A trip around Vietnam's World Heritage sites. Introducing the attractions and highlights of all eight sites

Vietnam's 8 World Heritage Sites

Vietnam, which can be reached from Japan in 5 to 6 hours by direct flight, is home to a total of eight World Heritage Sites, the second highest number in Southeast Asia after Indonesia's nine.

World Heritage Sites in Vietnam
・Halong Bay (natural heritage site)
・Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (natural heritage site)
- Trang An Landscape Complex (mixed heritage site)
- Hue Monuments (cultural heritage)
・Hoi An Ancient Town (Cultural Heritage)
・My Son Sanctuary (cultural heritage)
・Ho Dynasty Citadel (Cultural Heritage)
- Hanoi - Thang Long Imperial Citadel central area (cultural heritage)

Vietnam is popular for its diversity, which includes natural heritage sites created by its unique topography, cultural heritage sites such as old towns and ruins from the royal era, and mixed heritage sites that combine elements of both.

We recommend using the capital, Hanoi, as your base

When it comes to Vietnam, the country's largest city, Ho Chi Minh City in the south, and its capital, Hanoi in the north, are famous, but if you want to see more World Heritage Sites in one trip, it is recommended to use Hanoi as your base.

There are four World Heritage Sites in northern Vietnam (Halong Bay, Trang An, Thang Long, and the Ho Citadel), and you can travel around them efficiently by traveling by train or bus from Hanoi.

Hanoi has both charms, a city lined with buildings and a suburban area where you can feel the exotic atmosphere of Vietnamese culture, so you can enjoy just walking around the city.

[Nature] A treasure trove of stunning views created by limestone plateaus

First, we will introduce some natural World Heritage sites, such as Halong Bay, which represents Vietnam.

The natural beauty of Vietnam is the beautiful scenery created by the limestone region known as the karst plateau. You will be impressed again and again by the magnificent and mysterious scenery, such as the rows of strange rocks of various sizes in the sea and the vast caves formed over tens of thousands of years.

Halong Bay, home to over 2,000 strangely shaped rocks (Natural Heritage: since 1994)

One of the most famous World Heritage sites in Vietnam is Halong Bay, with its countless strange rocks and islands floating in the emerald-colored sea.

The scenery, which was created by the erosion of the limestone plateau by rain and wind, is like a landscape painting. It may be similar to the image of the Seto Inland Sea in Japan. Another attractive feature is that it shows completely different expressions depending on the viewing angle, time, and weather.

Ha Long means "the dragon descends" in Vietnamese, and was named after the legend that a dragon descended from the sky and protected this land from invaders. It is said that the countless strange rocks and islands were formed by the impact of the dragon's attack.

Access and how to spend time

It takes about four hours by bus from Hanoi to get to Halong Bay. There are day trips and one- or two-night tours available from Hanoi.

If you want to make the most of the day, we recommend a cruise tour. There are many ways to enjoy the island, including exploring the limestone caves, having lunch on board, and sea kayaking.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, home to the world's most beautiful caves (Natural Heritage Site: since 2003)

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the oldest cave system in Asia and one of the largest in the world, formed over 250 million years ago. There are more than 300 caves of various sizes in the vast area, some of which have not yet been surveyed. It is a mysterious place with only a few areas where entry is permitted.

The most famous cave in the park is the Phong Nha Cave, which was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2003. An underground river flows through the long cave that stretches for about 8 km, and you can explore about 1 km of it by boat and on foot.

In addition, about 30 minutes by car from Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, there is a huge cave called "Heaven Cave" with a total length of 31 km. This is not a World Heritage Site, but it is the longest cave in the world and is also said to be the "most beautiful cave in the world." The fantastical world created by the sheer scale and beautiful stalactites is why it is called heaven.

Access and how to spend time

It is about an hour and a half by plane from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, and about an hour by car from Dong Hoi. In addition to Dong Hoi, there are also tours from the central city of Hue. If you want to visit both Phong Nha Cave and Heavenly Cave, it is recommended that you base yourself in Dong Hoi.

