Marble Mountains, Da Nang. What is hidden behind the beautiful name and is it worth going? What are the Marble Mountains in Vietnam? What are the mountains in Vietnam

Vietnam is often called the land of fairies and dragons - according to ancient legends, all Vietnamese consider themselves descendants of the marriage of a Fairy and a Dragon. The Fairy was in charge of industry - she taught people how to produce silk, and the Dragon showed children the wisdom of agriculture. Since then, the Vietnamese have prospered in both directions.

The name of the country is translated as “the country of the Southern Vietnamese (the name of the nation), but the country was called Annam until 1945, and the name Vietnam was used only in poetic speech. The new name was immortalized by Emperor Bao Dai.

Geographical characteristics

The state, elongated in the shape of the letter "S", is located in South-East Asia, in the east of the Indochina Peninsula. Neighbors to the west are Laos, Cambodia and China.

The coast of Vietnam is washed from the east and south South China Sea and Bakbo Bay, the small southwestern tip has access to the Gulf of Thailand.

The area of ​​Vietnam is 329.6 thousand square meters. km. The capital of the state is Hanoi. Political system - socialist republic. The state is officially headed by the Communist Party.

Nature

More than 80% of the country is mountainous, descending with access to the sea. The highest point in the country is Mount Fansipan, 3143 meters high. The hill is located in the north-west of the country, in the Hoanglien Son mountain range. The Truong Son Mountains stretch along the western border of the country, separating Vietnam from Laos and China.

The central and southern parts of Vietnam are occupied by basement and basalt plateaus, on which several frozen volcanoes rise. The area between the volcanoes is covered with forest, and in the craters of some volcanoes lakes have formed, giving rise to several rivers of the Mekong River basin...

There are more than 2,000 rivers in Vietnam of varying depths and sizes (the smallest reaches only 10 meters in length). Largest rivers Vietnam - the Mekong and Hong Ha (Red River) - flow into the South China Sea.

The Mekong Delta is one of the largest and deepest deltas in the world. On the territory of Vietnam, the area with a delta forming nine branches (“Nine of the Dragons”) even acquired special economic importance - the Vietnamese settled here for the first time, began to develop the wetlands, and began to raise fish in canals and man-made ponds.

In the Hong Ha River delta, on the Bac Bo Plain, stands the capital Hanoi. The territory is marked by the highest population density.

The country's largest lake, Hoan Kiem, is an oxbow lake formed as a result of changes in the course of the Red River. The lake has great cultural and historical significance for the people. It is also called the Lake of the Returned Sword: according to legend, one of the ancient rulers of Vietnam defeated the Chinese armies with a accidentally found sword that belonged to a magical golden turtle. After the victories, the turtle came out of the waters of the lake and took the sword.

To the north of the capital there is a chain of picturesque Ba Be lakes. Lakes Pelam, Pelu and Peleng are surrounded by waterfalls and caves...

The coast of Vietnam is washed by one sea - the South China Sea, it is semi-enclosed and enters the basins of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and has properties of both oceans.

The largest island in the South China Sea is Hainan. The area is comfortable for tourist recreation, since the sea here is clean and warm. However, there are many predatory fish and dangerous sharks in the sea. The sea is also rich in commercial fish species - tuna, herring and sardines are found here in abundance...

Some unique plants of Vietnam have become national symbols countries: for example, bamboo, red and black sandalwood.

In Vietnam there are animals listed in the Red Book, of which there are almost none left. wildlife in other parts of the world these are the Asiatic buffalo, Javan and Sumatran rhinoceroses. Endemics (animals that live exclusively in a specified territory) are several species of monkeys, rodents and bats. The Asian elephant, black gibbon, and Indochinese tiger are considered rare species preserved in Vietnam. Animals live both in the wild, in protected reserves, and on special farms...

Due to the elongation of the country from north to south, the climate of Vietnam is heterogeneous, although in general the country is located in the subequatorial monsoon climate zone. In the south, winter is dry and hot (temperatures reach 26 degrees Celsius), in the north it is colder, but humid and mild (up to 15 degrees Celsius). Summer is the monsoon season throughout the country; the end of summer is usually marked by destructive typhoons.

There are frosts in the mountains; on the borders with China, where cool air penetrates, temperatures drop to 1 degree Celsius...

Resources

The industrial centers of Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Danang - are located in Central and Southern Vietnam. Industry is represented by metallurgical, mechanical engineering, construction, chemical fields, and light industry. Electronics and components, production of textiles and leather, glass, jewelry and cosmetics were exported to the world. A special branch of the economy is the global production of electricity thanks to an extensive network of hydroelectric power stations.

The fertile basalts of the area contribute to the successful growth of crops in tropical and temperate latitudes, so on the plateaus of Vietnam there has been great development Agriculture- this cluster employs 50% of the country's population. Mainly rice, tea and coffee are grown, the production of cashew nuts, spices, tropical fruits is highly developed...

Culture

The indigenous population of the country is the Viet (Kinh), and 54 other nationalities are recognized as related to them in the country. In the south, most of the population is Khmer (Lower Viet). There is a large proportion of Chinese, Polynesian, Malay and Thai populations.

Vietnamese has the status of the state language. More than 85% of the population professes Buddhism, and the religions of these national minorities, atheism, Christianity are also present...

The rocks are made of marble with bizarre colors, and inside they are huge, sometimes simply giant caves with altars and temples. This place is a must see when traveling around Vietnam! Today I will tell you about how we found ourselves in heaven and hell one morning in Vietnam, and almost bought a giant marble statue.

