TOURISM GEOGRAPHY

OF THE
RED RIVER DELTA AND
THE
NORTHEAST COASTAL
PROVINCES

KHONG YEN GIANG (MBA)

OBJECTIVES
 Remember the overview information about the region.
 Identify, classify and understand main tourism resources of
this region
 Know popular destinations of the regions and appreciate
their values in tourism development.
 Examine tourism infrastructure, superstructure and other
developmental conditions of the region.
 Differentiate tourism products from the region’s valuable
tourism resources and identify main tourism markets and
trends.
 Know the national and regional tourism routes.
 OUTLINE
1. Overview of the region

2. Main natural and cultural tourism resources

3. Main tourism products and key developmental areas

4. Tourism developmental conditions

5. Famous attractions
6. Main tourism routes
1.
OVERVIEW
 1. OVERVIEW
 S: 21,060 km2
 Population: 20.9 million people (2015) – 23% total
population
 11 provinces and cities.
 Population density: 930 ppl/km2 – the most crowded of
the country
 Borders:
South: Northern Central region
East: Gulf of Tonkin – East Sea
 West – Northwest: The
northern mountainous region and
hill lands North: China

1. OVERVIEW
170 km border line with China at
Quang Ninh province. The crucial
border-gate system include: Mong
Cai, Hoanh Mo and Bac Phong
Sinh
The largest coastal island system
of the country. Some islands with
important location include: Bach Long Vi, Van Don, Co To, Cat Hai. (
Thi final )
Hanoi Capital – the most important economic, political, tourism and
cultural center of the country - is located in the region.
The cradle of Red river civilization.

Văn Minh lúa nước song Hồng. Các nền văn hóa dân gian đều băt
nguồn từ Red river civilization .
 2. TOURISM
RESOURCES
Resource characteristics:
 Natural resources: attach with national parks, national
biosphere reserves of the Red river delta and coastal attractions
of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong province.
 Cultural resources: rely on the cultural and historical relics of
Red river civilization and important religious centers.
 Other resources: the border gate system with China at the
coastal provinces.
 Main attractions: Huong Pagoda, Ba vi – Hai spring, Hanoi’s
cultural and historical vestiges (Hanoi), Tam Dao mountain, Dai
Lai lake (Vinh Phuc), Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Hoa Lu, Trang An
complex, Cuc Phuong, Van Long (Ninh Binh), Xuan Thuy
(Nam Dinh), Cat Ba, Do Son (Hai Phong), Yen Tu, Ha Long,
Bai Tu Long, Van Don, Tra Co (Quang Ninh) etc.

TOURISM NATURAL
RESOURCES
Landforms
Climate

Water resources

Flora and Fauna

LANDFORMS
a.Red river delta:
Area: 15,000 square km (4.5% of total area)
Alluvial accretion by 2 rivers: Red river and Thai
Binh river
 Rich plain adherent with wet rice civilization
Home of various historic-cultural vestiges and
traditional handicraft villages (2/3)
Convenient transportation and accommodation 
suitable for tourist’s needs

LANDFORMS
b. Mountain:
 Low mountain system of
1,000 – 1500 m. The most
significant mountains include:
Yen Tu (1,068m); Tam Dao
(1,591m), Tan Vien (1,287m).
 The mountain system attract
tourists by its magnificent view,
cool climate, quiet and spiritual
atmosphere.
 Suitable for relaxation and
weekend tourism.
 LANDFORMS
c. Karst topography:
Different formations creating unique tourist landscapes
Shallow Karst: ( cát trên cạn )limestone mountains that are
scattered between the western plains of Ha Noi, Ninh Binh and
Ha Nam. Famous attractions are: Huong Son, Trang An, Tam
Coc – Bich Dong  considered as Ha Long on land.
Submerged Karst: ( cát trên cạn ) in the Northern coastal
provinces (Quang Ninh and Hai Phong); famous attractions are:
Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, Cat Ba island  create
magnificent sceneries.
 One of the main tourism natural resources that
attracts huge number of tourists to the region.
TRANG AN, NINH BINH,
VIETNAM
KARST TOPOGRAPHY
 LANDFORMS
d. Coastal area and islands:
The largest island and archipelago area of the country (2,321 islands –
83.7%)
Long coastal line: > 600 km  a lot of beautiful beaches: Tra Co,
Bai Chay, Do Son
> 3,000 islands and islets  island system in Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu
Long, Bach Long Vi, Cat Ba, Cat Hai …
Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long: > 1,000 islets, Cat Ba: 366 islets
 Gulf of Tonkin: junction of North-Eastern limestone mountain system
and sea  create wide range of islands and islets
Particularly valuable in tourism development with different tourism
products
Some areas are also world’s biosphere reserves with biodiversity and
various endemic species
3-peaches beach Ngoc Vung beach (Van Don)
Minh Chau beach (Quan Lan) Do Son beach (Hai Phong)

