Quang Nam
Area: 10,438.3 sq. km
Population: 1,472.7 thousand habitants (2006)
Capital: Tam Ky City
Administrative divisions:
- Town: Hoi An
- Districts: Dai Loc, Dien Ban, Duy Xuyen, Nam Giang, Thang Binh, Que Son, Hiep Duc, Tien Phuoc, Phuoc Son, Nui Thanh, Bac Tra My, Nam Tra My, Tay Giang, Dong Giang, Phu Ninh.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Co Tu, Xo Dang, M'Nong, Co (Cor)...
Introduction: Geography, Climate, Tourism, Transportation.
Attraction:
- Historical & Cultural Vestiges: Chien Dan Towers, Chuc Thanh Pagoda, Japanese Covered Bridge, My Son, a World Heritage Site, Ong Pagoda, Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, Phuoc Lam Pagoda, Tra Kieu Church, Vien Giac Pagoda.
- Scenic Landscapes: Bang Than, Cu Lao Cham (Cham Islands), Cua Dai Beach, Ha My Beach, Hon Kem - Da Dung Landscape, Lim Mountain Creek, Phu Ninh Lake, Tam Thanh Beach, Thu Bon River.
- Cultural Travel: Agriculture Genie procession Festival, Ban Thach Sedge Mat, Duy Trinh Silk Making Village, Hoi An, a World Heritage Site, Kim Bong Carpenter Village, Lantern work in Hoi An, Long Chu Festival, Madam Thu Bon Festival, Minh Hai ancestor worshipping Festival, Phuoc Kieu Bronze Casting Village, Tan Ky Ancient House, Thanh Ha Pottery Village.
- Ecological Travel: Thuan Tinh Village.
Geography
Quang Nam is located in the middle of Central Vietnam and is surrounded by Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Ngai,
and Kon Tum provinces. The Truong Son Mountains, Laos, and the East Sea also border the province.
Quang Nam has various of mountains and hills (covers 72% its surface) with many high mountains such as Lum Heo Mountain of 2,045m, Tion Mountain of 2,032m, Gole - Lang Mountain of 1,855m... Main rivers run from Truong Son Range to East Sea as Vu Gia , Thu Bon, Tam Ky rivers.
Climate
Quang Nam's climate is influenced by monsoon. The annual average temperature is 25ºC. It is hot and dry from February to April and rainy from September to December. The average humidity is about 84%. The annual average rainfall is 2,000mm. The average sunny hours: 1,944 hours/years.
Tourism
Experiencing the ups and downs over the years, Quang Nam still preserves the unique historical and cultural remains of the past along with rich human values. Some of the typical cultural sites include: Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Holy Land, Tra Kieu Old Champa Capital, Cham Towers in Khuong My and Chien Dan, A which record the remains of Sa Huynh, Champa and the Dai Viet civilization.
During many wars, Quang Nam was one of the cradles of the revolutionary movement. Bo Bo, Nui Chua, Vinh Trinh, Cho Duoc, Chu Lai and underground tunnels of Ky Anh, the Ho Chi Minh Trail have gone down in history as the destinations for tourist to stop and visit the former battle fields.
The province possesses 120km of coastline stretching form Dien Ngoc to Dung Quat with many beautiful, 
clean and deserted beaches. The beaches of Dien Duong, Cua Dai, Binh Minh, Tam Thanh, Ky Ha and Bai Rang together with the lake of Phu Ninh, the rivers of the Thu Bon and Truong Giang and the island of Cham are ideal tourist attractions.
Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Cham Towers have been recognized as World Cultural Heritage since 12/1999.
Transportation
Quang Nam Province is located in the middle of Vietnam, 860km from Hanoi, 947km from Ho Chi Minh City, and 108km from Hue City. The province is on the National Highway 1A, the South - North railway and on the route of Danang - Quang Nam - Kon Tum - Gia Lai - Dak Lak - Dak Nong - Binh Phuoc. Hoi An is 32km from Danang and can be reached by car, bus or minibus.