We arrived in Danang by train (you probably already know that we). We spent the night quite comfortably in a four-seater coupe and practically didn’t feel those 11 hours on the road. Danang is a big city, I would even call it a mediocre metropolis. Wide avenues, new high-rise buildings, many shiny new hotels and, of course, a long strip of beaches. A fashionable resort city, in a word. One of the attractions is suspension bridge, which is very beautiful in the evening.

There is an opinion that Da Nang is creepy expensive hotels, so travelers prefer to settle in the neighboring historical town of Hoi An. I can say that this is all nonsense. Da Nang is full of budget accommodation. Look what little hotel I found in just 10 minutes of searching on Agoda. A fairly large room costs only $12 per night.

I built in a special hotel widget so that you don’t have to search for it for a long time. You can see prices right here and book for the dates you need.

The next morning we rented a bike and drove to the Marble Mountains. You can go there by two roads - along the main highway to Hoi An or along the highway that is closer to the sea. We preferred the second option and were not disappointed. The drive is only 8 kilometers. On the approaches to the rocks there are expensive open-air storefronts.

There are several shops, each the size of a small park. Admission is free, you can just gaze at the statues or even ride some of them.

Marble comes in different colors. I really liked these Vietnamese ladies.

I asked a business-looking woman passing by how much a white statue of a girl about 160 cm high costs. She answered me: "7 thousand dollars, and it's very cheap!" I asked just out of curiosity, and my auntie’s eyes sparkled - she saw me as a potential client and let’s praise my product. Of course, if I had this money, maybe I couldn’t resist and would buy some beauty. And I just appreciated that walking through a multi-million dollar park. It’s not for nothing that every sculpture here is carefully washed and polished. The money is simply huge!

Well, here are the marble mountains, they are immediately to the right around the turn from the shopping parks. There are five tall rocks nearby, but only two have caves equipped for tourists. We went to the most popular one.

Entrance to the caves costs 15 thousand dong ($0.75), a very reasonable price, however, this is a feature of almost all cities in Vietnam. You cannot park your bike in front of the entrance; there is no official parking lot either. Shop owners suggest leaving the piece of iron near their trays. Sanya asked for a long time what they would demand in return. The answer was: “If you decide to buy something, buy only from me.” Having warned our aunt that we were not going to buy anything, we left the bike with her. I think she agreed, but we’ll see. We walked up a very steep staircase for a long, long time.

I’ll immediately show you a map of the marble caves in Da Nang so that you understand that an hour-long excursion here will not do. Minimum 3-4 hours to quickly run around the main places.

First of all, we went up to the observation deck. The views here are fabulous.

You can look through binoculars. Nearby is an auntie who is trying to ask for money for using optics. But the usherette could not give us a receipt in exchange for the money, so she did not receive payment from us. At all I have already written about such sellers of “tickets to failure” and other scammers in Vietnam. Study carefully. It will be very useful when traveling around this amazing country.

And so, in anticipation of something grandiose, we went to the first cave, which is listed on the map as number 10. Here is such a mysterious entrance, just like in a fairy tale about a scarlet flower - a cave in which a monster lives.

And this is what the entrance to the cave looks like from the other end of the hall. The floor is tiled and there is lighting on the walls. Everything suggests that this place has been improved especially for tourists. What comparison can there be with wild and practically untouched ones.

Inside is a small temple in honor of Buddha.

In general, small prayer houses and, conversely, large temples on this rock at every step. Marble caves in Da Nang are not just secular entertainment, but a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists and people professing Hinduism and ancestor cults.

But some come here for a completely different reason - because of the opportunity to master rock climbing. There are no courses offered locally, so you need to look for a climbing instructor in advance in Da Nang.

I won’t show you tiny caves with hard-to-reach passages. It was quite dark there and I couldn't do it good photos. Here's one as an example.

I’d rather show you a cave that we might not have seen if I hadn’t read a couple of blog reports before the trip. I liked the photo with the sacrificial altar. Then you will understand what I am talking about, this is truly a very colorful sight. I searched for this altar for the entire 2.5 hours while we wandered from cave to cave. He was absent. And having already descended from the cliff, I realized that we had never found a cave called Am Phu. It turned out that the entrance to it is at the bottom of the mountain directly under the elevator. Admission ticket you need to buy it separately, it also costs 15 thousand dong ($0.75).

Below in the photo is the entrance to the Am Phu cave. Behind him awaits you a trial and a journey to heaven and hell.

And next to you is a musician who will either cry for your soul or rejoice.

Here, from the entrance, you are greeted by monks walled up in the wall.

Somehow, miraculously, the religious is replaced by the socialist. True, not for long, just on one fresco.

He's closer.

By the way, about hell. If you don’t have a very clear idea of ​​what is happening there, then in the Am Phu cave they will clearly show you everything. The following photos are not for the faint of heart.

Cave "hell" is a rather unpleasant place with narrow passages and many stairs - up and down. We hurried to get out of there without fully exploring all its nooks and crannies. I couldn't wait to visit paradise. After all, he should be here for those who behaved well and did not offend anyone. Found. It starts on these stairs leading to a tiny observation deck.

So, how much does a solo trip cost? marble caves:

Bike rental - 100 thousand dong ($5),

Refueling a bike - 20 thousand dong ($1)

Entrance tickets to both cave complexes - 30 thousand dong per person ($1.5),

Total nine dollars for two. Inexpensive entertainment, right?

