An overview of the tourism potential of

the North Central region

1.1.
Geographical location and accessbility
The North Central Coast Tourism Sub-region is a narrow strip of land that stretches from
the Tam Diep Mountains in the south to the Bach Ma Pass in the north. It borders the Red
River Delta Tourism Region to the north, Laos to the west, the South Central Coast Tourism
Sub-region to the south, and the East Sea to the east. The sub-region has a total land area
of over 51,000 km2 and a population of nearly 11 million people, with an average
population density of about 200 people/km2. This sub-region includes six provinces: Thanh
Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien - Hue.
The North Central Coast Tourism Sub-region serves as a bridge connecting the North and
South tourism routes, acting as a gateway between the countries along the Mekong Sub
region and the sea. The sub-region shares a border with Laos to the west, with important
border gates such as Na Meo (Thanh Hoa), Nam Can (Nghe An), Cau Treo (Ha Tinh), Cha
Lo (Quang Binh), and Lao Bao (Quang Tri). The tourism space in the Central Coast region
is an important gateway for tourism in Vietnam, connecting Laos and other countries in the
region through road transportation. This serves as a crucial element in promoting the
tourism development of the provinces in the North Central Coast Tourism Sub-region in
particular, and the tourism industry of the whole country in general.
Within a small area, the North Central Coast is one of the important cultural centers of
Vietnam, housing three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Ho Citadel, Phong Nha-Ke
Bang National Park, and the Complex of Hue Monuments. The North Central Coast
Tourism Sub-region is home to beautiful beaches such as Sam Son, Cua Lo, Thien Cam,
Nhat Le, Thuan An, and Lang Co. It is also the birthplace of many cultural and political
figures in Vietnam and contains numerous historical sites related to the heroic resistance
war against the United States.
1.2.
Tourism resources of the region
1.2.1. Natural tourism resources
The topography of the North Central Coast tourism region is relatively diverse, including
mountainous areas, plains, beaches, and islands. About 4/5 of the natural area is composed
of hills, mountains, and sandbars. The terrain is heavily fragmented and characterized by
steep slopes.
The mountainous terrain is associated with the Truong Son Bac structure, primarily
consisting of low mountains stretching from western Nghe An, forming a narrow strip
along the Vietnam-Laos border with peaks over 1,000 meters high, such as Dong Ngai
Cave (1,774 m) and Nui Mang (1,708 m). The average elevation in Ke Bang is 900 meters,
while Khe Ngang is 600 meters. Due to its relatively small size, especially in terms of
width, the terrain is quite steep. From the Truong Son range in the west, there are several
mountain branches that extend towards the sea, forming a series of spectacular mountain
passes along the North-South route, such as the Hoanh Son Pass (Quang Binh), Ly Hoa
Pass through Thay Mountain, and notably the "first dangerous mountain pass" - Hai Van
Pass through Bach Ma Range in Thua Thien Hue. One of the significant features of the
mountainous terrain in this tourism sub-region is the limestone landscape of Phong Nha
Kẻ Bàng. It is home to the most beautiful cave system in Vietnam in terms of aesthetic
value. From a geographical perspective, the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park can be
considered an open-air geological museum that showcases the history of the formation of
karst caves. Therefore, the diversity and ruggedness of the mountainous terrain in the
western part of the North Central Coast tourism sub-region hold great significance for the
development of various types of tourism, such as winter sports tourism, mountaineering
tourism, adventure tourism, eco-tourism, cave tourism, particularly the cave systems in
Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng. These cave systems are unique in the region. The formation of these
caves is related to tectonic activities during the Third Era (35 million years ago). The cave
systems here developed on the largest limestone block in Southeast Asia, ranging from the
ancient Devonian period (377 million years ago) to the late Permian period (250 million
years ago). The caves were formed at different stages, resulting in complex overlapping
layers.
