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Story: Thái A
Photos: Heritage Photo Tour
Thanks to its ancient culture and diverse terrain, Vietnam boasts more World Heritage sites than any other country in Southeast Asia.
Thang Long Imperial Citadel
Built in the 11th century, the Citadel served as the political hub of the Grand Viet over many dynasties and is now a key tourist attraction in the capital of Hanoi. Having been devastated by time and warfare, the Imperial Citadel still boasts crucial constructions such as Kinh Thien Palace, the Princess’s Pavilion and stone foundations that give visitors an idea of this ancient capital’s former glory. Acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, the Imperial Citadel is home to thousands of outstanding ceramic, stone and wood artifacts that date back to the Ly, Tran and Le Dynasties.
Ha Long Bay
Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, Ha Long Bay is an archipelago of 1,600 islands of myriad fantastic shapes that form a marvelous landscape. The beauty of the sea and the bay’s caves aside, Ha Long Bay is home to rich biodiversity and endemic species. It’s a must-visit destination for visitors to the North of Vietnam. Ha Long Bay was registered as a World Natural Heritage Site in 1994 and remains one of Vietnam’s most admired and photographed sites.
Trang An Landscape Compound
Given its World Heritage Site title in 2014, the Trang An Landscape Compound belongs to the southern basin of the Red River and comprises a swathe of limestone mountains, valleys and wetlands. Here, visitors can explore ancient vestiges from the 10th century Dinh and Pre-Le dynasties and admire fantastic views of mountains, rivers, caves and paddy fields.
Ho Dynastic Citadel
Nestled on a plateau in Vinh Loc District, Thanh Hoa, the citadel was commenced in the 14th century and made out of massive stone blocks, each weighing 10 to 20 tonnes and skillfully piled without glue. Registered as a World Heritage Site in 2011, it’s the only stone fortress left in Southeast Asia. The site’s former grandeur is most clearly shown through its ancient arched entry gates.
Hue Monument Complex
The political hub of the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue was also a cultural and religious hub. The city charms visitor thanks to its marvelous Inner Palaces, residences, mausoleums, pagodas and other ancient constructions. Visitors can explore royal tombs and garden houses and enjoy elegant court music and the city’s famous cuisine. This was the first World Heritage Site to be registered in Vietnam in 1993.
Hoi An Old Town
Founded in the 15th century, Hoi An was home to Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese traders, whose influence remains visible. An important port town in the Era of the Nguyen Lords, Hoi An eventually faded into obscurity and became an outdoor museum with unique cultural values. Hoi An is famous for its Old Town, its colorful lantern festival and its Quang Nam delicacies. Hoi An was registered by UNESCO in 1999.
My Son Holy Sanctuary
Situated down a lane in Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam, these breathtaking temple towers were created by a civilization with roots in Hinduism. The construction techniques employed by ancient Cham artisans to build these brick temple towers remain a mystery. The My Son Holy Sanctuary was acknowledged as a World Heritage Site in tandem with Hoi An’s Old Town in 1999.
Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
Spanning some 85.754ha, this site includes a compound of submerged caves formed around 400 million years ago. Until recently, the locals only knew about a few of the main caves. In 2003 UNESCO officially granted the compound its World Heritage Site title, drawing growing numbers of visitors. More immense caves, submerged rivers and underground beaches have been discovered. In addition to known caves such as Phong Nha, Son Doong, Yen and Tu Lan, the park may very well still be hiding deep secrets. Scientists and adventurers are continuing to discover fresh wonders.