How best to dress, what to take with you:

Leave your flip-flops at the hotel and wear stronger shoes - sports sandals or sneakers. You will need to walk a lot, often climb mountains, shoes should be comfortable. You need to take a lot of water with you.

Be careful when purchasing marble figurines! When they offer something very cheap, then most likely it is not marble, but an imitation - cheap plastic. Read on the Internet and remember how to recognize marble if you are going to make a serious purchase.

To avoid the difficult climb uphill, you can use the elevator. Costs 15 thousand dong ($0.75). Where the elevator is located is clearly visible on the map at the beginning of the post.

It is better to arrive to the marble caves early in the morning to avoid the crush of package tourists.

If you want to know more about our Vietnam travel, then the road is right for you. There are many posts from Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Dalat and the provinces of Dak Lak, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue, Sapa and Hanoi. If you are waiting for new posts, you can subscribe to the announcement mailing list at in social networks or receive notifications by email. All the necessary buttons are at the bottom of the page.

Marble Mountains (or rather hills, since they still don’t reach the mountains :) these are natural limestone-marble formations. Many years ago there was a sea here, and these hills were islands. Now the sea has gone and hills have formed, covered with lush vegetation.

Marble Mountains in Vietnam

Each of the 5 hills of the Marble Mountains has its own name: the hill of Water, Earth, Wood, Metal and Fire. Inside the hills there are caves, some of which have been home to Buddhist temples since ancient times, which are places of pilgrimage for local residents.

Previously, marble was mined in these mountains and residents of neighboring villages lived very well from this. Now it is prohibited to mine valuable rocks in the Marble Mountains, so the marble for the numerous figurines that can be bought as souvenirs near the entrance is brought from other regions.

Where are the Marble Mountains

Marble Mountains are located in Vietnam, 10 km from Da Nang airport and 20 km from the center.

Marble Mountains: how to get there

The easiest option to visit the Marble Mountains is to buy a tour, but I still recommend visiting this attraction on your own. How to get to the foot of the Marble Mountains (hills 🙂):

  • On foot. This option is possible if you have settled in the southern part of Da Nang (by the way, there are excellent hotels near the mountains themselves on the seashore, I will write about them later in the article).
  • By taxi. Depending on the distance – from 5 dollars
  • On regular bus , which runs between Da Nang and Hoi An City. The bus is coming along the road along the sea, the Marble Mountains are visible from afar, just ask the driver to stop at the stop opposite these mountains. The fare costs a penny (I won’t tell you the exact amount, I haven’t traveled this way), the bus leaves from the northern bus station of Hoi An.
  • On rented bike . We rented a bike for $5 a day right next to our hotel in Hoi An.

Don't be afraid to ride a bike to the Marble Mountains. Traffic in this part of Vietnam (on the road along the sea between Hoi An and Da Nang) is very calm, unlike traffic in and even in. We drove from Hoi An to the Marble Mountains in 15-20 minutes, the road was almost empty. If you are planning to stay in Hoi An, you will find my article useful:

Parking

A few words about parking near the Marble Mountains. As soon as we turned off the road from the sea towards the sights, the Vietnamese began to rush towards us, almost under the wheels of our bike, with a desire to park our bike right next to their store or cafe. Don't pay attention, but drive further, closer to the mountain and the entrance. There you will also have to park the bike near some store. We didn’t see any official parking for bikes, but there is parking for cars 10,000 dong (0.5 dollar).

When asked how much it would cost to park a bike near a store or cafe, the Vietnamese woman said it was free, but if we bought something, what would we buy from her. Well, anyway, upon returning from the mountain, we were very thirsty and bought water and cane juice from the store. Prices are, of course, higher than in the store, but not critical. For example, a bottle of water is 15,000 dong (in the store 10,000 dong), cane juice is 15,000 dong (in other places 6,000 -10,000 dong).


We approach the entrance. On all sides there are shops with marble statues

Complex operating hours

Officially, the Marble Mountains complex in Da Nang is open from 7:00 to 17:30. But no one forbids you to come later: we didn’t see any doors that could be closed at night :)

Cost of visiting the Marble Mountains

Cost of visiting Am Phu Cave – 15,000 dong (~$0.75)

The cost of visiting all caves and other structures on the great grief Thủy Sơn – 15,000 dong (~$0.75)

You can go up the mountain by elevator - 15,000 VND (~ $0.75) one way

For those who love hiking there is a long, wide staircase to climb :) I choose comfort, especially in the 40-degree heat of May, so we go up the mountain by elevator :) But don’t think that once you get to the mountain you won’t have to climb further on foot. Numerous more stairs and paths lead up from the elevator.

This elevator takes you to the top of the middle of the mountain for 15,000 dong
Hooray, there is an elevator! 🙂
Entrance to the stairs that lead to the mountain
For those who like to walk, there is a wide staircase leading up the mountain. We went down it. It’s not that long :) But still, I prefer the elevator!
Our tickets to one of the marble mountains - Mount Thủy Sơn

Plan diagram of the Marble Mountains complex


Plan diagram of the entire Marble Mountains complex: 5 hills
Plan diagram of the most visited and largest mountain Thủy Sơn. Such a map can be purchased at the box office.

Am Phu Cave

We visited this cave first - it happened by accident, we just parked closer to it, and not to the passage to the mountain. Then I realized that it was the right decision: after walking through the caves, temples and viewing platforms on the mountain, I would hardly go to another cave. It was Am Phu Cave that I remember most.


