & flora.
Phong Nha has achieved a lot of records such as the cave with the longest underground river, the most beautiful sandbank and reef, the most beautiful underground lake, the highest and widest entrance, the widest and most beautiful dry cave, the most spectacular stalactites, as well as the longest water grotto. About 50 km to the northwest from Dong Hoi city, Quang Binh, Phong Nha cave is considered as “Thien Nam De Nhat Dong” of Vietnam covered by tropical forests. From Son River, you will drive for more than 30 minutes to reach Phong Nha cave. Phong Nha cave is 7729 meters in length, 83 meters in-depth, and 50 meters in height with water flowing underground with typical stalactites. The legends said the stalagmites in the cave entrance contributed to the poetic name of the cave “Phong Nha” reflecting the ideal reconciliation of the primeval forest and Son River, filled with dry caves and an ink painting of water in caves captivating people.
Phong Nha Ke Bang covering an area of more than 200,000 hectares is regarded as one of the oldest and most extensive tropical limestone areas in the world with over 300 large and small caves as well as hidden wonders and tourist attractions.

2. Thien Duong Cave (Heaven Cave)
Together with Phong Nha cave, Thien Duong Cave or Paradise Cave dating back from 350 to 400 million years ago is even considered to be one of the most magnificent and magical wonders of the world as an “underground palace”. It is even more beautiful and mystic than Phong Nha cave. The cave nestles deep in the World Natural Heritage, the National Park Phong Nha Ke Bang.

3. Jumping Rocks (Da Nhay beach)
Coming to Bo Trach District, Quang Binh province, apart from the scenic Phong Nha Ke Bang complex, Da Nhay beach (Jumping Rocks) is also an tourist attraction with pristine beach, stones and strange-shaped caves.
Following the Highway 1A from Dong Hoi city north backward over 20 km, you will arrive in Da Nhay beach, and admire the mountains adjacent to the beach at the foot of Ly Hoa pass. The beach remains completely its original beauty with the gentle blend from the immense sea to abrasive rocks.
4. Dark cave & zipline (Hang Toi)
About 70km away from Dong Hoi City and near Phong Nha Ke Bang national park, Chay River is regarded as the heaven right on earth with clear crystal emerald water together with fresh air and spectacular nature, which makes you feel really relaxing. Especially visitors can enjoy a lot of water sports and jump down from the zipline (a form of swinging) into the cool water, or go kayaking to admire the scenic vistas. At the end of the zipline, you should remember to pose for photographers to take some photos – that’s cool, right?
Besides, you can take a boat along Chay River for 5 km or so to reach Toi Cave (Dark Cave) and enjoy magic stalactites covered with a large amount of moss, creating a subtle green and hanging up the side of the cave. Entering the cave, the darkness covers every single corner which makes movements inside the cave more exciting, and especially reach a place where you get to swim in mud pools.
5. Son Doong cave
Recently discovered in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Son Doong is recognized as the biggest grotto with its thrilling landscapes in the world that can ambrace a 40 floor building cab. Not only be impressive for its enormous size, the cavern is also unique for its internally abundant flora & fauna diversity.
Son Doong cave has not widely opened to the public for safety & conservation reasons, but limited for 500 people every year. If you wish to explore this world natural wonder, you must book this cave adventure far in advance (maybe one or two years) with requirement of really good physical health and impressive trekking experience
If you are a adventure travel lover, let one time in life try this adventure expedition to Son Doong to explore this nature’s masterpiece to admire how stunning it is.

6. Nhat Le beach
About 2 km to the Northeast from Dong Hoi city center, Nhat Le beach is an ideal place to relax and wander to admire the sunrise or sunset for couples. It likes a picture with airy natural landscape, vast white sand and crystal seas. After immersing yourself into the clear blue water, you could enjoy local seafood right on the beach like BBQ in local food stalls – which are both delicious and cheap. You can visit Dong Hoi port nearby to admire the romantic sunset with a lot of local fishing boats.
7. Quang Phu Dunes
If you wish to visit Sahara desert or Mui Ne, but don’t have much money, Quang Phu Dunes should be great, right? You could rent a skateboard, comfortably play on the vast white sand dunes and take amazing vintage or retro photos with endless golden sand dunes. Particularly, when visiting here, you should prepare sunglasses, long sleeves in order to avoid sandy wind and sun.

ALL THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO QUANG BINH 

• Summary of Quang Binh province
• Center city: Dong Hoi City.
• Town and Districts: Ba Don Town, Minh Hoa District, Tuyen Hoa District, Quang Trach District, Bo Trach District, Quang Ninh District, and Le Thuy District.
• Tourist places: Dong Hoi City, Bo Trach and Minh Hoa Districts.

