Quang Tri has a diverse terrain including hills, plains, sand dunes, beaches running northwest – southeast and especially a cave system, famous as the “Kingdom of Caves”, including the world’s largest cave, Son Doong. In addition, Quang Tri also has Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, recognized as a World Natural Heritage. Another outstanding feature of the province is its many historical relics marking Vietnam’s wars, attracting a large number of tourists who want to visit, explore, and research.
General information about Quang Tri
Quang Tri is located on the central coast, with its administrative center in Dong Hoi ward. Quang Tri borders Ha Tinh province to the north, Hue city to the south, Laos to the west and the East Sea to the east. After merging with Quang Binh in July 2025, the (new) Quang Tri province has a natural area of 12,700 km².
What is the best time to visit Quang Tri?
Located in the humid tropical monsoon region, transitioning between subtropical monsoon and tropical monsoon climates, Quang Tri has harsh weather, divided into two distinct seasons, the rainy season from September to March of the following year, the dry season from April to August.
The average annual temperature fluctuates around 25 degrees Celsius, the highest in July (over 40 degrees Celsius) and the lowest in January (3-5 degrees Celsius in mountainous areas). “A Foehn” is most evident from May to August. From October to February, Quang Tri is often affected by the Northeast monsoon with rain that can easily cause storms, floods, flash floods, landslides, and tornadoes.
Traveling in the rainy season, visitors will have limited mobility, and activities such as swimming in the sea and exploring caves are also difficult to carry out. However, for those who love to explore, the northern part of Quang Tri in the rainy season has its own interesting features. Visitors can wade through rivers and streams, kayak and SUP, from August to November.
How to get there?
By air
Quang Tri province’s airport is Dong Hoi, located in Dong Thuan ward. Currently, the airport only accepts domestic flights, there are no international connections. From Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, there are direct flights to Dong Hoi with round-trip fares from 2 to 3 million VND. The frequency of flights to Quang Binh is not much, usually only 2 flights per day. Flight time from Hanoi to Dong Hoi is nearly 1 hour, from Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Hoi is nearly 2 hours.
In addition, visitors can choose the neighboring airport Phu Bai (Hue City). Flight frequency from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Hue City is higher than Dong Hoi, and there are international flights. Phu Bai Airport is 90 km from Dong Ha ward along National Highway 1A and 105 km along CT01 expressway.
By roadway
Quang Tri is located on National Highway 1A, convenient for traveling by road. Visitors can also follow Ho Chi Minh Road and CT01 expressway. Currently, CT01 expressway has opened the route from Hanoi to Vung Ang (Ha Tinh), the time to reach Quang Tri province is about 6 hours.
In addition to private cars, visitors can choose many bus companies running the North – South route and vice versa. From Hanoi, there are Hung Long, Phuong Trang, Dong Hien, Camel Travel, Quoc Vuong, Thien Trung, Quang Dung, Hoang Long. Sleeper bus fares range from 300,000 VND to 800,000 VND one way per person, depending on the departure point. From Ho Chi Minh City, there are Hoang Long, A Ba, and Loc Thuy bus companies with one-way fares of 400,000-800,000 VND per person. The journey takes about 20 hours.
In Quang Tri province, hire a taxi or rent a tourist car. Motorbikes can be rented at hotels for 100,000-150,000 VND per day.
Railway
The Thong Nhat train, including the express trains SE1-2 and SE3-4, and the tourist train SE19-20, all stop at Dong Hoi and Dong Ha stations. Ticket prices range from 400,000 VND to 1.3 million VND depending on the departure point, train type, and seat/bed class.
Accommodation
Accommodation services in Quang Tri are diverse, from resorts, hotels, motels to homestays, farmstays or campsites. Accommodation areas for tourists in Quang Tri are mainly concentrated in Dong Hoi ward, Dong Ha, Phong Nha commune, famous beach resorts.