Attraction
1) Historical & Cultural Vestiges
Location: Located in Tam An Commune, about 5km from the city of Tam Ky, Quang Nam Province; 60km south of Danang City, near the National Highway 1.
Characteristics: Chien Dan Tower is a group of three towers built in the 11th or 12th century and dedicated to three deities of the Champa Kingdom: Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
Today, at the site of the Chien Dan Tower, there is a showroom displaying Cham objects, including many high quality statues, which are fascinating to visitors and researchers alike.
Most researchers classified Chien Dan sculptural works in Chanh Lo Style (11th century to
early 12th century).
Location: Chuc Thanh Pagoda is located in Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province, about 2 km from the center of Hoi An.
Characteristics: The pagoda was founded at the end of the 17th century by Priest Minh Hai, Chuc Thanh 
Pagoda was well known because it was there that the Thien Chuc Thanh chapter of the Thien Lam Te religion originated.
Pilgrims come to Chuc Thanh Pagoda to worship Tam The Phat, Di Lac, and La Han. It is now managed by Buddhist Priest Thich Tri Nhan.
The pagoda was built in a combination of Chinese and Vietnamese architectural styles. It was renovated both in 1956 and 1964. Outside, is a statue of Quan The Am Bo Tat and the tombs of Minh Hai, Thiet Tho, An Bich, and Thien Qua priests.
Location: Japanese Covered Bridge, also called the Pagoda Bridge (Chua Cau) is located in Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: The Pagoda Bridge was built in the 16th century and is still incredibly well-preserved.
More than 400 years have passed and the covered bridge has always been a good shelter for passers by escaping from the rain and heat.
On the northern side of the bridge is a Japanese pagoda to protect sailors. There are statues of two dogs located at the western end of the bridge and two monkeys at the eastern end. It is said that the construction started in the year of the monkey and finished in the year of the dog, according to Chinese calendar. Other legend is said that the statues on the bridge might have been put there by the Japanese to control this monster, since the dog and the monkey are sacred animals according to their Totem religion.
Location: My Son lies in a narrow valley in Duy Tan Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province.
70km southwest of Danang City, 20km away from the Tra Kieu Citadel, and 40km away from the ancient town of Hoi An.
Characteristics: My Son is a group of temple-towers of Cham people. With its great value, in December 1999, the complex of My Son Cham Towers has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Various researches by archaeologists and architects have revealed that at the beginning, there was only one small wooden temple built by King Bhadresvara I in late 4th century. In the 7th century, King Sambhuvarman had it rebuilt, using more durable materials From then on, successive Cham kings, when enthroned, had their temple-towers constructed as offerings to their gods. During seven centuries (7th to 14th century), such temple-towers mushroomed in My Son, turning this land into a cultural, and religious center of the Cham Kingdom.
My Son was a complex of constructions, including different temple-towers and stela in various architectural styles. French researchers listed some 70 temple-towers there. However, time and war together have taken their toll on these relics. Now, only 20 temple-towers remain almost intact. The rest have been reduced to ruins. These vestiges are valuable treasures of information for studying the development of Cham culture. During its seven centuries of development, Cham arts produced many works equal to masterpieces of the world. Though less imposing than the Angkor in Cambodia and less diversified than the Pagan site in Myanma, My Son is unique of its kind in Southeast Asia.
Location: Ong Pagoda is located at 24 Tran Phu St., Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Ong Pagoda is one of the typical pagodas in Hoi An's old quarter. It was built in 1653 and is dedicated to Quan Thanh De Quan (Quan Van Truong) , who was one of the generals in the three-kingdom period of ancient China. The pagoda has been restored many times.
Location: Located at 46 Tran Phu St., Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, also called Kim Son Pagoda, was built in 1692 by Chinese Phuoc Kien merchants.
It has since been restored and enhanced many times. Because it was used for worship as well as for meetings by the Chinese from Phuoc Kien Province, this construction is now called the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall.
