Nghe An is the largest province in Vietnam’s north central coast region and is bordered to the west by Laos and to the east by the South China Sea. Nghe An’s topography is quite complex, as it is divided by hills and mountains, streams and rivers. Pulaileng in Ky Son district is the province’s highest peak (2,711m).
About 15kms (nine miles) to the west of the capital Vinh lies Ho Chi Minh’s birthplace, a major tourist draw for many Vietnamese. A city highlight is the large Hong Son temple which escaped the closures by the Communists after the war. Having climbed the 400 steps to its summit, Quyet Mountain rewards you with a spectacular panorama of Vinh and the surrounding farmland.
Nghe An is dotted with a large number of primitive forests that allow for ecological tourism and mountain climbing. There are also numerous scenic landscapes such as Pu Hoat, a primitive forest preservation area, and the verdant Pu Mat National Park.
Sun worshippers will be attracted by the many beautiful beaches, particularly the beach resort in Cua Lo, which is a popular destination for residents of Hanoi. Cua Lo belongs to Vietnam’s largest stretches of stunning white beaches and is frequented by few foreign visitors.
Located 290kms (180 miles) from Hanoi, Vinh has an airport next to national highway 1 as well as bus and railway stations.