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W
hile Halong is undoubted-
ly the main attraction for
all visitors to Quang Ninh,
the province is also trying
to promote its cultural diversity as it is
home to multiple ethnic groups — be-
sides the Kinh (Vietnam’s largest ethnic
group), it counts Dzao, Tay, San Diu, San
Chi, Hoa, Nung, Muong and other ethnic
minorities in its population. Each has its
own unique features, including dialect,
clothing, customs and festivals.
This northeastern province is home
to myriad historical relics and great ar-
chitectural heritage sites. There are also
numerous traditional annual festivals
which attract great numbers of visitors.
For example, Yen Tu Pagoda, a well
known religious site perched on the
top of a mountain, is a fascinating and
picturesque attraction.
Founded by King Tran Nhan Tong
(1258-1308) after he abdicated his
throne and devoted his life to Bud-
dhism, Yen Tu is a complex of pagodas,
temples, towers and shrines commem-
orating the Buddha and heroic episodes
in the country’s history.
Cua Ong Temple, Bach Dang his-
torical relic, Long Tien Pagoda and Quan
Lan Communal House all attract a large
number of visitors, especially during fes-
tivals. The annual Yen Tu festival is held
from the tenth day of the first lunar
month until the end of the third month
and attracts thousands of pilgrims.
From the ancient to the modern,
Quang Ninh also boasts destinations
such as Tuan Chau island, which is
home to a relatively new tourism com-
plex which features a wide range of en-
tertainment facilities for holidaymakers.
This area of Vietnam is also attracting
increasing numbers of foreign investors
and developers looking to create large
tourism projects as they are well aware
of the potential and strengths of tour-
ism in Quang Ninh and Halong.
Quang Ninh is certainly eager to
receive more proposals from investors
with an emphasis on preserving and
sustaining the province’s natural land-
scapes and environment.
Now one of the country’s most at-
tractive and famous festivals, the Ha-
Quang Ninh is blessed with rugged mountains, an
incredible coastline and Halong Bay. The province
is a source of great national pride, yet, like a sleep-
ing dragon, it needs to be awoken.
Duc Hanh
WAKING THE DRAGON