Last Updated: August 15, 2022

Famous Landmarks In Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the most popular countries in Southeast Asia with travelers and it’s no surprise why. Between the lush jungles, stunning beaches, and cultural Vietnamese history, there is so much to explore and enjoy but where should you start? 

Join me as we take a look at some of the most famous landmarks in Vietnam so you can spend your time at the best Vietnamese landmarks while you’re there. 

Heritage Houses Hoi An Old Town

Heritage Houses Hoi An Old Town

Hoi An Old Town sits on the coast of central Vietnam around 30 kilometers from the city of Da Nang. It’s one of the most famous Vietnam landmarks and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and a place you have to go to if you love visiting historical sites. 

Hoi An Old Town is an ancient city that holds a lot of historical significance for Vietnam as it showcases its modern history from the 15th to the 19th century.

This ancient town was one of Southeast Asia’s main trading ports between the 16th and 17th centuries. It is known as the best-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port from that time as it remains today pretty much as it was then. It’s as close to a living museum as you’re likely to find. 

Inside this ancient town, you’ll find traditional Vietnamese architecture blended with Chinese, French, and even Japanese influences. Walking around the town is a delight and one of the most famous sites to see is the Japanese-covered bridge that crosses the network of canals. 

The Japanese covered bridge is the symbol of Hoi An ancient town and historically it split the city between the Japanese quarter and others. The city was once considered the best trading port in southeast Asia by both Chinese and Japanese merchants. 

It’s the perfect place to spend a few nights and is easily navigated on foot. See the canals with views of a traditional junk boat or two, eat at delicious restaurants, visit tailors, and simply stroll around one of Vietnam’s historical landmarks preserved like it was hundreds of years ago. 

My Son Sanctuary, Quang Nam

My Son Sanctuary

The My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam is another of the most famous landmarks in Vietnam that is worth a visit. It sit’s just 40 km from Hoi An Old Town so is easily done on a half-day trip from the ancient town. 

The My Son Sanctuary is a series of ancient Hindu temples that date back to the 4th century. The temple complex is thought to be one of the longest inhabited archaeological sites in Indochina and the most important Hindu UNESCO heritage site in Vietnam. 

The My Son temples were built by a series of Kings of the cham people, an Indianized kingdom that once lived in Vietnam. The temples were built in honor of Bhadreshvara, aka Shiva, and featured some incredible architecture until they were destroyed during the Vietnam War by US bombers. 

Today, the temples are partially ruined but some still stand tall and as you explore the complex you can’t help but be dazzled by the inscriptions and carvings on all the buildings. It’s highly recommended to get a local guide while looking around the site as they will fill you in on all the history. 

The One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi

The One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi

The One Pillar Pagoda sits in Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi in Northern Vietnam. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in the country and a must-see while transferring through the capital. 

The One Pillar Pagoda landmark is a historic Buddhist temple that was built between 1028 and 1054 in central Ba Đình district of Hanoi in the reign of Emperor Ly Thai Tong of the Ly Dynasty. 

Its architectural style is something to behold as the temple rises on just one pillar from a pond that is designed to look like a lotus flower. It’s tiny at just 3 square meters in size and it holds a shrine dedicated to the Vietnamese Buddhist deity Quan.   

When visiting the Pagoda, you’ll be surrounded by stunningly peaceful gardens and be able to walk up the stairs to the small temple. It’s open from 8 am to 5 pm and there is also a place to grab a drink or a snack nearby so you can enjoy the gardens for a while. 

You should also take a look at the bo tree that grows behind the pagoda, a cutting from the tree Buddha became enlightened under that was donated from India. Another good landmark to see is the Dien Huu Pagoda just nearby as it’s full of bonsai trees. 

Ha Giang Loop

Ha Giang Loop

The Ha Giang Loop isn’t a famous landmark as such but it’s a way of seeing the harder to get to Vietnamese landmarks, landscapes, and areas that are more off the beaten track. 

The Ha Giang Loop is a 320 km circuit that starts in Hà Giang and then runs through northern Vietnam, towards its border with south China and back. It’s a 4-day road trip that is traditionally done on a motorbike but you can also do it with a car too or as part of a tour group. 

The trip takes you to some incredible natural landmarks including Ha Long Bay (or Halong Bay) which we’ll discuss next. You’ll also see the amazing mountains near the rural village of Tam Son, Lung Khuy cave, Hmong King’s Palace, Lung Cu Flag Tower, and lots more. 

One of the coolest things you’ll see on the Ha Giang Loop, as well as the lush forests and mountains, is the Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Quay Son River. The Ban Gioc Waterfall is a series of cascading waterfalls and you can board a traditional boat and get really up close and personal with them. It’s also a great place to have a swim at. 

The Ha Giang Loop is great if you want a proper adventure but the roads wind around mountains and trucks come down them at full speed. Accidents happen often, so consider a DIY self-drive trip on a motorbike wisely and if in doubt, rent a car or join a tour group. 

