The historical sites in Vietnam show us how rich its past was – the resilience of its people and immense passion for art!
The country has more than 4,000 years of history, thus the country is sprawled with historical relics and awe-striking heritage destinations that showcase its people’s artistry.
These historical sites in Vietnam elevate every travel experience, making anyone see a glimpse of the past that remains in the present.
Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum
One of the famous historical sites in Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. It serves as the final resting place of the leader’s mummified body. Although the beloved “Uncle Ho” wished to be cremated, his followers decided to put his embalmed remains in a glass case.
Today, his pale body lies exposed to the views of devoted pilgrims and curious tourists moving slowly in endless rows during most of the year–except for a period when it gets sent to Russia for conservation.
Inspired by Lenin’s very own mausoleum, the building was established in the early 1970s.
Some important travel tips before entering the mausoleum: Inquire about proper etiquette before you enter–keep your hands out of your pockets, do not hold up the line, and don’t attempt to take photographs.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Located at the Cu Chi District in Ho Chi Minh are the Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi actually is a network of tunnels built during the Vietnam- American War. It is a historical place where Viet Cong Soldiers hid for communication and prepared for surprise attacks.
The tunnels give you an ambience of yesterdays when the soldiers anticipate an upcoming battle.
If you are somewhat claustrophobic, it might be best not to enter the tunnels as it can be dark and breathing can be challenging due to uneven distribution of air.
However, if you feel like you’ll be fine, just make sure to wear comfy shoes and clothes as you go.
The site is depicted as a glorious chapter in the Vietnamese history and proves the fact that the former Vietnamese people were truly creative, smart, and unyielding in the war against the invaders on their land.
Experiences you can have during the trip consist of crawling through dark narrow tunnels to reach the underground kitchens, bedrooms, and weapon storage facilities, witnessing dangerous traps the Vietnamese guerillas once utilized to defeat the enemies and tasting their staple food during a hard time of war.
My Son Sanctuary
My Son Ruins (or My Son Sanctuary) is an architectural collection that developed over a period of ten centuries and is one of the best historical sites in Vietnam to visit.
It presents a vivid picture of spiritual and political life in an important phase of the history of South-East Asia. This ancient site is nestled in the Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province.
My Son is actually an old set of temples and fortresses that has been attached to the “ruins” tag through natural decay along with a series of bombardments during the Vietnam War. These surviving relics contain historical value and assist tourists to know more about Vietnamese culture through ages.
For further information, plenty of archaeologists, historians, and other scholars in the 19th and early 20th century carried out investigations recording the significance of the site through its monuments.
You can observe its exquisite beauty through the complex of more than 70 temples and towers. These structures reflect the starkly architectural and sculptural style of the Champa Kingdom and Hinduism.
It is undeniable that the authenticity of My Son in terms of design, materials, workmanship, and setting continues to support its outstanding universal value.
The Ancient Capital of Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh)
Hoa Lư was once the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. It lies in Trường Yên Thượng village, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình Province. The area is one of the rice fields broken by limestone mountains and is approximately 90 km south of Hanoi.
The capital at Hoa Lư covered an area of 300 ha (3.0 km2), including both the Inner and Outer Citadels. It included defensive earthen walls, palaces, temples, and shrines, and was surrounded and protected by mountains of limestone.
Today, the ancient citadel no longer exists, and few vestiges of the 10th century remain. Visitors can see temples built in honor of the emperors Đinh Tiên Hoàng and Lê Đại Hành, their sons, and Queen Dương Vân Nga, who was married first to Đinh Tiên Hoàng and then to Lê Đại Hành.
The tomb of Đinh Tiên Hoàng is located on nearby Mã Yên mountain, while the tomb of Lê Đại Hành lies at the foot of the mountain.
