(TITC) - The North Central lies on the narrowest land strip of Viet Nam, between the Truong Son Mountain Range and East Sea. With a long coastline and many border gates to Laos, the region keeps a particularly important position for economy – tourism development between Viet Nam and other countries in East – West Economic Corridor.

◊ DIVERSIFIED TOURISM POTENTIALS

The North Central has many favorable conditions to develop tourism with beautiful beaches of Sam Son (Thanh Hoa), Cua Lo (Nghe An), Nhat Le (Quang Binh), Cua Tung (Quang Tri), Thuan An, Lang Co (Thua Thien - Hue)...; many unique natural landscapes such as Huong River, Tam Giang – Cau Hai Lagoon (Thua Thien - Hue Province), Thien Cam Mountain, Ke Go Lake (Ha Tinh)...; natural reserves and national parks including Ben En (Thanh Hoa), Pu Huong, Pu Mat (Nghe An), Vu Quang, Ke Go (Ha Tinh), Phong Nha – Ke Bang (Quang Binh), Bach Ma (Thua Thien – Hue)...; valuable historical, cultural, architectural relics such as Hue Citadel, Ho Chi Minh Trail, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Truong Son Cemetery, Con Tien Military Base, Quang Tri Citadel... It also is home to many specific festivals including Lam Kinh (Thanh Hoa), Cuong Temple (Nghe An), Hon Chen (Thua Thien - Hue); especially Hue Festival held every 2 years has become a international cultural event attracting the large number of domestic and foreign tourists.

◊ WORLD HERITAGE

The region also owns 7 world heritage properties recognized by UNESCO including Citadel of the Ho Dynasty (Thanh Hoa), Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh), Complex of Hue Monuments, Vietnamese court music – Nha nhac, Royal literature on Hue royal architecture (Thua Thien - Hue), Vi and giam folk songs of Nghe Tinh (Nghe An and Ha Tinh), Phuc Giang school woodblocks (Ha Tinh).

Ngo Mon Gate in the Complex of Hue Monuments (Thua Thien - Hue Province)

It is also the hometown of many Vietnamese celebrities such as Ho Chi Minh, Nguyen Du, Phan Boi Chau, Tran Phu, Vo Nguyen Giap, Le Duan...; Le Kings, Ho Kings, Nguyen Kings, Nguyen Lords, Trinh Lords…

In addition, the North Central is home to 25 ethnic groups with diversified folk cultural treasure, typically songs sung while working (ho) on rivers such as ho song Ma (Thanh Hoa), ho vi giam (Nghe Tinh), ho khoan (Quang Binh), ho mai nhi (Quang Tri) and ho Hue.

Currently, the region focuses on developing tourism types of sea, ecotourism, exploring caves, heritage… to contribute to society-economy and tourism development in the region and also the whole country.

Thu Giang