Top 10 Vietnamese monuments to visit

From the onset of the development, Vietnam has gone through unmeasurable ups and downs on every facet from geology, history to culture, tradition, leaving a remarkable number of monuments throughout this country. The following are some of the most famous Vietnamese monuments that you should visit when travelling in Vietnam:

1 - Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark

The place possesses a range of geological and stratigraphical relics, containing several traits about the development of Earth’s crust along with traditional and cultural uniqueness of ethnic groups habitating here. In 2010, the plateau was recognized as the Global Geopark by the Global Geopark Network.

- Address: Ha Giang province, 282 km from Hanoi

2 - My Son Sanctuary - one of the most impressive Vietnamese monuments

Once the worship place of Champa dynasties as well as the tomb of Champa Kings and the royalty,this place is seen as one of the hubs of temples of Hinduism in Southeast Asia and the sole relics of this type in Vietnam. An interesting thing about the work is that it could stand firmly throughout the time despite being wholly constructed with brick without any adhesive materials. The technique to make it is still a big question to the archeologists.

- Address: Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province

- Entrance fee: 150.000 VND/person

3 - Con Dao Prison - one of the must-visit historical sites in Vietnam

Likened to “the hell on Earth”, Con Dao prison has a system of chambers and rooms such as Phu Son prison, Phu Hai prison, Phu Tuong prison, Tiger cage,... which will make you suppose to be living in the war time. The place vividly recreates all the images of the French torturing Vietnamese soldiers. Anyone coming here feels horrible, terrified when they see with their own eyes, hear with their own ears how despicable the crimes of French colonists committed.  

- Address: Nguyen Chi Thanh street, Con Son island

- Entrance fee: 20,000 VND/person ($0.86)

4 - The Imperial City of Hue - one of the most well-preserved Vietnamese monuments

For nearly 400 years (1558 - 1945), Hue was the administrative center of 9 reigns of Nguyen Lord in Dang Trong, the capital of Tay Son dynasty and then of the unified nation under the reigns of 13 Nguyen Kings.  The Imperial City of Hue still preserves several tangible and intangible cultural heritages containing high value representing the intellectual and soul of Vietnam.   

- Entrance fee: 200,000 VND/adult ($8.8) & 40,000 VND/children ($1.75)

5 - Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex - top natural monuments in Vietnam’ northern region

Associated with Dinh Tien Hoang King dynasty and then used by Tran dynasty as the military base in the war against Nguyen Mong army, Trang An not only has a unique ecosystem and strategic topography but also a wide range of historic and traditional relics and archeological sites which attracts many tourists to visit.

- Address: Ninh Binh province,  90km from Hanoi and 7km from Ninh Binh city

- Fee (include entrance fee & boat ticket): 250,000 VND/adult ($11) & 120,000 VND/child ($6)

6 - Mu Cang Chai rice terrace

Being recommended as one of the best man-made monuments in Vietnam, Mu Cang Chai is the land of stunning rice terraces, stretching all around the Northwest mountains.Terraces of Mong people were once reported by the famous American  newspaper - National Geographic and images about Mu Cang Chai scenery in the harvested season have been on the top of the world's most beautiful pictures.  

- Address: Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province

7 - Nguom Ngao Cave

After visiting Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguom Ngao cave is recommended as one of the top natural Vietnamese monuments that you can explore. According to researchers, Nguom Ngao cave was formed 300 years ago. Legend has it that, once upon a time, this cave was the shelter of fierce tigers, which was the reason Tay people named it Nguom Ngao (Tiger’s cave). However, some argue that the roam heard from the cave originates from the sound of the stream inside it.  

- Address: Gun village, Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province

- Entrance fee: 45,000 VND/adult & 25,000 ND/child

8 - Ngoc Son Temple

Majestically lying on Ngoc Son island of Hoan Kiem lake, this temple has been recognized as one of the most important historical sites in Vietnam as well as the symbol of the capital for many years. Though located at the heart of a dynamic, teeming metropolis, this place is always solemn and quiet that gives you a peace of mind.  

- Address: Hang Trong ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi

- Entrance fee: 30,000 VND/adult & Child: free

9 - Phong Nha - Ke Bang national park

This park is one of the most outstanding natural monuments in Vietnam. With a resourceful nature, diverse ecosystem recognized by UNESCO as the World Natural Heritage and a variety of historical vestiges from the anti-American war, Phong Nha - Ke bang national park was ranked as Special National Property following the decision of Vietnamese Prime Minister on August 12, 2009.  

- Address: Bo Trach commune and Minh Hoa commune, Quang Binh province

10 - Hoi An ancient town - top cultural & historical sites in Vietnam

Hoi An is a well-known city of Quang Nam province, an old town that maintains nearly intact more than 1000 architectural relics from streets, houses, shops, temples, pagodas, churches, antique wells to traditional foods and the lifestyle of the local people. Once visiting Hoi An, you will get immersed in the timeless beauty and the simplicity and indigence of life.

- Address: Hoi An city, Quang Nam province

It is to say that Vietnamese monuments are so diverse, each of which has its own value and distinction that will promisingly help you understand more about the nation and people here. ✍✍✍ For more information, please visit: https://localtravelidea.com