A Review of Khanh Hoa

7/27/2019 A Review of Khanh Hoa

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1. ADMINISTRATIVE AND TOURIST MAPS OF KHANH HOA

PROVINCE

2. AN OVERVIEW OF KHANH HOA

Khanh Hoa Province is a coastal province in the central south region,

bordering on Phu Yen Province to the north, Ninh Thuan Province to the

south, Dak Lak Province and Lam Dong Province to the west and the East

Sea to the east. Khanh Hoa Province offers a coastline length of 385

kilometres, many bays, lagoons, islands and vast territorial waters.

Remarkably, Khanh Hoa has Truong Sa archipelago, a big island district that

features a greatly significant location of economic and national security.

Area: 5,197 square kilometres (including over 200 islands and archipelagos)

Population: 1,054,658 residents

Administrative units: Nha Trang City, Cam Ranh Town, the districts of Van

Ninh, Ninh Hoa, Dien Khanh, Khanh Vinh, Khanh Son and Truong Sa island

district.

3. THE MAKING HISTORY OF KHANH HOA PROVINCE

According to historical data, in the spring of 1653, during the expansion of Dai

Viet nations frontier, by order of Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan, Mandarin Hung Loc

Hau defined the distance between the northern bank of Phan Rang River

(todays Ninh Thuan) and Da Bia Mountain- Ca Mountain Pass as the land of

Thai Khang Palace (todays Ninh Hoa District). Setting up Thai Khang Palace

and dividing admistrative units marked Lord Nguyens official merger of

Khanh Hoa into Dai Viets territory. The event is a great landmark for the

establishment of Khanh Hoa Provinces administrative border now.

In 1832, under the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, the name of Khanh Hoa was

officially realized and divided in terms of administrative border. Khanh Hoa

Province comprises 2 prefects and 4 districts. Dien Khanh Prefect includes


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Phuoc Dien District and Vinh Xuong District. Ninh Hoa Prefect consists of

Quang Phuoc District and Tan Dinh District.

After the Liberation Day in 1975, Khanh Hoa Province was incorporated into

Phu Yen Province to form Phu Khanh Province. In 1989, Khanh Hoa Provincewas re-established.

4. THE ROAD TO KHANH HOA PROVINCE

Located in the hub of the Central of Vietnam, Khanh Hoa is 1,275 kilometres

from Hanoi to the south and 448 kilometres north of Ho Chi Minh City. Khanh

Hoa offers great advantages of travelling by road, railway, sea and air. The

land hosts National Road 1A, North-South Railway, Nha Trang Airport, Cam

Ranh Airport, deep-water seaports, ensuring traffic convenience from Khanh

Hoa to other places and vice versa.

5. PLACES OF INTEREST

Ponagar Cham Towers: Built from the second half of the 8th century to the

late 13th century on the peak of Cu Lao Marble Hill, Nha Trang City, the big

ancient towers feature unique traits of the Cham culture. The main tower

worships the statue of Goddess Ponagar (the Earth Mother who founded the

land). Some statues and relievoes inside and outside the towers are ancient

artistic works of great value.

Long Son Pagoda: The pagoda lies on 23/10 Street at the root of Mt. Trai

Thuy, Nha Trang City. The pagoda was first built in the late 19th century and

restored in 1940, which reflects an architectural combination between

modernity and solemnity, stillness, mysteriousness of a Buddhist worshipping

place.

Oceanographic Institute: The institute is among the first scientific research

centers in Vietnam. The institute was established in 1923 near Cau Da (Rock

Bridge) Port, around 6 kilometres south-east of Nha Trang. Tourists will be

given an opportunity to excurse an 20,000-hectare aquarium of over 4,000

species of freshwater and marine creatures. The place stores a huge whale


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skeleton, which is nearly 26 metres long, 3 metres high and has 48 fully

restored vertebrae for scientific research and excursion.

Dr. Alexandre Yersins tomb: Alexandre Yersin, the famous French scholar

of Swiss origin, is the founder of Nha Trang Pasteur Institute and GeneralManager of Indochine Pasteur Institute. Alexandre Yersin devoted his whole

life to great scientific studies for mankind benefits, of which over 50 studies

were done in Nha Trang. He passed away in Nha Trang in 1943 at the age of

80. His tomb was located in Suoi Cat, Dien Khanh, around 20 kilomtres south

of Nha Trang City.

