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System of rivers and lakes

Gianh river

The Gianh River is considered a geographical symbol of Quang Binh province. The river is 160 km long, originating from the edge of Co Pi mountain 2,017 m high in the Truong Son range. The Gianh River flows through the districts of Minh Hoa, Tuyen Hoa, Quang Trach, and Bo Trach and empties into the sea at the mouth of Giang. In addition to the Gianh River, Quang Binh has four other major river systems: Roon, Ly Hoa, Dinh and Nhat Le Rivers.

Also read: Quang Binh launches afforestation project at headwaters of Gianh River

Son River

Son River, also known as Nguon Son, Rao Son, and Trooc River. The river flows entirely in the territory of Quang Binh province. The upstream part of the river is more than 7,700 m long, flowing underground in the limestone mountains to the west of Quang Binh. The Son River flows out from the mouth of Phong Nha cave, confluence with the Gianh River in Ba Don town. During the day, there is a boat tour of the Son River and Gianh River, taking visitors through rustic villages, majestic mountains and forests.

Nhat Le River

Originating from the Truong Son mountain range, the river flows through the Nhat Le estuary into the East Sea. The name "Nhat Le" means bright sun. Catching the sunrise by the river is a favorite experience for locals and visitors. Early in the morning, the sun will rise from the dunes of Bao Ninh; from the river's south bank, visitors will see the sun like gold inlaid on the water.

Sea

Nhat Le Beach

Once one of Vietnam's 10 most attractive sea tourist attractions, voted by the National Administration of Tourism, Nhat Le beach stretches along Dong Hoi City, about 2 km from the center. White sand, clear blue water and calm waves are the beauties that attract visitors to the three main beaches of Nhat Le Beach.

Bao Ninh peninsula

Located east of Dong Hoi City, the Bao Ninh peninsula is peaceful between the sea on one side and the Nhat Le River on the other. In addition to swimming and sightseeing, visitors can participate in many sports activities such as volleyball, football, kite flying, surfing, and parachuting on the beach. Bao Ninh has a long, smooth, pristine coastline. Bao Ninh peninsula also has relics of ancient ramparts, and Ca Ong temple imbued with fisherman culture, Luy Truong Sa, Sa Chuy Fort and Suot Mother Statue...

Bai Da Nhay

Bai Da Nhay is a scenic spot in Bo Trach district on National Highway 1A, about 26 km north of Dong Hoi City. Coastal rocks are weathered; seawater erodes over time to form natural animal statues such as drums - roofs, elephants, and tigers jumping on the waves. If you have time, visitors can also participate in many types of active recreation, such as boating, climbing, hunting, or simply walking in the coastal poplar forest.

Coc Well, at Da Nhay Beach, the water is very clear. In particular, the water in the well is warm in winter and cool in summer, and fishermen often take it to worship at Nam Hai Dai Vuong temple.

Dong Hoi City

Quang Binh Quan

This is a stronghold in the Luy Thay system, built-in 1639 to help Nguyen Lord resist the attacks of Lord Trinh in Tonkin. Quang Binh Quan was destroyed by the French army when they withdrew from Dong Hoi in 1954, then rebuilt almost as old. In 1965, this place was again destroyed by American aircraft. Currently, Quang Binh Quan has been restored to its original form more than three centuries ago.

Bell tower of Tam Toa church

Tam Toa Church is in the center of Dong Hoi City, by the Nhat Le River. The church is about 10 m high. Experiencing many bomb attacks during the war, the church now has only the bell tower in the front and a brick pillar on the stone foundation in the back, but it still retains its ancient beauty. This place is one of the cultural and historical heritages of the province.

Dong Hoi Ancient Citadel

The ancient citadel is located in the overall military historical relics of Dong Hoi in the Trinh - Nguyen dynasties, built on the key land of the trans-Vietnam road from North to South. Today, the ancient citadel of Dong Hoi is only nearly 1,100 m with 15 zigzag sections. The southern city is still intact; the eastern city has three gates. Although much was destroyed in two wars, the citadel retains the necessary original elements.

Suot Mother Monument

Mother Suot, or hero Nguyen Thi Suot, was born in 1906 in Bao Ninh, Quang Binh. During the years of the resistance war against the US, Suot mother volunteered to connect the communication line between Dong Hoi and Bao Ninh, rowing a boat alone to help the soldiers cross the river and transport ammunition. The monument is about 7 m high, located on the banks of the Nhat Le River, and is a must-stop for many tourists.

Ngang Pass

As the natural boundary between the two provinces of Ha Tinh and Quang Binh, Ngang Pass crosses the Hoanh Son mountain range and is a critical point on National Highway 1A. The pass is famous in the poem Qua Deo Ngang by Ba Huyen Thanh Quan. The pass is 6 km long; the peak is about 250 m. On the top of the pass is the "Gate of Heaven" - the relic of Hoanh Son Quan Gate, built in 1833. In 2004 Deo Ngang road tunnel was built, replacing the mountain pass.