1.How to get there The main highway north-south runs through Quang Binh and there is also a road connection to Laos. The railway is another transport alternative while domestic flight from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City come to Dong Hoi airport. Those on countrywide Vietnam private tours will have all their arrangements made for them.
2. By train
There are 8 trains from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh to Dong Hoi every day. Hanoi – Dong Hoi: 600km (375 miles) – 10 hours. Sai Gon – Dong Hoi: 1250km (750 miles) – about 20 hours.
3. By plane
Dong Hoi has a domestic airport. There are some flights of Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo to Dong Hoi. You can travel from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh to Dong Hoi by flight and then travel to other destinations around Quang Binh by bus or private transport. Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh – Dong Hoi: 45 minutes – 1 hour (by plane) Dong Hoi – Phong Nha Ke Bang: 60 – 70km → 45 minutes (by private transport).
4. Accommodation
Vietnam tour packages will include all the necessary arrangements for visiting this area. Those wanting an active holiday are the most likely to be looking for local accommodation to allow them exploration time. The Vast majority of the accommodation in the Province is in Dong Hoi and ranges from backpacker hostels to fairly good hotels suitable for Vietnam family tours – Xuan Son Travel.
5. Travel tips
Vietnam travel involves being prepared for a range of different circumstances. That means rain, hot weather and rough terrain. If you want to explore caves then you need to have comfortable footwear and be careful where you are walking. If it is hot and humid you need light clothing and perhaps something that is showerproof. Good tour companies are happy to advise you on all the things you will need to truly enjoy Vietnam. It is a country with really special things to see and some of them are in Quang Binh.
6. Festivals in Quang Binh province
Nghe Temple Festival: the festival is happened in Nghe Temple. This is the famous temple is located in front of Phong Nha Cave in Bo Trach District.
Xuong Dong Festival: it is considered the crop festival to thank for the good crops in the year and the good weather. The festival is happened from 20th to 30th December of the year in Loc Ninh Commune in Dong Hoi City.
Cau Ngu Festival: the festival is for fishermen. It is happened in 15th of June in lunar year in Hai Ninh Commune in Quang Ninh District.
And there are many other unique festivals in the province.

WEATHER & BEST TIME FOR TRAVEL QUANG BINH

What is the best time to Quang Binh?
Located in the Middle of Vietnam, like other provinces like Nghe An, Hue or Ha Tinh, Quang Binh experiences the monsoon-tropical climate with two different seasons: the rainy and dry season.
As the most attractive destinations of Quang Binh are natural attractions including caves and beaches, and the long-distance from Dong Hoi city to Phong Nha – Ke Bang complex, the weather during April and May will be ideal for tourists to enjoy the sunlight and clear blue water in Nhat Le beach or explore the diversity of Phong Nha National Park and crystal water of Mooc Spring and various amazing water activities at Hang Toi – Chay river. You don’t need to bring raincoats or umbrellas to avoid getting wet from the rain during this time, too.

WHAT TO EAT IN QUANG BINH ?
1.“Gieo” potatoes (Khoai Gieo)
This specialty is made of red-skinned sweet potatoes. It  is sweet and eat like marshmallow taste. As it is popular in Quang Binh so you can easily find and try in Quang Binh’s market. Don’t worry it is quite cheap, but tasty.
Address:  – Dong Hoi market.

2. Filtered cakes (Banh bot loc)
The Central of Vietnam is regarded as the heaven of cake, and Quang Binh is not the exception. When talking about Quang Binh, visitors think about Banh Bot Loc (filtered cake). The main ingredients are shrimp, pork, wood ear, shoots, mushrooms and tapioca with Quang Binh sauce. It is simple but nutritious. Banh Loc is wrapped in banana leaves, and then steamed or even fried.
Hop on a cab and you will experience this signature dish in a glance. You’ll pay only 1 USD for a dish of 10 pieces, quite cheap, right?
Address:  Me Xuan Hai Thanh and Ga market.

3. Noodle soup (Chao canh)
Unlike Pho, Chao Canh is a bowl of noodle soup porridge from rolled wheat or rice noodles, with snakehead seafood including fish, shrimp, and crab. Its savoury thick broth, soft noodles, and fresh green from chopped vegetables with some spicy flavor will be tasty. This dish is better served it with ‘ram’ (small fried spring rolls) or Vietnamese grilled sausage and sour meatball.
Address: Son Thu food stall on Phan Boi Chau Street, Dong Hoi city/ Quan Suong Hong stall on Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Dong Hoi city.