Am Chua is an old-aged historical and cultural remain of the Agarwood home land, closely associated with the tradition of worshiping Thien Y A Na. Along with the legend of Thien Y A Na, the remain clearly expresses the remarkable the cultural exchange between the Viet and Cham nations.

The temple is located halfway up Mount Dai An (also known as Mount Dua) in Dai Dien Trung village, Dien Dien commune, Dien Khanh district. The temple is used to worship Thien Y A Na, the Mother of Land, who illuminated and then taught people how to earn their living and live on. The tradition of worshiping Thien Y A Na was derived from the The Mother of Land from the Cham. More interestingly, the Vietnamese who settled in this land made similar the tradition into their own. Based to that, Thien Y A Na descended on Mount Dai An and then appeared to be seen as God in Thap Ba, Nha Trang. A saying has been spread until the present time: “Be human in Am Chua, Become God in Thap Ba” as a confirmation about the cultural connection between the Viet and Cham nations.

 The construction time of the temple still remains unknown, but the temple has been renovated many times and has become a solemn worshiping place, honoring the legendary history of the Holly Mother, Thien Y A Na. The stairway up to the temple consists of over 100 steps which are made of marble. Going through the archway, you can access the main temple. The temple is comprised of a porch and the main worshiping area. On the roof of the both places, we can see the sculpture of the four sacred supernatural animals: Long, Ly, Quy, Phung (Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise and Phoenix). Inside the porch, there is a pair of sentences sculpted, written in old Chinese about the legend of Thien Y A Na. In the middle of the main area is the worshiping cabinet. The temple has been awarded with many ordinations from the Nguyen dynasty and they have been kept and restored until now. One of these was from the King Tu Duc, allowing the worship of the Holly Mother, Thien Y A Na. It helps prove that the cultural value from the Cham was confirmed and appreciated from a long time ago.

The colourful  of Am Chua Festival

 Every year on the first day of March (lunar calendar), Am Chua festival is held, attracting a huge amount of pilgrims. With many traditional rituals such as dancing, singing, and ceremonial demonstrations, it represents and preserves many cultural and spiritual values with the soul of the Agarwood home land.

 Not only being an old-aged historical and cultural remain, the temple is a part of the local history of the revolutionary struggle of the army and people in Dien Dien commune, as well as in Dien Khanh district. Standing in the front yard is a 350-year-old big tree. During the struggles against the French colonialism and American imperialism, the tree was used several times to fly the flag to arouse and encourage the patriotism, also to prove the force’s power. Behind the temple, there are still ruins of bunkers, trenches made of stone built by the French from the very old days.

 With the particular values ​​of culture and revolutionary history, Am Lord was ranked the national-level remain in 1999.

Location: Đầm Môn is located in Vân Phong Bay, Vạn Thạnh commune, Vạn Ninh district, Khánh Hòa province. It is about 80km north of Nha Trang City on the National Highway 1A and about 45km by the sea.

Features: Đầm Môn Peninsula is beautiful with its stretching sand dunes, about 20 isles with virgin forests, and exotic creatures in the fishing village of Đầm Môn.

Đầm Môn Peninsula –boasting an area of 128km ²—is one of the destinations that the World Tourism Organization has conducted a survey on and is highly appreciated. The location has all the natural conditions optimal for the development of eco-tourism: the climate, coastline, forests, landscapes, ecosystem, ports and supply of marine products, etc. And the most important fact is that all of the conditions are completely and originally natural.

In June 2002, an 18.5km road was started from the foot of the mountain pass Cổ Mã to Đầm Môn, and activated the development of tourism in Vân Phong Bay. Taking the new route throughout the peninsula, visitors can see houses as half sunk in the sand, the immense white sand dunes stretching out into the distance with no traces of humans, which provides a sense  of crossing a vast desert. At the end of the dune areas is the road from Đầm Môn to Đại Lãnh. The last point of the journey is a small fishing village located in a bay, quiet and shady all year long with evergreen coconut trees. Its name is Đầm Môn. Đầm Môn has three communes: Lower Đầm Môn, Upper Đầm Môn and Xuân Đừng.

A small fishing village in Dam Mon

In this small fishing village, visitors will find people barefoot, sitting or lying on the sand anywhere. Upper Đầm Môn commune has a high sand hill, where visitors can see the whole view of the deep blue sea far away. In Xuân Đừng commune, we can find fresh water just a short distance deep into the shore ground. This area is also home to the ethnic minority community called Đàng Hạ.