Ha Long Bay, Ha Long

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay, also called Halong Bay, sits on the north coast of Vietnam and is probably one of the top natural famous Vietnamese landmarks you can visit while in the country. 

Halong Bay is nothing short of stunning and was named one of the new seven natural wonders of the world. The bay should be part of every Vietnam Itinerary offering the most spectacular scenery and it is thus one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. 

Halong Bay is made up of 3,000 islands or limestone monoliths in a bay of emerald green water. It’s dotted with one fishing village after another and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its geological and geomorphological value and for just how beautiful it is. 

While in Halong Bay you can take a boat tour around the islands, go rock climbing on the limestone cliffs, enjoy a day of fishing with a local fisherman, and even go diving in the bay and see the stunning underwater world around the limestone structures. 

The main reason for going to Ha Long Bay is simply to see just how pretty it is. When you wake in the morning for sunrise, you’ll see the sun pierce through the sea mist and the islands of the bay. You can also enjoy the beach, amazing seafood, and hike around the amazing landscape. 

Khai Dinh Tomb, Hue

Khai Dinh Tomb

Image courtesy of Flickr

The Khai Dinh Tomb sits just outside of the city of Hue and is another of the historical landmarks in Vietnam you should take the time to visit. It holds the tomb of Khai Dinh who was the second to last emperor of Vietnam between the years of 1916 to 1925. 

The vast tomb took eleven years to make and is an impressive architectural masterpiece, especially considering the time when it was built. It sits on the side of a hill just next to the village of ​​Chau Chu village and features both Vietnamese and European elements. 

The tomb itself is a lot smaller than that of any previous emperor but the building around it is about as lavish as they get. The side walls are made up of the biggest sculptures of dragons in Vietnam while 12 life-size statues guard the tomb. 

When visiting you’ll need to first climb around 100 steps to get to the first floor which is the Honour Courtyard with mandarin honor guards. Then it’s a few more staircases until you reach the main building of Thien Dinh where the ceiling and walls are decorated with murals. The murals are based on Eight Precious Objects, the Eight Immortals, and the Four Seasons. 

You’ll then find a gilt bronze statue of Khai Dinh sitting under a gold spectacled canopy and his body was buried 18 meters underneath it. 

Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels landmark is another must-see of the famous landmarks of Vietnam. You’ll find them just outside of Ho Chi Minh city inside the Vietnam war memorial park along with the war remnants museum. 

The Cu Chi Tunnels were built during the Vietnam War and feature around 120 km of tunnels that the Vietcong used to move supplies and troops without the Americans noticing. The Cu Chi Tunnels also housed the base of operations of the Vietcong and were vital for them to win the war. 

The Cu Chi tunnels were used for a lot more than just moving supplies and troops. They were also home to make-shift hospitals, clinics, as well as armories, and lots more. When you visit this landmark, you’ll be able to walk around in the tunnels. They are a bit cramped but offer a great showcase of just how the Vietcong managed the war. 

Cai Dai Temple, Tay Ninh

Cai Dai Temple

Another of the famous landmarks in Vietnam worth visiting is the Cai Dai Temple outside of Ho Chi Minh City in the town of Tay Ninh. 

The reason the Cai Dai Temple is one of the great Vietnam landmarks to see, outside of it being architecturally stunning, is that it was the first temple of Caodaism in Vietnam. 

Caodaism is a religion you might not have heard of and around 5% of the people of Vietnam follow it. It follows similar principles to Buddhism and promotes unity, peace, and a generally vegetarian diet. 

Cai Dai, known as the Great Divine Temple, is the most important place of worship for Caodaism in Vietnam. It’s beautifully decorated with esoteric symbolism with things like a “divine eye” surrounded by columns with dragon’s tails. 

The building itself is very colorful and the architecture is quite amazing. You can visit the temple any time of the day and you’re welcome to watch one of the four daily ceremonies while there. Men must wear long trousers and women must wear skirts below the knee to visit. 

Dragon Bridge, Da Nang

Dragon Bridge

Dragon Bridge is probably one of the easiest landmarks in Vietnam to see, especially if you’re in Da Nang as it connects the east side to the west side of the city. 

Dragon Bridge measures around 666 meters and is the longest bridge in Vietnam. It gets its name from being decorated with a dragon alongside it which is a symbol of power and good fortune in Vietnam. It was also built to show the growing economy of Da Nang and Vietnam. 

The best time to see Dragon Bridge is at night when a stunning light show begins. You can also walk across the bridge using the pedestrian walkway or stay at the large walkway entrance to watch the light show. 

Another bridge worth seeing in Vietnam is the Golden Bridge landmark which sits outside of Da Nang in the Ba Na Hills. The Ba Na Hills is a European theme park of sorts that sits on top of a mountain at 1,487 meters above sea level. 