Bao Dais Villas: Bao Dais Villas (also called Cau Da Villa) were built on Mt.

Chut (south-east of Nha Trang City) in 1923 by French colonists. When

mounting the throne in 1926, King Bao Dai was allocated 2 villas. Since then,

the relics have been called Bao Dais Villas. Bao Dais Villas prove to be an

outstanding beauty spot, reflecting a harmonious combination between the

natural scenery of sea and mountains and man-made architectural works.

Ba Vus tomb (Nurses tomb):The tomb sits on a high hillock at Commune

3, Ninh Hoa Town. After seizing power, Nguyen Anh had it built to show his

great gratitude towards Ba Vu (Nurse) who saved him from being besieged by

Tay Son troops. The tomb depicts a unique architectural style and owns

historically and culturally great value.

Dien Khanh Ancient Citadel: Lying at Dong Mon Cluster, Dien Khanh Town,

Dien Khanh District, the citadel was made of earth on an area of around

36,000 metres under the ruling of Nguyen Anh in 1793. Its wall runs zigzag in

a hexagon shape with a height of 3.5 metres, stretching around 2,694 metres.

Outside the citadel are deep trenches. When it was first constructed, the

citadel totaled 6 doors. Now, only four doors including east, west, front and

back ones are left.

Dien Khanh Li terature Temple:The temple was built on a high land on an

area of nearly 1,500 square metres at Phu Loc Hamlet, Dien Khanh Town,

Dien Khanh District. It serves as a temple to the Confucius and records the


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names of the local candidates who achieved high academic results in feudal

examinations.

Phu Cang Communal House: Phu Cang Communal House belongs to Van

Phu Commune, Van Ninh District, around 5 kilometres north of Van GiaTown. The communal house was established in the 17th 18th century to

worship Goddess Thien Y A Na as a traditional cultural trait of Khanh Hoa

people and to show great respect towards those who deserved credit for

attracting the locals to set up villages and reclaim land here. Phu Cang

Communal House is the historical vestige that witnessed greatly significant

events involving Tran Duong and the Royalist Movement. Phu Cang

Communal House is the place where the Vietminh Front sounded the drums

to launch the general offensive for power seizing in 1945 in Khanh Hoa.

6. NICE BEACHES

Dai Lanh Beach: Dai Lanh Beach is adjacent to National Road 1A, 80

kilometres north of Nha Trang City. The beach features white fine-grained

sand, gradually sloping coast, clear and blue waters. Notably, it is endowed

with an ample source of fresh water flowing out from the mountain all year

round. For a long time, Dai Lanh Beach has been listed among the nations

beauty spots.

Doc Let Tourist Resort:The resort lies in the coast of Ninh Hoa, around 50

kilometres north of Nha Trang City. The place is embellished by long white

fine-grained sand dunes that are scores of metres high, separating the

mainland from the sea. Traveling across those long sand dunes, tourists will

arrive at a splendid beach with a flat white sand bank stretching for nearly 10

kilometres along the coast.

Nha Phu Lagoon Ecological Tourist Resort: Emerging amidst the sea, the

resort is 15 kilometres north of Nha Trang City including Hon Lao, Hon Thi

and Hon Heo. The place not only is renowned for its primeval botanic system

and rare animal species but also served as Khanh Hoa peoples revolutionary


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base during the nations two resistance wars against the French and

American aggressors.

Hon Chong- Hon Vo Tourist Resort: Lying along Tran Phu Street, north of

Nha Trang City, the resort is endowed with stones of various sizes andshapes lying upon one another towards the sea. The stones to the north that

are half sunk and half afloat are called Hon Chong (Husband Rock) while the

lower stones to the east are named Hon Vo (Wife Rock). Hon Chong and Hon

Vo are closely attached to the legend of a faithful and noble love affair. Also,

Hon Chong provides tourists with a natural, airtight and nice bathing-place.

Tri Nguyen Aquarium Tourist Resort: (also called Hon Mieu Island). The

resort sits on Bong Nguyen Island. It takes tourists around 15 minutes to

reach the resort by motor-boat. Emerging in the sea, Tri Nguyen Aquarium is

blocked by stone jetties and hosts hundreds of eye-catching, rare marine

genera. Notably, the place has San Beach, a famous bathing-place.

