8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam You Might Not Know About

Not only Vietnam but any country would like to have UNESCO recognize their landmarks as world heritage. UNESCO's recognition is considered a major achievement for countries because it is a global organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations with top expertise and extremely strict criteria.

To obtain UNESCO recognition for natural or cultural heritage in Vietnam, tourist destinations not only need to meet significant cultural and educational significance but also ensure the integrity of the works. Let's look at UNESCO-recognized natural and cultural heritage sites in Vietnam below!

If you want to know why UNESCO recognizes these sites as world heritage, let's explore the highlights of each site with Klook!

Hoang Thanh Thang Long, also known as the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, is one of the important cultural heritages and one of the 8 world cultural heritages in Vietnam recognized by UNESCO. It is a large architectural complex including palaces, fortresses, temples, pagodas, walls, and other buildings built from the 11th to the 19th century.

Hoang Thanh Thang Long was the ruling place of many different dynasties of kings, from the Ngo, Dinh, Ly, Tran, Le dynasties to the Nguyen dynasty from the 11th to the 19th century. It also witnessed many important historical and political events of Vietnam. The beautiful architectural system of Hoang Thanh Thang Long is the crystallization of many artisans over many generations, with intricate lines and unique patterns.

Today, Hoang Thanh Thang Long is one of the famous tourist attractions in Hanoi, attracting visitors from all over to explore and discover the history and culture of the country. It is a cultural symbol of Vietnam and a pride of the Vietnamese people.

Hoi An Ancient Town is an attractive destination for tourists in the Central Coast region, especially for those who love ancient architecture and Vietnamese culture. It is considered a lively museum of Vietnamese architecture and culture from ancient times to the present. With over 1000 houses with traditional architecture, nostalgic landscapes, along with temples, shrines, and ancient bridges on the peaceful riverbank, Hoi An carries a romantic and peaceful beauty that every visitor remembers fondly when leaving this land.

Hoi An Ancient Town combines Eastern and Western architecture, giving it a unique beauty. It is also the center of tailoring and handicrafts, with shops, night markets, cafes, restaurants, and entertainment activities attracting a large number of tourists.

Hoi An is also a place for visitors to admire traditional costumes and participate in cultural activities. Even just walking around Hoi An Ancient Town will make your trip very fulfilling. If you visit Hoi An, don't forget to visit the outdoor cafes with very romantic views, creating an ideal space for relaxation, rest, and enjoyment of life, #teamKlook!

Trang An Landscape Complex is located about 7 km from Ninh Binh city, including over 30 caves and 200 limestone mountains spreading over an area of 10,000 ha. It was recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2014 and so far, it has shown no signs of slowing down with a large number of tourists visiting in all seasons of the year.

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is known for its pristine, majestic, and peaceful beauty. This destination features towering limestone mountains, meandering rivers through rocky valleys, creating a colorful and impressive natural landscape for tourists. Visitors can take boat tours to explore caves, admire the scenery, and feel the peaceful, serene atmosphere here.

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is also a place where ancient cultural heritage is preserved, such as ancient temples, prehistoric caves, ancient architectural ruins... It is also an ideal destination for enthusiasts of entertainment and sports activities, such as cycling, mountain climbing, cave exploration, hill climbing.

With its pristine, majestic, and attractive beauty, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex has become a famous tourist destination in Vietnam, attracting thousands of tourists from both domestic and international to visit and explore. Besides Trang An, visitors also should not miss Hoa Lu Ancient Capital - where you can admire the golden historical imprint of the nation.

Hue Imperial City was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, from 1802 to 1945, and is a place of deep cultural and historical value, occupying an important position in the overall history of the nation. The Complex of Hue Monuments not only includes the imperial citadel but also many architectural works and other historical, cultural, and religious relics of Central Vietnam.

The architectural works of Hue Imperial City have high historical and artistic value, with many different architectural styles and styles. However, overall, it is considered a perfect masterpiece, reflecting profound artistic, spiritual, cultural, and philosophical perspectives. The highlight of the monument complex is the Hue Royal Citadel with its grand gates and surrounding walls, splendid palaces, and noble temples.

In addition, the Complex of Hue Monuments also includes other historical, religious, and cultural relics such as the Hoang Thanh The Mieu Temple, Minh Mang Tomb, Tu Duc Tomb, Thien Mu Pagoda...

