Quang Binh has a convenient geographic location which is about 500km of Hanoi capital on the South and 1.200km of Ho Chi Minh city on the North. It borders with Ha Tinh province on the North, Quang Tri on the South, the People's Democratic Republic of Laos on the West and the East Sea on the East with the border lines' length of 129km, 83km, 201km and 116,04km respectively.

With the strategic location at the center of the country, Quang Binh has great potential for socio-economic devleopment. Its development advantages include the North-South railway, National Road No.1, Ho Chi Minh Road running through the province's length, Road No.12 linking Quang Binh and Laos; the ports of Gianh, Nhat Le and Hon La; and Dong Hoi Airport which are favorable conditions for domestic and international trading.

The provincial topography is narrow and sloping from the West to the East. The total area is divided into specific geological zones: mountainous, hilly and midland, lowland and coastal sandy area. Hilly and mountainous land occupies 85% of the natural area.

Quang Binh is situated in the monsoon-tropical zone and influenced by the climate of North and the South. The climate is divided distinctly into two seasons. Rainy season lasts from September to March of next year. The annual average rainfall is 2,000 - 2,300mm. Months with heavy rain are from September to November. Dry season lasts from April to August with the average temperature of 240C - 250C. Months with highest temperature are June, July and August.

Quang Binh land is divided into two main types: alluvial soil in lowland and ferralite soil in mountainous areas. There are 15 land types with main groups as sandy, alluvial and barren soil. The barren soil laying mainly in the mountainous districts in the West accounts for over 80% of natural area of the province. Sandy dunes account for over 5,9% and alluvial soil accounts for 2,8%.

Quang Binh has various kinds of metal minerals such as gold, iron, titanium, pyrites, lead, zinc and none-metal materials as kaolin, quartz, limestone, marble, granite. In particular, limestone and kaolin of big volume provide favorable conditions for development of big scale of cement and construction materials. Quang Binh has some mineral streams, the most special of which is Bang with the tmeperature of 105oC, very suitable for making mineral drinks. Gold potential enables to develop gold mining and processing industry.

Quang Binh is home to the world natural heritage Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park with more than 300 multi-shaped, diverse and magnificent caves named as "the Kingdom of caves", attracting to a large number of international and domestic visitors to Quang Binh province. Quang Binh is located in the biological zone of northern Truong Son range with a unique and diversified fauna and flora of many rare and precious species. The Kast Phong Nha - Ke Bang reservation zone contains a typical biological diversity. Many rare and precious animals can be found in this area such as Ha Tinh langur, bear, tiger, Saola, Giant muntjact, lophura with white tail, lophura with black crest, pheasant and others.

Quang Binh is one of the provinces which contains a big reserve of wood. There are various kinds of precious wood such as ironwood, sindora vietnamiensis, ebony, fragrant wood, pine, rattan, etc. And, there is a coastal line of 116 km with many estuaries and beaches. Sea platform covers over 200,000 km2, making a large fishing ground with a large deposit of rare and precious seafood such as lobster, prawn, squid, arca of all kind and thousands of hectares of white coral.

A convenient traffic and transportation system of Quang Binh makes a great contribution to economic development of the country. A system of transportation by road, waterway and airway assures an uninterrupted connection between Quang Binh and other provinces in the country. The North-South Railway Route, National Highway 1A, and Ho Chi Minh Highway passes through most of the the residential and potential areas. The National Highway 12A, which connects Quang Binh with Laos, Northeast Thailand and Myanmar through Cha Lo international border gate is the shortest and most favourable route. Seaway and riverway transport is an advantages of the province with five estuaries, including the ports of Nhat Le, Gianh and Hon La. In particular, the Hon La Seaport has an area of 4 km2 where ships with loading capacity of 3 to 5 ten thousand tons can go in and out and berth favorably. Dong Hoi Airport was upgraded into a morden domestic airport to link the central regional with important political and economic centres throughout the country. The services of telecommunications, television, electricity, water supply and banking system develop comprehensively, contributing to promoting socio-economic development, national defence - security of the province.

Quang Binh has a synchronous system of infrastructure for compulsory education. The university, colleges, vocational schools and secondary schools is investing in both scale and quality, meeting the demands of training on managers, engineers, skilled workers, contributing to serving the cause of industrialization and mordenization.

Quang Binh is the land of cultural objects, with cultural heritage of Bau Tro and many historical sites such as Quang Binh Gate, Luy Thay rampart, Trinh - Nguyen citadels... In the process of history, many famous cultural villages have been formed and handed down from generation to generation such as "Bat danh huong": Son, Ha, Canh, Tho, Van, Vo, Co, Kim.

Quang Binh is also the holy land of outstanding men, a gathering place of a mountains, rivers, lakes and seas, creating a grandiose and romantic landscape. With the said holy land and scenery, this land has generated and forged many outstanding talents for the country such as PhD. Duong Van An, confucian scholars Nguyen Ham Ninh, famous generals of the Nguyen dynasty Nguyen Huu Canh and Hoang Ke Viem, senior general Vo Nguyen Giap, heoric Mother Suot...

Quang Binh is endowed with many famous landscapes and attractive destinations such as Da Nhay beach, Nhat Le beach, Vung Chua - Yen Island, Hon La bays, Bang hot spring, Than Dinh Mountain, Bau Tro monuments, Bao Ninh Sun Spa resort and legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail with memorable landmarks such as Cha Lo - Heaven Gate, Xuan Son ferry boat, Long Dai river, Gianh river... Especially, Quang Binh is home to the world natural heritage Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park with a system of magnificent cave, including Son Doong Cave - the largest and most beautiful cave in the world.

The land of Quang Binh is like a water-colour painting, including both sea, island and forest together with its potential, strengths, natural beauty and historical and cultural values. The Quang Binhh inhabitants are clever, diligent and hard-working, trying their best to build and develop Quang Binh motherland more and more prosperous for the target of wealthy people, strong country, just and civilized society. Quang Binh people are friendly and hospitable, always opening their arms wide to welcome tourists from near and far.

By Nhu Y
(Source: Quang Binh Portal)