 After having toured Đầm Môn commune, tourists can take a boat around 20 isles and explore their virgin forests. Or tourists can take an expedition under the water. There is an ecosystem of ​​coral reef, which are fairly typical of Vietnam. Tourist can go diving to watch the coral reefs, go swimming or boating in Vân Phong bay.

 In the evening visitors in Vietnam Tourism to Dam Mon can go squid fishing or make a campfire right on the beach.  And what can be greater than enjoying the fresh taste of sea food like grouper or big lobster from a floating cage nearby?

Please come to Con Se Tre, located on Hon Tre island with a particularly different style than that of Vinpearl focusing on the ancient, folk design which is harmonious to nature.

After nearly 10 years of construction and operation, Vinpearl Land has become an ideal destination for tourists and has been referred to as a "tropical paradise". This resort provides luxury accommodation is also the venue of beauty contests and other national and international cultural events. Vinpearl has earned the name, The Pearl of Vietnam.  

Tourist paradise

It was nearly 10 years ago when Vinpearl Land (The Vietnamese Pearl) began being constructed on Hon Tre island - Khanh Hoa. From a quiet and almost unknown island, Vinpearl has now become an attraction that visitors to Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa cannot ignore. To those who have visited Vinpearl, this resort has provided a harmonious combination between modernity and tradition, between man-made beauty and natural landscapes. The modern conveniences haven't hinderd the natural and wild charm of the "pearl island", which lies in one of the 29 most beautiful bays in the world. The elegance of the modern Western mainstream has been used not only in the interior structure, but in the manner of service and operation as well. Conversely, the beauty of traditional Oriental motifs emphasized from curved roofs and the use of bamboo have captured the peaceful and rural aspects of Vietnam.

Vinpearl Resort & Spa

Vinpearl Resort & Spa's design has always been heralded for it's sustainable natural value, high standards and graceful location by the sea. In particular, the area and landscape of Vinpearl is ideal for honeymooners on vacation. To the "pearl island ", couples will have timeless romance; moments that include strolls on green grass, listening to the melodies of birds singing; sitting on the sand watching the waves and hearing their words of love stories from the ancient sea. The restaurants located along the beautiful channel next to the sea are also ideal places for luxurious candlelit , or enjoying the simplicity of coffee between friends. The variety of restaurants will satisfy all the culinary tastes of the world.
All the senses and tastes can be met here in Vinpearl Land. Visitors who are interested in exciting games can come and try them with a spirit of adventure in the amusement park; watch 3D movies; visit Vietnam’s largest aquarium with unique marine life, creating a fascinating ocean environment; listen to country music at the outdoor stage or play in freshwater parks by the sea. Visitors can also enjoy healthfulness from services in Viet Spa, go shopping and walk through the neighborhood of Vinpearl. Those who prefer quiet space and purity of mind can visit Truc Lam Institute. When the afternoon light fades through the stairs of the island, looking at the curved roofs of the Vietnamese temples, listening to the resounding temple bells, one can find peacefulness and serenity.

A sustainable policy

After years of operation, Vinpearl Land has focused on some sustainable policies. Accordingly, since the first of November, 2009, guests staying at Vinpearl Resort & Spa have been served 3-course buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner free of charge, with Asian and European menus (including more than 30 dishes), prepared by leading chefs. Staying in Vinpearl Land, tourists can enjoy many activities in the theme park and use many other facilities and incentives. Talking to reporters, Mr. Nguyen Trong Hien, Chairman of the Board Vinpearl Land said: "As part of the development strategy to become a leading luxury travel group in Vietnam, we not only invest in building and spreading the Vinpearl brand to all urban areas throughout the country, we also constantly invest in research, improve service quality, promote customer-oriented activities and take the appropriate service packages, in line with the needs of tourists. In 2008, Vinpearl Land successfully introduced the full package card for tourists to the shopping and entertainment zone. And now, they have decided to apply the new full package for hotel services. This is a sustainable policy, and no longer a short-term promotion. We believe that the new price policy will satisfy even the most demanding customers. The primary goal of Vinpearl Land is to provide guests with the best resort service according to the international five-star standards at appropriate prices. We are proud to be the first resort in Vietnam to have the senior policy application for full package hotel services. With this package, guests can take advantage of all the services during their holiday in Vinpearl Land, and significantly save quite a lot.

