Located in the coastal district of Vinh Linh in the central provinceof Quang Tri , Cua Tung Beach is the nation's "Queen of Beaches",awaking the curiosity of many visitors to come and experience itsbeauty.
The kilometre-long beach is neither long norwide, but the water is gentle and clear. Two underground rock formation,Mui Si and Mui Lai, encroach on the sea, creating a small baysheltering the beach from stronger waves and tides.
Thebeach is surrounded by a belt of basalt and stone mountains that looklike a huge comb passing through the hair of the waves. On the hill,orchards of jackfruit, pineapple, banana and custard-apple grow green.
While the central region is known for its harsh weather, with dry windsfrom the southwest and major storms from the sea, Cua Tung Beach isprotected by Mother Nature, out of wind on most days, with the bayoffering safe harbour for fishing boats.
Since the time ofFrench colonialism, the very first French to set foot here saw theland's potential for developing resorts. At that time, Vietnam wasdivided into three regions, with the central region known as Annam .The governor of Annam from 1891-97, Ernest Albert Briere was one ofthose who fell in love with the place, and he built a palace here in1896 to spend his holidays on the beautiful beach.
Thepalace was transferred to King Duy Tan (1900-45), the 11 th king ofthe Nguyen Dynasty, who ascended the throne at age 7 and bridled atliving in confinement in palaces under the control of the French. Hetravelled extensively around the country, with Cua Tung one of hisstops.
King Bao Dai (1913-97), the 13th and final king ofVietnamese feudalism, often went from his capital in Hue to Cua Tungto enjoy the amazing beach.
The Frenchman Andre deLaborde, who had a deep understanding about this land, described CuaTung as a gentle sloping beach which is part of a green highland 20mabove sea level. From the slope, people can see the changes in thecolour of sea and sky. Shades of blue change hourly under the sunshine,surprising anyone who has chance to witness it.
The seahere is so shallow, that people can run about half-a-kilometre from theshore, and the water level only reaches their chest.
Nearby Cat Son village is a short stroll away along the beach. Thevillage has been famous for hundreds of years for its traditional workof fishing, drum-making, carpentry and mother-of-pearl inlay. There, youcan dine of cuttlefish, prawns, lobster, butterfish, mackerel, Chineseherring, and other kinds of seafood, cooked in the local manner.
To the south of the beach is the estuary of Ben Hai River . HienLuong Brigde crosses the river just 10km from Cua Tung Beach. Thebridge on the 17th parallel formed the border between North and SouthVietnam between 1954 and 1975.
The symbol of separationand loss in wartime is now one of the connection between the twodistricts of Vinh Linh and Vinh Gio in the province. Boarding a boat atthe base of the bridge, travellers can see prosperous rice paddy andbamboo and casuarinas trees along the river banks. The slow rhythm oflife, the whisper of wind and rippling water, all bring a feeling ofpeace.
About 30km offshore from the beach is Con CoIsland. The 4sq.m island, with a coastline of about 8km, averages anelevation of 5-30m above sea level. At the centre of the island is a63m-high mountain. The island held a strategic position during the timeof the country's division. The island was isolated from the mainland byheavy winds, but soldiers challenged strong waves and enemy attacks tocarry food and weapon to the island.
Lush forests andfruits trees cover the island. The trees on Con Co Island includehardwoods with resin as red as blood. In autumn, the bang (Malabaralmond) trees also turn red, making the island even more picturesque.
Since 1989, 4,000 coconut trees, symbolising the 4,000-year history ofVietnam , have been cultivated on the island. It is also the home of asmall rattlesnake that is soaked in rice wine to make a medicine fortreating backache and other ailments. Black and white sea cucumbers asbig as a toe are also found in the surrounding waters and make a gooddish that also has medicinal properties.
Tourscommemorating the battlefields of the province and the DemilitarisedZone (DMZ) lets visitors experience Vinh Moc Tunnel – a 2km network oftunnels up to 23m underground used to shelter residents during wartime –as well as the Old Citadel of Quang Tri, the Ta Con airstrip, the KheSanh – Road 9 Battlefield, and the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail./.