The view from the top is stunning and you’ll be able to see over Da Nang and the five marble mountains that are all named after natural elements including fire, water, wood, metal, and earth. 

You’ll arrive by cable car and then it’s time to cross the Golden Bridge which is held up by two huge stone hands. It’s a very popular landmark and is often busy so if you want good photos of the Golden Bridge it’s best to arrive early. 

Hao Lo Prison Museum, Hanoi

Hao Lo Prison Museum

Image courtesy of Flickr

If you want to learn more about the Vietnam war while on your trip then one of the Vietnam landmarks you have to visit is the Hao Lo Prison Museum in Hanoi.

Also referred to as the “Hanoi Hilton”, the Hoa Lo Prison was built by the French in 1896 to house any political prisoners and was designed to fit just 450 prisoners inside. This didn’t quite go as planned though and it was full of over 2000 prisoners within 30 years. 

The Hao Lo Prison was then used by North Vietnam when they put prisoners of war and American soldiers inside it during the Vietnam war. 

When you visit the Hao Lo Prison Museum, you’ll only be able to visit a small part of the prison as the rest was knocked down to build the Hanoi Central Tower. While inside the museum you’ll find all the info you need to see how the prison operated back then and learn about its history plus there are life-size mannequins of prisoners which make it quite a real experience. 

Reunification Palace, Ho Chi Minh City

Reunification Palace

The Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh city is one of the most important landmarks in Vietnam as it was where the war with America ended on 30 April 1975. The Reunification Palace’s gates are the gates through which the tanks of northern Vietnam broke through at the end of the conflict and marked the reunification of north and southern Vietnam. 

The Reunification Palace is exactly the same as it was in 1975 after the reunification took place and you’ll find military vehicles such as aircraft and tanks on display around the grounds of the palace.  

It’s highly recommended to take a guided tour around all the secret hideouts, tunnels, chambers, and rooms all of which still have the same original furnishings inside. Perhaps the most interesting part of the tour is seeing the presidential living quarters and in the basement, you’ll find a war room, comms room, and a network of tunnels.  

Domaine Marie, DaLat

Domaine Marie

Domaine Marie is another of the Vietnam landmarks that were built by the French. Sitting just outside Dalat, ​​Domaine Marie was built in a 17th-century French style from 1930 to 1943 to house 50 Vietnamese roman catholic nuns who would do social work in the community. 

It’s famous for its architecture as it combines both Vietnamese folk art and Western art in one stunning building, and this building stands out since it’s bright pink. It’s certainly worth a visit if you’re in Dalat and the view of the city from Domaine Marie is pretty good too. 

Ben Tanh Market, Ho Chi Minh 

Ben Tanh Market

Another one of the landmarks in Vietnam to visit is the Ben Tanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City. It was built by the French and has a huge main entrance plus a beautiful clock tower which are just some of the things to see while you’re there. 

The market is huge and takes up some 10,000 square meters with some 2000 stalls and is the perfect place to get anything you need. From coffee to souvenirs as well as clothes, groceries, fish and meat and fish, you really can find it all. 

Be prepared to haggle for anything you want to buy in the market. All the pieces start extremely high and the vendors enjoy negotiating so be sure to bring them down a bit to a price you think is reasonable. 

Imperial City, Hue 

Imperial City

The Hue imperial city landmark is one of the most interesting historical landmarks in the country and a must-visit while you’re in Vietnam. 

The former imperial city, also known as the forbidden city or imperial citadel, sits in the center of Hue and was the capital of the country and the seat for the Nguyen dynasty between 1802 and 1945. 

The leaders of the Nguyen dynasty built it to represent their wealth and this is why there is a stunning Royal Palace within the grounds, where the royal family lived. The city is walled and each wall is 2km long which gives you a sense of the scale of this landmark. 

Inside the Imperial City, you’ll find a pretty bridge over a moat which is the entranceway to the Royal Palace and is a perfect spot to take a picture from. Also inside the Imperial City is Thai Hoa palace where the kings ruled from and Thai Mieu. 

On your visit, you can stroll around the buildings and enjoy the lovely architecture, gardens, and ponds too. 

Hang Son Doong Cave, Quang Binh

Hang Son Doong Cave

The world’s largest cave, Soo Doong was discovered accidentally in 1990 when a local was walking through Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. He saw clouds pouring out of the cave’s entrance and the trickling of a stream inside it. 

It wasn’t until 2009 when he came back to the cave with two explorers who then realized just how big it was, and it was/is the biggest cave in the world. To give you a sense of scale, you can fit a whole New York City block inside part of it. 

It’s been calculated the cave is around 3 million years old and the system runs for some 9 km. The main passage is 200 meters high and 5 km long and it’s home to some of the biggest stalagmites in the world, some of which hit over 70 meters high. 

About the Author Roger Timbrook

Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!

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