Hải Dương, Vietnam
Region: Hải Dương province
Geographic Coordinates: 20.939700, 106.331000
Temperature Range: 17.0°C to 33.0°C (63°F to 91°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 507469
Language: Vietnamese
Hải Dương is a province located in the Red River Delta region of northern Vietnam. It is situated approximately 58 kilometers east of Hanoi, The capital city of Vietnam, And covers an area of about 1, 652 square kilometers. The province has a population of over 2 million people and is known for its rich cultural heritage, Beautiful landscapes, And agricultural production. One popular attraction in Hải Dương is Con Son-Kiep Bac Historical Site.
This site includes several temples and pagodas that were built during the Tran Dynasty to honor General Tran Hung Dao who led Vietnamese armies to repel Mongol invasions. Another must-visit attraction in Hải Dương is Chi Linh Golf Course – one of the best golf courses in Vietnam. This world-class golf course features stunning views of rolling hillsides surrounded by lush forests and lakes. When it comes to food, Hải Dương has some unique dishes that are worth trying out.
One such dish is Nem Chua Béo – fermented pork sausage wrapped with fat layer served with herbs and rice paper rolls. Another popular dish from this region is called Banh Cuon Thanh Tri – steamed rice flour rolls filled with minced pork or shrimp. The economy of Hải Dương depends heavily on agriculture, Particularly rice cultivation which accounts for more than half its total land area. Other major crops include maize, Sweet potatoes, Cassava, Sugarcane, Peanuts among others. The province also has large industrial zones which have attracted foreign investment from countries like Japan and South Korea.
In terms of transportation infrastructure development projects are currently underway to improve connectivity within the province as well as between neighboring provinces such as Hai Phong City which is a major seaport in the region. The province is also served by National Highway 5 and several railways lines linking it to Hanoi and other parts of Vietnam. Hải Dương offers a beautiful province with rich cultural heritage, Stunning landscapes, And delicious cuisine. Whether you are interested in history, Golfing or simply enjoying the scenic countryside, There is something for everyone in this wonderful part of Vietnam.
Important Landmarks
- Con Son-Kiep Bac: A historical site with a complex of temples and pagodas that dates back to the 13th century.
- Chi Linh Golf Course: A world-class golf course designed by the famous golfer Jack Nicklaus.
- Hai Duong Museum: A museum showcasing the history and culture of Hai Duong province.
- Cam Dien Church: A beautiful Catholic church built in a unique architectural style.
- Thanh Mai Pagoda: An ancient pagoda with stunning architecture and intricate carvings.
- Nguyen Trai Temple: A temple dedicated to Nguyen Trai, a national hero who played a significant role in Vietnam’s history.
- Tuong Binh Hiep Village Festival: An annual festival held in Tuong Binh Hiep village that celebrates local traditions and customs.
- Cao An Temple Festival: Another annual festival held at Cao An Temple that features traditional music performances, lion dances, and other cultural activities.
- Kinh Chu Cave Pagoda: A beautiful pagoda located inside a natural cave with stunning rock formations surrounding it.
- Dong Giao Cultural Village: A cultural village where visitors can experience traditional Vietnamese rural life through various activities such as farming, fishing, cooking, and handicrafts making demonstrations.
Primary Industries
- Textile and garment industry: Hải Dương is well-known for its textile and garment industry which produces clothing, shoes, bags, and other accessories.
- Agriculture: The province has a large agricultural sector that grows crops such as rice, maize, soybeans, vegetables.
- Manufacturing: There are many manufacturing companies in the province that produce electronic components, machinery parts and equipment.
- Construction: Due to the increasing demand for housing and infrastructure development in the area, the construction industry is growing rapidly.
- Service sector: The service sector is also expanding with an increase in tourism activities as well as retail shops providing various services to locals.
- Logistics: Hai Duong’s strategic location near Hai Phong port city makes it a logistics hub connecting northern Vietnam’s hinterland regions to other parts of the country.
- Education & Training: Hai Duong boasts several universities offering undergraduate courses in various fields including engineering, medicine, business administration etc.
Noteable History
- The Battle of Hải Dương (981 AD) – a significant battle between the Vietnamese forces under Đinh Bộ Lĩnh and the Southern Han army.
- Nguyễn Trãi – a famous Vietnamese Confucian scholar, military strategist, and poet who was born in Hải Dương in 1380.
- The Hai Duong massacre (1946) – a brutal massacre carried out by French colonial forces against Vietnamese civilians during the First Indochina War.