The modern of Vinpearl Land

As time goes by, Vinpearl Land has become better recognized as  "Pearl of Vietnam". Many cultural events of entertainment, especially big beauty contests of Vietnam and the world as Miss Vietnam, the Miss Vietnam World, Miss Earth, Miss Universe have been held here. Appropriately, in addition to the name "Pearl of Vietnam", it is also called "Island of Beauty" by its supporters. When staying at Vinpearl, having a chance to see a beauty queen, a movie star or a famous singer can be considered a daily routine, which is highly uncommon elsewhere.

Visitors to Vinpearl Land will stay at the Vinpearl Resort & Spa five-star hotel with 485 rooms and stunning architecture, including 17 suites and two Presidential rooms. Vinpearl Resort & Spa has a natural beach of 700m and a modern system of beautiful outdoor pools with an area of ​​5.700m2 (the largest in Southeast Asia), situated in the middle of coconut gardens, lawns, plants garden and many other services for entertainment. To meet the needs of MICE tourism as well as organizing major events, Vinpearl Land has an adequate system of conference rooms and event centers that can seat 1,500 people and an outdoor theater with 5,000 covered seats.

From now until 20-4-2010, couples coming to "Heaven of Happiness" in Vinpearl Land will experience a perfect holiday of love  at the price of $362 for 3 days and 2 nights or $486 for 4 days and 3 nights. Accordingly, the couple will receive a romantic bedroom, complimentary photographs to preserve the moments of happiness; free gift voucher for foot massage, three free buffet breakfast meals, lunch with a romantic dinner for two people; free airport shuttle; and free games at amusement parks in Vinpearl Land ...

Located at the foot of the outcrop where Bao Dai Village is constructed, the Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam is an interesting aquarium in which you can gain the exact image of Nha Trang marine environment. Opened to the public on September 14th, 1922, it is a popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.

All kinds of fish you would find in the sea area of Khanh Hoa Provine are presented there: reef sharks, turtles, living coral, anemones, puffers, lionfish, clownfish, sea horses, and a whole array of colorful reef species, some of which can be found in no other place in the world. Each of them has a label indicating their name, origin and characteristics in Vietnamese and in English. Over its long history, this museum has been holding more than 20’000 specimens of tropical marine creatures. Apart from the real fishes, there are also rare species’ skeletons or bodies preserved in formaldehyde solution. However, kids can be most entertained to visit the big tropical turtles and crocodiles.

Nowadays, the Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam sponsors many ongoing researches and community projects whose purposes are to maintain a high standard of aquatic life in Vietnam, as well as to encourage the protection of Khanh Hoa’s specious coral reefs.

With its shimmering, blue ocean beach, grand hotels and tourist friendly spas such as Hon Ngoc Viet (Vin Pearl), Hon Tre (Bamboo Island) or Hon Tam (Silkworm Island), or the Hot Spa Tourism Centre, the city of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province in Southern Vietnam is a tourist Mecca. But apart from all these quality spots, visitors to the area have the opportunity to step back in time when visiting the long-standing cultural origin of the Cham people, of which the most unique symbol is the Po Nagar Temple Tower, or Thap Ba in Vietnamese.

Po Nagar is the biggest tower of the architectural complex that comprises four temple towers built and upgraded several times between the 7th and the 12th centuries. The Po Nagar Tower was built by the Cham King Harivacman from 813 to 817. It is two storey-tall, the ground floor being paved with bricks and having many rows of piers and stairs and the upper floor where there are four towers located squarely. The bricks are placed so tightly together that the mortar is almost unseen. The tower entrance faces the east.

The tower's outside has many edges on which there are decorative dome designs, deceivingly making it appear like overlapping towers. The tower body in particular has decorative items such as bas-reliefs and terra-cotta statues symbolizing the Goddess Po Nagar, God Tenexa and fairies, and animals and beasts such as deer, golden geese, lion, etc. The main tower is dedicated to God Shiva's wife, Yan Po Nagar, the goddess of the country.

The Po Nagar Tower has four floors, each has an entrance and in the four corners there are four small towers. Inside the tower, there is a statue of the Goddess made of black granite, 2.6m high, sitting on a lotus-shaped stone base, leaning her back to a large fig leaf-shaped stone plate. The statue is considered a masterpiece of Cham sculpture, a perfect coordination between the statue making technique of polishing and embossing. The other three towers are dedicated to the Indian supreme God of Shiva and his two sons, Gods Sanhaca and Ganeca.

