Happy TravellerWelcome to Vinh, the economic and cultural center of north-central Vietnam. As the capital of Nghệ An Province, Vinh is a key point in the East–West economic corridor linking Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. The city is situated in the south-east of the province, alongside the Lam River (Song Lam) and is located on the main north–south transportation route of Vietnam, easily accessible by highway, railroad, boat, and air.
Vinh is the most populous city in the North Central Coastal region, with over 490,000 residents (2015 estimate). The city is bordered by Nghi Loc district to the north and east, Hung Nguyen district to the west, and Nghi Xuan district in Hà Tĩnh Province to the south. Vinh is about 300 kilometers (190 mi) south of Hanoi and 1,400 kilometers (870 mi) north of Ho Chi Minh City. The total area of Vinh city is 104.97 square kilometers (40.53 sq mi), and includes 16 urban wards and 9 suburban communes.
History:
Vinh was originally known as Ke Van. Later, this successively became Ke Vinh, Vinh Giang, Vinh Doanh, and then Vinh Thi. Eventually, in 1789, the official name became simply Vinh, probably under European influence. The name has remained the same ever since. At various times, Vinh has been of considerable military and political significance. The Vietnamese nation began in the north, and only gradually expanded to cover its current territories – as such, Vinh was sometimes seen as a gateway to the south. The Tây Sơn dynasty (1788–1802) is believed to have considered Vinh as a possible capital of Vietnam, but the short duration of the dynasty meant that any plans did not come to fruition. Tây Sơn interest in the city did, however, result in considerable construction and development there. Under French rule of Vietnam, Vinh was further developed as an industrial center, and became well known for its factories. Historically, Vinh and its surrounding areas have often been important centers of rebellion and revolutionary activity. In the 19th century and the early 20th century, the city was the center of several prominent uprisings against the French. In addition, a number of notable revolutionary figures were born in or near the city of Vinh, including Nguyễn Du, Phan Bội Châu, Trần Trọng Kim, Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, and Hồ Chí Minh. The city of Vinh was once the site of a number of significant historic sites, particularly an ancient citadel. Over the years, however, Vinh has been extensively damaged in a number of wars. In the 1950s, fighting between the French colonial powers and the Việt Minh resistance forces destroyed much of the city, and further damage was done by United States bombing in the Vietnam War. As such, little of the original city remains today. The reconstruction of Vinh borrowed heavily on Soviet and East German ideas about town planning, and was conducted with considerable East German assistance – the city is noted for its wide streets and its rows of concrete apartment blocks.
Climate:
Vinh has a dry winter humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cwa), bordering on the tropical monsoon climate (Am) of the Central Coast.
Economy:
The service sector comprises the largest part of Vinh’s economy, with around 55% of the working population being employed in this area. This is followed by the industrial sector (around 30%) and the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors (around 15%). Vinh is an important transportation hub, having a key position on the route between the northern and southern parts of the country, and is also a notable port.
Tourism:
Vinh and Nghe An province are rapidly growing tourist destinations on the north central coast of Vietnam, and are home to various attractions. The city features several unique sites including Song Lam (Light Blue River), Ho Chi Minh Square, Phuong Hoang Trung Do (Phoenix Capital with Quang Trung King Temple), Dung Quyet Mountain with picturesque and breathtaking scenery of the Lam River, Hong Linh Mountain Rank and East Vietnam Sea. President Ho Chi Minhs hometown, Kim Lien, is 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) west of Vinh in Nam Dan district. Cửa Lò beach is 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) east of the center of the city, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. Tourists can visit Hon Ngu island, the island is 4 kilometers or 2.5 miles offshore. It consists of 2 islands: the larger stands at 133 meters (436 ft) above sea level and the smaller at 88 meters (289 ft). Pù Mát National Park