- Hoàng Văn Thụ – a prominent Vietnamese revolutionary who fought against French colonialism and later became Minister of Education in North Vietnam.
- The Battle of Khe Sanh (1968) – an important battle during the Vietnam War that took place near Hải Dương province.
- Ngô Thanh Vân – a famous Vietnamese actress, singer, and producer who was born in Hải Dương province in 1979.
- The Hai Duong outbreak (2021) – one of the largest COVID-19 outbreaks in Vietnam that originated from a cluster of cases in Hải Dương province and led to strict lockdown measures being implemented across the region.
Museums and Things To See
- Hải Dương Museum showcases the rich history and culture of Hải Dương province, housing artifacts dating back to the Neolithic period.
- Cao Temple is a historic monument dedicated to Confucius worship, making it a must-visit for those interested in Vietnamese culture and history.
- Thanh Mai Pagoda is a beautiful Buddhist temple known for its intricate architecture and peaceful atmosphere.
- Tam Bao Pagoda is another stunning Buddhist temple featuring colorful statues and intricate carvings that are sure to impress visitors.
- Nguyễn Trãi Monument is dedicated to one of Vietnam’s most famous scholars and poets, making it an ideal spot for history buffs.
- Kiep Bac Temple, located just outside of Hải Dương city, attracts visitors from all over Vietnam as an important religious site.
- Phuong Hoang Trung Doan Cave offers stunning views of stalactites and stalagmites along with a unique opportunity to explore Vietnam’s underground world.
- Dong Giao Pineapple Garden not only boasts delicious pineapples but also beautiful scenery with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling.
- Hai Duong Night Market offers local flavor with street food stalls selling everything from grilled meats to fresh seafood dishes – perfect for foodies!
- Tuong Binh Hiep Village Communal House serves as an important cultural center in Hải Dương province where locals come together to celebrate festivals throughout the year; this communal house dates back over 400 years!
Cultural Events
- Con Son-Kiep Bac Spring Festival is a popular event celebrated in the historical site of Con Son-Kiep Bac in Hai Duong. The festival offers visitors traditional games, cultural activities, and music performances.
- Hai Duong Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month to mark the end of harvest season. The festival includes lantern parades, mooncake making competitions, lion dances, and other cultural activities.
- Lim Festival celebrates Quan Ho folk songs unique to Hai Duong province with singing competitions between different villages along with traditional games and food stalls.
- Do Temple Festival honors Emperor Ly Thai To who founded Hanoi in 1010 AD at Do Temple in Dinh Bang village featuring traditional music performances, wrestling contests, dragon dances among others.
- Dong Ky Village Festival showcases wooden furniture production industry that dates back to ancient times with exhibitions of wooden crafts and traditional games like tug-of-war contests.
- Cao Temple Festival hosts an annual springtime celebration featuring colorful processions offering local deities followed by martial arts demonstrations and lion dance performances.
- Nham Bien Beach Tourism Week attracts many visitors from all around Vietnam due to its pristine waters and beautiful scenery along with various water sports activities like jet skiing or parasailing during this week-long event every year in Hai Duong province’s Nham Bien Beach area.
Cuisine
- Nem Chua Ninh Hoa: a famous dish made from fermented pork that is served with herbs and rice paper.
- Bánh cuốn Thanh Trì: a type of steamed rice noodle roll filled with minced pork, mushrooms, and onions.
- Phở Hải Dương: a version of the famous Vietnamese noodle soup that is unique to the region.
- Bún chả Hải Dương: grilled pork meatballs served with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and dipping sauce.
- Nhà hàng Cát Tường: a popular seafood restaurant that serves fresh fish, shrimp, crab, and other seafood dishes.
- Quán ăn Đồng Quê: a local restaurant that specializes in traditional Vietnamese dishes such as bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancake) and cơm tấm (broken rice).
- Nhà hàng Hùng Vương 2: an upscale restaurant that offers a wide range of Vietnamese cuisine including seafood hotpot and grilled meats.
- Quán Ăn Ngon Sài Gòn – Hải Dương branch: A branch of the popular chain serving authentic Vietnamese food including banh mi sandwiches and pho soup.
Parks and Recreation
- Thanh Hà Park
- Hoàng Anh Gia Lai Lake and Park
- Hải Dương City Stadium
- Trần Phú Park
- Bình Minh Ecological Tourist Area
- Ngọc Sơn Temple
- Cổ Loa Citadel – Ancient Capital of Vietnam
- Đồng Mô Resort
- Tân Trào Historical Relic Site
- An Sinh Temple