Reaching an altitude of approximately 900-1,500 meters, the Central Vietnam consist of three plateaus: Lam Dong, Dac Lac and Gia Lai - Kon Tum. Covering an area of 55,000 square kilometers, it contains billion of tons of ore, rich in aluminum deposits which could make Vietnam one of the richest producers in the world. Thanks to new schemes such as the damning the Srepork River, water is now available during the drought season from November to March. During rainy season (May to October), precipitation is very high. In many areas, there are primeval forests which have remained largely untouched. The Central Highlands is still a source of precious timbers and teems with birds, deer, monkeys, gibbons and contains some extremely rare species, some of which are not seen outside Vietnam.

The "City of Love" has always been a wonderful place for Vietnamese honeymooners. With its cool mountain air, this tranquil city is a perfect place to escape from Hochiminh City bustle, easily reached within five hours (320 km) by car.

Dotted with timber-framed French style villas and backed to the North by the Lang Biang Mountain and to the South East by the scenic Da Nhim Valley, it was the favorite holiday resort of French colonialists. Now Vietnamese tourists come to sample the external spring-like climate in a city where the temperature rarely varies, and enjoy the beautiful landscape with pine forest, waterfalls, and lake.

• Highlights of Dalat:

1. DaLat minority
2. Datanla Falls, Damri Falls
3. Valley of Love
4. Orchid Garden
5. Ethonology museum
6. Dalat golf course
7. Lamtiny Pagoda
8. Dalat Cathedral

Buon Me Thuat

Situated at an altitude of 451 meters, this sleepy highland is not as chilly as Dalat. Readily accessible by car or bus from Saigon (400 km), it's a town of enormous warmth radiating from almost every one you meet. The center-piece of the town is a war monument which consists of a sculptured pedestal showing a liberation parade, topped with the number 945, the first tank of revolution forces to enter to Buon Me Thuat in March 1975. It is interesting to walk around the coffee plantation and count the different minorities that you come across. Don't miss to tour the village and ride through tropical forests on the back of an elephants. Visitors can go by small boat in Lak Lake.

• Highlights of Buon Me Thuat:

1. Draysap Waterfall
2. Ethnic Minority Villages
3. Lake Lak
4. Ethnic Minority Museum

Situated 600 km from Saigon and 200 km from Buon Me Thuat is Pleiku. During the Vietnam War, this province suffered greatly...Defoliants and bombs were dropped on the forests and many villagers fled for their lives to the large towns. Because of its strategic importance as an American military base and being the headquarters of the South Vietnamese Army in the Central Highlands, Pleiku was nearly eradicated from the map. After the war ended, minority people were moved to new economic zones, those remainders were taught to become farmers.

If you arrive in Pleiku, you should enjoy traditional dancing shows. The musicians are experts with their musical instruments which are made from bamboo tube. One type of instrument, known as Trung, consists of a row of bamboo tubes which are struck with a wooden rod.

CENTRAL COASTAL PLAINS

Situated 448 km from Hochiminh City, Nhatrang is one of the most attractive coastal towns in Vietnam. This town hosts famous beach resorts with harmonious combination of mountains, island and wonderful beaches. Sailing in Nhatrang beach is also a wonderful diving position for curious visitors discovering colored pearl, etc... in the bottom of the sea. Visitors could dive at the islands such as Mun and, Noc Island, and Bich Dam islet with diving guides and equipment (mask, aqualung, sins, suit, diving gauges, and scuba).

• Highlights of Nha Trang:

1. Institute of Oceanography
2. Nhatrang Beach, Dai Lanh Beach
3. Hon Chong (Chong Rock)
4. Ponaga Towers
5. Tri Nguyen Aquarium
6. Hon Tam Island
7. Hon Tre Island, and Hon Yen Island

• Highlights of Hoi An:

1. Cham Museum
2. Marble Mountains
3. Hoi An ancient town
4. Hai Van Pass (Sea Cloud Pass)
5. Tien Sa Beach
6. Non Nuoc Beach (China Beach)
7. Ruins of Myson, ancient capital of the Champa Kingkom

Located 990 km from Hochiminh City, Danang is the coastal town lying by a river, surrounded by several mountains, with a busy port and splendid beaches such as Non Nuoc Beach (known as China Beach), and Tien Sa Beach.

Danang is a commercial center and is the fourth largest port in Vietnam, there are numerous agriculturally oriented small industries in the city with handicraft enterprises, especially in production of sea fishing equipment.

Bach Dang, the largest street, stretches for about 3 km along the water front to a point where Nguyen Van Troi Bridge crosses the Han River. From here, people can see the single spire of the Pinkish colored Danang Cathedral built in 1923.

Interesting appointed places such as Marble Mountains and Cham Museum.

Situated 70 km southwest of Danang, Myson is an important religious center of the Cham, built during the dynasty of King Bhadravarman in the 4th century. Myson means "Good Mountain" and was the site of the most important Cham intellectual and religious center and might also have served as a burial place for the Cham monarchs.

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It is the provincial capital of Thua Thien and is situated along the banks of the famous Perfume River. Hue was once an ancient capital city of the Nguyen Dynasty in early 19th century, and thus contains many elegant architectural relics of the past. In 1993, Hue has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Many Vietnamese people also refer Hue as the "City Beauty" (1140 km from Hochiminh City). This city is well-known as culinary center of Trung Bo (Central Vietnam). At any time of the year, visitors appreciate the delicacies of its cooking, religion architectures as well as natural beauty abound. Plenty of time will be needed to appreciate the grandeur of the Royal Tombs and numerous temples and pagodas, the old style charm of the Thien Mu Pagoda, the Imperial city, Mausoleum of Khai Dinh, Tu Duc, Minh Mang. This small and quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture with many famous and poetic relics. Some of traditional dishes such as: Bun Bo of Hue (noodle soup with beef), Ban Khoai (made from rice) and so on.

• Highlights of Hue:

1. Imperial City
2. Tu Dam Pagoda
3. Tran Tien Bridge
4. Royal Relics Museum
5. Thien Mu Pagoda
6. Royal Mausoleum (Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Minh Mang)
7. Perfume River
8. Dong Ba Market
9. Hon Chen Temple

Lying on the right of Rao Song (Rao means River), a river branch at the end of the Giang River in Chu Nghe Village (Quang Binh province), the cave of Phong Nha was first called Chu Nghe cave by the local people. The cave opening looks small and low from a far as if the boat were unable to go through. Yet the entrance turn out to be 10 meters high by 25 meters wide at close range, stalactites are hanging down from the roof like great front teeth unevenly arranged. Maybe it is because of those horrible gales and huge teeth that the cave is called Phong Nha, the teeth of wind.

Thanh Hoa is a large province in the Far North center where the land starts to become narrow. Thanh Hoa was the place for early Vietnamese with brilliant Dong Son civilization. It is also a place of various beautiful landscape and distinguished cultural, artistic activities:

• Highlights of Thanh Hoa:

1. Ham Rong Bridge
2. Sam Son Beach
3. Ho Dynasty's Wall