From imperial citadels, to ancient ruins, to the dark remnants of the war, here is a list of the best historical places in Vietnam.
Known for its great food, tropical beaches and unrivalled natural beauty, the South East Asian nation of Vietnam has recently become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. While only a few years ago it had a polarising reputation among travellers, it’s developing quickly and has become incredibly safe and easy to travel.
That’s great news for you history buffs out there, because there are a lot of fascinating historical places in Vietnam to visit.
The one thing that comes to mind when I think of the best historical places in Vietnam is ‘variety’, with its best attractions covering multiple distinct periods. First, there’s the traditional sites, like the ancient ruins of buddhist temples, or former imperial citadels. Then there’s the French colonial period, which left its mark particularly in architecture or in old fortifications. And then there’s the Vietnam War, which still hangs over the nation. Many of Vietnam’s most popular, and confronting, historical sites, are reminders of this infamous conflict.
With so many things to see it’s hard to know where to go, but in this list I’ve narrowed it down to the absolute 12 best historical places in Vietnam.
A Very Brief History of Vietnam
Vietnam has a long and rich history, far too much to cover in detail in this post, but here’s a very quick rundown of what you need to know before you visit, the bare essentials that will help you understand the historical sites you visit.
While today Vietnam stretches all the way south to the Mekong Delta, traditionally Vietnam is just the region in the north, centred around the Red River Delta. It’s believed that the Viet people migrated from China, and for a lot of their history they were subjects of Chinese dynasties. Because of this, the historical architecture in northern Vietnam is more distinctly Chinese than in the south.
Vietnam became independent from China in the 10th century, reinforcing their district cultural identity and founding the kingdom of Dai Viet. Aside from a few brief periods where China reconquered them, they would remain independent for the next 900 years.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the area that is now modern-day Vietnam was split into 3 different kingdoms. The Dai Viet occupied the northern region, while the south, around the Mekong Delta, was a part of the Khmer Empire (which would become Cambodia), and in between, occupying the central region, was the Champa Kingdom.
The Cham people were major players in the region for a long time, often at conflict with the mighty Khmer Empire, but in the 15th century they would be conquered and swallowed up by their neighbours to the North. While Champa would never again exist as its own nation, the Cham ethnic group still exists in some form in Vietnam today. The ruins of this lost kingdom can be found across the country, like the ones at My Son Sanctuary.
By the 18th century, Vietnam took the Mekong Delta and reached its modern-day borders, but soon later, in the 19th century, the French arrived. Vietnam became a colony of France all the way up until WW2, when France fell to Germany and Vietnam was immediately occupied by the Empire of Japan.
The decades following the surrender of Japan were a time of war and bloodshed for Vietnam. It’s a complicated period of its history and there’s far too much to explain here. But here it is in a nutshell:
- The French tried very hard to retake Vietnam after WW2 (the First Indochina War), before the UN stepped in and split the country in 2 (North and South).
- The North was communist, led by Ho Chi Minh, while the South was supposedly democratic, with its often cruel and dictatorial leaders kept in power by the United States (anything to not be communist right?).
- The North attacked the South with the goal of unifying, but the US, attempting to stop the spread of communism, got involved.
- This triggered the infamous Vietnam War (the Second Indochina War), which eventually ended with a US withdrawal, and soon later the North conquered the South and Vietnam became the nation that it is today.
- Ho Chi Minh (who died before the war ended) was commemorated as a national hero and father of the nation. The city of Saigon was renamed after him (Ho Chi Minh City).
Now that you’ve got a quick rundown of the country’s storied past, let’s get into the 12 best historical sites in Vietnam.
The 12 Best Historical Places in Vietnam
1 | Hue Imperial Citadel
Hue Citadel, the former capital of Vietnam, sits in the middle of the modern day city and is among the most popular historical sites in the country.
A ‘citadel’ refers to a large walled section of a city which houses the royal palace and other central administrative or religious buildings. It’s the heart of the city. The Imperial Citadel at Hue was constructed in 1803 during the Nguyen Dynasty, and houses a sprawling complex of royal residences, shrines, gardens and smaller villas, from which the royal family ruled over a unified Vietnam.
The Nguyens were the last of Vietnam’s dynasties, as the nation would be swallowed up by the French Empire only a few decades after this citadel was built, making this the last royal palace. Thanks to its relatively young age, and efforts by the Vietnamese government, the citadel is very well preserved, and appears almost exactly as it was over 200 years ago.
The city of Hue is one of Vietnam’s most historically significant, and the Imperial Citadel is undoubtedly its best feature, making it one of the best historical places in Vietnam. I’d recommend setting aside at least 3 to 4 hours to explore its beautiful palaces and gardens, and get to know what life was like under Vietnam’s last dynasty.
