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EASTERN SOUTH AT A GLANCE:

The Eastern South Zone includes the provinces of Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Ho Chi Minh City, Lam Dong, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Click on the map to enlarge.

Ninh Thuan:

Located in the Southern end of the Central Region, Ninh Thuan occupies the geographically favorable position as central transportation point, adjoining three regions: Southern Central Highlands, Southern Central and Eastern South Regions and going to Nha Trang, Da Lat and Ho Chi Minh City. A large number of the Cham ethnic group resides in this area, along with the Ra Glai and Hoa. Ninh Thuan is the driest and hottest region of the country. The climate is a combination of the tropical monsoon and dry and windy weather. The annual average temperature is 27°C. There are very unique beauty spots in Ninh Thuan province, such as picturesque passes; Cham Towers built in century XII-XIII, which are still undamaged; beautiful beaches of Ninh Chu and Ca Na, Tan My Hot Spring and Cham traditional festivals. In addition, because it is near Da Lat and Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can enjoy autumn climate in Da Lat and summer entertainments at Ninh Chu and Ca Na beaches. Activities and Map

Binh Thuan:

Binh Thuan is a coastal province, located in a key position between the Central Vietnam, Southern Highlands and the Southeast region. Binh Thuan is adjacent to Ninh Thuan province to Northeast and North, Lam Dong to the North and the Northwest, Dong Nai to the West, Ba Ria - Vung Tau to the South West, the Eastern sea to the East and Southeast. Eight ethnic minorities populate this area: Kinh, Cham, Hoa, Tay, Nung, Ra Glai, and Ma. The climate is tropical with hot and dry weather and an annual average temperature of 26°C. Binh Thuan attracts tourists from everywhere for its lovely landscapes. The mountains lie from west to east and reach the beautiful beaches. Famous tourist sites include Ca Na, Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, and Ham Tan. There are many great architectural sites such as towers, communal houses, pagodas, temples, shrines, and tombs. Lively cultural activities including festivals, traditional customs, dancing, and traditional music take place in Binh Thuan. The population of Binh Thuan still follows traditional values of Sa Huynh and Cham ancient cultures. PHAN THIET is the main city of Binh Thuan province and has the long coastline with a hot and mainly dry climate and average temperatures of a little more than 27 degrees. The population includes descendants of the Cham, who ruled the area until 1692. It was popular summer resort under the French colony. Phan Thiet is famed throughout the country for its fish sauce - Vietnam’s favorite brand. Highlights are the Duc Thanh School where Ho Chi Minh was taught in 1910 before he left for Saigon and set in motion the momentous events which finally ended in the country’s liberation from the colonial yoke, the Po Sha Nu Tower, an ancient site now recognized as the crowning glory of Cham architecture. The complex lies on a hill 6km north east of Phan Thiet, and has three towers still standing and the ruins of many more, some dating back to the 8th century, the Novotel Ocean Dunes,  the leading resort in town  and includes a master’s golf course. Binh Thuan is a coastal province located east of Ho Chi Minh City. Eight ethnic minorities populate this area: Kinh, Cham, Hoa, Tay, Nung, Ra Glai, and Ma. The climate is tropical with hot and dry weather and an annual average temperature of 26°C. Binh Thuan attracts tourists from everywhere for its lovely landscapes. The mountains lie from west to east and reach the beautiful beaches. Famous tourist sites include Ca Na, Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, and Ham Tan. There are many great architectural sites such as towers, communal houses, pagodas, temples, shrines, and tombs. Lively cultural activities including festivals, traditional customs, dancing, and traditional music take place in Binh Thuan. The population of Binh Thuan still follows traditional values of Sa Huynh and Cham ancient cultures. Activities and Map

HOI CHI MINH CITY:

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam covering an area of 2,029 square km with a population nearly 4 million. HCMC is not only a commercial center but also an industrial, commercial, cultural, scientific, technological and tourist center. The city is the second most important in Vietnam after Hanoi. For additional information, please see our Hoi Chi Minh City webpage. Activities and Map

Lam Dong:

Lam Dong is located in the Tay Nguyen region, 300km from Ho Chi Minh City and 200km from Nha Trang.

Da Lat City, the capital of Lam Dong is situated at 1,500 m above sea level, has a cool climate. The annual average temperature is 18C. The population is mainly composed of Kinh people, along with Kho Mu, Ma, Hoa, Nung, Tay, and Chu Ru ethnic minorities. The city is decorated with a vast variety of flowers. Beautiful flowers such as rhododendron, cherry, mimosa, hydrangea, rose, daisy, and dahlia are all grown here. Da Lat offers an harmonious combination of natural scenery and historical sites. Da Lat City is located in Lam Dong province, approximately 200km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City and at an  elevation of 1,500 m, Da Lat bears the look of an Old French city. It was founded in 1897 when Doctor Alexandre Yersin recommended that the area be  developed as a resort town. Da Lat has many natural and artificial lakes such as Ho Xuan Huong, Than Tho, Da Thien, and Tuyen Lam bordered by lines of pine trees, which are a well-known feature of Da Lat. A trip to Da Lat is not complete until one goes to the Da Lat Flower Gardens. The temperate climate of Da Lat is suitable for flowers such as orchids, roses, lilies, and camellias. Nowadays, tourists not only limit themselves to Da Lat; they also visit the area of Langbian Highland and the ethnic minorities. Langbian Mountain’s highest peak at 2,165 m is very tempting for climbers. From Lom Bieng Klo peak, one can see endless green mountains reflecting the silver rays of the sun. Many tours are organized in the area, including parachuting and climbing. Highlights of Da Lat include the Prenn Falls that plunge into a misty  valley full of flowers of the foot of Prenn Mountain, Bao Dai’s Summer Palace built in French colonial style for the last king of the Nguyen dynasty, 4km from the city center. A display of photographs shows the royal family enjoying themselves at the palace, the Xuan Huong Lake, a beautiful crescent shaped lake that is a favorite with young lovers, the Valley of Love, so named by King Bao Dai, is 5km north of the city centre and covered with towering pine trees. The Dankia Lake, is situated at the foot of Lang Biang mountain 20km north of Da Lat and ancient traditions live on this area. The Da Nhim Lake, 40km to the east of Da Lat is an area of stunning natural beauty despite the presence of the Phan Rang-Da Nhim hydro-electric plant. Pong Gua Falls, 50km from Da Lat City, is argued to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the whole of Indochina. The Guga Falls, 17km in height, are 40km from Da Lat, the Dambri Falls, the highest waterfall in the region. Activities and Map 