Until now, people have only recently discovered two main cave systems: the Arch System
and the Erosion System. Recently, British and Vietnamese explorers were truly amazed by
the surreal beauty of a newly discovered cave called Son Doong Cave. Since Phong Nha
Kẻ Bàng was listed as a World Heritage site, it has become a shining tourism destination
in the Central region. Apart from Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng, in the North Central Coast tourism
region, from Thanh Hoa to Binh Tri Thien, travelers visiting any province can discover
impressive karst caves such as Tu Thuc Cave, Long Quang Cave, Ho Cong Cave, Tien
SonCave, Ban Bu Cave, Cay Dang Cave, Ngan Cave, Co Luong Cave, Ong Nam Pagoda
Cave,
Ba Nam Pagoda Cave, Na Cave (Fairy Cave), and Brai Cave.
The coastal plain system consists of many narrow, elongated coastal plains along the
coastline. These plains are narrow, sandwiched between hills and semi-alluvial plains on
one side and marshes and sandbars on the other, such as Tam Giang estuary, Hai estuary,
etc. Overall, the coastal terrain has a moderate slope, averaging from 2 to 3 degrees,
forming beautiful and expansive beaches with smooth white sand, favorable for beach
tourism and seaside resorts, such as Sam Son (Thanh Hoa), Cua Lo (Nghe An), Thien Cam
(Ha Tinh), Dong Hoi (Quang Binh), Cua Tung (Quang Tri), Thuan An, Canh Duong, Lang
Co (Thua Thien Hue)... Offshore, there are several promising tourist destinations, such as
Hon Mo Island, Hon Mat Island, Hon Ngu Island, Hon Gio Island, Hon La Island, Nghi
Son, Con Co Island... It can be said that beach tourism is a strength of the North Central
Coast tourism sub-region.
Due to the narrow terrain, most rivers and streams in the North Central Coast are small and
relatively short (less than 500 km) with steep gradients, numerous rapids, and erratic
hydrological regimes. The major river systems in the region include the Ma River, Chu
River, and Ca River. In such conditions, it is possible to develop adventurous boat rafting
tourism, especially during the rainy season when navigating through rapids and rocky
areas.
The marine hydrological regime in the North Central Coast is quite complex. It ranges from
a relatively regular tidal regime with 18-22 tidal days and a tidal range of approximately
3.6-2.6 meters in the coastal areas of Thanh Hoa, to an irregular tidal regime with more
than half a month of tidal days and a tidal range of approximately 2.5-1.2 meters in the
coastal areas from Nghe An to Cua Gianh. The coastal areas from Cua Gianh to Thuan An
have a semi-diurnal tidal regime with a tidal range of approximately 1.0-0.6 meters. Only
the Thuan An coastal area and its vicinity have a semi-diurnal tidal regime.
In the region, there are several natural and artificial lakes that can be effectively exploited
for tourism development, such as Trang Den Lake, Vu Mau Lake, Ba Tuy Dam (in Nghe
An), Ke Go Lake, Thuong Tuy Lake, Cu Lay Lake (in Ha Tinh), Bau Tro, Bau Sen (in
Quang Binh), etc.
Mineral water spots in the area have also been developed to serve tourists, including Giang
Son hot mineral spring, Moc Water Spring (in Nghe An), Khe Nuoc Sot (in Ha Tinh),
Banghot mineral water (in Quang Binh), My An hot mineral water (in Thua Thien Hue), and
others. However, the exploitation of these resources is still at a small scale, with insufficient
investment, resulting in limited efficiency.
1.2.2. Cultural tourism resources
The entire Bac Trung Bo tourism region has over 4,500 historical and cultural relics,
including 1,141 provincial-level relics, 365 nationally recognized relics, and 11 special
national-level relics, as well as 3 world heritage sites. Among the 3 world heritage sites in
the region, there are 2 cultural heritages: the Complex of Hue Monuments, the Ho Citadel,
and 1 natural heritage site: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
The Complex of Hue Monuments is located within and around the city of Hue. Established
as the capital of unified Vietnam in 1802, Hue was not only a political center but also a
cultural and religious center under the Nguyen Dynasty, the last feudal dynasty in
Vietnamese history. The urban planning and architectural structures in Hue are in harmony
with the principles of feng shui, a prevailing philosophy in the East, such as the theory of
five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth), five colors (gold, white, blue, black, red),
and positions (lower green dragon, upper white tiger, front blue dragon, rear black turtle,
center).