Where | The Imperial Citadel is located in the centre of the modern-day city of Hue, central Vietnam.
Costs | $8.40 USD
READ MORE: Hue Citadel: Complete guide to Vietnam’s Imperial City
2 | My Son Sanctuary
Not far from the popular tourist hotspot of Hoi An, are the ruins of South-east Asia ‘lost kingdom’, which ruled this region long before the Vietnamese.
Throughout the middle ages, the Viets held the land in what is now northern Vietnam, the Cambodians inhabited what is now southern Vietnam, but in between was a kingdom that you may not have heard of: Champa.
From the 4th to 13th centuries CE, the Cham people held a firm grip over central Vietnam and stood as one of South-east Asia’s regional powers. They were consistently at odds with the great Khmer Empire, and even attacked the famous city of Angkor.
While the Cham ethnic and cultural group still survive to this day, the Champa Kingdom was conquered by the Viets in the 15th century, and never again existed as its own nation. However, their ruins can be found scattered throughout central Vietnam, and one of the most popular sites is My Son Sanctuary.
These ruins were once the most important Hindu site for Champa, where their royals held their religious ceremonies and many of them were buried. It used to be situated right near the capital city of Indrapura, but this was destroyed during the Vietnam War.
My Son is a great half-day trip from Hoi An, a town which most tourists will find themselves in anyway. At the entrance you’ll find a museum, before taking a free buggy up to the beginning of the complex, which is up the hill. Here you can take your time exploring the extensive complex of ruined temples, some of which are in a sorry state, while many others have been restored.
My Son feels like a lost city out of an Indiana Jones movie, and is among the best historical places in Vietnam.
Where | The My Son Sanctuary is located about 50km west of Hoi An.
Costs | $6.20 USD
- READ MORE: A Complete Guide to Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary
3 | Cu Chi Tunnels
The Vietnam War hangs in the memories of many nations around the world, and one of the key features of the conflict that stands out from it is the famous use of underground tunnels by the Northern Vietnamese forces.
The Viet Cong (a guerilla offshoot of North Vietnam) dug an immense network of tunnels in and around South Vietnam to avoid direct conflict. They were used as bases, containing living quarters, hospitals and armouries; essentially tiny towns crammed into suffocatingly small tunnels.
There are multiple tunnel networks around the country that have been maintained and are open for visitors, of which Cu Chi Tunnels is the most popular. On a daytrip from Ho Chi Minh City, you can climb down into the former Viet Cong base and get an uncomfortable sense of what life was like for those who made it their home.
The Cu Chi network is massive, and adds up to 121 kms of tunnels, but you’ll only get to explore a small, safe portion of it. It should go without saying, visiting this historical site is not for the claustrophobic, but for those willing to brave the tunnels, it’s one of the best historical places to visit in Vietnam.
Where | There are 2 places to see the Cu Chi Tunnels, Ben Duoc and Ben Dinh. Both are located about a 90min drive from Ho Chi Minh city centre.
Costs | $4.50 USD
4 | Tomb of Khai Dinh
The Tomb of Khai Dinh is another of Hue’s most popular historical places in Vietnam, and houses the remains of one of Vietnam’s final emperors.
Vietnam’s imperial heritage goes back a long way, as it has been ruled by an ever-evolving series of dynasties since around 2800 BCE, all the way up until 1945 (although during the final century they ruled under the sovereignty of the French Empire). Khai Dinh was the second-to-last of these emperors, ruling up until 1925, and this tomb was built in his honour.
Khai Dinh’s resting place is a tomb worthy of an emperor. More than just a single small mausoleum, it’s a majestic, multi-tiered complex with several buildings, statues and shrines leading up to the main ‘palace’.
You don’t have to be an expert on historical architecture to see its uniqueness. On the outside, the tomb is a traditional Vietnamese style, but once you step inside the ‘palace’ it’s as if you’ve been teleported to colonial-era France, if it wasn’t for the Chinese writing on the wall.
The Tomb of Khai Dinh may not be that old compared to many other historical places in Vietnam, but its unique architecture and excellent preservation make it a worthwhile visit while in Hue.
Where | On the outskirts of Hue, central Vietnam.
Costs | $6 USD
5 | Can Dao Prison
On a popular tropical island off the coast of southern Vietnam is a colonial-era prison used by the French to house their most dangerous criminals.
Built in 1861, this high security complex was used to house anyone considered dangerous to the colonial government. In the beginning, this meant anyone who had committed especially severe crimes, but by the early 1900s, especially as independence movements grew stronger, it saw an increasingly higher number of political prisoners. It serves as a reminder of the grim practices and political oppression of the colonial government.