Let's go to Am Phu cave

The entrance to the cave is decorated with marble figurines. At the entrance there are several marble benches for relaxation.


Near the entrance to the cave there are various marble figurines
At the entrance to the cave you can relax on benches. It's so nice to sit for a few minutes in the coolness after the hot Vietnamese sun
Crowd of sacred elders

Am Phu Cave symbolizes Hell and Heaven. Immediately after entering we find ourselves in Purgatory, where they determine where to send a person: to hell or to heaven? Well, first let's go down into the thick of it, into Hell. Don't watch for the faint of heart :)




Now let's go to Paradise. The path to Paradise is not easy; you will have to overcome dozens of slippery steps. But at the very top there is an observation deck with an excellent view of the surrounding area!


We begin the difficult climb to Paradise
We pass by the altar and many Buddha statues
And here we are already at the top and looking from Heaven to Hell
Temple at the top of the observation deck
View of the sea from above

Caves and temples on Thủy Sơn mountain

As I said above, the Marble Mountains complex in Da Nang consists of five hills, on top of which there are pagodas - temples and caves, but tourists (and us too) visit only the most big mountain Thủy Sơn.


I really like these bright flowers! They are everywhere in Da Nang!
Turquoise sea in the distance. It’s a pity that it’s not warm all year round, otherwise you could safely spend the winter in Da Nang
One of the marble hills

The first Van Thong cave with bats inside. After a huge hall with an altar, the cave narrows, then you need to climb through a narrow passage and preferably with a flashlight and comfortable shoes, we decided not to go further.

The Huyen Khong cave is huge with a holey “roof”; the sun’s rays break through the cracks in the rock. There are scary statues below :)


The largest cave on this mountain is Huyen Khong Cave. Cave entrance
We go down deep into the cave
A big white Buddha sits inside
Place for prayer
Scary faces
The sun breaks through a crevice in the rock from above

There are several functioning pagodas on the mountain, we even went to the territory where the monks live and rested there in the shade of the trees in complete solitude.


One of the temples on the mountain. Ton Tam Pagoda
Linh Ung Pagoda
Big Buddha sitting :)


We went up a few observation platforms.


High in the mountains above Da Nang!
View of the surrounding area from one of the observation decks on Mount Thủy Sơn

We went back down the stairs, tired. Yes, it’s not an easy job to walk in the mountains and caves in the heat! I really wanted to take a cold bath :) But we moved on, exploring the sights of Da Nang :)


And another beautifully bright tree

Marble Mountains in Da Nang. Video

The Marble Mountains are an unusual and interesting attraction in Da Nang and Hoi An. They are definitely worth a visit, especially if you are not spoiled by such large caves, such as the Phong Nha-Kebang caves.

  • The territory of the Marble Mountains complex is large, you will have to walk a lot, expect to spend 3 hours, or even more
  • Wear comfortable shoes. I saw some tourists walking barefoot and carrying their shoes in their hands :)
  • Take it more water. You can also buy water at the top, but the prices are higher than at the bottom
  • If you plan to climb in an undeveloped part of the cave, take a flashlight with you
  • Buy a map below or take a photo of the plan diagram. There are signs at the top but it's hard to know where to go
  • The Vietnamese are very fond of sightseeing, so avoid visiting the Marble Mountains on weekends and holidays. And on weekdays there are a lot of people here... we arrived at 10 am and found crowds of Vietnamese tourists. But at one o'clock in the afternoon it became nice, empty, only a few Europeans were inspecting the caves and temples
  • Prices for souvenirs made from marble under the mountain are high, bargain, the price may fall two or three times!

There are signs on the mountain, but it’s still not easy to figure out where to go and what to see without a map.
You can buy water and something to eat on the mountain. Tourist prices
Xa Loi Tower

Other hotels in Da Nang can be selected and booked.

The Marble Mountains are without a doubt considered the main attraction of Da Nang. They harmoniously intertwine the great creations of human hands and the vagaries of nature. In fact, the Marble Mountains site includes: beautiful gardens, mysterious underground temples and beautiful Chinese-style buildings that are located on these mountains. The mountains are located approximately 30 kilometers from Hoi An and literally a few kilometers from Da Nang, in a southerly direction, almost on the seashore.

You don't have to buy a tour to visit this interesting place. It is quite possible to get there on your own. It goes from both Hoi An and Da Nang regular bus, which connects these two cities. It runs on the route Hoi An - Da Nang, and vice versa. During his route in both directions, he makes a stop near the Marble Mountains. You can also get there by taxi.

For a daytime ticket you will have to pay $1 per person. Daytime ends at 17.00. You can go further for free, but keep in mind that it gets dark here early, and you are unlikely to have time to carefully examine everything. You can go upstairs by elevator or stairs. Climbing stairs is, of course, more tiring, but much more interesting. But along the entire route there are places to rest, where you can sit quietly and enjoy the surrounding landscape.

The Marble Mountains are of natural origin. It is actually a conglomerate consisting of five marble and limestone hills. All of them are connected to each other into a single mountain range. Each hill included in the Marble Mountains has its own name, which it received in honor of one of the natural elements: water - Tui, wood - Moc, earth - Tho, metal - Kim and fire - Hoa. In former times, the inhabitants of all the surrounding villages practically lived only at the expense of the Marble Mountains. They mined valuable rocks from them, from which they subsequently made lamps, all kinds of figurines, vases and various household utensils. Today, it is prohibited to take valuable rocks from the Marble Mountains, so local residents take materials for such crafts in another province. This fishery is very old, since one of the nearby villages, Non Nuoc, was founded back in the 13th century.

