8 Incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam: From Halong Bay to Hidden Gems
Vietnam in South-East Asia is a magical place full of history and culture. As a result, eight incredible Vietnamese landmarks are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
UNESCO sites must meet strict criteria to appear on this coveted list, including social, ecological, and cultural requirements.
When I visited Vietnam, I explored several famous landmarks on this list, which are among the most popular places to visit in Vietnam. You can follow my 2-week Vietnam travel itinerary for more information on planning a trip.
Other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam are off the tourist trail and not as well known. Visiting these iconic Vietnamese landmarks will allow a glimpse into the country's diverse history away from mass tourism.
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Map of Vietnam UNESCO Sites
Hoi An Ancient Town #1
How to Get to Hoi An - From Da Nang, take a private taxi or jump on a local bus and explore on your own or book a guided tour of Hoi An
Hoi An Ancient Town is a perfect example of a 15th-century coastal trading port in South-East Asia and one of Vietnam's most popular Unesco sites.
The pastel-coloured buildings and street layout reflect this unique heritage site's indigenous and foreign influences.
Hoi An is affectionately known as the "City of Lanterns" due to the number of beautifully coloured lanterns that hang all around town.
Its surviving 17th and 18th-century yellow timber-framed buildings and cobbled streets add to its unique and charming setting along the Thu Bon River.
Cross the fabled 18th-century wooden Japanese Bridge, built by the Japanese, to reach the Chinese quarter of Hoi An, and follow the heritage trail to discover ancient temples, historic houses, assembly halls, and museums showcasing local traditions.
Cycle around the rice fields to glimpse everyday life in Hoi An, or head to An Bang and relax on the beach.
My Son Sanctuary #2
How to get to My Son Sanctuary - Book a My Son Guided Tour from Hoi An/Danang. It's more economical than hiring a taxi, as you may have to pay the driver an additional fee to wait around for you while you explore the site. By booking a tour, you get a guide included, too!
One of Vietnam's most revered Unesco sites is the My Son World Heritage Site. It was the political and religious epicentre of the Champa Kingdom for almost 1,000 years, from the 4th to the 13th centuries.
The complex contains various shrines, temples and walkways associated with Hindu worship, with inscriptions outlining the historic Champa Kingdom.
The buildings still standing are mostly from the 10th century onwards, but the tower temples' impressive ruins remain a dramatic sight.
Over time, My Son Sanctuary fell into disrepair and was covered in jungle foliage, becoming another world ruin reclaimed by Mother Nature.
The site was rediscovered in the late 19th century, but was then mostly destroyed during the Vietnam War. Therefore, it is not as well preserved as other similar sites worldwide, such as Ta Prohm in Cambodia.
Only a few of the 70 original temples remain, and travellers often wonder whether My Son is worth visiting; however, this UNESCO World Heritage Site deserves a place on your Vietnam Travel Itinerary for its rich history.
The Complex of Hue Monuments #3
How to Get to the Hue Unesco Heritage Sites - By Taxi - arrange a fee for your taxi driver to take you to the Imperial Tombs. Ask him to wait outside each one while you explore. We did this, and it worked out perfectly - he even lent us his fan as it was so hot!
If you want to visit the Imperial City, ask your hotel to arrange a taxi for you. To get back hail one from outside the complex.
Or book a Guided Hue Day Tour to include the citadel and Royal tombs.
Established in 1802 as the ancient capital of Vietnam, Hue was the political, cultural and religious centre of the Nguyen dynasty for nearly 150 years, until the capital was moved to Ho Chi Minh City in 1949.
UNESCO declared the Hue monuments a World Heritage Site in 1993, comprising the Capital City, the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City, and the Inner City.
The iconic buildings in the Imperial City are in pretty good condition, though damage to some structures from the Vietnam War is still evident.
There are plenty of things to see in Hue's Imperial City, from pagodas and royal buildings to lakes, gates and shrines. It is like travelling back in time and is worth a visit.
The Unesco title also covers the Hue Royal Tombs, near the Perfume River. We visited four of the seven royal tombs on a self-guided tour and found them fascinating.
They are large, so give yourself enough time to enjoy them without being rushed.
I recommend visiting all the monuments scattered around Hue to gain an in-depth knowledge of its cultural and spiritual history.
Halong Bay #4
How to Get to Halong Bay - Book a Halong Bay/ Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise
Known for its spectacular limestone monoliths, Halong Bay has always been a popular travel destination and perhaps the most visited UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam.
Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, Halong Bay includes over 1,600 mostly uninhabited islands, forming an area of outstanding beauty and significant biological importance. Fishing communities live on many smaller islands, some having never trodden on land.