After the French withdrew in 1954, it was handed over to South Vietnam who would continue using it for the same purpose over the next few years. After the Vietnam War, it was turned into a museum and is now open for tourists to visit. Over the roughly 100 years it operated, it held over 20,000 inmates in very brutal conditions.
The prison is one of the main tourist highlights on the island. The countless cells have been maintained exactly as they were when the prison was open, with dummy figures of prisoners and guards to give a sense of what life was like here.
It’s a somewhat disturbing experience, and stands in contrast to the idyllic tourist hotspot that is Con Son Island, but it’s a great experience for those who want to delve into Vietnam’s colonial past.
Where | Côn Sơn Island, about 100km off the coast of southern Vietnam
Costs | $0.80 USD, gets you access to both the prison and the museum.
Getting There | There are 2 ways to reach the island, by booking a flight from Ho Chi Minh City, or booking a speed-ferry which takes about 2.5 hours.
6 | War Remnants Museum
Being founded in war, the military history of modern-day Vietnam is an important part of its story, and there’s no better place to learn about this than at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.
Museums in Asia often don’t compare to those in the West, but that’s not the case for this one. Vietnam was the stage of one of the most impactful military conflicts of the past 70 years, and this museum holds more artefacts and displays on that conflict than any other.
The museum’s exterior holds several aircraft and vehicles used during the Vietnam War, in addition to a re-creation of a prison used by the French during the early 20th century. The 1st floor of the museum focused primarily on the international anti-war effort, with a large collection of news articles and magazine pieces.
The 2nd floor of the museum is a complete contrast to the first, and is a very confronting experience. Largely a collection of photographs, its displays do not hold back on the brutal realities of war and depict some very graphic events, including mutilated bodies, beheadings, and the horrific effects of agent orange.
This makes for an uncomfortable experience, but this is by design. The Vietnam War, and the terrible impact it had on the Vietnamese people, is something which should be remembered, and is one of the reasons visiting this museum is an essential experience for travellers to Vietnam, whether you’re a history buff or not.
Where | Ho Chi Minh City
Costs | $1.60 USD
7 | Cannon Fort
For a historical site with a view, visit the old Japanese cannon fort overlooking Cat Ba town.
Located in a strategic position protecting Halong Bay in northern Vietnam, this fort was built by the Japanese during their occupation of Vietnam from 1940 to 1945. It was then used by the French in their brutal attempt to retake control of Vietnam after WW2, before finally being used by North Vietnam to protect their coastline from the US during the Vietnam War.
Now, it’s a popular tourist site for the many tourists visiting Cat Ba Island. After a steep 20min walk to the hill behind the town, you can explore the tunnels inside the hilltop, see the WW2-era cannons, and visit a small museum containing some clothing, weapon caches and photographs from when the fort was in use.
In addition to seeing a bit of Vietnam’s military history, the fort also offers some of the best views of Halong Bay and the jungle-covered limestone hills of Cat Ba Island, which is especially picturesque during sunset.
Where | Cat Ba town, Cat Ba Island
Costs | $1.60 USD
8 | Hospital Cave
Beneath the limestone hills of Cat Ba Island is another remnant of the Vietnam War: an underground hospital.
Between 1963 and 1965, the early days of the Second Indochina War, the North Vietnamese forces built this hospital to hide from the countless American bombers. Inside the bomb-proof caves, using supplies from China and the Soviet Union, they built a 3 story hospital that offered a safe place to treat their wounded until the war finally ended in 1975.
The hospital is somewhat of a hidden gem, seeing fewer visitors than the Cannon Fort at Cat Ba, and being easy to pass by without knowing it’s even there. If you make a quick stopover on your way to Cat Ba National Park, you can explore its 17 rooms, which include operating theatres, living spaces, offices, a large water reservoir, and even an auditorium space once used as a cinema.
The Hospital Cave offers a unique perspective on the Vietnam War, and is a great place to explore for history buff’s visiting the island.
Where | Cat Ba Island, about 10km north of Cat Ba town.
Costs | $1.60 USD
9 | Thang Long Citadel
Hanoi has been the capital of Vietnam ever since the beginning, and all that history is centred around Thang Long Citadel.
Originally, since 866, this site held the Dai La Citadel when China still ruled over the region. When the Vietnamese people overthrew their rulers and established their own kingdom, Thang Long Citadel was built on the site instead, and it was from here that the Viets ruled over their new kingdom for centuries. It remained the capital of Vietnam (Dai Viet, as it was called then) until the capital was moved to Hue in the 19th century.
What remains of the Citadel today is primarily the gatehouse and watchouse, which you can enter and explore. While this is certainly a highlight, there’s a lot more to see here.
Through the gatehouse, you’ll find the largest archeological excavation in Vietnam, which contains the foundations of the buildings and palaces that once stood here, stretching from the 9th century Tang Dynasty (China) all the way to the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century. Thousands of artefacts have been dug up here and are on display at the site’s museum, including stone pillars, wells & pottery.