The Holy Mother and the Goddess of the Sea, Thien Hau, are worshipped in the main sanctuary. The Phuoc Kien ancestors and the God of Prosperity are worshipped in the sanctuary behind the main one.
This temple is architecturally unique with its artistic ornaments and beautiful statues. The Chinese architectural style combined with Vietnamese workmanship has enriched it with Hoi An’s cultural character.
Location: Phuoc Lam Pagoda is located in Cam Ha Ward, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Phuoc Lam Pagoda belongs to Lam Te-Chuc Thanh Buddhist sect. It was built in ancient Asian architectural style, constructed according to the Chinese character “Mon”.
It consists of three chambers, two lean-tos and two bell towers. The pagoda was restored in 1822 and 1893.
Inside, are various precious ancient objects and statues. This is also where many famous Vietnamese Buddhist monks were trained before the 1975 war, such as the Bonze superiors Thich Tinh Khiet and Thich Giac Nhien and the Bonze superior I and II of Vietnam Buddhism.
Location: Tra Kieu Church is situated in the old quarter of Tra Kieu, Duy Son Commune, Duy Xuyen Distric, Quang Nam Province; 45km south of Danang City.
Characteristics: It was built in 1722 at one location, and then transferred to its current site in 1865.
In 1971, Priest Phero Le Nhu Hao built the present nave according to 17th century European architecture. Next to the church are the Love of the Cross Convent built in 1867, the Museum of Traditions and the Church of the Holy Mother located on a 60m hill.
Location: Vien Giac Pagoda is located in Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Formerly, the pagoda was founded at Xuyen Trung, called Cam Ly Pagoda, after that, because of land erosion near the river, the people here moved the pagoda to the present position in 1841 and renamed it Vien Giac Pagoda.
At the beginning, Vien Giac Pagoda was a village one and in 1950, it was managed by the local Buddhists.
2) Scenic Landscapes
Location: Ban Than is located in Tam Hai Commune, Nui Thanh District, to the north of Bai Rang.
Characteristics: Ban Than is a place for people who love excitement, and is ideal for organizing adventurous tours.
This is a black cliff standing out of the white sand and the blue sea water. This cliff is more than 2km long, 40m high, consisting of pieces of stone lying on one another, with veins of different designs and images, looking like unique sculptural pieces made by the creator. You will feel dizzy standing on top of this cliff, amidst the sky and winds from the sea.
Location: Cu Lao Cham is situated in Tan Hiep Commnue, 20km from Hoi An in the direction of the East 
Sea.
Characteristics: Cu Lao Cham consists of eight islets very close to one another: Hon Lao, Hon Kho Me, Hon Kho Con, Hon Tai, Hon Dai, Hon La, Hon Mo and Hon Ong.
According to archaeologists, Cu Lao Cham first settled there 3,000 years ago and established business contacts with external countries some 1,000 years ago. Up to now, Cu Lao Cham has preserved many architectural constructions which date back to the 18th – 20th century. They include the shrine dedicated to Than Yen Sao, built in 1843 at Bai Huong and Hai Tang Pagoda, built in 1753 on the western hillside of Hon Lao. Still, Cu Lao Cham has more to offer. After a 3-hour canoe trip, one may hop over to the famed Well of the Cham people.
Situated in a salty-water area, this square-bottom well, amazingly, provides clear fresh water all year round. Enjoyable extras include white-sand, pristine beaches and captivating attractions evocatively named Bai Ong, Bai Bim, Bai Chong, Bai Bac, Suoi Tinh, Cau Mo, Suoi Ong and so on, where tourists can relax, go hunting, fishing even fishing octopuses.
Travelers also have chances to view the sea swallows’ nests clinging to the towering cliff. Cu Lao Cham wins kudos for its seafood and delicacies (octopuses, lobsters, fish’s fin, abalone, kaki, hind, colonial's eggs, birds’ nests…) and fascinating souvenirs (pearls, conches, tortoise-shells…)
Location: Cua Dai Beach is located in the area of Cam An Ward, about 4km to the north-east of Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Cua Dai Beach is over 3km in length and up to 300m in 
width. The beach boasts fine white sand, clear and blue water, moderate slopes and small waves, which make it ideal for recreational activities like swimming and other sea sports.
