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The Central Coast |
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DongHa and The Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)
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Lavang
church
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From 1954 until the defeat of the
Americans in 1975, the Ben Hai river divided Vietnam into two parts. This area
suffered heaviest fighting during the Vietnam War. Some areas, such as Khe Sanh
combat base, Rockpile, LangVay special forces, Hamburger hill still recall
thousands Vietnamese soldiers as well as American GI.
The highway 9 connects DongHa to KheSanh and LaoBao was rebuilt in 1999. At
Dakrong district you can enjoy walking over Dakrong bridge to the BruVanKieu
tribes near by, the road between Dakrong bridge to Hambuger hill and A Luoi
district used to be one branch of HoChiMinh trail.
HCM trail
becomes HoChiMinh highway
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| The Ho Chi Minh Trail
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In
a stream on Ho Chi Minh Trail
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Ho Chi Minh Trail was the artery of life feeding the Viet Cong fighting in
the South with much needed food, ammunition, weapons and medicine. Parts of the
trail existed before the war but it was extended to massive proportions
Originally only porters on foot and bicycles were used, but in the later stage
of the war, the trail virtually became a highway facilitating massive truck
traffic. The trail that became known as Hanoi’s road to victory, stretched
16,000 km in total and consisted of main roads, smaller arteries and numerous
detours. It was all extremely well camouflaged and always in a constant fury of
development with new construction and rebuilding of sections that had been
damaged. The trail not only ran through Vietnam but extended into Laos and
Cambodia to avoid American bombing. The US forces only managed to inconsistently
destroy parts of the trail, however they never successfully cut the supply trail
even after the constant defoliation of the area and extensive bombing using
infra red detection dives and laser guided systems.
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| Hue
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Minh
Mang tomb
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Hue, the old capital of 13 generations under Nguyen Dynasty from King GiaLong
(1802) to King BaoDai (1945). It is recognized a World Cultural Heritage on Dec 11th
1993
The Imperial Citadel, on the bank of the Perfume River, facing the colonial quarters, was built as a copy of the Beijing Forbidden City. It has been damaged during the Tet offensive in 1968. However, still remaining are : the impressive Noon Gate, Supreme Harmony Palace resting on 80 red and gold columns, and Mieu Temple which contains the funeral tablets from the Nguyen Dynasty.
Thien Mu Pagoda (Celestial Lady) is a 17th century octagonal pagoda risen above the Perfume River. It's reached by a sampan cruise on the Perfume River.
The Imperial tombs are located in the South of the city. Built in the style of the Minh tombs, they are perfectly integrated into a scenery of gardens and water plans. The most beautiful ones are those of Tu
Duc, Minh Mang and Khai Dinh.
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| DaNang |
My
Son cham ruins
(world
cultural heritage in 2000)
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An important port of Vietnam (800,000 inhabitants), is an active and dynamic city. This city has a Cham Sculpture museum with a unique collection of this shining civilization (8th-12th century). Danang has many famous tourist sites in its surroundings such as Hoi An Ancient town, My Son Cham
ruins, Bana hill station, Marble mountain and the unspoiled China beach. Sail boat, windsurfing, kayak, scuba diving are available in the nice Furama Resort.
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| HoiAn Ancient Town |
Hoi
An ancient town
(world
cultural heritage in 2000)
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The charming and well-preserved city of HoiAn is a nice blend of Western and Asian architecture from the prosperous era of this former commercial seaport (during 17th, 18th, 19th century). Several classic houses remain intact and the place retains the feel of centuries past.
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| NhaTrang
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Nha
Trang
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A short daytrip from from Ho Chi Minh City or DaLat takes you to the turquoise waters
and sandy white beaches of
NhaTrang. The sea provides a welcome respite from the glare of sand and sun. The
water is clear and blue, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The beach
stretches for miles, empty but for the long row of palm trees. Here, you can
chase small crabs, or collect colorful seashells. The well known remains in
NhaTrang is Ponagar Cham towers which was built from the 8th to 12th century.
Besides, you will enjoy the scenic spots at HonChong promontory, LongSon pagoda
or discover NhaTrang's history at Yersin Museum and the Oceanographic Institute.
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| PhanRang
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Poklong
Garai Cham temple
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Consider as the desert area of Vietnam. The main site in PhanRang is several
Hindu Cham temples on the hills around the town. The Poklong Garai Cham temples
5km from town is worth for a break.
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| PhanThiet
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Swimming
pool in Victoria Resort
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Sit by the pool of a nice resort, walk on the spectacular sand dunes of Mui Ne Peninsula, plunge in the crystal-blue waters, watch the sun rise..: the remote fishing village of PhanThiet is a relaxing stop over for visitors at a 4-hour drive from Saigon.
Sand Soft Time ( Mui Ne)
The beach is owned by coconut palms,while beyond stretches the desert – waves
of yellow sand, rolling out to the
horizon. Here and there some hardy farmers
have dug ditches in a brave attempt to keep the sand from encroaching on their
fields, where the only crop able to survive the heart is dragon fruit. Studded
with brilliant pink fruit, these gnarled cacti rise from the arid soil like
fever dreams.
Standing by the water’s edge and looking up at the desert beyond, you might
imagine yourself in the Middle East or Africa. The dune shimmer with heat, so
that you can almost convince yourself that distant shadows are caravans of
camels, laden with spices or silk.
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