These structures represent the most significant centers of power of the last feudal dynasty
in Vietnam. Within the imperial citadel are the buildings used for governmental activities.
At its core is the living quarters of the royal family (Forbidden Purple City). Due to its
immense importance, the imperial citadel is surrounded by a complex system of defensive
structures, including walls, moats, ramparts, ditches, and gates. In addition to the imperial
citadel, the structures outside the citadel also hold great value related to the spiritual life of
the dynasties, such as the Temple of Literature, Nam Giao Esplanade, Ho Quyen, Thien
Mu Pagoda, and Hon Chen Temple. To the west of the imperial citadel lie the tombs of the
kings, from Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri to Tu Duc, Dong Khanh, and Khai Dinh. The
overall complex of Hue monuments is a prime example of urban planning that is
representative of the last feudal dynasty in Vietnam and a prominent illustration of an
oriental feudal city.
The Hồ Dynasty Citadel was constructed in 1397 following Feng Shui principles in a
stunning landscape between the Mã River and the Bưởi River. The inner citadel was built
with large limestone blocks, showcasing highly advanced construction techniques. The
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architectural elements, design, and decorative features reflect the royal power based on the
application of Confucianism in a predominantly Buddhist cultural context of that era. As
the political, economic, and cultural center of Northern Central Vietnam from the 16th to
the 18th century, the Hồ Dynasty Citadel exemplifies a new trend in technology, commerce,
and centralized governance, while maintaining the traditional values of Buddhism that
were prevalent in Vietnamese society, as well as Southeast Asia and Asia as a whole. In
other words, the architecture of the Hồ Dynasty Citadel provides the clearest evidence of
the presence of Neo-Confucian philosophy in the late 14th century and the dissemination
of this doctrine to various regions in Southeast Asia.
1.3.
Tourism infrastructure and facilities
Located in the middle of the country, connecting the North and the South, the North Central
Coast tourism sub-region has a relatively developed transportation system. Running
parallel to the length of the sub-region are two major arterial roads, National Highway 1
(QL1) and the Ho Chi Minh Road. These two roads are interconnected by numerous
crossroads, making travel within the sub-region quite convenient. The entire sub-region
has a total of 4,200 km of national highways and 3,200 km of provincial roads. The road
network density for automobiles in the sub-region is 0.14 km/km², which is higher than the
national average (0.13 km/km²).
Running through the provinces in the sub-region is the North-South railway line, with
major stations located in the provincial capitals. There are 5 pairs of trains running daily
on the Hanoi - Saigon route passing through the area. In addition, there are 5 routes: Dong
Hoi - Hue, Dong Hoi - Vinh, Hanoi - Vinh, Vinh - Hue, and Vinh - Saigon. Generally, the
Hanoi - Saigon trains are quite punctual, but local routes sometimes experience delays. The
equipment on the train cars is quite old, and many stations have not been renovated or
upgraded, resulting in low competitiveness.
In terms of air transport, the sub-region is also home to several airports and flight routes
connecting important tourist destinations within the sub-region to major hubs domestically
and internationally. According to the official website of Vietnam Airlines, the sub-region
has Phu Bai International Airport with a capacity of handling 1.5 million passengers per
year, Vinh International Airport with a capacity of handling 3 million passengers per year,
Tho Xuan Airport with a capacity of handling 600,000 passengers per year, and Dong Hoi
Airport with a capacity of handling 500,000 passengers per year.
Overall, the current transportation infrastructure and network in the sub-region have the
ability to meet the tourism demand for the next 10-15 years.