Cruising in Halong Bay's waters is on most travel bucket lists, and to sail on the South China Sea and further on to Bai Tu Long Bay is simply incredible. The natural features, including the limestone towers, caves, grottos, and cultural fishing heritage, are why UNESCO named Halong Bay a World Heritage site.
Halong Bay is a tourist magnet, so to avoid the crowded waters, book a cruise to sail further out to Bai Tu Long Bay. This area is quieter, letting you really immerse yourself in this amazing seascape.
| For a quieter alternative, see my guide to cruising Bai Tu Long Bay. |
Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long #5
How to Get to Thang Long - Walk or grab a taxi. This Unesco World Heritage site is located 2km outside Hanoi's Old Quarter.
Established in 1010 by the Ly Dynasty, the complex of historic royal buildings is located in Hanoi, Vietnam's capital.
The Imperial Citadel remained in Hanoi as the Vietnamese royal court's centre and regional political power until 1802.
The Nguyen dynasty then moved the royal court to Hue, where the Imperial City was constructed. It became Vietnam's new capital in 1949. After this time, Ho Chi Minh City became the capital of Vietnam for a time.
Thang Long's royal palaces and surrounding buildings were mostly destroyed in the late 19th century following France's conquest of Hanoi.
The remaining citadel buildings were used as a prison by the Japanese Imperial Army in 1945 to imprison over 4000 French soldiers captured during the Japanese/French fighting in Indochina.
Excavations in the 21st century uncovered a few remaining structures. These are the Doan Mon gate, marking the southern entrance to the royal palace, the Flag Tower, Kinh Thien Palace's steps, and the Hau Lau (Princess' Palace).
Many important artefacts from the 6th to 20th centuries were discovered during these excavations. They include foundations of old palaces and ancient roads.
| Find out more about historical places in Hanoi in my post, 3-Nights in Hanoi Travel Itinerary Guide. |
Ho Dynasty Citadel #6
How to get to Ho Citadel - 3 hours by taxi from Hanoi
Unfortunately, the 14th-century Ho Dynasty citadel is not as impressive as the other seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is possibly the least recognised of Vietnam's historical landmarks.
Its four arched gateways, facing north, east, south, and west, are designed in keeping with the principles of Feng Shui.
They are still intact, highlighting the skill and craftsmanship of the Vietnamese builders of that era. Large stone slabs hewn from the mountains nearby were installed without any mortar.
Climb the stone steps to the top of the Southern gate for a mesmerising view of the Vietnamese countryside. From here, you can walk along the wall, enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this rural area of Vietnam and see villagers working in sprawling rice paddies and cattle working the land.
Ho Citadel is one of Vietnam's UNESCO Sites, off the beaten track, and with only four gates remaining, you have to really want to tick it off your things to do in Vietnam list to warrant the drive to get here.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park #7
How to Get to Phong Nha - Trains take up to 10 hours, or 1-hour flights go to Dong Hoi from Hanoi or Hoi Chi Minh City.
It is a 40-minute taxi ride from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha's hotels and homestays.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang is located in the centre of Vietnam. It covers over 800 square km of limestone plateaux and dense jungle.
Be thrilled by the natural wonders found in Phong Nha, including the world’s biggest cave, Hang Son Doong. The only way to visit this magnificent cave is by taking the traditional dragon boat from the Xuan Son boat dock or booking a tour of the cave.
Explore rivers, waterfalls and small villages and be astounded by the biodiversity of this area of Vietnam. On your visit, you will find plenty of things to do in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.
Trang An Landscape #8
How to Get to Trang An - To reach Ninh Binh from Hanoi, you can travel by bus, train or taxi. The journey takes between 2 and 2.5 hours. It will be a 7km taxi journey from Ninh Binh to Trang An.
Or you can book a day tour to Trang An from Hanoi.
Trang An in Ninh Binh is a magical location and one of Vietnam's eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Called the "Halong Bay on Land", its impressive landscape resembles its more famous counterpart nearly 100 miles away.
Rice paddies connect Trang An's limestone karst mountains; pedal power is one way to navigate them!
Another less strenuous way to see the beauty of the mountains and valleys is to book a boat tour. Locals will row you around the winding channels, allowing you to immerse yourself in the tranquil landscape.
Trang An's magic is evident as you pass caves, temples and pagodas along the route, not forgetting the monkeys that watch you from the jungle canopy.
Trang An is less busy than Halong Bay and is a good alternative, offering a watery wonderland. It is one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh.
