The port city of Vinh is the capital of Nghe An province. For travellers, the town is a convenient place to stop for the night, if you are on the overland route between Hue and Hanoi. Nghe An and neighboring Ha TInh provinces have been lumped with poor soil and some of the worst weather in Vietnam; the area frequently suffers from severe floods and devastating typhoons.
The summers are very hot and dry, while in winter the cold and rain are made all the more unpleasant by biting winds from the north. As a result of the poor climate and many years of ill-managed collectivized farming policies, Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces are among the most destitute regions in Vietnam. The recent economic reforms have greatly improved things, but nobody has yet figured out a way to reform the lousy weather. Vinh was later devastated by a huge fire.
Not too surprisingly, the US military obliterated the city in hundreds of air attack and naval artillery bombardments from to , which left only two buildings intact. The Americans paid a high price for the bombings — more US aircraft and pilots were shot down over Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces than over any other part of North Vietnam. The heavy loss of planes and pilots was one reason why the USA later brought in battleships to pound North Vietnam from offshore.
Street address numbers ate often not used in Vinh. It was being rebuilt at the time of writing, but the renovations were almost over. Places to Stay. It was formerly the Vina Hotel. Get a room at the back as the street side is noisy. On one side of the street, the old section is good value, the newer section was due to be refurbished.
Discounted rates are often available. Places to Eat. Vinh Central Market Cho Vinh carries the usual plethora of household goods, and there are food stalls around the back, heading towards the bus station. There are at least three different kinds, each one outstanding. One popular brand is Keo Cu-do. Bus There are two bus stations in Vinh. The bus station behind the market is where to go for buses to Tay Son, and on to the Lao border see the Cau Treo section later in this chapter.