Vung Chua - Yen Island

This is a scenic spot in Tho Son village, Quang Dong commune, Quang Trach district, at the foot of Ngang pass, about 4 km to the south, more than 2 km from National Highway 1A to the east. Vung Chua is a peaceful beach; there is Yen Island in the sea, considered a screen creating a charming scene. Dragon Mountain in this area is the resting place of General Vo Nguyen Giap. Every day, thousands of People from around the world come to offer incense, especially during the Tet holidays. However, this area will be closed occasionally; visitors need to contact us in advance for information.

Chay River - Dark Cave

The Chay River originates from the limestone massif flowing around the villages, combined with Dark Cave, a cave with an ancient stalactite system representing the geological tectonic process of the Phong Nha - Ke Bang area to form a tourist route. Nature discovery calendar. Currently, Chay River - Dark Cave is being exploited according to the type of exploration with many services such as zipline for river bathing, zipline to explore caves, kayak to explore Chay River, swimming through Thuy Tien Lake in Dark Cave and take a mud bath.

Mooc Stream

Mooc resort is located in Bo Trach district, about 70 km from Dong Hoi City, on the west branch of Ho Chi Minh Road. The stream is located right in the middle of the valley, surrounded by limestone mountains along the banks of the Chay River. The stream here is green all year round; on sunny summer days, the water is greener. There are many fun activities to explore, such as swimming, kayaking, fishing, and zipline. Visitors must purchase entrance tickets and tickets for each game.

Off-road vehicle (ATV)

Tour "Explore ironwood forest - Kong's house" by 4-wheel all-terrain vehicle (ATV) operates in Tan Hoa commune, Minh Hoa district. This is where director Jordan Vogt-Roberts chose the setting for the Hollywood blockbuster "Kong: Skull Island" 2016. ATV is a multi-function off-road vehicle, able to move on various steep terrain, forest, dunes or many obstacles. In the 2-hour tour, visitors will take control of the road, drive through the forest, and conquer every bend, slope, stream and run in the dark tunnel.

Also read: Off-road driving to explore ironwood forest and ‘Kong’s house’

Cuisine

Rice dumpling cake is a delicious dish to be noticed when visiting Dong Hoi. The cake has a shell made from tapioca starch, shrimp paste, and fatty meat wrapped in banana leaves. When steamed, the crust is transparent, and the flavor is rich. Filter cake in Quang Binh also has green bean paste.

Rice dumpling bread is a breakfast that combines hot bread with about 7-8 flour cakes brimming with sauce and green onions. The dish is sold in Dong Hoi market or roadside stalls for about 10,000-15,000 VND each.

Porridge soup has a strong sweet broth, soft noodles, and little spicy chopped green vegetables. Besides Dong Hoi City, some other places with this dish are Ba Don town. Ba Don soup is rich in the taste of sea fish such as scad, herring, and pompano, served with the golden ram.

Noodle soup with cauliflower water is cooked from fish bones or pork bones and served with pickled purple onions and sliced chili. Raw vegetables served with lettuce and banana flower. Each bowl is sold for about 30,000 VND, suitable for breakfast.

Oyster porridge is an inviting dish for the people of Quan Hau town, Quang Ninh district, at the gateway of Dong Hoi City. Nhat Le River oysters are fresh and delicious; the fatty taste makes a bowl of porridge sweet and unforgettable.

Banh Khoai is a dish to be noticed when coming to Quang Binh. The cake is similar to banh xeo, but thicker, filled with beef and fresh shrimp. Diners will use rice paper to roll a piece of Khoai cake with vegetables dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce.

Seafood in Quang Binh is very rich and reasonably priced. Different processing methods include fish and potato hotpot, fish salad, steamed crab, ram layn, fish sauce, etc. Fish salad is usually grouper or apricot. Fish is dipped in lemon juice and rolled with rice paper of all kinds. Fish salad is sold at seafood restaurants in the center of Dong Hoi City and restaurants on boats on the Nhat Le River.

Fish porridge is a specialty sold at many restaurants in Dong Hoi City. The rustic hot pot with tomatoes, star fruit, tamarind leaves, sour bamboo shoots, and sauerkraut creates a delicious taste for the soft, melt-in-your-mouth fish. Diners can order seafood.

Melaleuca mushrooms are not available everywhere and every season. This specialty is only available around April and July 7-8 m calendar; each crop lasts about 5-7 days after each rain. Mushrooms grow on melaleuca trees, taste bitter, and are used for stir-frying with potatoes, pork, shrimp or cooked soup or porridge.

Flexible sweet potato is made from the potato harvested to go into the water, slightly dry. When the potatoes are less fresh, the surface of the tubers is no longer plump and bright; then, they are washed and boiled, peeled and sliced thin, and exposed to the sun for 7 to 9 days to have flexible sweet potatoes. Delicious potato slices have the color of cockroach wings, are flexible and sweet, and have a typical sweet potato aroma.

Note

With the cave exploration and adventure tourism program, visitors should buy tours from reputable companies and have a guide who understands the terrain to ensure safety.
Tourist/entertainment attractions in Quang Binh are concentrated in areas such as Dong Hoi - Phong Nha - Minh Hoa. To limit the 60-70 km long journey to a short trip, visitors should note to choose destinations according to each area.
Quang Binh weather is quite harsh, hot in summer and rainy at the end of the year. Choose the right time and prepare carefully for young children or older people.