CLIMATE
 Mainly tropical monsoon
Typical for four-season climatic type in Vietnam, suitable for
different types of tourism.
Spring (Jan – Mar): cool weather with drizzle, 18oC – 22oC 
suitable for festival tourism, religious tourism and sight-seeing.
Summer (May – Sep): hot weather, high temperature and heavy
rainfall, average 28oC – 33.5oC  beach tourism and mountain
relaxation.
 Autumn (Sep – Oct): cool and dry weather  cultural -
historical tourism, tours to handicraft villages
Winter (Nov – Dec): cold weather  tours to national park and
visiting historic – cultural vestiges.

WATER RESOURCES
Diverse and rich in water resources with various of rivers, lakes and
mineral springs.
Red river and Thai Binh river systems not only brings the beautiful
scenery but also contain multiple historical, cultural and traditional values.
Rivers were always considered as streams of life where people were
sheltered and created their peaceful but hustle and bustle life on the two
banks
conveniently exploit tourism resources for sight-seeing, festival and
cultural tourism.
The natural lake (West lake) and man-made lake (Dong Mo – Ngai Son,
Hai stream, Dai Lai) systems have a harmonious combination between the
immense blue water with the natural and cultural sceneries that create a
charming landscape  suitable for sport tourism, relaxation tourism and
weekend tourism.
The rich source of mineral springs is capable of healing many diseases
such as joints, stomach, digestive system, gynecology and liver, etc. Some
famous sites: Tien Lang (Hai Phong), Quang Hanh (Quang Ninh), Ba Vi
(Ha Noi), Kenh Ga (Ninh Binh) ….  suitable for rejuvenation and
healing tourism
MINERAL
SPRINGS
 FLORAL AND FAUNA
SYSTEM
6 national parks (Tam Dao, Cat Ba, Ba Vi, Bai Tu Long, Xuan
Thuy, Cuc Phuong)
2 biosphere reserves (Cat Ba and Red river wetlands)
Various historical – cultural – environmental forests (Huong
Son,
Soc Son, Con Son – Kiep Bac, Hoa Lu)
A territory to protect typical ecosystems, biodiversity and a
precious genetic source. Create many natural attractions and
be
autiful sceneries with cool fresh climate.
Contain indigenous cultural values
Main tourism products: sight-seeing, research, ecotourism
and community-based tourism
 CULTURAL TOURISM
RESOURCES
Historic – cultural – architectural and art
vestiges