The crowded atmosphere of Po Nagar Festival

The Thap Ba (Po Nagar) Festival is held annually from March 20th to the 23rd of the lunar calendar to highlight the merits of the Goddess who built up the land, kept the race alive, found the rice and taught the local people to farm and make handicrafts. The festival has two parts: the sacrament and the festive activities. The sacramental procedures begin with "changing the dress" of the Goddess, bathing her with perfumed water and dressing her with new clothes. This is followed by worshipping which is implemented very solemnly, praising the merits of the Mother Saint and praying for peace, happiness and prosperity. Performances of dancing and singing, and acting out old stories are held in front of the main tower. Near the ancient tower, beautiful Cham girls seem to come to life from the mystical bas-reliefs, their charming and slender bodies moving and their sun-burnt arms waving to invite visitors back to the origin of the once flourishing Cham Culture.

Location: Alexandre Yersin Memorial Sites includes 3 places:

- Doctor Yersin’s library in Nha Trang Pasteur Institute, Khanh Hoa Province.- Linh Son Pagoda, Suoi Cat Commune, Dien Khanh District, Khanh Hoa Province (the former workroom of the doctor in Suoi Dau).
- Alexandre Yersin’s Grave in Suoi Cat Commune, Dien Khanh District, Khanh Hoa Province.

Characteristic: Alexandre Yersin Memorial Sites was built to commemorate Alexandre Yersin who devoted 50 years of his life to work in Pasteur Institute.

Alexandre Yersin (1863-1943) was born in Switzerland to a Swiss father and a French mother. He studied in Switzerland and later moved to France where he obtained a degree in medicine.

He traveled to Nha Trang for the first time in 1891. At the end of 1899, he came back and established the Pasteur Institute. He devoted 50 years of his life to microbiology, virology, and epidemic research and he was the one to develop a vaccine against the bubonic plague.

Living modestly, he gained the trust of Con hamlet villagers. He traveled in the mountains and recorded his observations. He also recommended to the government to establish a hill station in what is now Da Lat. 

Yersin died in Nha Trang on 1 March 1943. According to the instructions in his will, his body was buried with his face touching the ground and facing the sea so that he could forever embrace his second homeland.

Originating from Ngoc Linh Mountain in Dak Glei District, Kon Tum Province, the Thu Bon River flows into the sea via Cua Dai Estuary in Hoi An Town in Quang Nam Province. A tributary runs to the Vinh Dien River to pour water into the Han River in Danang City. And before going to the sea, part of the Thu Bon River courses through the Truong Giang River to pour into An Hoa Tam Quang Bay in Nui Thanh District. 

The Thu Bon River basin covers an area of over 10,000 square kilometers in Quang Nam Province and is ranked fourth for hydropower potential in Vietnam.

The river is responsible in a big way for the traditional and historical heritage of the town of Hoi An. The now fishing town of Hoi An was a popular international trade destination and also a convenient stopover for many merchant ships bound to and for China and other countries. 

Trade in the town via the Thu Bon River in Hoi An thrived from the 16th to the 18th centuries. In fact, most of the current populations of the town are descendents of traders and merchants who chose to settle down in the town. It is believed that in those days the Thu Bon River in Hoi An had a larger estuary area that facilitated trade and communication. The formation of the bays and shores of the river today that are made of sandbanks and guarded by lagoons indicate to this.

Along the banks are many well-known craft centers such as Thanh Ha for pottery, Phuoc Kieu for bronze casting, Kim Bong for carpentry, Tra Que for vegetables, Ma Chau for silk, Phu Chiem for rice paper and Que Minh for conical hats.Along the banks are numerous wharves and markets reflecting the rural lifestyle, and simple villages steeped in memories. The Trung Phuoc floating market is the busiest trading place in the region.

The Thu Bon River is likened to the Ganges River in India because it is a silt source forming the delta. Strangely, despite cultural interchange, the very northern and southern banks of the Thu Bon River have their own cultural differences characterised by voices, routine activities, festivals and even relics from each area. In the southern bank, the Champa culture still figures in daily activities, customs and festivals for local residents.

The Thu Bon Goddess Festival falls on the 12th day of the second lunar month, and is held solemnly in My Luoc Village, where a water procession is the most important part of the ceremony. Locals scoop water from the Thu Bon River and pour it into the jars, then carry them on their heads back to the village in deference to the river.

In the upstream district of Hiep Duc, locals set up a long house with an altar on the top to suspend a boat. The rituals around the boats aim to honor the “river mother” in the spiritual lives of locals.

From Hoi An, visitors can rent a boat and stop at the beautiful villages located along the river.

Tourists also can visit Dai Buong, an orchard village similar to those found in the southern region with rambutan, durian and mangosteen. Tourists will have the chance to enjoy durian wine, which has an unforgettable flavor.