In Dong Hoi, visitors can choose to stay in central areas such as Ly Thuong Kiet street, Tran Hung Dao street or hotels with beautiful locations near Nhat Le beach on Truong Phap street. 4-5 star hotels in the city include Meliá Vinpearl Quang Binh, Muong Thanh Holiday, Muong Thanh Luxury Nhat Le, Sun Spa Resort, Celina Peninsula Resort, Gold Coast, Saigon Quang Binh… with prices from 600,000 VND to 2 million VND per night.
Phong Nha, Le Thuy, Bo Trach communes all exploit tourism and also have accommodation, with a variety of prices. Specifically, in the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park area (Bo Trach district), visitors should choose resorts close to nature such as Chay Lap Farmstay, Nguyen Shack – Phong Nha Eco, Phong Nha Coco Riverside, Phong Nha Lake House, Lucky Home… Each night here costs from 400,000 to 2 million VND per room for two people.
Blue Diamond Retreat eco-tourism area with diverse nature exploration activities is located in Phong Nha commune, separate from residential areas, hidden in the heart of the world natural heritage Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. This place is easy to access by means of transport from the center of Phong Nha, travel time is about 15 minutes. Overnight rooms range from 420,000 VND to more than 1.2 million VND per person.
In Minh Hoa commune, the “weather-adaptive” tourism model has many accommodation options for both the dry and rainy seasons. Tu Lan Lodge costs from 1.1 million VND per night. There are also many spacious and comfortable homestays, with an area of 26 to 40 m2, suitable for 1-3 people, priced from 900,000 VND per night. In Dong Ha ward, tourists choose hotels such as Saigon – Dong Ha, Muong Thanh – Quang Tri, Golden Hotel, Khai Hoan Hotel, Huu Nghi Hotel with prices ranging from 500,000 VND to 1 million VND per night. More affordable motels and hotels have prices ranging from around 150,000 VND
General information about Quang Tri
Quang Tri is located on the central coast, with its administrative center in Dong Hoi ward. After merging with Quang Binh in July 2025, the (new) Quang Tri province has a natural area of 12,700 km².
Quang Tri borders Ha Tinh province to the north, Hue city to the south, Laos to the west and the East Sea to the east.
Best time
Located in the humid tropical monsoon region, transitioning between subtropical monsoon and tropical monsoon climates, Quang Tri has harsh weather, divided into two distinct seasons, the rainy season from September to March of the following year, the dry season from April to August.
The average annual temperature fluctuates around 25 degrees Celsius, the highest in July (over 40 degrees Celsius) and the lowest in January (3-5 degrees Celsius in mountainous areas).
“Lao wind” is most evident from May to August. From October to February, Quang Tri is often affected by the Northeast monsoon with rain that can easily cause storms, floods, flash floods, landslides, and tornadoes.
Traveling in the rainy season, visitors will have limited mobility, and activities such as swimming in the sea and exploring caves are also difficult to carry out. However, for those who love to explore, the northern part of Quang Tri in the rainy season has its own interesting features. Visitors can wade through rivers and streams, kayak and SUP, from August to November.
Transportation
By air
Quang Tri province’s airport is Dong Hoi, located in Dong Thuan ward. Currently, the airport only accepts domestic flights, there are no international connections. From Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, there are direct flights to Dong Hoi with round-trip fares from 2 to 3 million VND. The frequency of flights to Quang Binh is not much, usually only 2 flights per day. Flight time from Hanoi to Dong Hoi is nearly 1 hour, from Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Hoi is nearly 2 hours.
In addition, visitors can choose the neighboring airport Phu Bai (Hue City). Flight frequency from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Hue City is higher than Dong Hoi, and there are international flights. Phu Bai Airport is 90 km from Dong Ha Ward along National Highway 1A and 105 km along CT01.
By Road
Quang Tri is located on National Highway 1A, convenient for traveling by road. Visitors can also follow Ho Chi Minh Road and CT01 Expressway. Currently, CT01 Expressway has opened the route from Hanoi to Vung Ang (Ha Tinh), the time to reach Quang Tri province is about 6 hours.