In order to explore in detail the Marble Mountains and everything cave temples, you will need at least 3 hours, and maybe more. Since the caves are very dark, be sure to take a flashlight with you. Near all the caves there are usually some grandmothers or local boys who will offer you flashlights for rent for a fee. By the way, they are usually not satisfied with the fee you offer. And the one they offer is unlikely to suit you. In principle, they sell soft drinks, cookies, and fruits, but at a very inflated price. So it’s better to stock up on everything you need before your trip.

The Marble Mountains keep a lot of surprises; sometimes huge temples are located in the most unexpected places. There are always temples, pagodas and monks here and there on the mountain. The inside of the caves is also extremely interesting.

Near the Marble Mountains, of course, there is a market where local souvenirs are sold. Be sure to bargain because the prices are very high. Please note that marble figurines are very heavy. Although, if you suddenly decide to purchase some grandiose large thing made of marble, you can even get delivery to maritime transport home. You can buy a small set of postcards and a map of the caves, which you can later travel through. Don't forget to also wear comfortable, preferably fastening, shoes. Still, you will walk through the mountains and visit caves, and it’s not entirely convenient to do this in beach slippers.

Brief information about the country

Independence Date

Official language

Vietnamese

Form of government

Parliamentary republic

Territory

331,210 km² (66th in the world)

Population

92,477,857 people (14th in the world)

Vietnamese dong (VND)

Timezone

Largest cities

Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi

$276.6 billion (42nd in the world)

Internet domain

Telephone code

Vietnam- a multinational republic, the culture of which was formed under the influence of local tribes, neighboring countries and colonialists. As a result, we have a modern country with a developed economy, playing an important role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and in the world as a whole. Direct access to the Chinese Sea and rich nature have given impetus to the development of tourism - today Vietnam is one of the most popular countries among lovers of exotic holidays.

Video: Vietnam

Basic moments

The population of Vietnam, which covers an area of ​​331,210 km², is about 90 million according to the latest data. Representatives of such ethnic groups as Viet, Thai, Thai, Khmer and others live here. Official language Vietnamese is spoken in the country, but English, French, and Chinese are also taught in schools, so there are problems with communication in big cities will not be. Tourism employees also often speak Russian.

Vacationers choose Vietnam primarily for the sea and clean beaches. Also of great interest is the culture and ancient history country, which dates back to the 4th-3rd centuries. BC.

Brief history of the country

Modern Vietnam with its unique traditions is the result of a mixture of cultures and customs of various tribes. Powerful civilizations arose and fell on its territory, which were forced to constantly restrain the attacks of stronger neighbors, including China and Mongolia.


For a long time, the country was fragmented, and only at the end of the 18th century, Vietnam, after a long civil war, became a unified state under the leadership of the Nguyen dynasty. The 19th century brought a new yoke here, which this time came from Europe. So, France captured all southern part Vietnam, and the northern and central regions came under its direct influence, albeit less noticeable. It was a French colony until the outbreak of World War II, when it was captured by Japan. As a result of a series of unanimous decisions by representatives of the communist movement, a coup took place in 1945, and Ho Chi Minh took power.

The Democratic Republic of Vietnam tried to establish relations with France on equal terms, but the negotiations did not lead to anything - the First Indochina War began, which lasted 9 years.


The constant growth of the influence of the Communist Party caused the United States to provoke the disruption of general elections that would have allowed the creation of a unified state. A military conflict arose in which the forces of America and the USSR were involved. A long, bloody war ended with the merging of North and South into a single Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which was reformed in 1992 and set a course for liberalization and democratization.

Nowadays, the state is rapidly developing in economic, scientific and industrial directions. The tourism sector plays a significant role.

Cities of Vietnam

All cities in Vietnam

Nature of Vietnam

Vietnam, which is relatively small in area, is distinguished by its natural and climatic diversity. In this regard, the country is clearly divided into three zones: Northern Vietnam(Bac Bo), Central Vietnam (Chung Bo) and South Vietnam (Nam Bo). It was this division that predetermined the internal differences in the economy and general way of life of people in different regions of Vietnam.

Vietnam is a country of mountains and mountain plateaus. The Annam Mountains (Chuong Son) chain stretches for 1200 km from northwest to southeast, reaching an altitude of 2500-2700 m above sea level. These are not the highest mountains in Vietnam: highest point country, Mount Fansipan (3143 m), is located in the north, “occupied” by the spurs of the Yunnan Plateau. The mountains of Northern Vietnam are steep, with rugged slopes and narrow river valleys. Closer to the south, the Annam Mountains turn into low (average 1000 m above sea level) plateaus separating Vietnam from Laos and Cambodia. Five such plateaus - Kontum, Pleiku, Darlak, Lam Vien and Zilin - are united under the general name Taing Guen, or “Western Plateaus”.

The plains in Vietnam extend in the deltas of the largest rivers, the Mekong and the Red, and also stretch in a narrow strip along the sea coast. The plains are elevated above sea level by only 1-3 m, and some areas even lie below zero. During the monsoon rains, they are completely filled with water and turn into real lakes. During typhoons, coastal areas of the plains are often invaded by sea waves, washing up sand banks and dunes.

