Nguyên Tracy

Area :1,509 sq. km
Population :1,797,600
Provincial Capital :Thai Binh City

Districts :Quynh Phu, Hung Ha, Dong Hung, Vu Thu, Kim Xuong, Tien Hai, Thai Thuy
Economic potentialities :Marine and inland fishery, oil, gas, mineral resources


Thai Binh is located in the North Vietnam Plains and Midlands; it is the only province in Vietnam that does not have a mountain in its territory. It is bordered by Haiphong, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Ha Nam, and Nam Dinh. The coast line is 53 km long with large estuaries, seaports, and sand beaches. The main ethnic group in the area is Kinh.

The most famous sites include the Keo Pagoda, Dong Bang Temple, and Tien La Temple.

Attractions

Keo Pagoda :


Keo Pagoda is situated in Dung Nhue village, Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province, 130 km from Hanoi.

It is said that the pagoda was built between 1133-11154 by Duong Khong Lo, a native of Ho Xa village, Giao Thuy Districts. He is a monk and famous doctor who successfully treated King Ly Than Tong (1133-1138) from a serious disease. He was then honoured by the King with the title of Quoc Su (Prince's Master), and provided with money and land to build the pagoda.

The pagoda was built on an area of 7,200sq. meters, bordering the Red River. Passing a large area and a lake, visitors will see an entrance gate with three openings; shrines of a Buddha and his disciples. Then the temple comes into view, It is dedicated to Duong Khong Lo, and included several shrines such as the Gia Roi, Thien Huong Phuc Quoc and Thuong Dien. The two passages, which separate the pagoda and temple areas, have curved roofs that join together at the bell tower.

The bell tower is a square shape and 11.50 meters high, It has three storeys and each one is roofed with tiles while the edge of the roofs is curved in front. There is a big bell at each storey. The bell tower, except for the tiled roof, is made of iron wood. Its parts fit together perfectly, without any screws, yet still very securely.

The offerings in the temple are carved or engraved with elaborate designs. Some designs of four centimeters diameter contain nine engraved dragons.

The Keo pagoda, with a total of 120 chambers, has the appearance of a blooming lotus. It is now a tourist attraction and a pride and joy for the Vietnamese architects.

Hai Phong overview
Area: 1,520.7 sq. km.
Population: 1,803.4 thousand habitants (2006)
Administrative divisions:
Districts: Hong Bang, Ngo Quyen, Le Chan, Kien An, Hai An, Duong Kinh, Do Son.
Rural districts: Thuy Nguyen, An Duong, An Lao, Kien Thuy, Tien Lang, Vinh Bao, Cat Hai, Bach Long Vi.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Tay, Nung...

Hai Phong Geography

Haiphong is a large city with an important seaport of Vietnam. Haiphong is near Quang Ninh Travel to the north, Hai Phong Province to the west, and Thai Binh Travel to the south.

Climate: Because of the proximity to the East Sea, Haiphong's weather is affected by inter-tropical monsoons. The annual average temperature varies between 23ºC and 24ºC

Hai Phong Topography

The topography of Hai Phong is very diversified reflecting the long and complicated historical geological process. The northern part of Hai Phong has an appearance of plains alternated with hills, while the southern part of the city is a low and quite flat terrain of a typical delta inclining to the sea.

Although hills and mountains comprise just 15% of the total area of Hai Phong, they are spreading on more than half of the northern part as continuous mount ranges running in the North West - South East direction. Their origination process was closely related to the mountainous system of Quang Ninh in the North-East of Northern Part of Vietnam. Mountainous system of Hai Phong are remaining hills, traces of ancient bent foundation under ground where it was once slightly sagged down. The geological composition comprises of sandstone, shale, and limestone of different ages that distributed in separate continuous ranges running in the North West - South East direction from the mainland to the sea.

There are two main mountainous ranges: The range of mountains and hills running from An Lao to Do Son is non-continuous with a length of about 30km extending in the direction of North West - South East including hills of Nui Voi, Phu Lien, Xuan Son, Xuan Ang, Nui Doi, Do Son, Hon Dau; the range of Ky Son - Trang Kenh and An Son - Nui Deo with two mountainous branches: An Son - Nui Deo branch with the geological composition of mainly agglomerate sandstone, extending in North West - South East direction including hills of Phu Luu, Thanh Lang, Nui Deo; Ky Son - Trang Kenh branch extends in the North West - South East direction including numerous limestone hills, especially Trang Kenh limestone is a valuable material for cement industry of Hai Phong. Here, hills and mountains alternated with small spreading plains of ancient sediments elapsed from hills and recent alluvial sediment.