In addition to private cars, visitors can choose many bus companies running the North – South route and vice versa. From Hanoi, there are Hung Long, Phuong Trang, Dong Hien, Camel Travel, Quoc Vuong, Thien Trung, Quang Dung, Hoang Long. Sleeper bus fares range from 300,000 VND to 800,000 VND one way per person, depending on the departure point. From Ho Chi Minh City, there are Hoang Long, A Ba, and Loc Thuy bus companies with one-way fares of 400,000-800,000 VND per person. The journey takes about 20 hours.
In Quang Tri province, hire a taxi or rent a tourist car. Motorbikes can be rented at hotels for 100,000-150,000 VND per day.
Railway
The Thong Nhat train, including the express trains SE1-2 and SE3-4, and the tourist train SE19-20, all stop at Dong Hoi and Dong Ha stations. Ticket prices range from 400,000 VND to 1.3 million VND depending on the departure point, train type, and seat/bed class.
Accommodation
Accommodation services in Quang Tri are diverse, from resorts, hotels, motels to homestays, farmstays or campsites. Accommodation areas for tourists in Quang Tri are mainly concentrated in Dong Hoi ward, Dong Ha, Phong Nha commune, famous beach resorts.
In Dong Hoi, visitors can choose to stay in central areas such as Ly Thuong Kiet street, Tran Hung Dao street or hotels with beautiful locations near Nhat Le beach on Truong Phap street. 4-5 star hotels in the city include Meliá Vinpearl Quang Binh, Muong Thanh Holiday, Muong Thanh Luxury Nhat Le, Sun Spa Resort, Celina Peninsula Resort, Gold Coast, Saigon Quang Binh… with prices from 600,000 VND to 2 million VND per night.
Phong Nha, Le Thuy, Bo Trach communes all exploit tourism and also have accommodation, with a variety of prices. Specifically, in the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park area (Bo Trach district), visitors should choose resorts close to nature such as Chay Lap Farmstay, Nguyen Shack – Phong Nha Eco, Phong Nha Coco Riverside, Phong Nha Lake House, Lucky Home… Each night here costs from 400,000 to 2 million VND per room for two people.
Blue Diamond Retreat eco-tourism area with diverse nature exploration activities is located in Phong Nha commune, separate from residential areas, hidden in the heart of the world natural heritage Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. This place is easy to access by means of transport from the center of Phong Nha, travel time is about 15 minutes. Overnight rooms range from 420,000 VND to more than 1.2 million VND per person.
In Minh Hoa commune, the “weather-adapting” tourism model has many accommodation options for both the dry and rainy seasons. Tu Lan Lodge costs from 1.1 million VND per night. In addition, there are many spacious and comfortable homestays, with an area of 26 to 40 m2, suitable for 1-3 people, priced from 900,000 VND per night.
In Dong Ha ward, tourists choose hotels such as Saigon – Dong Ha, Muong Thanh – Quang Tri, Golden Hotel, Khai Hoan Hotel, Huu Nghi Hotel with prices ranging from 500,000 VND to 1 million VND per night. More affordable motels and hotels have prices ranging from 150,000 VND to 300,000 VND.
At Cua Viet beach, there are Golden Sea Resort and Sepon Boutique Resort with prices ranging from VND800,000 to VND1.2 million per night. In addition, there are some smaller hotels with prices ranging around VND500,000 per night.
Sightseeing
Quang Tri is famous for many historical relics marking the nation’s wars. In addition, the province is also famous for its cave system and national park.
Quang Tri Citadel
The citadel is located in Quang Tri ward, about 2 km east of National Highway 1A. The citadel was built for nearly 28 years (1809-1837), from the Gia Long period to the Minh Mang period. The citadel is square, with a perimeter of nearly 2 km, a height of about 4 m, each side 500 m, surrounded by a moat 18 m wide and 3 m deep for defense purposes. The citadel has 4 gates, the main gate is located in the south. From Quang Tri citadel, you can go south or north by river, road, or sea. This place was devastated by huge bombs during the war.