After visiting the relics in the old town, visitors can go to Cua Dai Beach to enjoy sea food specialties in an ideal environment of immense sky and sunshine.
In the shady palm-lined road bordering the beach stand some large seaside resorts such as Hoi An Beach Resort or Victoria Resort, where lodgings built in Vietnamese traditional style are available. On summer holidays, the famous beach of Cua Dai cools off those heading to Hoi An.
Location: Ha My Beach is located in Dien Duong Commune, Dien Ban District, about 6km to the south of Ngu Hanh Son.
Characteristics: Ha My is compared to a sleeping fairy just waken up in recent years. This beach attracts visitors not only by its clean and white sand and its wildness, but also by fresh and tasty seafood. Ha My is an ideal place for everybody in the muggy and stuffy summer days.
Location: Hon Kem - Da Dung lie alongside the two banks of Thu Bon River, belonging the two communes of Que Lam and Que Phuoc (Que Son District), Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: This landscape is an area of two ranges of stone mountains with strange images and patterns stretching out and interfering with the flow of Thu Bon River.
The excitement of Hon Kem - Da Dung does not only lie in the romantic scene of rivers and mountains, but also in the inscriptions of the old Chiem Thanh characters seen on pieces of rock of tens of tons heavy which stand out mirroring themselves on the water of Thu Bon River.
This place can be reached by boat up from Hoi An and Vinh Dien with a visit to My Son Holy Land on the way, or overland from Que Son District through Deo Le (Le Pass) and Trung Phuoc Market, and continue by boat to the place. Visitors will travel pass beautiful villages, green mulberry and corn fields, and crowded markets on rivers. Visitors can also go across the river at Trung Phuoc Market to visit a village called Dai Buong, which is famous in Quang Nam for its orchards.
Location: Lim Mountain Creek is located in Dai Dong Commune, Dai Loc District, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: This creek originates from Am Thong Mountain range on the Hio- Hiu Peak at a height of 882m from sea level.
Water runs from this height down through different layers, flowing through two hamlets and finally mingles with Vu Gia River down to Cua Dai Estuary.
Along both sides of the creek, there are peaceful virgin forests, varied fauna and vegetation, all this together with Hio-Hiu mountain ranges create charming scenes.
This can be regarded as an ideal holiday spot of the midland area of Dai Loc District and Quang Nam Province.
Location: Phu Ninh is located about 7km to the west of Tam Ky City, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Phu Ninh Lake is an irrigation scheme with a water area of 3,443 hectares and a protecting forest area of 23,000 hectares.
With 30 beautiful islands and islets, Phu Ninh Lake looks like a miniature of Halong Bay. This area has varied fauna and vegetation, of which 14 species are included in the red book of species which need protection.
There is especially an open air mineral source which has refreshment and curing values. With a mild temperature, protected by mountains, the Phu Ninh Resort is being developed with various exciting services: sightseeing, fishing, water-skiing, hot-water bathing, medical treatment, accommodation for furlough after strenuous work or treatment. This place is attracting quite a large number of visitors.
Location: Tam Thanh Beach is about 7km to the east of Tam Ky City, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Tam Thanh Beach is always full of sunshine and light sea waves. Tam Thanh Beach is an exciting holiday spot.
Location: Thu Bon River is located in Duyen Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: It is one of the nicest waterways in Vietnam. As such, it has been repeatedly portrayed in poetry.
The river begins at an altitude of 2,598m in the Ngoc Linh Mountain and then runs across the south-western mountainous area to meet the Tien and Tranh Rivers at Que Tan. From there, it flows through Que Son, Dai Loc, Duy Xuyen, Dien Ban, Hoi An, and finally into the sea at Cua Dai.