Thang Long Citadel also has something for the modern history buff, as it was also the HQ for the Ministry of Defence during the Vietnam War. You can now visit the old building used during this time, including an underground bunker containing equipment leftover from that era.
It’s a real treasure trove of history, and one of the best places to see in Hanoi for history buffs.
Where | Hanoi
Costs | $1.20 USD
10 | Ho Chi Minh Complex
If you want to learn about the father of modern Vietnam, then you need to visit the Ho Chi Minh complex in Hanoi.
‘Uncle Ho’, as he is colloquially known, was a revolutionary leader, politician and without a doubt the most important figure in Vietnam’s modern history. He is considered a national hero for his efforts leading the Vietnamese first against the French, and then, in his twilight years, against South Vietnam and the West during the Vietnam War.
This complex houses the grounds where he lived and worked, and is where the Vietnamese built a mausoleum where people can pay their respects to the national hero. It’s one of the best places to visit to explore the country’s modern history.
There are a bunch of different historical sites to see in the complex, including:
- Mausoleum | You can visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum during a select few hours each day to see his embalmed body on display.
- Museum | The museum commemorates the life of Ho Chi Minh and the revolutionary movement.
- Presidential Palace | The former French governor’s residence which later became the official residence of Ho Chi Minh (although it’s said he chose not to live in it). It is still used today for diplomatic visits.
- Stilt House & House 54 | The small houses which Ho Chi Minh chose to live in instead of the Presidential Palace, preferring to live simply and more aligned with the people.
If you’re visiting Vietnam, the Ho Chi Minh complex should be on your bucket list. It’s an important cultural place and provides a deep insight into the formation of modern-day Vietnam, making it one of the top historical places to visit in Vietnam.
Where | Hanoi
Costs | $1.60 USD, which gets you entry into all the sites in the complex.
11 | Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
Take a daytrip from Hue to see one of the most important areas of the Vietnam War.
The DMZ is a thin stretch of land that runs from the Laos border in the west, to the coastline in the east, around 5km wide and roughly along the 17th parallel. This is the area designated by the 1954 Geneva Accords, which oversaw the end of the First Indochina War and the French withdrawal, marking the formal border between North and South Vietnam.
The infamous conflict between the 2 Vietnams was centred on this thin piece of ‘no man’s land’, and some of the biggest and deadliest battles took place here. Today, it serves as a reminder of the war and has become a popular tourist site for those interested in this part of Vietnam’s history.
There are a number of historical sites to see around the DMZ, which include:
- Khe Sanh Camp | Khe Sanh Camp was the key American military base near the 17th parallel, and saw some of the biggest battles of the war. Now, you can visit the remaining buildings, and some of the vehicles and aircraft left behind.
- Hien Luong Bridge | Hien Luong was one of the main points of contact between the North and South, and a key target during the war. You can walk across the original bridge, see the monuments and visit the museum.
- Vinh Moc Tunnels | Underground tunnels built by the locals to hide from American bombers, some reaching up to 30m deep. You can climb down into the tunnels and get a sense of what life was like for these locals.
Because the DMZ is spread out over multiple kilometres, it’s best to put aside a whole day to visit all the sites it has to offer. If you don’t already have your own transport, then I’d highly recommend booking a tour, which will cover that for you.
The DMZ is easiest to visit as a day trip from Hue or Da Nang.
Where | Central Vietnam, near Hue.
Costs | There are multiple sites with their own entrance fees, but in total you shouldn’t need to spend more than $10 USD to see them all.
12 | Hao Lu
Among the picturesque limestone outcrops & rice fields of Ninh Binh lies the ancient capital to the original Viet kingdom.
Dai Viet (which means ‘Great Viet’) is the precursor to modern-day Vietnam. The kingdom, which existed from the 10th to 18th centuries CE, was centred around the north before later expanding south to form the nation we know today. It was the first nation of the Viet people, and their founding capital was near Ninh Binh.
Hao Lu, as the capital was called, was once the economic, social and political centre of Dai Viet. The multi-layered citadel, which contained the palace, royal temples and shrines, was protected by the surrounding limestone outcrops, which prevented large forces from manoeuvring around it.
Today, the citadel no longer exists, which is why Hao Lu is not higher on this list. However, on a half day trip from Ninh Binh, you can explore what remains of the ancient capital, which includes the entrance bridge and gateways, 2 of the major temples used by the royals, and a cave in which the founder of Dai Viet is said to have received a holy revelation which triggered its formation.
Hao Lu makes a great stopover as you explore all the other amazing tourist attractions in the Trang An UNESCO World Heritage area.
Where | Ninh Binh
Costs | $0.80 USD
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