Truong Son Cemetery
Truong Son Martyrs’ Cemetery, Linh Truong Commune, Gio Linh District, is located about 25 km northwest of Dong Ha City, about 20 km from National Highway 1A. The cemetery covers an area of 140,000 m2, on three hills, next to the upper Ben Hai River. The cemetery was built from October 24, 1975 and completed on April 10, 1977. This is the largest martyrs’ cemetery in Vietnam, the resting place of more than 10,200 martyrs, divided into 10 areas according to localities. The cemetery belongs to the system of special national historical relics.
Cua Tung Beach
Cua Tung is located about 30 km from the center of Dong Ha Ward. In the early 20th century, this was one of the top resorts for the French in the Central region, with a long, gentle white sandbank. Previously, the beach was nearly a kilometer long, in the shape of a crescent moon. Since 2003, the province has built many projects at the Ben Hai estuary, including breakwaters, bridges, and Cua Tung fishing port, causing the flow to change, the beach to be eroded, the sand to be washed away, and the water to hit the embankment.
Cua Viet Beach
Cua Viet Beach is 17 km from the center of Dong Ha ward and 15 km south of Cua Tung. Cua Viet Beach has gentle slopes and clear blue water, and is one of the famous resorts in Quang Tri. In recent years, tourists have tended to come to Cua Viet to rest more than Cua Tung. Each year, Cua Viet welcomes about 30,000 domestic and foreign visitors.
Nhat Le Beach
Once one of the 10 most attractive beach tourism destinations in Vietnam voted by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Nhat Le Beach stretches along Dong Hoi, about 2 km from the center. White sand, clear blue water, and gentle waves are the beauties that attract visitors to the three main beaches of Nhat Le Beach.
Bai Da Nhay
Bai Da Nhay is a scenic spot in Bo Trach commune, on Highway 1A, about 26 km north of Dong Hoi. The coastal rocks are weathered and eroded by seawater over time, creating natural animal statues such as the male and female rocks, elephants, tigers, etc. on the coast. Here, visitors can participate in many types of entertainment such as rowing, mountain climbing, hunting. Coc well at Bai Da Nhay has very clear water, warm in winter and cool in summer, and is often used by fishermen for worship.
Con Co Island
Con Co Island is located about 30 km from the mainland. During the resistance war against the US, people made many achievements and were honored as “Heroic Island”. Today, Con Co focuses on developing historical experience tourism and green tourism. Con Co has an area of 2.3 km2 and still retains its wild beauty. Sightseeing spots: flagpole, military hospital bunker, ancient tomb well, traditional house, martyrs memorial, Nghe wharf, Tranh wharf, square group of sea cucumbers. The island has many corals, especially red corals, blue stars, sea cucumbers and many other valuable seafood.
Currently, the island has seven accommodation service establishments with 73 rooms, serving nearly 300 guests at the same time. There are two ships running the Cua Viet – Con Co island route, including ConCo Tourist (carrying 80 guests) and Chin Nghia (156 guests).
Vinh Moc Tunnels
Vinh Moc Tunnels is 7 km from Cua Tung beach, a place associated with the historical memories of the nation. The tunnel was built in 1965 with a length of about 2,000 m. The structure includes three floors used for different purposes.
La Vang Sanctuary
La Vang Sanctuary is located in Hai Lang commune, an important pilgrimage site for Catholics. In the campus, there are still traces of the old red brick tower. In the summer of 1972, La Vang was destroyed by bombs, leaving only the bell tower. To the left of the bell tower is the shrine and the statue of the Virgin Mary. Parishioners believe that the Virgin Mary appeared in this area in 1798. Later, a church was built in the area with three large banyan trees, where the Virgin Mary appeared, and was consecrated by the Holy See as a Minor Basilica in 1961. In 2012, the new Basilica was built.
