NGHE AN
Nghe An is a large province in the central part of Vietnam that connects the North and South. More than 90% of the population belongs to the Kinh ethnic group.
The tropical monsoon climate has an annual average temperature of 23°C. Nghe An offers several historical sites such as the native land of President Ho Chi Minh and poet Nguyen Du. Other sites include Cua Lo, the Lam River, and the Ben Thuy Wharf.
It is 291 km from Hanoi to Vinh the provincial capital of Nghe An on National Highway 1.
Vinh has been expanded into a large city since the end of the last Vietnam war. Nowadays it has become an economic, cultural and political centre of Central Vietnam.
Cua Lo Beach:
From Vinh to Cua Lo beach is 18km. Along the 10km white sandy beach are pine forests. The blue sea water has a salt ratio of about 3.5%.
The temperature at the area ranges from 18-20oC in Winter to around 25oC in Summer.
Realizing the potential of Cua Lo as a good seaside resort, the French began to built an area of villas for the exclusive use of the French community. During the first Indochina war those villas were destroyed. A number of guest houses and hotels have sprung up to serve local and foreign visitors.
Sen Village:
Starting from Vinh City along Road 49, and turning at a red earth road lined with shady eucalyptus and filao trees, visitors reach Sen village, whose scholarly name is Kim Lien (Golden Lotus). There are several lotus ponds along the village roads. The house in which President Ho Chi Minh lived during his childhood was a thatched bamboo and wooden house. In the house there are some pieces of furniture such as a wooden bed, a bamboo bed, a jute hammock and an altar, the same as those used by local farmers. The house was built in 1901 with contributions of labour and funds as present from the villagers to the father of President Ho, Mr Nguyen Sinh Sac, when he won a "Junior Doctor" degree in literature, bringing honour to the whole village.