The figures from the Comprehensive Tourism Development Master Plan for the North
Central Coast region until 2020, with a vision for 2030, indicate that in 2011, the entire
sub-region had nearly 40,000 rooms, accounting for 14.4% of the total number of rooms in
the country.
According to the data from the Hotel Department of the Vietnam National Administration
of Tourism in 2016, the entire North Central Coast region had 2,569 accommodation
establishments with 60,467 rooms. However, only 3.19% of the accommodation
establishments were rated 3 to 5 stars, accounting for 16.10% of the total number of rooms
in the region. The average number of rooms per accommodation establishment was
relatively high at 24 rooms.
Tourist attractions of the North Central region
CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK
The national park covers an area that spans two limestone mountain ranges across three
provinces. Its highest peak is Dinh May Bac (Silver Cloud Peak) at 656m. No less an
eminence than Ho Chi Minh took time off from the war in 1963 to declare this Vietnam’s
first national park, saying: ‘Forest is gold. If we know how to conserve it well, it will be
very precious. Destruction of the forest will lead to serious effects on both life and
productivity.’
Despite his exhortations, poaching and habitat destruction continue to plague the park.
Improved roads have led to more illegal logging, and many native species – the Asiatic
black bear, Siamese crocodile, wild dog and tiger – have vanished as a result of human
activity.
To learn more about the park’s conservation efforts, visit the excellent Endangered Primate
Rescue Center and Turtle Conservation Center (see the boxed text, opposite). The former
is located about 500m before the national park visitor centre ( 384 8006; near park
entrance), the latter a little farther down from it. You’ll have to get a guide (10,000d) from
the visitor centre, but entry to both centres is free so consider purchasing some souvenirs
or making a donation.
The park is also home to the minority Muong people, whom the government relocated from
the park’s central valley to its western edge in the late 1980s. This was ostensibly to
encourage a shift from their slash-and-burn practices to sedentary farming, but the
government’s star project, the Ho Chi Minh Highway, subsequently cut across some of the
former Muong parklands.
PHAT DIEM
The Tay Ninh of the north, Phat Diem is the home of a celebrated cathedral (admission
free), which is remarkable for its vast dimensions and inimitable Sino-Vietnamese
architecture, with a dash of European dressing for good measure.
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During the French era this was an important centre of Catholicism and Phat Diem’s bishop
ruled the area with his private army, Middle Ages–style, until French troops took over in
1951. The cathedral (1891) featured prominently in Graham Greene’s novel The Quiet
American, and it was from the bell tower that the author watched battles between the North
Vietnamese Army and the French.
The cathedral complex is fronted by an ornamental lake with a statue of an open-armed
Christ rising from a small island. At busy times you may have to negotiate with aggressive
sellers and beggars to earn your entrance, but inside it’s peaceful in a sepulchre-like way.
The cathedral itself is dominated by cool wood, with a vaulted ceiling supported by massive
columns almost 1m in diameter and 10m tall. Above the altar (made from a single block of
granite), Vietnamese-looking cherubs with golden wings “swarm, while Chinese-style
clouds drift across the blue ceiling. Beneath them are icons of the martyrs slaughtered by
Emperor Tu Duc during the anti-Catholic purges of the 1850s.
Opposite the cathedral’s main doors is the free-standing bell tower, with stone columns
carved to look like bamboo. At its base lie two enormous stone slabs. Their sole purpose
was to provide a perch for mandarins to sit and observe – no doubt with great amusement –
the rituals of the Catholic mass. Atop the tower is a gloriously enormous bell.
Between the tower and the cathedral is the tomb of the Vietnamese founder, Father Six.
Behind the main building is a large pile of limestone boulders – Father Six piled them up
to test whether the boggy ground would support his plans. The rock heap has been used to
form a Lourdes grotto, with a somewhat spooky bust of Father Six beside it.
Hordes of Vietnamese tourists come to this place, few of them Catholic but many curious
about churches and Christianity. Daily mass is celebrated at 5am and 5pm, when the
massive bell is rung and the faithful stream into the cathedral, all dressed up.