Khe Sanh
Khe Sanh is located on Highway 9 in Khe Sanh commune, about 60 km from the center of Dong Ha ward. The US and Republic of Vietnam armies built Khe Sanh into the largest stronghold in the Highway 9 defense line. Khe Sanh is located in a red soil valley 400 m above sea level, surrounded by hills and mountains. This is where major battles took place in the Route 9 – Khe Sanh campaign in 1968 and the Route 9 – Southern Laos campaign in 1971. The Ta Con base cluster with its field airport preserves many items of the 1968 victory: exhibition houses, trenches, command bunkers, barbed wire fences, runways, aircraft, artillery, tanks and many other items.
Bich La Ancient Village
The 500-year-old Bich La Ancient Village in Trieu Phong Commune is famous for its sacred land and special relics. There are many religious architectural works around the village. Every year, there is a communal house fair, attracting many tourists from all over the country. This place also preserves many folk games and entertainments such as bai choi, poetry reading, playing clay chicken, singing “ba trao”, calling and writing calligraphy.
Dakrong River
Dakrong River originates from the Truong Son mountain range, then joins Rao Quan River, flows along Highway 9 to Ba Long and flows into Cua Viet. Here, visitors can admire the mountain scenery and hear stories about the Dakrong girl. The river is also associated with history, being the place where people transported soldiers across the river during the resistance war against the US. Crossing the river is the Dakrong Bridge built by Cuba after 1975. However, the bridge collapsed in 1999. The current cable-stayed bridge was rebuilt, becoming a highlight in the natural landscape.
Van Kieu Village
The Pako and Van Kieu people live in Dakrong, Vinh Linh and Gio Linh communes. In 1957, President Ho Chi Minh visited the Quang Tri battlefield. Mr. Ho Ray and some of his compatriots met him and asked him to allow the Van Kieu and Pa Co people to have the surname Ho to show their respect and loyalty to the Party and President Ho Chi Minh. The Pako and Van Kieu people have a rich heritage of musical instruments, each type of music serves a different festival and this is also a special feature of the locality. The village still maintains many cultural features and traditional lifestyles.
Quang Binh Quan
This is a rampart in the Luy Thay system, built in 1639, to help Lord Nguyen in Dang Trong fight against the attacks of Lord Trinh in Dang Ngoai. Quang Binh Quan was destroyed by the French army in 1954, then rebuilt as before. In 1965, this place was again destroyed by American aircraft. Currently, Quang Binh Quan has been restored almost to its original state more than three centuries ago.
Tam Toa Church Bell Tower
Tam Toa Church is located in the center of Dong Hoi, next to Nhat Le River. The church is about 10 m high. After many bomb attacks during the war, the church now only has the bell tower in the front and a brick pillar on a stone foundation in the back, but still retains its ancient beauty. This place is one of the provincial historical and cultural heritages.
Dong Hoi Citadel
The citadel is part of the complex of military historical relics of Dong Hoi during the Trinh – Nguyen conflict period, built on a key land of the trans-Vietnam road from North to South. Today, Dong Hoi Citadel is only nearly 1,100 m long with 15 zigzag sections. The southern citadel is still quite intact, the eastern citadel still has three gates. Although it has been destroyed a lot during two wars, the citadel still retains the necessary original elements.
Mother Suot Monument
Mother Suot is the hero Nguyen Thi Suot, born in 1906 in Bao Ninh, Quang Binh. During the years of resistance against the US, Mother Suot volunteered to connect the communication line between Dong Hoi and Bao Ninh, rowing a boat to help soldiers cross the river and transport ammunition. The monument is about 7 m high, located on the banks of Nhat Le River, and is a must-see stop for many tourists.
Bao Ninh Peninsula
Located in the east, Bao Ninh Peninsula is peaceful between the sea on one side and Nhat Le River on the other. In addition to swimming and sightseeing, visitors can also participate in a number of sports activities such as volleyball, soccer, kite flying, surfing, and parasailing on the beach. Bao Ninh has a long, smooth, pristine coastline. Bao Ninh Peninsula also has ancient citadel relics and Whale Temple with strong fishermen culture.
Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage. There are more than 400 caves, with a total length of 220 km, and three main rivers: Chay River, Son River, and Trooc River. The national park is located in Bo Trach and Minh Hoa communes, about 50 km from Dong Hoi ward.
The botanical garden is where visitors can learn about endemic flora and fauna. The garden displays and preserves specimens of endangered, rare, and priority species for protection in Vietnam. Visitors will take a short walk around the garden, visit Gio waterfall, and wildlife care areas.
Cave system
Quang Tri has hundreds of beautiful, pristine caves, many of which have received world records.
Phong Nha Cave
Phong Nha Cave was formed hundreds of millions of years ago by the weathering process inside the limestone mountains, and was evaluated by the British Royal Cave Expedition as a typical wonder of the aesthetic and geological value of the natural world. Phong Nha meets 7 criteria: has the most beautiful underground river; high and wide cave entrance; beautiful sand and reef beaches; beautiful underground lake; has a large and beautiful dry cave; a magical and magnificent stalactite system; is the longest water cave. To explore Phong Nha Cave, visitors get on a boat at Phong Nha Tourism Center, upstream the Son River for about 30 minutes.
Thien Duong Cave
Known as the “underground palace”, Thien Duong Cave is located about 70 km northwest of Dong Hoi ward, next to the western branch of Ho Chi Minh road and about 25 km from Phong Nha Cave. Visitors will have to climb more than 500 steps to reach the cave. Passing through the cave entrance is a large space with many stalactites and stalagmites. With a length of 31.4 km, Thien Duong Cave is considered the longest dry cave in Asia.
Son Doong Cave
Son Doong Cave is currently the largest natural cave in the world, formed about 2-5 million years ago, 150 m wide, over 200 m high, nearly 9 km long. The estimated capacity of Son Doong Cave is 38.5 million m3. The stalactites of the cave are 14 m high. There is also a 2.5 km long underground river in the cave. The cave has coral reefs and fossilized animal relics. Son Doong also has two “skylights” or sinkholes, where sunlight shines, creating conditions for trees to grow like a tropical forest, one of which is called “Edam Garden”. To go to Son Doong, visitors need to buy a tour, prepare their physical strength, and learn about safety regulations. Tour exploitation time is from late January to August every year. Exploration time: 5 days 4 nights. Average number of guests per tour: 10 people.
Tu Lan Cave
The Tu Lan cave system is located in the primeval forest and limestone mountains with an area of over 650 hectares in Minh Hoa commune. The caves were first explored in 1992 by the British – Vietnamese Cave Exploration Group. By 2022, experts had surveyed and measured more than 25 large and small caves. Tu Lan is a system formed along the Rao Nan River, located outside the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park area. The caves in the Tu Lan system have both water caves (with streams flowing inside) and dry caves. Typical caves include Chuot, Hung Ton, Bi Mat, Song, Ken, Kim, and Tien caves. Dry caves often have many beautiful and unique stalactites because they are not washed away during the rainy season. Visitors will be able to swim in the underground cave system, camp in the forest…
Hang En
Hang En is the third largest in the world, 1.6 km long, passing through a giant limestone block. There are 3 entrances to the cave, of which the largest and most famous cave entrance is 120 m high and 110 m wide, the ceiling is 145 m high in some places and the widest corridor is 200 m. Inside the cave is a winding stream leading to Son Doong Cave. The Hollywood movie Peter Pan had scenes filmed here. The tour to explore Hang En is open from December to the end of September every year. The journey to Hang En lasts two days, with trekking activities such as trekking through the forest, wading through streams, climbing slopes, and exploring Ban Doong – the residence of the Bru – Van Kieu people.
Pygmy Cave
Pygmy is the fourth largest cave in the world, located deep in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, discovered in 1997. The cave entrance is about 100 m high and wide, 845 m long. During the day, light can penetrate the cave. In Pygmy Cave, water flows from the ceiling, used for drinking, cooking and daily activities. The light shines deep into the cave, helping many ferns grow well. The cave exit is also a camping site, where visitors can see many vines and bamboos tied together by locals to climb up the cave wall to exploit bird’s nests and honey.
