Historic Attractions

In 1804, Emperor Gia Long, the newly recognized ruler of a unified Vietnam, began building his feudal capital in a spot carefully chosen according to geomantic principles. A military man by nature, Gia Long ordered the construction of a wall (6.2 miles) 10 km long and 6.5 feet (2 m) thick, to surround the new Imperial City. Inside these walls, travelers can still glimpse the glory of the Nguyen Dynasty in what remains of the Hue Citadel.

An active trading port from the 15th to late 19th centuries, Hoi An was a true melting pot of cultural influences. Merchants from China, Japan, and Europe settled on the north bank of the Thu Bon River, adding the architectural styles of their home countries to their new abodes.

One of the best examples of an 18th-century merchant home anywhere in Hoi An, the Tan Ky House has been diligently preserved through the years by seven generations of one Vietnamese family.

Not far from the karsts of Ninh Binh, you can also visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Travelers often combine a boating trip to Trang An with a stop at this ancient capital. This capital dates back to the 10th century, and served as the capital of a kingdom called Dai Co Viet, a forerunner of modern-day Vietnam.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the historic heart of the city, and one of the few places in Vietnam that retains much of its original architecture, street layout, and chaotic charm. There are 36 narrow, winding streets that make up Old Quarter, situated just north and within easy walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Sapa Stone Church is in the center of busy downtown Sapa. It faces the main town square, and is evidence of the Vietnam’s European connections – it was built in 1935 by the French. This church isn’t necessarily a visitor attraction, but people do use the steps as a convenient meeting place.

Originally named the Presidential Palace, the Reunification Palace was a key chess piece in the struggle between the North Vietnamese Communist Party and the US-backed South Vietnamese government. On April 30, 1975, two tanks manned by the National Liberation Front crashed through the palace gates, forcing the surrender of the South Vietnamese president, who turned over power after only two days in office. The palace was promptly renamed, while the takeover signified the end of the war and two decades of American presence in South Vietnam.

Spanning a small stream at one end of Tran Phu St. is perhaps the most photographed bridge in all of Vietnam. The Japanese Bridge was built by merchants in the years between 1593 to 1595. The structure linked the communities of Japanese traders and Chinese traders on either side of the bridge, and was originally named ‘Lai Van Kieu’ or “Bridge of Friends from Faraway Places.”

Drive a little ways outside of Ho Chi Minh City to discover what remains of the Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels were crucial to the North Vietnamese resistance.