Sightseeings in Hai Phong

Haiphong has many temples, pagodas, mausoleums and shrines such as ancient Du Hang Pagoda, Nghe Temple, Hang Kenh Communal House... Haiphong has famous historical Bach Dang River, where the national heroes defeated three Chinese feudal invasions. The third victory over the Yuan-Mongolians was known all over the world. Many of the teakwood pointed spikes have been discovered in this river. Haiphong is on tourism route: Hanoi - Haiphong - Halong Bay. Do Son Beach, located 20km from Haiphong, is a sand strip for bathing. However, during the monsoon season, the Red River's alluvial sands cause the water to turn yellow. From Do Son, tourist can visit Cat Ba National Park, and continue to Bai Tu Long Bay and Halong Bay (Quang Ninh Province). Haiphong is also famous for many festivals, of which Choi Trau Festival (Do Son Buffalo-fighting festival) in Do Son District is unique.

Do Son beach

Stretching 22km wide between two rivers Cam and Van Uc, Do Son with its soft white sand has always been an ideal beach destination. Besides the luscious natural beauty of its 3 beaches, Do Son also processes many cultural and historical artifacts.

Here, on top of Ngoc Son mountain are the remains of a 10 story tower made of clay and an ancient Buddhist temple (both built in the 11th century). The temple displays one of the most grandiose and significant Vietnamese Buddhist bells of the era. The bell was, for a few hundred years, submerged in the ocean after its fall during a large storm. It wasn’t until 1958 that local fishermen managed to re-discover the bell and bring it up to land. After nature’s harsh treatments, the bell (made of a large percentage of pure gold) still chimes near to perfection.

Buffalo fighting is a famous local tradition that has dated back hundreds of years. Tourists coming to Do Son on the 9th of the 8th month yearly (according to the lunar calendar) can witness the final rounds of this much anticipated festive event at the town stadium.

Those keen on history may chose to visit the “No-Number Port” where ships without license numbers from North Vietnam started their journey on the Ho Chi Minh sea route to bring aid to the North Vietnam army during the war. Another historical destination is the newly restored Bao Dai mansion, where Vietnam’s last king spent many summer holidays and served important guests.

Do Son also boasts a grand casino that promises to bring fun and entertainment to all who remember to bring their passport upon entry.

Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba is the largest out of the nearly 2000 islands surrounding the Halong bay area. Cat ba possesses 17.300ha of tropical forest, 570 of which is primeval. Under the green canopy is a diverse ecosystem, with hundreds of valuable medicinal herbs and trees. Cat Ba is also home to the endangered Komodo iguana, which can way up to 100kg. Tourists visiting Cat Ba have plenty of choices between the island’s tropical beaches, caves and the Cat Ba National Park.

Quán hoa (Flower market)

Designed in 1941 by the French, Quan Hoa is a complex of small flower stalls and boutiques designed to combine Western and Oriental standards of beauty. This bustling yet elegant flower marker has become inspirations for many artists and photographers.

Den Nghe (Nghe temple)

The temple worships the female general Le Chan, who is considered the founder of Hai Phong city. The temple is unique because it has a bed and musical stone carved from completely stone, with intricate dragon decorations.

Hai Phong Transportation

Haiphong is served by an important transportation network of sea routes, roads, railways, and airlines.

Road: The National Highway No. 10 links Haiphong to the provinces of Quang Ninh, Thai Binh and Thanh Hoa Travel . Haiphong is 102km from Hanoi.

Airlines: There are connecting daily flights with Ho Chi Minh City, departed from Cat Bi Airport.

Railway: There are trains from Hanoi to Haiphong and vice versa.

Boat: Daily ferries from the dock on Ben Binh St. for other destinations.The ferry runs from Haiphong to Cat Ba Island several times a day. The hydrofoil boats run between Haiphong - Cat Ba Island Travel and Haiphong - Hon Gai. The high-speed air-condition Thong Nhat Boat leave daily from Haiphong to Cat Ba.