Kong Collapse
Kong Collapse belongs to the Tiger Cave system in the Phong Nha – Ke Bang area, shaped like a giant monkey head in the movie Kong: Skull Island, which was filmed in Quang Binh. Kong Collapse is 450 m deep from mouth to bottom, one of the deepest sinkholes in the world. Kong Sinkhole Exploration is a challenging adventure tour in Vietnam, with a 100m zipline, 23km hike, 300m swim and a 7km cave exploration. The journey requires hours of walking through small trails with continuous ups and downs. During the journey, visitors will pass through Pygmy Cave, camp in Over Cave.
Son River
Son River, also known as Nguon Son, Rao Son, Trooc River. The upper part of the river is more than 7,700 m long, flowing underground in the limestone mountains in the west of Quang Binh (old). The Son River flows from Phong Nha Cave, converging with Gianh River at Ba Don. Currently, there is a boat tour to see the scenery of Son River and Gianh River during the day, taking visitors through rustic villages and majestic mountains and forests.
Nhat Le River
Originating from the Truong Son mountain range, the river flows into the East Sea through Nhat Le estuary. The name Nhat Le means bright sun. Welcoming the sunrise by the river is a favorite experience of locals and tourists. Early in the morning, the sun will rise from Bao Ninh sand dunes, standing on the south bank of the river, visitors will see the sunlight as if plated with gold on the water surface.
Ngang Pass
Being the natural boundary between Ha Tinh and Quang Tri provinces, Ngang Pass crosses the Hoanh Son mountain range, a key checkpoint on National Highway 1A. The pass is famous in the poem Qua Deo Ngang by Ba Huyen Thanh Quan. The pass is 6 km long, the peak is about 250 m high. At the top of the pass, there is still “Cong Troi” – a relic of Hoanh Son Quan pass built in 1833. Since 2004, Deo Ngang road tunnel has been built, replacing the mountain pass section.
Vung Chua – Yen Island
This is a scenic spot in Quang Trach commune, right at the foot of Ngang Pass, about 4 km south, more than 2 km east of National Highway 1A. Vung Chua is a peaceful beach, in the sea there is Yen Island, considered a screen creating a romantic scene. Dragon Mountain in this area is the resting place of General Vo Nguyen Giap. Every day, thousands of people from all over the country come here to offer incense, especially crowded during holidays and Tet. Visitors need to contact in advance for information on opening days and hours.
Chay River – Dark Cave
Chay River originates from the limestone mountain range flowing through the villages, combined with Dark Cave, a cave with an ancient stalactite system typical of the geological formation process of Phong Nha – Ke Bang area, forming a natural exploration tourist route. Currently, Chay River – Dark Cave is being exploited in the form of an adventure with many services such as zipline river bathing, zipline cave exploration, kayaking to explore Chay River, swimming through Thuy Tien Lake in Dark Cave and healthy mud baths…
Moọc Stream
Moọc Stream tourist area is located in Bo Trach commune, about 70 km from Dong Hoi, on the western branch of Ho Chi Minh road. The stream is located right in the middle of the valley, surrounded by limestone mountains, along the banks of Chay River. The stream here is green all year round, on sunny summer days, the water is even greener. There are many fun and exploratory activities here such as swimming races, kayaking, fishing, ziplining. Visitors must buy entrance tickets and tickets for each game.
Cuisine
Blank porridge
Also known as rice soup, powder porridge or fish porridge, bed porridge is a Quang Tri specialty. Bed fish porridge has a distinctive flavor of rice flour or tapioca flour and snakehead fish. Unlike porridge dishes made from soft, simmered rice, bed porridge is made from thinly rolled flour, cut into small, long strands like the bamboo strips of bed, hence the name. The flavor that makes bed fish porridge is steamed snakehead fish, filtered for meat, crushed head and bones, and squeezed to make broth. When eating, diners will feel the sweetness of the fish, the richness of fried onions mixed with the sweetness of flour, and the spiciness of chili. You must use both chopsticks and a spoon when eating.