Hon Tam Ecological Tourist Resort: Hon Tam Island is located in Vinh

Nguyen Ward, south of Nha Trang Gulf, 3 nautical miles from Nha Trang Port.

Taking a trip to the island, tourists will have a chance to enjoy diverse types of

water games such as jet-skiing, rowing, water-skiing, diving and fascinating

camp-fire nights.

Hon Mun Sea Reserve:The reserve is found inside Nha Trang Gulf where

hosts the islands of Hon Tre, Hon Mieu, Hon Tam, Hon Mot, Hon Mun, Hon

Cau, Hon Vung, Hon Rom, Hon Noc and surrounding waters. The place is

very close to the sea currents coming from the equator, which offers a

favorable habitat to coral reefs and tropical marine species and thus,

providing Hon Mun Island with diverse types of marine creature. Hon Mun is a

truly ideal destination for a fantastic view and research of the marine life, and

for tourists who wish to understand the sea life.

Con Se Tre Tourist Site: Around 3 kilometres from the coast of Nha Trang is

Con Se Tre tourist site, west of Hon Tre Island. The place depicts a simple

architectural style amidst peaceful atmosphere beside the clear and blue


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coast, awakening tourists subconsciousness about an ancient village with

traditional folk activities.

Hon Ngoc Viet Touring Village: The 5-star touring village has been heavily

invested by Hon Tre Tourist & Trading Co.,Ltd. The village hosts a big,luxurious hotel with 500 fully equipped high-grade rooms lying next to Bai Tru

Beach on Hon Tre Island. Bai Tru Beach is a natural ideal bathing-place,

which is classified as among the most beautiful ones in Vietnam thanks to its

clear and blue waters, white fine-grained sand bank and poetic scenery.

Ba Ho (3 lakes) Stream:Ba Ho stream is 25 kilometres north of Nha Trang

City at Ba Hoa Commune. Rising from the peak of Mt. Hon Son over 660

metres high, Ba Ho stream flows between the two versants of the mountain

into the fields of Phu Huu Hamlet, Ninh Ich Commune, Ninh Hoa District and

then falls to Nha Phu lagoon. The stream bears its name, for on its journey

starting from the upper stream through jungles and mountains to reach the

sea, the stream opened 3 times in width, creating 3 vast lakes with fascinating

natural scenery.

Suoi Tien (Fairies Stream): Fairies Stream is south of Dien Khanh District,

around 20 kilometres from Nha Trang City. Originating from Mt. Hon Ba over

800 metres high, the stream features nearly the same moderate climate as

that in Da Lat City. With fresh air and lively scenery, the stream proves to be

an ideal venue for tourists who coming here for excursion and convalescence.

7. TRADE VILLAGES AND PRODUCTS

Brick making village: The village is situated at Ninh Xuan Commune, Ninh

Hoa District, Khanh Hoa Province. The entire commune totals over 100 brick-

kilns, most of which are found at Phuoc Lam Hamlet and Van Thanh Hamlet.The place has been widely known as an effectively operating trade village for

years. Hence, many local households have surmounted poverty as a result of

brick production.


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Teaching village: It is not by chance that Quang Duc village at Cam Hiep

Nam Commune, Cam Ranh Town is informally dubbed The valley of

intellectuals. The village of teachers has existed for long. Its population

records 1,300 residents of which as many as 124 are teachers. On average, 1

out of 10 people works as a teacher. Currently, most of schools in Cam Ranh

Town employ the teachers who come from the teaching village.

Stone carving: Stone carving remains new to Khanh Hoa people over the

last 5 years. The locals at Xuan Son Commune, Van Ninh District grow

accustomed to export fine-art stone carving via such cleverly made products

as ornament flower pots, stone furniture, paving stones, freestones All of

the local fine-art stone carvers devote their absorption and pride to their

career in a bid to create the most perfect products.

Sea diving village: At first glance, the sea diving village at Ninh Van

Commune, Ninh Hoa District suggests no difference from many others in

Vietnam. Actually, it proves to be a special trade village. Being almost

surrounded by mountains, the tiny village is found inside the imposing Mt.

Hon Heo. The whole villagers earn their living by sea diving. In the old days,

the village was covered with shabby cottages and the locals suffered from

persistent poverty and hunger. Now, the barren land is changing its face

thanks to sea diving.