UNESCO's recognition of Hue Imperial City as a world cultural heritage has played an important role in preserving, conserving, and promoting its value for future generations to receive and learn from.

My Son Sanctuary is a tomb and temple complex of Champa culture, located in Quang Nam province, Vietnam. It was built from the 4th to the 14th century, serving as a place of worship for Cham deities and the center of Hinduism and Buddhism in Central Vietnam.

My Son is known for its unique architectural works and distinctive Cham architectural style, reflected in columns, towers, statues... These works are built of carved limestone with images of Cham deities and landscapes, bearing the characteristic features of Cham culture.

My Son is also a special tourist destination in Vietnam, attracting many tourists from both domestic and international. Visitors can explore the architectural works, learn about Cham history and culture, admire the surrounding natural scenery, and enjoy a peaceful, serene space. If you love exploring unique and historical cultural heritage, then My Son Sanctuary is a destination not to be missed when visiting Vietnam.

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is a national park located in Quang Binh province, Vietnam. It is famous for its rich and diverse system of limestone caves, with underground rivers, stalactites, and underground river systems.

In 2003, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. This demonstrates the invaluable value of this national park, not only as a famous destination but also as a diverse biodiversity and geological conservation area.

The Phong Nha - Ke Bang Cave System is known for its richness and diversity. Son Doong Cave, Phong Nha Cave, and Paradise Cave are the three most famous caves here, described as the most beautiful natural wonders in the world. Visitors can explore these caves by road or waterway, to discover the peculiar and marvelous voids of the underground passages in the caves.

Additionally, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is a very important ecological site, with a diverse and abundant ecosystem. It is the habitat of many rare and endangered species of animals and plants, especially endangered or threatened species.

With its special cultural and natural values, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is one of the attractive destinations for travelers who love to explore and learn about the nature and culture of Vietnam.

Ha Long Bay is one of the natural wonders of the world, located in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. Ha Long Bay is a system of over 1,600 limestone islands of various sizes, creating a magnificent and unique landscape. It was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site in 1994.

With its stunning islands, caves, and beaches, Ha Long Bay is an ideal destination for those who want to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of Vietnam. Visitors can take a cruise to admire the scenery and explore the islands, caves, and beaches in Ha Long Bay.

Additionally, Ha Long Bay offers unique tourist activities such as visiting historical and cultural sites like the Trần Quốc Nghiễn Temple, Long Tuyền Pagoda, exploring folk cultural exhibitions, local specialties, and participating in underwater sports such as coral diving, kayaking, and surfing...

Ha Long Bay also has luxurious resorts and resorts on islands for tourists to enjoy the peaceful and beautiful space of Ha Long Bay.

With its magnificent natural beauty, along with diverse and abundant tourist activities, Ha Long Bay is a wonderful destination for those who want to explore and experience the culture, cuisine, and nature of Vietnam.

Ho Citadel is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in Vietnam, recognized in 2011. This archaeological site is located in Vinh Long commune, Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province. What makes Ho Citadel one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Thanh Hoa is its unique structure, combined with the unique construction techniques of the Vietnamese people over many periods. The main areas of Ho Citadel include the inner citadel, moat, outer citadel, and Nam Giao altar. Among them, the Inner Citadel is the most commonly seen image of Ho Citadel, with solid stone slabs stacked on top of each other, some weighing up to tens of tons, and amazingly they do not need any adhesive material.

Among the 8 UNESCO-recognized tourist destinations in Vietnam above, surely every Vietnamese person carries a great sense of pride, right? As a country with a long-standing culture and history, and with the preservation and development efforts of previous generations, Vietnam has demonstrated its care and attention to these heritages by protecting, exploiting, and introducing them to tourists both domestically and internationally.

If you are planning a cultural and historical tour, then surely these 8 UNESCO-recognized tourist destinations will be a great suggestion. Don't forget to follow the Klook blog to hunt for discount codes and find out more interesting information about travel in Vietnam, Famous Ecotourism Areas in Vietnam, Famous Tourist Areas in Vietnam Not to be Missed, Northwest Travel Destinations for Adventurous Teams,...

How many World Heritage Sites in Vietnam have you explored?