From Hoi An, visitors can rent a boat and stop at the beautiful villages located along the river.
3) Cultural Travel
Time: The 1st day of the third lunar month.
Place: Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Objects of worship: Agriculture Genie.
Characteristics: The festival is mainly for grazing buffalo children, a procession and praying the Agriculture Genie for good weather and a bumper crop.
Location: Ban Thach Sedge Mat is located in Duy Vinh Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: The name "Ban Thach" is believed to have existed since the early 16th century when people from Thanh Hoa and Nghe An came and settled down here.
From simple raw materials such as sedge cords and jute cords, the masterly hands of these artisans have made a great variety of mats, which are marketed all over the countries
Location: Duy Trinh Village is located in Dong Yen - Thi Lai Village, Duy Trinh Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: This village is famous for growing mulberry, breeding silkworms, making silk cords and weaving silk. It is believed that in nowhere else is the silk as fine as it is here.
In its silk-making history, in its most prosperous period, the silk growing area was as much as 160 hectares and there were as many as 200 households engaged in this trade. Visiting this village, visitors will have the opportunities to see with their own eyes different stages in the production of these famous silk products. 
Location: Hoi An is an old town down the Thu Bon River, on the coastal plain of Quang Nam Province, about 30 km south of Danang.
Characteristics: The architectural significance of Hoi An has been recognized by UNESCO, during the 23rd Congress which took place in Marrakech (Morocco) from the 29th of November to the 4th of 
December, since the town was officially listed as a World Heritage Site.
After a long period of absence from the tourist map, this lovely town started to draw the attention of visitors and researchers at the beginning of the 1980’s. What is so special about Hoi An is that this little port town is in an incredible state of preservation. It offers some of the most densely concentrated sights in Vietnam with its old streets bordered with ancient houses and assembly halls, its pagodas, temples, ancient wells and tombs. In Kim Bong
Location: Kim Bong Carpenter Village is located in Cam Kim Commune, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: The carpentry of this village is believed to originate from North Vietnam, and has long been famous with its arts of wood carving and sculpture.
Through contact and exchange with artisans of the same trade from Siem, 
China, Japan and so on, combined with their own skills; these Kim Bong carpenters have created pieces of work which have normally great meaning in philosophy and fine arts. Products made here have been marketed in domestic as well as oversea markets.
total, more than a thousand places of interest.
The architecture of Hoi An is characterized by a harmonious blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences. After many centuries, Hoi An is still respectful of its traditions, folk festivals, beliefs and of its sophisticated culinary art.
Set in a quiet environment, Hoi An is surrounded by peaceful villages, a beautiful river, the sea and sunny beaches. Offshore, Cu Lao Cham Islands are very famous for sheltering their prized birds’ nests.
Location: Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Hoi An lantern is various size and shape, from normal lantern to dragon lantern or fish lantern with full of color. Hoi An people highly pride on their lantern. It is very simple and easy to do only with hard-work. In past, there was no "night of ancient city".
In past and now, when mention to Hoi An trade villages, it is always said to Thanh Ha pottery, Kim Bong carpenter villages, hardly to the lantern work. Years recently, Hoi An lantern work has developed greatly because out of the rules of town committee all families light lantern in the night of ancient city (monthly 14th lunar calendar) and tourists buy a lantern as a souvenir.
There are about 30 families working lantern in Hoi An. They have to use the old bamboo soaking ten-day in salt water against wormhole and moth then drying it and sharpening it as the size of lantern. Cloth must be silken or nylon cloth, enough toughs for stretching and stretching worker need good technique to do it. To be done a couple of lantern requires 4-work day and 3 decorative works.
The recurrent night of ancient city, holidays, tet holiday with multi- color lantern on very roads. It make everybody feel a happier and more lovely Hoi An.
Time: The 15th day of the seventh lunar month.
Place: Villages of coastal areas in Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Worshipping to exterminate harmful insects and plagues at the changes season. Procession of “Long Chu” (Dragon boat) is carried from communal house to river wharf, then push boats and rafts to river and sea. Traditional games: boi, ho khoan singing, xo co (pushing palanquin).