PHONG NHA CAVE
The largest and most stunning cave in Vietnam is Phong Nha Cave. It was reliably mapped
for the first time only in 1990, by an expedition led by the British Cave Research
Association. Further exploration has revealed that Phong Nha Cave alone is nearly 55km
long, though only the first kilometre is open to visitors. The name means Cave of Teeth,
but the ‘teeth’ (stalagmites) by the entrance are long gone. The cave is an incredible
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otherworldly landscape to explore – except for the garish lights that illuminate certain
formations.
Tien Son Cave is a dry cave in the mountainside above Phong Nha Cave. Boats on the way
to Phong Nha Cave stop at a landing five minutes’ walk from the foot of the steep 330-step
climb to Tien Son. Inside, the remains of Cham altars and inscriptions date back to the 9th
and 10th centuries, while the entrance bears evidence of American aerial attacks. The cave
was used as a hospital and ammunition depot during the American War. The Americans
also heavily strafed and bombed the area because it was a key entrance point to the Ho Chi
Minh Trail.
For tickets, go to the Phong Nha Reception Department in Son Trach village. Boats leave
from the jetty here (maximum 10 people per boat). In November and December the river
is prone to flooding and Phong Nha Cave may be closed. Both caves are dimly lit so bring
a torch (flashlight). On weekends they’re extremely popular with Vietnamese visitors,
whose presence is magnified by the spectacular echoes and unventilated cigarette smoke.
Phong Nha Cave is the linchpin of the Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park. The park was
designated a Unesco World Heritage site in 2003 and contains the oldest major karst area
in Asia, formed approximately 400 million years ago.
Tourist routes of the North Central region
3.1 Main tourist routes of the region
Tourist routes of the region
Imperial Heritage Route: Experience the historical treasures of Hue's Imperial Citadel,
explore the charming ancient town of Hoi An, and marvel at the ancient temples of My Son
Sanctuary, before ending your journey in the vibrant city of Danang with its beautiful
beaches and modern attractions.
Coastal Adventure Route: Embark on an exhilarating coastal adventure, from the pristine
beaches of Danang to the tranquil shores of Quy Nhon, and then to the vibrant city of Nha
Trang, offering water sports, island hopping, and stunning coastal landscapes, before
concluding in Mui Ne with its captivating sand dunes and kite surfing spots.
Nature and Cave Exploration Route: Discover the natural wonders of Phong Nha-Ke
Bang National Park, including the awe-inspiring Son Doong Cave, explore the mystical
underground realm of Phong Nha Cave, and journey along the coastal areas of Quang Binh,
taking in the stunning vistas and historic Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Cultural and Spiritual Route: Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the North
Central Region, visiting the Citadel of the Ho Dynasty in Thanh Hoa, the Tran Temple in
Nam Dinh, and the serene landscapes of Tam Coc-Bich Dong in Ninh Binh, before ending
your spiritual journey at the Bai Dinh Pagoda.
Some inter-regional tourist routes - Hue – Quang Binh route - Da Nang – Hue – Quang Binh
route - Da Nang – Quang Nam route - Da Nang – Hoi An – Hue – Quang Binh - Hue – Da
Nang – Hoi An
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- Ha Noi – Nghe An – Quang Binh – Quang Tri – Hue – Da Nang – Quang Nam - Ha Noi –
Hue – Da Nang – Quang Nam - Ha Noi – Hue – Da Nang – Quang Nam – Ho Chi Minh city
– Mekong Delta - Hue – Yok Don National Park – Lak lake – Dalat – Ho Chi Minh city -
Hue – Ho Chi Minh city
Reading passage 4:
Types of tourism of the North Central region
With a coastline stretching 632 kilometers, featuring gentle slopes, fine and clean sand, and
relatively clear seawater due to short river flows, the North Central Coast region is well
suited for beach tourism and seaside resorts. Famous and beautiful beaches such as Sam
Son, Cua Lo, and Cua Tung continue to attract a large number of tourists. In recent times,
local tourism authorities have implemented proactive measures to preserve environmental
cleanliness, ensure social safety, and combat fraudulent activities targeting tourists.
