Central Vietnam
Apparently, we can imagine Vietnam as a youthful girl, with Central Vietnam (Trung Bo or Trung Ky) being the waist, as this part appears very narrow with a minimum width of only 50 km, extending from North to South.
Administratively, the region is divided into 3 zones: North Central, South Central, and the Central Highlands; while in geographical terms, it is divided into 2 zones: the mountains along the western stretch for nearly 1,000 km (inhabited by various ethnic tribes) and the coastal plains (inhabited mainly by the Viet or Kinh people).
The mountainous area of Central Vietnam is accessible via the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail, starting from Hanoi and crossing Route 14 to Cu Chi in Saigon. It is a network of roads—a combination of truck roads and paths for pedestrians and bicycles—built by the Viet Cong during the war period; these roads also cross the neighboring nations of Laos and Cambodia.
The landscapes are not varied due to the development of industrial plantations. The population is also sparsely distributed, but it remains an ideal area for motorcycle tours like Easy Rider. We can visit tribal villages along the road to discover the “Rong” communal house, the typical “Nha Mo” tomb, or be amazed by the “buffalo sacrifice” dance, an elephant ride, or perhaps a swim in one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam.
The life of the inhabitants on the central coastal plains is influenced by two great cultures: the Viet culture from the North and the Cham culture from the South. Therefore, this land presents many important historical, cultural, and architectural heritages. Furthermore, along the coast, there are many famous seaside resorts such as Nha Trang, Mui Ne, and Lang Co.
The region is also home to many national parks, including Phong Nha – Ke Bang, Nam Cat Tien, and Yok Don. The Marble Mountains and the Hai Van Pass (Ocean Cloud Pass) in Hue are exceptional landscapes.
Central Vietnam has five “national wonders” registered globally, 4 of which have been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage sites:
The Citadel of the Ho Dynasty (Thanh Hoa)
The Complex of Hue Monuments (Thua Thien Hue)
My Son Sanctuary (Quang Nam)
Hoi An Ancient Town (Quang Nam)
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh)
Administrative Division:
North Central – 6 provinces: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien Hue.
South Central – 8 provinces: Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan.
Central Highlands – 5 provinces: Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Lam Dong.
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We wish you a pleasant trip to Vietnam!