Binh Phuoc:

Binh Phuoc is part of the Eastern Zone of Southern Vietnam. The main ethnic groups living in that province are the Kinh, Xtieng, Hoa, Khmer, Tay, and Nung. There are no cold winters and the average temperature is 27° C. Famous sites include Soc Xiem Tourist Area are Ba Ra Mountain, Mo Waterfall, as well as Loc Ninh, Phuoc Long, and Bu Dang-Bu Dop Historical Areas. Activities and Map
 

Tay Ninh is located southwest of Vietnam. It shares a border with Cambodia in the west and north. It is surrounded by Ho Chi Minh City, Long An, Binh Phuoc, and Binh Duong. The main ethnic groups are Kinh, Cham, and Khmer. The temperature in Tay Ninh is high all year round with an annual average temperature varying between 26 and 27°C. Famous sites include Ba Den Mountain and Kim Quang Cave Museum. The province is the habitat of several valuable species of animals and insects. Tay Ninh is home to the unique Cao Dai sect, whose patron saints include Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill to name a few. Founded in the 1920’s by Ngo Van Chieu, a Saigon civil servant, the religion is an eclectic mix of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity and at one time had a very strong following in the Mekong Delta area, especially with the rural poor. Van Chieu had a vision from ‘Cao Dai’ – the Supreme Being to create a religion that would embrace all the major world theologies. The Cao Dai Temple at Tay Ninh has been described as a Walt Disney fantasia of the East (author Graham Greene). The temple's exterior is decorated with multi-colored dragons of all shapes and sizes competing for space with a number of swastikas. The interior is just as engaging as statues of Jesus Christ, Buddha and the Hindu god, Brahma stand side by side. Activities and Map

Binh Duong is located in South Vietnam. It is surrounded by Binh Phuoc to the north, Tay Ninh to the west, Dong Nai to the east, and Ho Chi Minh City to the south. The main ethnic groups found in this area are the Kinh, Xtieng, Hoa, Khmer, Tay, and Nung. The typical southeast hot and humid climate has no winter. The average temperature is 27°C. Famous sites include Hoi Son Chau Thoi Pagoda, Lai Thieu Fruit Garden, and Cau Ngang Tourist Area. Activities and Map

Dong Nai is located in the eastern part of South Vietnam, east of Ho Chi Minh City. It is surrounded by Binh Phuoc in the north, Lam Dong and Binh Thuan in the east, Ba Ria-Vung Tau in the south, Binh Duong, and the Ho Chi Minh City in the west. The province is constituted of mainly Kinh people, as well as small percentages of 52 other minority groups. The average annual temperature is 26°C. Eco-tours in forests and orchards attract many tourists; fishing and hunting is also popular in that area, especially at Nam Cat Tien National Park, home to some quite large specimens of local fauna, including the Java rhinoceros, the gaur-a recently discovered species of with ox- bears and leopards. One can also enjoy the relaxing and invigorating hot mineral streams in Binh Chau or the wonderful Tri An Waterfall. Tay Ninh, in Dong Nai province is located a couple of hours from HCMC is home to one of the most colorful and eclectic religions in the world. Caodaism is a religion formed in 1919, and made up of influences from Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, native Vietnamese spirituality, Christianity and Islam, with a formal structure based on the Catholic Church. In the 1950s, the religion's regional influence was vast; it even had its own 25,000-strong army. Failing to support the VC during the War, the Caodai were victims of fierce reprisals after 1975, but re-established their position in their region through the 1980s. Most travelers to the area visit the nine-level Caodai Holy See complex, 4km (2.5 miles) east of the main town. Located at the mouth of the Saigon River, 128km (80 miles) from HCMC, Vung Tau is a beach resort on the South China Sea coast and has been a favorite getaway destination for over 100 years. Site of the final major evacuation of US troops during the war, Vung Tau was also a popular launching place for would-be refugees fleeing the communists in the mid-1970s. Although increasingly commercialized, the town still boasts enough natural attractions (cycling and mountain climbing among them) to lure travelers in generous numbers. Vung Tau is a party town, full of sun, sand, surf, good food, beer and even a disco or two. Pineapple Beach is probably the most pleasant location in Vung Tau , with its villas and generally tranquil atmosphere. The temples are a definite must-see. The Niet Ban Tinh Xa is the largest temple in Vietnam. Activities and Map