Sea diving is done when the sea is calm. The diving season usually lasts from

the 3rd solar month to the 8th solar month. When the diving season arrives,

each junk carrying around 7- 10 divers sails elsewhere at sea to catch fish for

one week and later makes a landfall for fish selling. A peculiar trait of the

diving village is that no matter where they sail and sell fish, all of their fish are

consumed in Nha Trang. Unlike gia cao, gia nhui, luoi manh, luoi rut

(fishing activities through which fishermen draw up nets close to the bottom of

the sea to exploit sea products), sea diving operates at undersea rocks or the

waters that are 30 to 50 metres deep and full with coral reefs. Their trophies

are largely groper, lobster, cuttle-fish, shellfish,


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8. TRADITIONAL CULTURAL FESTIVALS

Am Chua Fest ival: The festival is held on the first of the lunar third month

every year. The festival is the beginning of Khanh Hoa peoples traditional

Ponagar Temple festival. Legend has it that Am Chua was the place whereSaint Mother Thien Y Ana experienced her childhood with her adoptive

parents; Ponagar Tower was the temple to the Saint Mother after she became

a genie.

Ponagar Festival- Nha Trang:This is the biggest folk festival of Khanh Hoa

people which is held from the 20th to 23rd of the lunar third month every year

at Cham Ponagar tower complex (Vinh Hai Ward, Nha Trang).

Whale-worship festival: This is the fishermens folk festival for worshipping

God South Sea (the Whale), which is celebrated in the lunar third month or

seventh month every year. Whale-worship festival includes 2 parts: rituals at

the communal house and amusements at the village. The former involves

formal rites such as the Whale welcoming, mountain genie procession,

offerings to the Whale, . The latter revolves around Ba Trao singing and

dances (fishermens prayers to the Whale for peace, bumper crops and good

lucks in their journey to the sea), praying to the Whale, Vietnamese opera

9. TYPICAL TOURS

Excursion of Doc Let:Getting an overall view of Doc Lets scenery, bathing

in the sea, joining in water sports such as water motorbike and parachute

towing, enjoying sea products.

Special weekend tours:The travel ship will pick up tourists at Cau Da Port-

Nha Trang, arrive at the island for excursion of Tri Nguyen Aquarium, strolling

and excursing open-cast fish lake, recreation and bathing in the sea at San

Beach.

Contact: Khanh Hoa Tourism

Address: 1 Tran Hung Dao Street, Nha Trang


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Tel: 058. 822753 821606 821608; Fax: 058. 821912

Salanganes Island- Hon Noi tour:Taking a trip to Salanganes Island, Hon

Noi (17 kilometres south-east of Nha Trang City), tourists can gaze with

admiration at flocks of salanganes hovering over the island and salanganesnests hanging up against cliffs. Whats more, tourists have a chance to go

sightseeing, comtemplating coral reefs at Hon Noi by glass-bottomed boat

and enjoy pure delicacies from salanganes nests.

Contact: Sanest Tourist, Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company

Address: 40 Tran Quy Cap Street, Nha Trang City.

Tel: 058. 822472 816363

Return to the roots tour: Tourists will visit revolutionary victories, Hang

Tien (Fairies Cave), Hon Thi Island and Hon Lao Island.

Contact: Long Phu Tourist Company

Tel: 058. 839436

The Cai River ecological tour:The Cai River winds its way across verdant

fields and prosperous villages before pouring itself into the sea. Yachting in

the Cai River is a great opportunity for tourists to contemplate nice natural

scenery on either side of the river, get a cultural and historical insight into the

land of aloe wood. Tourists will have a chance to excurse ancient houses,

traditional trade villages, communal activities, and enjoy Khanh Hoa peoples

folk dishes.

Contact: Vila Tour Company

Address: 8A Biet Thu Street, Nha Trang City.

Tel: 058. 823874

Island Excursion (4 days): Arriving at Nha Trang Gulf, tourists will immerse

themselves in the beauty of the sea, gaze with admiration at the magnificence

of over 19 islands in Nha Trang Gulf. In addition, tourists will excurse Hon

Mun Sea Reserve and dive in the sea to enjoy the beauty of over-200-year-


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old coral reefs and rare sea creatures. Moreover, tourists will visit Hon Tam

Island, fishing village and go by coracle and floating fish raft

Contact: Thanh Thanh Tourist Company

Address: 05 Le Thanh Ton Street, Nha Trang City.