There are also tour buses that go directly from Hanoi to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

"Halong Bay on land" where you can enjoy both nature and culture, Trang An Landscape Complex (mixed heritage: since 2014)

The Trang An Landscape Complex was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2014.

Like Halong Bay, the limestone plateau is interwoven with strangely shaped rocks and a river flows between them. There are also caves with traces of human activity from about 30,000 years ago and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. The natural beauty and cultural value of the area have been recognized, making it the only mixed heritage site in Vietnam.

Hoa Lu in particular is an essential historical heritage for understanding the history of Vietnam. It was the capital of Vietnam's first independent dynasty in 968, and was the center of Vietnam until the capital was moved to the current Hanoi in 1010.

Access and how to spend time

You can get there from the nearest town, Ninh Binh, by taxi or rental bicycle. You can get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi by train or bus, and the travel time is about 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the transportation method.

You can take a rowboat cruise and spend a relaxing time while viewing the original Vietnamese scenery that still remains to this day.

[Townscape] An exotic journey uncovering history

Vietnam is also a fascinating country with a contrast between developed metropolises and areas that still retain their traditional atmosphere.

In cities such as Hue, known as the Kyoto of Vietnam, and Hoi An, which also had a Japanese town, unique cultures that have been influenced by various countries over their long history have created exotic townscapes.

Monuments of the Last Dynasty of Vietnam, Hue (Cultural Heritage: since 1993)

The Nguyen dynasty continued through 13 emperors from the 19th to the 20th century. The ancient capital of Hue was the seat of this dynasty. Many buildings remain, including the Nguyen dynasty's royal palace, the tombs of successive emperors including the Tu Duc Imperial Tomb, and the Thien Mu Pagoda built facing the Huong River. These buildings were registered as Vietnam's first World Heritage Site in 1993.

The main attraction is the Royal Palace, surrounded by a wall measuring approximately 600m square. This place once flourished as the political center, and is an important place that conveys that history to the present day. For 1,000 years, China was the monarch of the country, and the heavy decorations, strongly influenced by that, create a unique atmosphere.

Also, pay attention to the interior and exterior of the buildings that give off a sense of history. For example, the Khai Dinh Tomb from the French colonial period was decorated in a Western European style, while the Minh Mang Tomb is decorated in a Chinese style. Vietnam's history of being ruled by other countries while sublimating these cultures into its own unique culture is what creates the charm of the city today.

Access and how to spend time

It takes just over an hour to get to Hue by plane from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. However, since there are few flights, you can also travel by car or bus from Da Nang International Airport. In that case, the journey takes about three hours.

The grounds are very large, so we recommend taking a whole day to explore them all. If you only have a short time, it's a good idea to narrow down the places you want to visit.

Hoi An Ancient Town, where Japanese, French and Chinese cultures blend together (Cultural Heritage: since 1999)

Hoi An is easily accessible from Da Nang, which has direct flights from Japan. In contrast to Da Nang, which has undergone urban development, Hoi An is characterized by its preservation of the good old Vietnamese atmosphere.

As mentioned above, Vietnam was under the rule of China, France, and Japan, so the architectural styles of each country blend together, creating an exotic and nostalgic atmosphere.

Facing the sea, Hoi An has long been a prosperous trading port, and is well known for having had a Japanese town and a Chinese town. It's nice to stroll around the old town and riverside, which are World Heritage sites, but a recommended spot is the Covered Bridge on the west side of Tran Phu Street. This bridge, also known as the Japanese Bridge, is said to have been built by the Japanese in 1593, and is a beloved landmark of the city.

Every month on the night of the full moon on the 14th day of the lunar calendar, a lantern festival is held, during which countless lanterns are hung from the eaves of buildings in the old town, so why not time your visit to coincide with this?

Access and how to spend time

Hoi An is about a 40-minute drive from Da Nang International Airport. You can also take a taxi or join a sightseeing tour to get there.

If you are traveling from Hanoi, it will take about 1 hour 15 to 30 minutes by plane, but more than 15 hours if you travel by train or bus.