Festivals

Folk culture

Others
HISTORICAL – CULTURAL –
ARCHITECTURAL AND ART
VESTIGES
These vestiges attach with values of Red river civilization.
2,232 national heritages (70%) out of 3,125 heritages.
7 UNESCO world’s natural and cultural heritages
Hanoi -a thousand-year-old capital- is the center of the region
with more than 1,000 national cultural – historical relics  an
outstanding resource for tourism activities.
HISTORICAL – CULTURAL –
ARCHITECTURAL AND ART
VESTIGES
Archeological sites: Nguoi Xua cave (Cuc Phuong, Ninh Binh), Cai
Beo (Cat Ba, Hai Phong). Dong Dau (Yen Lac, Vinh Phuc), Soi Nhu
(Bai Tu Long, Quang Ninh), Thang Long Royal citadel (Hanoi), etc.
Historical sites: Co Loa citadel, Dong Da mound, Ho Chi Minh
mausoleum, Hoa Lu ancient citadel, Binh Than pier, Con Son – Kiep
Bac, etc.
Architectural and art vestiges: pagodas, shrines, temples,
churches, old quarter, ancient town have not only contains
architectural and art values but also comprise cultural, social and
spiritual values. Famous sites include: Literature temple, Hien
ancient town, Tran Quoc pagoda, One pillar pagoda, But Thap
pagoda, Dau temple, Tram Gian temple, Cua Ong temple, Hanoi old
quarter, etc.
 Significant tourism resource to create unique and competitive
tourism products for the region.

FESTIVAL
Famous for different types of traditional festival as the
region was the cradle for agricultural and historical –cultural
festivals of the nation. Those festivals reflect the wet rice
civilization, Red river civilization as well as the Oriental
cultural, spiritual and philosophical life.
Often taken place in spring and autumn at large scale and
rich in content  are able to attract both domestic and
international tourists.
Popular festivals: Huong pagoda festival, Co Loa festival,
Giong festival, Lim festival, Yen Tu festival, buffalo-fighting
festival, Giay temple festival ….  considered as the
symbol of the country.
FESTIVALS
FESTIVALS
 FOLK CULTURE
a.Folk music:
Unique and various art performances results from the Red
river civilization
Water puppetry: water worshiping, an art performance only exists in Red
river delta; bearing the essence of wet rice civilization.
Quan ho folk songs: the values embodied in lyrics, theme, music and the
ability to connect people together.
Ca Tru singing: the pinnacle of human music, a unique art in the national
traditional culture. This is an elegant singing style, with the harmonious
combination of singers, musicians and audiences. Such an academic and
scientific art performance is nurtured, existed and developed in the hearts
of the working middle class.
Cheo singing: a narrative stage with a close exchange between performers
and audiences. Cheo singing is full of lyrical character of proverbial
singing, often filled with optimism in a rustic smile, intelligent, humorous
and intellectual. The humanity is clearly shown in this form of art.
 FOLK CULTURE
b. Gastronomy
Express the typical cultural identity of the Northern
Vietnamese people. Food is varied and has a moderate, frugal
and gentle taste that shows the harmonious of yin-yang
principles. The northern art cuisine is a delicate, elegant and
ingenious combination of senses, decoration and the skillful
coordination of ingredients for the dish.
Famous dishes: La Vong grilled fish, Pho, spring rolls,
green bean cake (Hai Duong), Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls,
West lake shrimp cake, Hanoi combo noodle soup, Van
village’s wine (Bac Ninh), crab noodle soup (Hai Phong),
etc.
 Essential for tourism development and enrich the
experiences of tourists at the destination.
 FOLK CULTURE
c. Traditional handicraft villages
900 villages (43.5% of total country)
Mainly located at Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Hung Yen, Hai
Duong.
Specialized in producing unique handicraft products. A lot of villages
have long existence, experiencing ups and downs but still develop well
such as:
 Pottery villages: Bat Trang (Hanoi), Huong Canh (Vinh Phuc), Dong Trieu (Quang Ninh),
Phu Lang (Bac Ninh), Chu Dau (Hai Duong).
 Jewellery villages: Dinh Cong, Hang Bac, Kieu Ki’s gold and silver plated (Hanoi), Dong
Sam silver carving (Thai Binh), Chau Khe (Hai Duong).
 Embroidery villages: Van Phuc silk village, Quat Dong embroidery village (Hanoi), Xuan
Neo embroidery village (Hai Duong), Van Lam (Thai Binh).
 Lacquer villages: Chuon Ngo, Ha Vy, Ha Thai (Hanoi).
 Carpentry and Wood carving villages: Chang Thon (Hanoi), Đong Ki (Bac Ninh), La Xuyen
(Nam Dinh).
 Bronze casted villages: Ngu Xa (Hanoi), Dai Bai (Bac Ninh)
 Painting villages: Dong Ho, Hang Trong

