QUANG BINH OVERVIEW

Quang Binh province is situated in the north of Central Vietnam with an area of 8,065km2 and a population of 857,818 people in the year 2008.

Geographic position

The province has a coastline of 116.04km in the East and shares a border of 201.87km with Laos in the West. It is the place where Hon La seaport is situated. The national road No.1A, Ho Chi Minh road and the north - south railway run through the province. The national road No. 12 and the provincial roads No. 20, No. 16 running from the east to the west connect the province with Laos through Cha Lo border gate and other sub-border gates.

Topography: The provincial topography is narrow and sloping from the West to the East. Hilly and mountainous land occupies 85% of the natural area. The total area is divided into specific geological zones: mountainous, hilly and midland, lowland and coastal sandy area.

Climate: Quang Binh is situated in the monsoon-tropical zone and influenced by the climate of North and the South. The climate is divided distinctly into two seasons. Rainy season lasts from September to March of next year. The annual average rainfall is 2,000 - 2,300mm. Months with heavy rain are from September to November. Dry season lasts from April to August with the average temperature of 240C - 250C. Months with highest temperature are June, July and August.

Flora and fauna: Quang Binh is located in the biological zone of northern Truong Son range with a unique and diversified fauna and flora of many rare and precious species. The Kast Phong Nha - Ke Bang reservation zone contains a typical biological diversity.

Fauna diversity: There are 493 species, 67 kinds of animal, 48 kinds of reptile, 297 kinds of bird and 61 kinds of fish....Many rare and precious animals can be found in this area such as Ha Tinh langur, bear, tiger, Saola, Giant muntjact, lophura with white tail, lophura with black crest, pheasant and others.

Flora diversity: Quang Binh has 486,688 ha of forest including 447,837ha of natural forest and 38,851ha of planted forest. Pine forests cover 17,397 ha. The barren land occupies 146,386ha. Flora is diversified and divided into 138 families, 401 branches and 640 species. There are various kinds of precious wood such as ironwood, sindora vietnamiensis, ebony, fragrant wood, pine, rattan, etc. Quang Binh is one of the provinces which contains a big reserve of wood. At present the total wood reserve is 31 million m3.

Culture and tourism potentials: Quang Binh land spreads out as a nice picture with mountains, sea, landscapes and famous spots as Ngang pass, Ly Hoa pass, Nhat Le estuary, Hac Hai lagoon, Cong Troi (Heaven gate), etc., especially, the natural heritage of Phong Nha – Ke Bang.

Quang Binh is the land of rich culture and famous people. There is an archaeological site of Bau Tro, Hoa Binh and Dong Son cultures. There are also many historical relics such as Quang Binh Quan, Luy Thay, outer walls of Trinh – Nguyen, well-known places in the wars as Cu Nam, Canh Duong, Xuan Bo, Cha Lo, Cong Troi, Gianh river, Long Dai, especially Ho Chi Minh legendary trail. This land has generated preeminent figures such as Duong Van An, Le Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh, Nguyen Ham Ninh, Vo Nguyen Giap and many other outstanding people

 

 

FESTIVALS

1. The worshipping ceremony of the beginning crop of cultivating rice seedlings in Le Son Village

Time: 1st day of the eleventh lunar month.

Place: Le Son Village, Tuyen Hoa District, Quang Binh Province.

Objects of worship: Village’s tutelary god.

Characteristics: Worshipping to tutelary god (10 trays of steamed glutinous rice, 10 cocks), after that a couple which is good at work and has son and daughter is chosen to cultivate rice seedlings in the field which is in front of the communal house.

2. Ho khoan (Alternate singing between rowers) Festival

Time: the 29th day of the second lunar month.

Place: Le Thuy District, Quang Binh Province.

Characteristics: Ho khoan song with 9 tunes (mai), each tune is symbolize a kind of work. At the night of the festival, alternate singing between boys and girls are taking place.

3. Cau Ngu Festival

Time: 14th day of the fourth lunar month.

Place: Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province.

Objects of worship: Ca Ong (whale).

Characteristics: Procession of Ong’s bone from village to communal house.

4. Canh Duong Festival

Time: 3rd to the 7th day of the first lunar month.

Place: Canh Duong Commune, Quang Trach District, Quang Binh Province.

Characteristics: Including cau ngu ritual and ky yen ritual. Contest of rice cooking in-group, have to cook rice while preventing a toad out of a circle.

5. Bao Ninh Village Festival

Time: From the 14th day to the 16th day of the fourth lunar month.

Place: Bao Ninh Commune, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province.

Objects of worship: Nhan than (father and son of fisherman) and Ca Ong (whale).