The golden coast in Vietnam

Known for its romantic poets and martial arts, Binh Dinh province offers some of the best coastal scenery in Vietnam

With quiet beaches, ancient Cham relics and hospitable locals, this region is attracting more and more visitors.

Viewed from the city centre, the beach in Quy Nhon, the capital of Binh Dinh province, looks much like other urban beaches on Vietnam's South Central coast. Groups of children play on the sand and youngsters splash in the waves. Some older people stare out to sea, lost in thought. At sunset, the lengthening shadows create a sense of melancholy.

But perhaps there is no other coastal town quite like Quy Nhon. Here, the breeze seems to whisper the verses of the tragic poet Han Mac Tu (1912-1940), who is closely associated with this land of hot sun, martial arts and white sand beaches. Han Mac Tu and his fellow poets- Quach Tan, Che Lan Vien and Yen Lan- brought fame to this beautiful area. Collectively, they were known as the `Four Friends of Do Van Citadel Poetry Group`.

A smooth stretch of sand runs along the coast before turning at the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Hotel and snaking into the magnificent Ghenh Rang Beach, where thousands of rocks lie scattered. It is as if nature arranged this magnificent scenery for tourists to enjoy at sunset.

This region is famous for its martial arts, particularly An Vinh fighting techniques and Than Truyen stick fighting. Binh Dinh province is the birthplace of national heroes such as Nguyen Nhac, Nguyen Lu and Nguyen Hue, the three brothers who founded the Tay Son Dynasty in 1771.

In terms of literature, Binh Dinh rivals Thang Long (now Hanoi) or Nghe An, which enjoy century old traditions. The writer Dao Tan is known for his wonderful traditional operas. To this day, the locals feel that the verses of Han Mac Tu express their thoughts and feelings. They worship his poetry, which offers a sense of the crazy freedom that comes from drifting through an unknown land. Han Mac Tu's tomb lies near Ghenh Rang Beach. Nearby stands a small hut, its walls covered with lines of Han Mac Tu's poetry.

Thrilled by his chilling verses, visitors follow a small path to his tomb, which lays half way up the mountain. Here, they meditate upon the flow of life, inhale the fresh sea breeze, and feel the scorching sun of this legendary land.

Binh Ding was once home to Vijaya, the capital of the great Kingdom of Champa and the holy seat of a lost civilization. Scattered Cham towers still remind modern visitors of Champa's former glory. This old civilization has left other legacies too, like the crystal- clear Bau Da wine that the locals drink, which is said to cause wonderful dreams.

Visitors find one surprise after the other as they walk on sandy beaches strewn with huge rocks. The Quy Hoa Leprosy Village is a peaceful spot shaded with coconut palms. Located 10km from Quy Nhon, this village has become a place to honor those who made great contributions to medicine, such as Hippocrates and Yersin. Nearby lays the beautiful Life Resort. Its stone paths decorated with marble statues in the midst of lush greenery.

No visit to Binh Dinh is complete without trying its culinary specialties, which include Huynh De crab, Mai fish salad and tuna paste. The ocean is very generous to this land.

While this region attracts less tourists tha
Phan Thiet or Hoi An, Quy Nhon and Binh Dinh feature fine beaches, hospitable locals and the remnants of a fascinating ancient civilization. During the Kate Festival visitors can hear the pounding beat of paranung drums. They can also admire the rough enamel of Go Sanh ceramic, visit lonely Cham towers that have stood for centuries, and gaze upon a coastline that remains wild and unspoilt.