Tel: 058. 813234

Hon Mun Tour:

Contact: Hon Mun Sea Reserve Management Board

Address: 80 Hoang Van Thu Street, Nha Trang City.

Tel: 058. 822670 827897 826549

10. MEANS OF TRANSPORT

Interprovincial coach station:

Address: 58 23/10 Street, Nha Trang City.

Tel: 058. 822192

Nha Trang Railway Station:

Address: 17 Thai Nguyen Street, Nha Trang City.

Tel: 058. 823798

Nha Trang Airport :

Address: 86 Tran Phu Street, Nha Trang City.

Booking office:

Address: 12 B Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Nha Trang City.

Tel: 058. 823797 - 822135

Or Address: 91 Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, Nha Trang City.

Tel: 058. 826768

Taxi:


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Taxi Khanh Hoa: Tel: 058. 810810

Taxi Nha Trang: Tel: 058. 818181

Taxi Mai Linh: Tel: 058. 811811

Taxi Emasco: Tel: 058. 515151

Moreover, tourists can travel by public transport, e.g. buses which are at their

service during the daytime, motorcycle, and pedicab at Nha Trang City to

reach destinations inside and outside the province.

11. ACCOMMODATION

Khanh Hoa Province totals 259 accommodation providers including 1 five-star

touring village, 3 four-star hotels, 5 three-star hotels and hundreds of hotelsthat are ranked two-star and below. There are 5,629 rooms, 13,946 beds and

well-trained travel staff.

Vinpearl Resort & Spa (Hon Ngoc Viet) (five-star):

Address: 07 Tran Phu Street, Vinh Nguyen Ward, Nha Trang City.

Tel: 058. 883951

Yasaka - Sai Gon - Nha Trang Hotel (four-star):


Tel: 058. 820090

Ana Mandara Resort (four-star):

Address: Tran Phu Street, Nha Trang City.

Tel: 058. 829829

Nha Trang Lodge Hotel (four-star):


Tel: 058. 810500

Hai Yen Hotel (three-star):


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Tel: 058. 822828

Vien Dong Hotel (three-star):

Address: 01 Tran Hung Dao Street, Nha Trang City.

Tel: 058. 821606

Que Huong Hotel (three-star):


Tel: 058. 827365

Bao Dai Hotel (three-star):

Address: Cau Da Street, Nha Trang City.

Tel: 058. 590147

Green Hotel (three-star):


Tel: 058. 816313; Fax: 058. 826865

12. SPECIALITIES

For long, Khanh Hoas specialties have entered into proverbs:

Salaganes nest in Hon Noi, Wading duck in Ninh Hoa, Lobster in Binh Ba,

Dried deer in Dien Khanh, Snake-head in Vo Canh, Blood arca in Thuy

Trieu

Salanganes nests are largely found in offshore islands in Khanh Hoa.

Salanganes nests are not only nutritive delicacies but also rare medicaments.

Wading duck in Ninh Hoa is renowned as a tasty fat dish.

Lobsters in Binh Ba (Cam Ranh) feature fat and firm flesh, solid shell with

beautiful veins for souvenir making.


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Snake-head in Vo Canh, Dried deer in Dien Khanh and Blood arca in Thuy

Trieu are tasty dishes representing the peculiar flavors of their place-names.

Moreover, Khanh Hoa is famous for such delicious dishes as Ninh Hoa nem

(fermented pork roll), banh uot (steamed thin rice pancake), goi ca mai (adish made of raw Mai fish and vegetables) and many others, which are

popular with local and foreign tourists whenever arriving at Khanh Hoa.

13. SHOPPING

Dam Market (Nha Trang):

Address: T-junction of Phan Boi Chau Street, Le Loi Street and Hai Ba Trung

Street.

Tel: The Market Management Board: 058. 822560 - 510262

Maximark Supermarket:

Address: 66 Quang Trung Street, Nha Trang City.

In addition, tourists can go shopping in Cau Da, Tran Phu, Vinh Nguyen in

Nha Trang City.

14. NECESSARY ADDRESSES

The Provincial General Hospital:

Address: 19 Yersin Street, Nha Trang City.

Tel: 058. 822168

Emergency phone numbers:

Information answer: 058.1080.

Phone number answer: 058.116.

Policemen (fast reaction force): 058.113.

Fire protection guard: 058.114.

Ambulance: 058.115.


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A Review of Khanh Hoa