historical places in vietnam

INTRODUCTION

Located on the Southeast Asian mainland, Vietnam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. With its stunningly beautiful landscapes and rich culture, Vietnam is a must-visit destination for anyone with an interest in Asian culture. Whether you're looking to explore the local food scene, take in some world-renowned architecture, or just soak up the atmosphere and experience the country's unique vibe, Vietnam has something for everyone.

Apart from all the wonderful beauty, the country has to offer, Vietnam is also a place where some of the most important events happened in history. One of those events is the Vietnam war. Similarly, there are a lot of different places in Vietnam that offer to tell the story of all the good and bad that has happened in the past that leads to the present day Vietnam. The ones who are interested in learning about history would either already know about it or can find a wonderful opportunity to learn about it by visiting some of the most prominent places in Vietnam reflecting the history of the country.

So, here are some of the historical places in Vietnam that lovers of history can visit.

READ ALSO: ACTIVITIES THAT CAN MAKE YOUR TRIP TO VIETNAM MEANINGFUL AND FUN

HISTORICAL PLACES IN VIETNAM

Vietnam is a rich culture and these wars have left many lessons for mankind. The history of Vietnam has been ruled by many people and sites in the country are symbols of both glory and gore from various rulers. If you love learning about history, these are some of the historical places in Vietnam that offer good insight.

Can Dao Prison

The Can Dao prisons were built in 1861 by the French colonial government and were first used for imprisoning prisoners with serious crimes. In time, they also housed political opponents.

Judges at The Dao Prison during the 1960s and 1970s tortured and abused prisoners. It was later used by the US and South Vietnamese governments, who also engaged in similar treatment of prisoners. While there is usually no entrance fee, sometimes you may have to pay VND 20,000. After mannequins were placed to replicate the brutality experienced by prisoners in 2001, the prison complex became a popular tourist site.

Hoa Lo Prison

"Hoa Lo" translated to 'hell's hole' or 'fiery furnace', indicates how intense the torture was in the prison.

It is now a museum, and visitors are charged an entry fee to see life-size mannequins depicting the lives of prisoners. The original gatehouse also remains. This prison complex became popular among American inmates as ‘Hanoi Hilton’.

Khai Dinh Tomb

As the twelfth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, Khai Dinh's tomb is more elaborately designed than his predecessors. It combines both Oriental and European architectural styles.

The last emperor was buried in the tomb, and it is open to visitors 8 am-6 pm. There are intricate carvings of dragons and elephants, as well as a life-size statue inside. The entrance fee is 100,000 VND.

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Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi tunnels are underground, where Vietnamese tourists can explore safe, original parts of the tunnel with a Viet Cong soldier's meal, as well as try their AK-47 skills. The Cu Chi Tunnels were built by French colonialists, but the tunnels were enlarged during the Vietnam War by Viet Cong soldiers for subterfuge and communications use - adding value to tourism after the war. Viet Cong who used these tunnels hid in them from guerilla attacks, such as one of those made by Nha Trang City police colonel Hai Van Bo; Bo was awarded Hero of Homeland Retrieval and Cu Chi district deputy chairman Nguyen Dong Huong was awarded Hero of Labor.

My Son Cham Ruins

My Son Cham, a famous Hindu temple in Vietnam, was once ruled by the Hindu Cham dynasty but it is now in ruins due to time and because of American bombs. These temples correlate to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

War Remnants Museum

The Vietnam War was gruesome. That war resulted in a lack of unity between Northern and Southern Vietnam with US involvement.

This War Remnants Museum displays the impact of the war on Vietnam. It has tanks, bullets, and more for visitors to see in person. The museum is open from 7 am-5 pm, and tickets cost $15.

Long Tan Cross Memorial

The Long Tan Cross Memorial commemorates a Vietnamese battle during the Vietnam War, which marked Australian involvement and remembrance of the same. After being taken down by communist forces, the original cross was recovered, put on display at a museum in Dong Nai Province and eventually gifted to Australia by its people.

You can visit the memorial for martyrdom, which many Australian war veterans also visit. Some agencies take you to other nearby places as well.

Hue Imperial Citadel’s architecture and beautiful gardens are worth a visit for their Instagram-worthy photos. A full-day tour of Hue can cost about over 23,000 VND.

Cannon Fort

Cannon Fort was used by Japanese forces during World War II, and later by French and Vietnamese forces. The cannon offers a view of the Cat Ba island jungles, Halong Bay's ancient Karsts, and its harbour.

In a time of war, soldiers' lives are not the only lives in danger. Vinh Moc Tunnels were built by villagers to protect themselves from bombs that may otherwise have killed them. 60 families were living there during the bombing. Unlike Cu Chi tunnels, these tunnels are much easier to walk through.

THE EASIEST WAY TO EXPLORE VIETNAM

If you're interested in exploring the historical places of Vietnam, then you should apply for a visa in E-Visa Vietnam. The fastest way to get your visa approved is by using this website. You just have to fill in your application forms. It's quick and seamless, and you should be getting your visa within a few days.

READ ALSO: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE LATEST VISA POLICY OFFERED BY VIETNAM

CONCLUSION

There are many historical places to visit in Vietnam, each with its own unique story to tell. From the imperial city of Hue to the ancient town of Hoi An, there is something for everyone to enjoy. We hope that our list has given you some ideas on where to start your travels and what to see while you're in Vietnam. However, these places are surely not it. Vietnam is a country with various attractions and thus it is worth it to go and visit Vietnam with an open mind.

The culture of Vietnam is vast and offers plenty of attractions even for the lovers of pop culture. All that being said, it becomes needless to say that if you have been doubtful about your trip to Vietnam, this is your sign to plan your trip and experience the vast culture of the country.

Apply Vietnam Visa