Climate

Although Vietnam is located south of the Tropic of the North, average temperature the air here is lower than in neighboring countries, lying at the same latitudes. The reason for this is the mountains that occupy 80% of Vietnam's territory. Moreover, almost everything mountain ranges in the country stretch from north to south and do not shield the country from intrusions of cold air masses from Tibet and Central Asia. As a result, in winter in the northern part of tropical Vietnam, real climatic anomalies are common, when the temperature drops to +10 °C and even + 5 °C. The difference between average winter and summer temperatures in Hanoi is quite large: from +17 °C in winter to + 29 °C in summer. Due to winter frosts, many tropical fruits grow poorly in Bakbo, and rice yields are not as high as in the South.

The climate of Vietnam is largely determined by the winds that prevail at one time or another of the year. In summer it is the south and southwest monsoons that bring rain, and in winter there is a dry wind blowing from the northeast.

While Northern Vietnam suffers from sudden changes in air temperature, the South of the country enjoys serene warmth all year round. Difference between lowest and highest high values The temperature in Nambo is only 4 degrees (+ 26 / +30 °C). Central Vietnam is a kind of transition zone between North and South: it is hotter than Bac Bo and cooler than Nam Bo.

The city of Dalat is considered the best and most comfortable in terms of climate: the temperature here is + 24 °C all year round.

Vietnam is not only mountains and winds, it is also a country of water. On average, 2000-2500 mm of moisture is shed on it per year. The rains that fall in the Chungbo Mountains are especially generous. Here the “wet” season comes much later than in the rest of Vietnam: the summer southwest monsoon rains on the western, Laotian slopes of the Annam Mountains, and only moisture delivered by winter winds from the Gulf of Tonkin falls on “its” territory.

In the north, in the Red River Delta, during the dry winter months, a specific local rain, mya fun (or krashen), often drizzles, unable to truly wet the ground, but helps plants survive the seasonal drought on a starvation ration of water.

Spring and autumn in Vietnam are a time of changing monsoons and changeable weather. In addition, in the fall, the coastal areas of Bakbo and Chung-bo are visited by typhoons once or even twice every year.

Rivers and lakes


The largest rivers flow in the South and North of the country. The palm belongs to the Mekong (Cu-ulong in Vietnamese). Of its total length of 4,400 km, Vietnam has the shortest section of the lower reaches, but the Vietnamese are not upset - they completely own the delta of the “Father of Rivers”. The water level in the Mekong Delta depends entirely on the amount of rainfall that falls in the upper reaches of the river. If in the rainy summer months it carries 100 thousand cubic meters of water per second into the sea, then in winter the flow decreases to 4 thousand cubic meters. The Mekong Delta is replete with muddy channels and wetlands, sometimes stretching for tens of kilometers.

Halong Bay (Hạ Long Bay)

In the northern part of the country, not far from the capital, is located one of the most picturesque bays the world, whose magnificent views annually attract tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world. listed World Heritage UNESCO is rightfully considered one of the wonders of the world. It is famous, first of all, for its limestone islands crowned with dense vegetation. There are about three thousand of them in total, and, according to legend, these are the curves of the body of an ancient dragon trying to hide under water from the wrath of god. By the way, this is where the famous scene from the movie “Avatar” was filmed.

The two most big islands The bays are inhabited, and there is also a large floating village - houses are built right on the water, and the only mode of transport is boats and boats.

Hoi An (Hội An)

Small fishing town in central region Vietnam is a favorite destination for foreign tourists. It is chosen for a visit due to its clean sandy beaches and a large number of historical and cultural attractions, a visit to which will make your vacation interesting. This city is sometimes called the “open-air museum” and the “Venice of Vietnam.” About his former glory as a great seaport reminiscent of canals that have survived to this day, passing through several blocks. There is a unique atmosphere here, so it’s worth setting aside a few days to visit Hoi An.

Nha Trang

Choose those who are accustomed to active recreation and eventful city life. This resort attracts with its 7 km long beach and clear water. Tourists who come to Vietnam to improve their health can visit mud baths and hot springs. There is also one of the business cards country - a pagoda with a white figure of Buddha sitting on a lotus flower.

Another reason to visit is the dive centers. This resort is recognized as the most best place for scuba diving - in addition to the rich animal world, divers are attracted by coral gardens. You can see the bay from above by purchasing a ticket for cable car, which is the longest in the world.

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Caves of Vietnam


The nature of this country never ceases to amaze - in addition to the attractions located on the surface, there are also great amount underground wonders. National Park Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng (Vườn quốc gia Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng) – real paradise for speleologists. A unique ecosystem with rare species of plants and birds is preserved here. It is surrounded by impenetrable forests and high mountains. The Thienduong, Tien Son, and Phong Nha caves are open for visiting as part of special groups. The latter is famous for its karst formations fancy shapes, whose names speak for themselves: “Lion”, “Royal Court”, “Buddha” and so on.

The highlight of the park, which was opened not so long ago, is the Son Dong Cave (Sơn Đoòng), recognized as the largest in the world. This is a whole underground world with rivers, lakes, vegetation.