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Please Pin for Future Travel to Vietnam
HEADING TO VIETNAM? PLEASE CHECK OUT MY TRAVEL GUIDES ↓
2-Weeks in Vietnam: A Perfect Vietnam Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Vietnam’s Hidden Gems: 12 Breathtaking Places off the Tourist Trail
13 Cool Places To Visit In Vietnam: Authentic Experiences From North To South
Northern Vietnam
Discover Hanoi in 3-Nights: The Best Hanoi Travel Itinerary
Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise: 2-Night Travel Guide
Central Vietnam
A Guide to Exploring the Best Hue Royal Tombs, Vietnam
Are The Marble Mountains in Vietnam Worth Visiting?
How To Get from Hue to Hoi An on the Hai Van Pass
How to See the Hoi An Lantern Festival Full Moon Celebration
Naman Retreat Review: The Best Boutique Beach Resort in Danang
Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.
On my trip to Vietnam, I did manage to visit quite a few of these places such as the Hoi An ancient town, My Son Sanctuary, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay. However, there's one place I really wanted to visit but could not due to shortage of time and that was Hue. Also, I had read about Hang Son Doong before my trip and wanted to go there too, but could not. These two are already in my list for the second trip, whenever that is!
Its great that you managed to get to a few of them and as you say, on your next visit you can visit Hue. The Imperial City is very impressive.
I haven't been to many of the UNESCO heritage sites in Vietnam, but the few that I have been, I really loved. Especially Hoi An. Although it's becoming more touristy, it still retains its charm. The colorful lanterns simply mesmerize me. Would love to check out the other sites on my next visit to Vietnam.
I thought Hoi An was such a charming place, I'd love to go back there one day. There many interesting historical places to visit in Vietnam you could spend months seeing them all. I've never been to Trang An but your photos look incredible so I'd love to go there one day.
I think Hoi An has to be my favourite place in Vietnam - I just loved it.
Surprisingly, I am just a few hours away to Vietnam from the Philippines and I haven't got a chance to visit and explore Vietnam. You are so lucky to explore these 8 UNESCO Wonders that many Vietnamese are so proud of. There is nothing like this in any places, unique and built thousands of years ago.
I would love to visit Vietnam when we are able to travel again.
I hope you are staying safe in the Philippines and that when the time is right you will get a chance to visit Vietnam.
Forever love Vietnam! It's one of our favorite countries in the world because it's such an experience to visit every single time. We've been to the country a couple of times and even stayed for a few months living as digital nomads. But we actually haven't been to most of these Unesco sites. Now that you laid it out in this article, we wonder why we haven't gone to most of them. One things for sure, we're coming back to stay for at least a month when travel permits and we'll be checking these places out. Thanks a lot!
You are welcome! My dream is to stay in Vietnam longer than a couple of weeks and really immerse myself in the culture. It is my most favourite place in the world so maybe one day I will get my wish!
Vietnam has been on my list for years. It looks so other wordlly. I would certainly like to see the lmestone monoliths. And now the world's longest and biggest cave is also on my list.
I hope you can get there when the world is a safe place to travel once again.
Although I've lived in Vietnam, I've only visited Halong Bay and Nin Bihn. And honestly, didn't know about the other six UNESCO World Heritage! But it's so good to know about them. But, I also wonder, was the taxi the only choice to get to these destinations if I didn't want to join a group tour? It could be fun, though. And, my Son Sanctuary's quite a bit similar to Cambodia's, just thought of it. Lastly, I think Halong Bay is still my favorite!
I would love to experience living in Vietnam - how wonderful. I have mentioned alternative methods of transport apart from taxis where applicable. Some areas are very remote and no local buses are available leaving a taxi the only option.
As someone who loves to visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites wherever I go, Vietnam is indeed high up in the list. I'm hoping to visit all the far eastern countries in 2024 or so. Let's see. I've heard and read so much about Hoi An and Halong Bay, so I'm super happy to read about the rest of the sites here in your blog. My Son Sanctuary and Trang looks incredible and out of the world. As someone who loves caves, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is just mesmerizing!
Vietnam is such an amazing country so I hope you make it there in 2024.
I haven't been to Vietnam yet but it is on my radar. I so want to visit ALL these sites amongst others but the eye catching one has to be Trang An in Ninh Binh. I love the scenery in the photos and its the sort of place I would like to chill out or do a bit of hiking. Amazing write up, have bookmarked this page for when I plan my post-covid trip to the country.
I'm glad you found it interesting and I agree that Ninh Binh is beautiful. I have plenty of other posts on Vietnam that will be helpful in deciding where to travel to on your trip.