In addition to traditional beach tourism products such as sunbathing services, beachwear
rentals, and beachside storage facilities, new tourism products have been introduced to
enrich the offerings, including parasailing and high-speed boat rides. New beach
destinations have emerged, offering an increasing number of luxury tourism products.
Notable examples include the high-end beach resorts of FLC Samson Beach & Golf Resort,
Sun Spa Resort, Bai Lu Resort, Thien Cam Resort, Sepon Boutique Resort, Tam Giang
Resort and Spa, Villa Louise Hue Beach and Spa, and Ana Mandara Hue Beach Resort.
These upscale beach resorts have proven to be effective in attracting repeat visitors,
provided they maintain a high standard of quality and satisfaction for both domestic and
international tourists.
The next series of products in the North Central Coast region is heritage tourism, primarily
focusing on visiting the three UNESCO World Heritage sites in the area and connecting
with Ninh Binh, Hanoi, Quang Ninh to the north, and Quang Nam to the south, creating
the "Journey through World Heritage Sites" tour. Among the three provinces with World
Heritage sites, Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Binh have advantages due to their longer
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experience in heritage exploitation and certain favorable conditions. These provinces have
effectively exploited the values of their heritage and created numerous related products to
attract a growing number of tourists.
In addition to the World Heritage sites, the provinces in the North Central Coast region
possess many other valuable heritage sites that can be developed into tourism products,
such as religious and spiritual relics (Thien Mu Pagoda, La Vang Church, Hon Chen
Temple, Perfume Pagoda, Cuong Temple...).
Slide 1:
Title: North Central Coast Tourism Sub-region
Slide 2:
 Location: Narrow strip of land in Vietnam
 Extends from Tam Diep Mountains in the south to Bach Ma Pass in the north
 Borders: Red River Delta Tourism Region (north), Laos (west), South Central Coast
Tourism Sub-region (south), East Sea (east)
Slide 3:
 Provinces: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien -
Hue
 Bridge connecting North and South tourism routes
 Important border gates: Na Meo, Nam Can, Cau Treo, Cha Lo, Lao Bao
Slide 4:
 Cultural significance: UNESCO World Heritage Sites
 Ho Citadel
 Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
 Complex of Hue Monuments
Slide 5:
 Beautiful beaches:
Slide 6:
 Birthplace of cultural and political figures in Vietnam
 Historical sites related to the resistance war against the United States
Slide 7:
 Importance as a gateway for Vietnam's tourism industry
 Connects Laos and other Mekong Sub-region countries through road transportation
Slide 8:
 Photos showcasing the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical sites of the
North Central Coast

Slide 1:
Title: Topography of the North Central Coast Tourism Region
Slide 2:
  Diverse topography: mountains, plains, beaches, and islands
 4/5 of the area composed of hills, mountains, and sandbars
 Fragmented and steep terrain
Slide 3:
 Truong Son Bac structure:
 Low mountains along Vietnam-Laos border
 Peaks over 1,000 meters high
 Notable mountain passes: Hoanh Son Pass, Hai Van Pass
Slide 4:
 Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park:
 Stunning limestone landscape
 Vietnam's most beautiful cave system
 Complex overlapping cave layers
Slide 5:
 Other karst caves in the region:
 Tu Thuc Cave
 Long Quang Cave
 Ho Cong Cave
 Tien Son Cave
Slide 6:
 Coastal plains:
 Narrow and sandwiched between hills and marshes
 Beautiful beaches:
 Sam Son
 Cua Lo
 Thien Cam
 Lang Co
Slide 7:
 Offshore destinations:
 Hon Mo Island
  Hon Mat Island
 Hon Ngu Island
 Con Co Island
Slide 8:
 Strengths of the North Central Coast:
 Beach tourism
 Cave tourism
 Adventure tourism
Slide 9:
 Conclusion slide with key takeaways and contact information for further inquiries