Time: From the 10th to the 12th day of the second lunar month.
Place: Duy Tan Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province.
Objects of worship: Madam Thu Bon (the Cham).
Characteristics: Boat racing, a procession of palanquin.
Time: The 7th day of the eleventh lunar month.
Place: Chuc Thanh Pagoda, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Objects of worship: The Buddha.
Characteristics: Worshipping the ancestral bonze who had merit of building the pagoda, the Buddhism ceremony; cultural activities: camping contest, play popular games.
Location: Phuoc Kieu Bronze Casting Village is located in Dien Phuong Commune, Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Some of the products made by this village are bells, gongs, gong-like music instruments, incense burners, lamp holders, ancient vases, and other bronze musical instruments which are normally used in festivals, ceremonies and daily life.
These musical instruments can give out unique sounds due to special techniques of combination of different types of metals in the process of casting which only the skilled artisans can do.
Location: Located at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Road, Hoi An Town, Quang 
Nam Province.
Characteristics: Tan Ky House was constructed almost two centuries ago as the house of a Vietnamese merchant.
It has always been lovingly preserved and now looks almost exactly as it did in the early 19th century.
The design of Tan Ky House shows how local architecture incorporated Japanese and Chinese influences. Japanese elements include the crab shell-shaped ceiling supported by three beams in the living room. Chinese poems written in mother-of-pearl are hanging from a number of the columns that hold up the roof.
Location: Thanh Ha Pottery Village is located in Thanh Ha Ward, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Having its origins from Thanh Hoa Province, the pottery-making profession in Thanh Ha Village absorbed some techniques, original 
in Quang Nam Province and hence their products have become different from all the others in Vietnam, though also based on clay with manual manipulation and kiln heat. The originality of their products resides in the color, durability, lightness and decoration.
Although it has experienced various changes of time, economic difficulties and foreign competition, the local inhabitants are always trying to preserve a traditional profession, inherited from their ancestors. For generations and in a silence, the village has contributed to the society key items for daily use like cups, bowls, pots, jars, flower-pots...
Depending on the time of burning and the temperature of kiln, the color can be changed from pink, pink yellow to red, light brown and ink-black. Thanks to the special technique of processing soil and the combination of successive manipulations, the durability of their products is nearly at the top rank compared to the others in the country and the brightness is same like enamel. Also, this pottery is 
lighter than the others. Especially, a soft and clear sound with echo can be heard by knocking on the product. Some products are offered on request or used for planting orchids, pot plants; they are decorated with the sink and float vignettes that are simple but very nice.
Thanh Ha Pottery craftsmen had ever been invited by the Court of Nguyen Dynasty in Hue to create special products for activities of the imperial palace. The same as Kim Bong wood craftsmen, they were put at the eight or nine grades of mandarin system. In the recent some decades, Thanh Ha pottery has still been sold throughout the country and sometimes abroad (Canada, America, France).
Besides the pottery work, Thanh Ha Village is also famous for bricks and tiles. So far, it has ever supplied double, zigzag and tubular tiles for the old architectural constructions, of which the Hoi An Ancient City with the restoration and embellishment of places of historical interest.
4) Ecological Travel
Location: Thuan Tinh Village is about 3km from the center of Hoi An Ancient Town, reachable by waterway or by road.
Characteristics: This was here a natural water coconut forest grown on an islet surrounded by water which is blown all year round by the winds from the sea.
Coming here, visitors will find themselves mingling with nature: boating admits rows of water coconut trees, fishing, horse-riding, listening to birds’ singing, to fish waggling and resting in huts made from bamboo, thatch or coconut leaves. Visitors can also see handicrafts on display in beam houses which are typical of houses in rural areas in Vietnam, enjoy special foods from rivers, lakes and the sea, and breathe fresh air in a clean and green space, which is very typical of Vietnamese countryside.
(Source: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
Print
Tell friend
Top