FOLK CULTURE
c. Traditional handicraft villages
Export value: approximately 600 mil USD
Mostly is family business model (80.1%)
The production activities are still spontaneous,
simple and haven’t fully optimized the values of
these handicraft villages.
A very unique type of cultural tourism products 
attract a lot of tourists
A potential for Vietnam tourism
Museums:
Many museums of all kinds
that have high values for
historic, cultural,
archeological, architectural
tourism products.
OTHERS
 MAIN TOURISM PRODUCTS
Cultural - historical tourism results from Red river wet rice
civilization.
Beach and island tourism in the Northern coastal provinces
of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh.
Religious and festival tourism to experience cultural and
spiritual beliefs of the Northern people.
MICE tourism in main cities of Hanoi, Hai Phong, and
Quang Ninh.
Agricultural tourism in the outer of Hanoi
Sight-seeing, relaxation and Ecotourism at national parks
and other provinces.

KEY DEVELOPMENTAL
AREAS
Hanoi capital: associates with the center’s
historical - cultural relic systems and natural
sceneries of the outer areas.
Quang Ninh – Hai Phong: associate with beach
and island tourism, especially Ha Long bay, Cat Ba
island, Van Don island district and Do Son beach.
Ninh Binh: associates with Tam Coc – Bich
Dong, Hoa Lu, Trang An, Van Long, Cuc Phuong,
Tam Chuc – Ba Sao and the related areas.
 TOURISM DEVELOPMENTAL
CONDITIONS
1. Tourism infrastructure and superstructure:
a. Transportation:
Air transportation: Noi Bai international airport, Cat Bi
domestic airport and Gia Lam military and service airport.
Road transportation: important highways: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10,
18 from Hanoi to other regions and provinces.
Sea/river transportation: river transportation of Red river
and Thai Binh river and the sea port system of Hai
Phong/Quang Ninh such as Tuan Chau port, Cai Vieng port,
etc.
Rail transportation: parallel with highways system.

TOURISM DEVELOPMENTAL
CONDITIONS b. Electricity:
Thermoelectric power plant (Pha Lai)
Good conditions in main cities and centers  favorable condition
to develop tourism for the region.
c. Accommodation:
Increasing in numbers of hotels and accommodation annually

Variety of restaurants offered different kinds of food  suitable

with different eating needs of tourists

Still need to improve entertainment centers for providing tourists

with various entertainment activities
HOTEL STATISTICS – 2018 (VNAT)
 TOURISM DEVELOPMENTAL
CONDITIONS
2. Tourist:
Domestic and international tourists increase sharply through
years.
International tourists:
 1/3 of the country, come from different nations.
 Mainly visit Red river delta, especially Hanoi as the city is famous for its long
history, peacefulness, cuisine and distinctive cultural values.
 A popular city that welcome VIPs from important countries such as the US,
Australia, etc.

Domestic tourists:
 Increase sharply, from all parts of the country
 Main purposes: beach tourism, visiting famous attractions (Ha Long bay, Cat
Ba, Do Son, Tra Co), participating in festivals of all kinds (Lim festival,
Huong pagoda festival, Yen Tu festival), and visiting historical – cultural relics
as well as UNESCO world’s heritages.
TOURISTS TO THE
REGION 2015
 (ITD)
Items Unit R2000 2005 2010 2015
Total tourists Thousand 7,533.2 15,670.7 30,472.9 46,177.9
people
International tourists Thousand 1,441.5 3,177.9 5,400.5 7,440.0
people
Compare withother % 35.0 37.1 37.2 31.0
regions
Domestic tourists Thousand 6,091.7 12,492.8 25,072.4 38,737.9
people
Compare with other % 32.8 31.1 34.3 24.2
regions
INTERNATIONAL
TOURISTS TO
MAIN
DESTINATIONS
OF VIETNAM
2018

4
8
 TOURISM DEVELOPMENTAL
CONDITIONS
3. Tourism revenue:
Items Unit 2000 2005 2010 2015
Total revenue Trillion VND 5.7 8.68 29.0

Compare with other regions % 33.8 28.9 29.6

Tourism revenue increase strongly in compare with the

increase in the number of tourists.
Account for ¼ revenue of the total country, 2nd position
(after the Southeast region).
Hanoi accounts for 80.3 % of the region’s total revenue,
followed by Quang Ninh (8.6%) and Hai Phong (4.0%).