Bún hến
Visitors to Gio Linh commune should try bun hen. Called bun hen, the dish is mainly made from the chat chat fish, similar to mussels but darker in color. The fish must be soaked overnight in rice water to release all the sand and slime, then washed off the mud on the outside, then boiled and cleaned to remove the intestines. The boiled water is left to settle and used as broth. Fry the onion and fat, then add the fish and stir-fry with a little seasoning to make the meat firm and flavorful. Served with vermicelli and fish sauce with garlic and ginger.
Sweet potato hotpot
This specialty dish is also called fish porridge, sold at many restaurants in Dong Hoi. The rustic hotpot with tomatoes, star fruit, tamarind leaves, pickled bamboo shoots, and pickled cabbage makes the soft pieces of fish melt in your mouth delicious. Diners can order seafood with it.
Banh bot loc
This is a delicious dish not to be missed when visiting Dong Hoi. The cake has a shell made from tapioca starch, shrimp, fatty meat, wrapped in banana leaves. When steamed, the shell is transparent and has a rich flavor. Banh bot loc in Quang Binh also has a type with green bean filling. Banh bot loc as a filling for bread is a popular breakfast food. Each sandwich has 7-8 banh bot loc, with sauce and green onions. The dish is sold in Dong Hoi market or roadside stalls for about 15,000-20,000 VND each.
Chao canh
The dish has a sweet and rich broth, soft noodles, and a little bit of spicy chopped green vegetables. In addition to Dong Hoi ward, some other places that have this dish are Ba Don. Ba Don chao canh has a rich taste of sea fish such as mackerel, herring, pomfret… served with golden fried rice.
Crunchy sweet potatoes
After harvesting, the potatoes are left to dry a bit. When the potatoes are less fresh, the surface of the tubers is no longer plump and bright in color, wash them and boil them, then peel and slice them thinly, dry them in the sun for 7 to 9 days to have chewy sweet potatoes. Delicious sweet potato slices are amber-colored, chewy and sweet, with a characteristic sweet potato aroma.
Banh bot loc is a delicacy not to be missed when visiting Dong Hoi. The cake has a shell made from tapioca starch, shrimp, fatty meat, wrapped in banana leaves. When steamed, the shell is transparent, the flavor is rich. Banh bot loc in Quang Binh also has a type with green bean filling.
Bun cha ca thac lac has a broth made from fish bones or pork bones, served with pickled shallots, sliced chili. The accompanying raw vegetables are lettuce and banana flowers. Each bowl is sold for about 30,000 VND, suitable for breakfast.
Chat chat is a dish of the people living along the Gianh River. Related to mussels, chat chat is only the size of green beans. Quang Binh people create many dishes from banh da xuc chat cha sau, or vermicelli, porridge, soup or stir-fried young jackfruit.
Seafood in Quang Binh is very rich and reasonably priced, with unique ways of processing such as khoai fish hotpot, fish salad, steamed crab, ram den, mam lep… Fish salad is usually grouper or mai fish. Fish is dipped in lime juice, rolled in rice paper with various ingredients. Fish salad is sold in many seafood restaurants in the center of Dong Hoi city, and restaurants on boats on Nhat Le river.
Khoai fish hotpot, also known as fish porridge, is also a specialty sold in many restaurants in Dong Hoi city. The rustic hotpot with tomatoes, star fruit, tamarind leaves, pickled bamboo shoots, and pickled cabbage creates a delicious taste for the soft pieces of khoai fish that melt in your mouth. Diners can order seafood with it.
Tram mushrooms are not available everywhere and in all seasons. This specialty is only available around April and July-August of the lunar calendar, each season lasts about 5-7 days after each rain. The mushrooms grow on cajuput trees, have a bitter taste, and are used to stir-fry with sweet potato leaves, pork, shrimp, or cook soup and porridge.