[Ruins] Reflect on the rise and fall of dynasties

Vietnam was ruled by China from before Christ until around the 10th century, but the history of the modern dynasties that Vietnam developed independently since then is passed down to the present day as an essential part of history for understanding the country.

By visiting the ruins scattered throughout the country, you will be able to see Vietnam from a different perspective and may discover new charms in it.

It's like a game world. The mysterious My Son Sanctuary (Cultural Heritage: 1999-)

Many dynasties have flourished in Vietnam throughout the ages, but the My Son ruins, left behind by the Champa Kingdom, which existed until around the 17th century, are particularly popular, as they give the feeling of being lost in a game world.

My Son is a brick ruin that stands in the jungle, located about 40km southwest of Hoi An. Many areas are still under research, and it is still unknown how the carvings on the walls were carved. The ruins spread out among the greenery are very mysterious. Please come and experience this otherworldly feeling.

Access and how to spend time

My Son is about 40km away from Hoi An and 70km away from Da Nang, and it takes about 1-2 hours by car. You can get there by taking a tour or taxi. There are also sightseeing tours that depart from Da Nang and pass through Hoi An, so using these may be an efficient way to see the World Heritage sites.

If you want to take your time to see the ruins, we recommend setting aside about 3 to 4 hours.

The Ho Dynasty fortress standing in the countryside (Cultural Heritage: since 2011)

In the 15th century, the Ho Dynasty was established by Hu Kyi Le, replacing the then-declining Tran Dynasty. This citadel, built by the Ho Dynasty, may be the most minor of the eight World Heritage Sites in Vietnam. This is because, standing alone in the middle of a vast field, there are fewer tours than the others and it is not very accessible.

Although it may seem modest, it is interesting to imagine what it was like in its former glory. The Ho Dynasty was known to be a very short-lived dynasty, falling into ruin after only a short period of time between 1400 and 1407. Nevertheless, the straight roads and rice fields, as well as the fortress itself, were about 7m high and stretched for about 900m from north to south and about 700m from east to west, so you can imagine how powerful it was.

The Ho Dynasty fell due to the invasion of China (the Ming Dynasty), but it is also said that another reason for its decline was that Hu Jiki's repeated purges and usurpations earned him the resentment of many people.

Access and how to spend time

The Ho Dynasty Citadel is located about 140 km south of Hanoi, about a 3-hour drive. If you are using local transportation such as a bus, you can also take a local tour via the nearest city of Thanh Hoa.

Hanoi - Thang Long Imperial Citadel central area where the history of the Vietnamese dynasty era intersects (Cultural Heritage: 2010-present)

Most of the World Heritage sites introduced so far are far from cities, but Thang Long is the most accessible World Heritage site located within Hanoi. Incidentally, Thang Long is the former name of Hanoi.

It was the capital of most of the dynasties from 1010 to 1804, and as such, the ruins of each era are overlapping one another.

Its symbol is the "Duan Mon" Gate, which leads to the Emperor's residence, the Deity Hall. However, all that remains of the former Deity Hall are stone steps and a dragon-shaped handrail. Currently, there is the military headquarters, commonly known as the "Dragon House", which was built during the French colonial period.

Access and how to spend time

It is about a 15-minute walk from Hanoi Station and just over 2km from the Old Quarter, the tourist center of Hanoi.
There are many tourist attractions in the vicinity, such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the body of Vietnam's first president, Ho Chi Minh, is laid to rest, so you can easily spend a fulfilling day just touring the city.

We have introduced eight World Heritage sites, but the charm of Vietnam is that it has a mixture of all kinds of elements, including magnificent nature, historical ruins, and ancient cityscapes. No matter which place you choose, it is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Please do visit.

Originally posted on May 17, 2018

Vietnam Travel & Tours

Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant city in Asia that still retains strong influences of French culture, while Hanoi is an ancient capital with a history of approximately 1,000 years.
We will introduce you to tours of Vietnam that will allow you to enjoy your stay in the way that suits you.