8 Things You Might Not Know About Vietnam

Bach Dang road along Thu Bon river, flowing through Hoi An Ancient TownQuang Binh Tourism Department

Vietnam the Timeless Charm

Vietnam is a long, narrow nation shaped like the letter s. It is in Southeast Asia on the eastern edge of the peninsula known as Indochina. Here are eight charms of Vietnam that you need to know ...

Paradise Cave - 7 by Truong Thinh TouristQuang Binh Tourism Department

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1. Home to largest cave in the world.

Sơn Đoòng Cave is the world's largest cave. The cave is located on a UNESCO protected site Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park. It stretches for over 5 miles (about nine kilometers), and it reaches heights of 650 feet (200 meters). 

View of group of temples B, C and D in My Son by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department

2. Land of over thousand year old temple built from bricks.

My Son temple complex is located in Quang Nam Province. The site consists of Hindu temple-towers built between the 4th and 13th centuries. The towers are built of bricks and held together by a vegetable-based cement. 

Lang Co beach by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department

3. Mountains, lagoons and beaches

Lang Co fishing village is located in Da Nang Province. The village is surrounded by the majestic Truong Son mountain range and the vast mysterious Lap An lagoon. The 10-km long beach is one of the best in the world.

A statue of De Thich deity on Ban Co peak by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department

4. Vietnam has the best view to play chess with a deity

Located on the peak of Da Nang’s Son Tra Peninsula which is around 700 meters above sea level, the Ban Co Peak (Chess Board Peak) is really an ideal place for visitors to admire the city’s stunning panoramic views.

Dragon plate (1802/1945)Quang Binh Tourism Department

5. Dragons are more than a symbol

According to ancient Vietnamese folklore, Vietnamese people are descendants of dragons. To Vietnamese people, the dragon brings rain, essential for agriculture. Vietnamese dragon is the symbol of yang that represents the universe, life, existence, and growth.

Cau Pagoda at night by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department

6. Wonderful bridges

Vietnam has a number of beautiful bridges worthy of admiration. This is Cau Bridge - the oldest bridge still standing in VIetnam. 
   

Hoi An sandwich 1 by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department

7. The cuisine balance follows five elements

Many Vietnamese dishes tend to excite all 5 senses that following 5 elements (ngũ vị): spicy (metal), sour (wood), bitter (fire), salty (water) and sweet (earth) and a combination of 5 colors (ngũ sắc): white (metal), green (wood), yellow (earth), red (fire) and black (water).

Red-shanked doucs in Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department

8. Bursting with interesting native biodiversity

Vietnam's mountainous terrain, forests, wetlands, and long coastline contain many different habitats that support a great variety of wildlife. Some 270 types of mammals, 180 reptiles, 80 amphibians, and 800 bird species reside in Vietnam.

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