Culture

The Viet culture was originally formed as a culture of rice farmers. The main occupation of people determined the way of life, the menu national cuisine, the nature of holidays and entertainment. Rice crops, first cultivated in Indochina, occupy 85% of the total area of ​​arable land in Vietnam. Other food crops in Vietnam are grown only on those lands that, for some reason, are unsuitable for rice. The Vietnamese are familiar with about 200 varieties of this cereal - with white, yellow, reddish and even black grains. In South Vietnam, “floating” rice is grown, which produces crops in any flood: no matter how high the water rises, the plant’s ear always remains on the surface due to the rapidly elongating stem... The most important property of rice is that its grains are covered with a dense skin , can be stored for a long time in a humid climate without the need for expensive elevators. The word "rice" for Viet is synonymous with the word "food". If he does not finish at least one cup of rice during a meal, no delicacy will give him the feeling of a full, complete meal. Once upon a time in Vietnam it was even customary to greet an acquaintance with the polite phrase “Have you eaten rice?”

Rice paddy (this is what specially flooded fields are called) They form an almost continuous water mirror in the lowland regions of the country, streaked with lines of dams and roads, dotted with islands of villages. In fields flooded with water, fish are often bred, which brings double benefits - it not only serves as food, but also eats the larvae of harmful insects. There are no fences between the neighbors' fields - they are replaced by small dams that serve as paths for the peasants. Viet villages are not particularly picturesque; moreover, the buildings are often hidden from the eyes of strangers by trees and thickets of bamboo. At the same time, any, even the tiniest village, is a cozy, harmoniously arranged and completely ordered little world, where everything is in its place.

Unlike many peoples of Southeast Asia, the Viet build their traditional homes not on stilts, but directly on the ground. The wall material can be anything from split bamboo to brick. The center of a peasant estate is a residential building, adjoined on both sides by outbuildings that form a secluded courtyard. In front of the kitchen there are usually large water vessels made of stone or baked clay. The main place in the master's house is considered to be the altar of the ancestors, decorated with lacquer tablets with the names of deceased family members and their photographs. Traditional furniture is simple and unpretentious: a wooden chest for utensils and several wooden bunk beds. The roof of the house rests on pillars, between which a hammock is suspended for midday rest. Viet peasants successfully replace the dining table and bedding with wicker mats. Traditional dishes are made from bamboo and clay, and in the South, also from coconut shells.

The traditional Viet costume consists of a loose straight blouse with patch pockets, wide pants, a belt and a headdress. Peasants most often sew everyday clothes from black or dark brown cotton fabric. Women's traditional clothing is called ao zai (in the south - ao ai). This outfit consists of trousers and a straight fitted tunic dress with a stand-up collar and deep slits on the sides. The festive ao zai is made from silk fabric in bright colors and looks extremely impressive. Married Vietnamese women gather their hair into a braid and wrap it around their heads, while the hair of unmarried women is usually loose. In hot weather and rain, people of both sexes wear the famous conical non hats, tied under their chins. These hats, woven from palm leaves, have become the most famous symbol of Vietnam throughout the world. The Vietnamese, in turn, borrowed something from the Europeans. Thus, on the head of a village man in northern Vietnam you can often see a khaki-colored headdress, introduced by the French colonialists and firmly established in the army.

Vietnamese cuisine

The cuisine of Vietnam was formed taking into account the natural characteristics of the country, as well as under the influence of China and Japan. Dishes made from seafood, pork, nuts and legumes predominate here. Rice occupies a special place in traditional cuisine. It is used to make noodles, cakes and “paper”, which serve as the basis for many dishes.

The Vietnamese use cattle as draft power: they rarely eat the meat of cows and buffaloes, and drink milk only if it is coconut or soybean. By the way, soy milk, and with it soy “curd” (known in our country as tofu), came to Vietnam from China and became widespread in northern regions countries. Another dish borrowed from the Chinese is noodles. It clearly suits the court here: throughout the country, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, a Vietnamese city dweller’s day cannot be imagined without several cups of pho soup, consisting of broth, noodles, boiled meat, soy sprouts and herbs.

Vietnamese cuisine includes a variety of products and spices - tomatoes, cucumbers, greens, beans, tapioca, peanuts, garlic, onions, sesame seeds, ginger, pepper... Many dishes in Vietnam are prepared from banana, and some of its varieties are good only fried or baked. Of the traditional seasonings, salty nuoc mam sauce (better known as fish sauce) and nuoc leo sauce are especially popular. The first is made from small fish fermented with salt in large clay vats. This sauce is suitable for long-term storage. In restaurants you can often find nuoc cham on the table - a liquid seasoning consisting of fish sauce, garlic, vinegar, rice wine and pepper. Nuok leo is prepared from pork fat, liver, garlic, onions, peanuts and sesame seeds - it is served in portioned dishes. Southern restaurants often offer tamarind and mango sauces for fish dishes.

Like the Chinese, the Vietnamese are known for their affinity for exotic products that not every European would dare try. These include silkworm pupae, scorpions, crickets... Along with marine mollusks, the Vietas willingly eat land snails, and marine crustaceans coexist on their table with freshwater “rice crabs”.

Perhaps the most famous dish of Vietnamese cuisine is nem pancakes. They are prepared like this: the filling of pork, vegetables and spices is wrapped in the thinnest rice “paper” (ban chang). Very similar to it are various steamed dishes made from glutinous rice or tapioca with filling - the names of such dishes include the word “ban”.

You should definitely try the rice paper rolls. The filling can be anything from meat to fruit. These dishes are very satisfying, but at the same time light and healthy.

Vietnamese cuisine has many surprises in store for tourists. Here you can try culinary masterpieces, the names of which alone will shock many. However, the bravest ones decide to experiment and enjoy discovering the taste of baked bat, cobra salad and other delights.

