|
* HAIPHONG:
Area: 1,503 sq. km
Population: 1,691,000
Known as the City of Flower Lined Streets, Hai Phong is the
third largest city of Vietnam, after Ho Chi Minh City and
Hanoi, and the second most important port in Vietnam. Hai
Phong also has many French colonial houses.
Visitors can very easily travel around the city to shop,
stopping at some famous sites along the way. Hang Kenh
Communal House is located right in the city. The communal
house is rather long and built with a strong long-lasting
wood frame. The exhibits inside are for worshipping the
Village God and Ngo Quyen, a Vietnamese hero who fought
against the Chinese enemies on the Bach Dang River. Du Hang
Pagoda is one of the most ancient pagodas in this city. It
was built three centuries ago. The decorations on the pagoda
are exquisite. This pagoda houses a school for monks and
stores many ancient furnishings.
The Bach Dang River is famous as it is the place where the
Vietnamese succeeded in defeating three Chinese feudal
invasions. The third victory over the Chinese Mongolians was
known all over the world. Many of the teakwood pointed
spikes that were used in the battles have been discovered in
this river.
Do Son Beach is located 20 km from Hai Phong. This beach has
a small white sand strip good for bathing. However, during
the monsoon season, the Red River's alluvial sands cause the
water to turn yellow. The hotels on this beach are suitable
for foreign travelers.
* CAT BA ISLAND
C at
Ba National Park is located on Cat Ba Island, 150 km east of
Hanoi. The park covers approximately 200 km2, two
thirds of which consists of a forested zone and one third, a
marine zone.
One should leave Halong Bay or Do Son without a visit to Cat
Ba Island. The island is home to over 600 kinds of plants
including Bang, Goi Nep, Sang Le, and Kim Giao trees. The
fauna living on the island is also diverse; the island is
home to rare wild white-headed languor, deer, and macaques,
to name a few. Cat Ba marine reserves comprise sea turtles,
lobster, coral, oysters, and dolphins.
The cool weather in Cat Ba is suitable for relaxation and
convalescence. From Hanoi, one can travel to Hai Phong by
train or by bus, and then by boat to Cat Ba Island.
|