The kilometre-long beach is neither long norwide, but the water is gentle and clear. Two underground rock formation,Mui Si and Mui Lai, encroach on the sea, creating a small baysheltering the beach from stronger waves and tides.
Thebeach is surrounded by a belt of basalt and stone mountains that looklike a huge comb passing through the hair of the waves. On the hill,orchards of jackfruit, pineapple, banana and custard-apple grow green.
While the central region is known for its harsh weather, with dry windsfrom the southwest and major storms from the sea, Cua Tung Beach isprotected by Mother Nature, out of wind on most days, with the bayoffering safe harbour for fishing boats.
Since the time ofFrench colonialism, the very first French to set foot here saw theland's potential for developing resorts. At that time, Vietnam wasdivided into three regions, with the central region known as Annam .The governor of Annam from 1891-97, Ernest Albert Briere was one ofthose who fell in love with the place, and he built a palace here in1896 to spend his holidays on the beautiful beach.
Thepalace was transferred to King Duy Tan (1900-45), the 11 th king ofthe Nguyen Dynasty, who ascended the throne at age 7 and bridled atliving in confinement in palaces under the control of the French. Hetravelled extensively around the country, with Cua Tung one of hisstops.
King Bao Dai (1913-97), the 13th and final king ofVietnamese feudalism, often went from his capital in Hue to Cua Tungto enjoy the amazing beach.
The Frenchman Andre deLaborde, who had a deep understanding about this land, described CuaTung as a gentle sloping beach which is part of a green highland 20mabove sea level. From the slope, people can see the changes in thecolour of sea and sky. Shades of blue change hourly under the sunshine,surprising anyone who has chance to witness it.
The seahere is so shallow, that people can run about half-a-kilometre from theshore, and the water level only reaches their chest.
Nearby Cat Son village is a short stroll away along the beach. Thevillage has been famous for hundreds of years for its traditional workof fishing, drum-making, carpentry and mother-of-pearl inlay. There, youcan dine of cuttlefish, prawns, lobster, butterfish, mackerel, Chineseherring, and other kinds of seafood, cooked in the local manner.
To the south of the beach is the estuary of Ben Hai River . HienLuong Brigde crosses the river just 10km from Cua Tung Beach. Thebridge on the 17th parallel formed the border between North and SouthVietnam between 1954 and 1975.
The symbol of separationand loss in wartime is now one of the connection between the twodistricts of Vinh Linh and Vinh Gio in the province. Boarding a boat atthe base of the bridge, travellers can see prosperous rice paddy andbamboo and casuarinas trees along the river banks. The slow rhythm oflife, the whisper of wind and rippling water, all bring a feeling ofpeace.
About 30km offshore from the beach is Con CoIsland. The 4sq.m island, with a coastline of about 8km, averages anelevation of 5-30m above sea level. At the centre of the island is a63m-high mountain. The island held a strategic position during the timeof the country's division. The island was isolated from the mainland byheavy winds, but soldiers challenged strong waves and enemy attacks tocarry food and weapon to the island.
Lush forests andfruits trees cover the island. The trees on Con Co Island includehardwoods with resin as red as blood. In autumn, the bang (Malabaralmond) trees also turn red, making the island even more picturesque.
Since 1989, 4,000 coconut trees, symbolising the 4,000-year history ofVietnam , have been cultivated on the island. It is also the home of asmall rattlesnake that is soaked in rice wine to make a medicine fortreating backache and other ailments. Black and white sea cucumbers asbig as a toe are also found in the surrounding waters and make a gooddish that also has medicinal properties.
Tourscommemorating the battlefields of the province and the DemilitarisedZone (DMZ) lets visitors experience Vinh Moc Tunnel – a 2km network oftunnels up to 23m underground used to shelter residents during wartime –as well as the Old Citadel of Quang Tri, the Ta Con airstrip, the KheSanh – Road 9 Battlefield, and the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail./.