FAMOUS
ATTRACTIONS
Ha Long bay
Cuc Phuong national park
 HA LONG BAY
Location: Northeast corner of Vietnam, Quang Ninh
province
Area: 1,553 sq. km
1,969 islands, 90% are limestone islands
989 islands are named
Borders:
West and northwest: Yen Hung dis., to Van Don dis.,
Southeast and South: western shore of Tonkin Gulf
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 Southwest: Cat Ba island (Hai Phong province)

HA LONG BAY
Area of the World heritage

Dau Go
World heritage area Grotto
 Area: 434 sq. km
 775 islands, 411 are named Cong
 Boundary: triangle of Dau Go grotto Tay
– Cong Tay island – Ba Ham Lake Island

Recognized as World Ba Ham

heritage twice by UNESCO Lake
 1994: exceptional and universal value
of the landscape
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 2000: special value of geology and geomorphology

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 Area of the World heritage

Dau Go Grotto

Cong Tay Island

Ba Ham Lake

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LEGEND OF HA LONG BAY

Ha Long: “Descending Dragons”
Legend:
Long ago, Viet people were attacked by foreign aggressors
The Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and a herd of
Child Dragons to help the Viet fight the invaders
Dragons spat out innumerable pearls which were changed
into innumerable stone islands linked together into a firm
citadel that checked the enemy’s advance and smashed their
vessels into pieces
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LEGEND OF HA LONG BAY
Legend (cont.)
After the invaders were driven out, Mother Dragon and her
Child Dragons stayed on earth
The spot where the Mother Dragon landed was Ha Long
where the Child Dragons came down was Bai Tu Long
The place where their tails violently wagged was called
Long
Vi( present Tra Co peninsula)
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HA LONG BAY’S OUTSTANDING
VALUES
Aesthetic value
A mighty, wonderful and unique sculptural site by Nature
Various interesting shapes of the islands and islets (Trong
Mai islet, Dai Bang islet, La Vong islet …)
The beauty of Ha Long Bay is formed of mountains,
islands, colors of its waters, and rich system of grottos and
caves
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 Ga Choi islet Dau Nguoi islet

Canh 3/27/2023
Buom islet La Vong islet Lu Huong57 islet
 Trong cave
Trinh Nu cave

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Luon cave Sung sot cave
 Thien Cung grotto
Bo Nau cave

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3/27/2023 Tien Ong cave Me Cung grotto

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HA LONG BAY’S OUTSTANDING
VALUES
Geological value
Geological formation value
A multi-layers system of carbonate sediment
Recording great events of the geological processes in this
area 500 mil years ago
Can be seen through the colors, material composition,
stone layer formation, and fossil relics
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 Geological structure of Carboniferous period about 340 to
286 million years ago (nghich dao tao son)

HA LONG BAY’S OUTSTANDING

VALUES
Geological value
The Quaternary and marine geological value
Typical characteristics of the Quaternary geology:
The sediment layers,
The rising sea shelf,
Terraced plains submerged in the bay,
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 The ancient rivers, grottos and caves and their sediment,
The traces of the old sea level and the selfish found high on
the cliffs
A modern agglomerated basin which was formed by a system
of preventive islands, not protruding capes  unique marine
notch caves and interesting strange shapes of limestone islands
HA LONG BAY’S OUTSTANDING
VALUES
Geological value
Karst geomorphologic value