Snakes – the Vietnamese have a special attitude towards them. These reptiles are eaten here as freely as, say, chickens in our country. Moreover, they are considered healing - for example, by eating a raw cobra heart, a person gains health and longevity. In this case, the blood organ must be swallowed while it is still beating.

Another 2-3 dishes are prepared from the meat of the snake, which is butchered right in front of visitors. These can be rolls, soup, salad with vegetables, as well as fried skin. You can order such delicacies in tourist restaurants in the city center, however experienced tourists It is advised to go to small cafes where locals relax. They have a special atmosphere, and prices are several tens of dollars lower. On average, such a lunch will cost from 470,000 VND (approximately $21) - the cost depends on the level of the restaurant and the venomousness of the snake.

If you've never tried roasted bamboo, you should definitely head to Vietnam. This dish is especially popular here because the young shoots have many beneficial properties. The only negative of all this is the extremely unpleasant smell, which, by the way, can be said about many traditional foods, including fried herring.

Another exotic animal whose meat is worth trying when traveling to Vietnam is the crocodile. It is advisable that it be a young individual - then it will be soft and juicy. Soups, salads and other delicacies are prepared mainly from “loin” parts - paws and tails. The price for such a delicacy ranges from VND 130,000–450,000, which is approximately $6–20 in dollars.

There is a traditional delicacy in Vietnamese cuisine that evokes mixed reactions among the most squeamish foreigners. We are talking about duck eggs with embryos. They look rather intimidating, but their delicate taste compensates for their external shortcomings. At the same time, tourists can choose eggs that have more yolk, or are almost filled with “meat”. They are inexpensive and sold right on the streets - this is an analogue of our fast food, only instead of pies and sandwiches there are unhatched chicks.

In addition, in Vietnamese cafes specializing in national dishes, you can order dog meat, fried rats, bats with spicy sauce, sea worms, pond and pork frogs and other exotic things. Of course, before you eat any of the above, you need to make sure that the food was prepared under appropriate sanitary conditions.

In a village house, food is served on a large round wicker tray, in the center of which is a deep plate of rice. She is surrounded by cups with seasonings, bowls with vegetable soup and other dishes.

While rural Vietnamese traditionally drink green tea, urban residents prefer coffee brought to Vietnam during the era of French rule. Vietnamese coffee is excellent, and it is prepared in a very unique way in the cafe. A “coffee maker” is a metal container with a lid that fits over a glass. Several holes are drilled in the bottom of this device, thanks to which steep boiling water slowly seeps into the glass through a layer of ground coffee. The resulting aromatic drink is drunk with condensed milk in the morning, and in hot weather - with ice cubes.

For the Vietnamese, rice is not only food, but also a raw material for making ruou wine. This drink is especially favored by the inhabitants of the “rice baskets” - the Mekong and Red River deltas. The most common type of rice wine is country mash, which is made from boiled rice aged in a clay vessel for three months. This drink is served in a ceramic jug, closed with a lid with small holes. Bamboo tubes are inserted into them according to the number of participants in the feast. Wine is drunk through a straw directly from a jug standing in the center of the table. An appetizer can be dried fish or slices of vegetables sprinkled with nyok mam fish sauce. Most often, tourists manage to taste this drink in the Mekong Delta, in the vicinity of Ho Chi Minh City.

Beer is a big favorite among the Vietnamese. In the evenings, in any street tavern you can see people relaxing after work with a glass of bia hoy - a traditional light beer sold on tap. The aluminum jug of this unique “malt lemonade” should be looked for under the sign Bia Tuoi (bia tuoi, or “fresh beer”). Especially many such signs can be found in Hanoi's Old Town, on the corner of Ta Hien St. and Luong Ngoc Quyen St.. Under the influence of Europeans at the beginning of the 20th century. The production of the familiar lager beer began in the country, now existing in the form of various brands. The most common brands are "Tiger", "Saigon" and "333" - the latter name sounds like "ba-ba-ba" in Vietnamese.


Popular traditional refreshments include coconut milk, iced lemon juice (tian da) and freshly squeezed orange juice (kam vata).

There is no shortage of fruits in Vietnam, especially in the south. Along with the well-known pineapples, bananas or citrus fruits, visiting the country gives you the opportunity to try such wonders as lychee, cherimoya, mangosteen, tamarind, papaya or the famous durian. This fruit has earned the nickname "king of fruits" due to its taste, but many people find the smell of ripe durian peel disgusting. In some countries in Southeast Asia, bringing durian into public places is strictly prohibited.

Public holidays

Vietnam has official holidays with a fixed date.

  • 1st of January - New Year
  • February 3 - Founding Day of the Communist Party of Vietnam
  • April 30 - Saigon Liberation Day
  • May 1 - International Labor Day
  • May 19 - Ho Chi Minh's birthday
  • July 27 Day - Remembrance of War Victims
  • September 2 - Independence Day
  • December 25 - Christmas

Many major Vietnamese holidays are associated with lunar calendar, so their dates change.


  • January February. Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year), or Tet, is the main holiday. Many people celebrate it for a whole week, but official celebrations last three days.
  • January February. Dong Da - commemorates the victory over the Chinese in 1789.
  • March, April. Thanh Minh (Day of Remembrance of the Dead). Vietnamese people visit the graves of deceased relatives.
  • April May. Le Phat Dan is a celebration of the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.
  • June July. Trung Nguyen (Day of Wandering Souls), the second most important holiday of the year. People make offerings to the souls of the dead.
  • November December. Birthday of Confucius.

 

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