85
An ideal model of a mature Karst landscape developed during
a wet tropical climate (>20 mil years)
Various and multiform caves and grottoes, dividing into 3
groups
Old phreatic caves (Sung Sot, Tam Cung, Lau Dai, Thien
Cung, Dau Go )
Old karstic foot caves (Trinh Nu, Bo Nau, Tien Ong and Trong)
Marine notch caves (Luon Cave, Ba Hang and Ba Ham lakes)

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 HA LONG BAY’S
OUTSTANDING VALUES
Biodiversity value
High bio-diversity with the typical ecosystems of the
tropical sea
In 2008: 2,949 species of fauna and flora
10 kinds of typical eco-systems divided into 2 systems
The tropical forest ecosystem
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 The seashore ecosystem

HA LONG BAY’S OUTSTANDING

VALUES
Cultural and historical value
Home of ancient Viet people with three continuous pre-historic
cultures about 18,000 to 3,500 years ago

Soi Nhụ culture (about 18,000 to 7,000 years ago)

Cái Bèo culture (from 7,000 to 5,000 years ago)

88
 Hạ Long culture (from 4,500 to 3,500 years ago)
In the history of the nation foundation and protection of
Vietnam, it is also the place of three glorious victories for the
Vietnamese people from the 10th to the 20th centuries

HA LONG BAY
Tourism types:
Sight-seeing
Cultural tourism
Sport tourism
Ecotourism
89
Overnight on the bay
Tourism sites:
Famous grottos and caves (Dau Go, Thien Cung, Sung Sot, Lau
Dai, etc)
Titov island, Tuan Chau island, Quan Lan island …
Ba Ham lake
Ba Trai Dao beach ….

CUC PHUONG
NATIONAL PARK
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 CUC PHUONG NATIONAL
PARK
Founded in 7 Jul, 1962

1st national park and national reserve

Location: nestled between the provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa

Binh and Thanh Hoa

Area: 22,000 ha

Mostly are primeval forest

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Rich ecosystem

Cuc Phuong National

park
Home to 4 main conservation centers:
Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC) – Trung tâm
cứu hộ Linh trưởng nguy cấp

Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program (CPCP) –

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Chương trình bảo tồn thú ăn thịt và Tê Tê

Turtle conservation Center (TCC) – Trung tâm bảo tồn Rùa

Botanical Garden – Vườn thực vật

CUC PHUONG NATIONAL

PARK
Home to an amazing diversity of floral and fauna
Fauna
117 species of mammals

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 300 species of birds
110 reptilian and amphibians species
65 species of fish
2,000 species of insects
Floral:
Typical tropical rain forest with multi-layered canopy
2,000 species of vascular plants

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 CUC PHUONG NATIONAL
PARK
An enchanting scenery of verdant Karst mountains and lush
valleys

A cultural landscape of Muong minority people

A valuable archeological site dated at 200 - 230 million

years old and evidence of prehistoric people, who lived in the
forest some 7500 years ago.
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 CUC PHUONG NATIONAL
PARK
Tourism activities in Cuc Phuong
Community-based ecotourism and home-stays
Trekking
Night spotting
Bird watching
Cycling
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Amphibians, insects, reptiles spotting
Tour to biodiversity hotspots

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 MAIN TOURISM
ROUTES
National tourism routes:
Hanoi – Hai Phong – Quang Ninh: most
important route with main attractions of the region.
Hanoi – Ha Nam – Ninh Binh: famous for sight
seeing, religious tourism, natural tourism and
cultural tourism.
Hanoi – Huong pagoda – Tam Chuc pagoda – Ba
Sao – Tam Coc – Bich Dong – Trang An – Bai
Dinh: religious tourism
Other routes from Hanoi to other regions and
provinces

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 MAIN TOURISM
ROUTES
Theme routes:
-Cultural –historical routes: visit cultural and
historical relics of different dynasties
-Handicraft villages route: visit famous handicraft
villages along the Red river
-Countryside route: visit and experience life in rural
area near Hanoi
-Ecotourism and exploration routes: to islands and
beaches, national parks, etc.