Experiencing Vietnam's 9 World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites

Fantastic news for those who cherish natural beauty and rich heritage! UNESCO has officially designated Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago as a World Natural Heritage site. This incredible area spans both Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City, further cementing its status as a must-visit destination in Vietnam. This latest recognition brings Vietnam's total count of UNESCO-listed World Heritage sites to nine. The country now proudly features a remarkable collection, including five cultural heritage sites, three natural heritage sites, and one captivating mixed site, truly highlighting Vietnam's diverse treasures for international travelers.
Vietnam has just seen its 9th natural world heritage site recognized by UNESCO: the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago complex, located in Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city. This event brings Vietnam's total number of world heritage titles to nine, comprising five cultural heritage sites, three natural heritage sites, and one mixed heritage site.Complex of Hue Monuments

A charming, ancient corner of Hue city. Photo: Hoang Le
In December 1993, the Complex of Hue Monuments was officially inscribed on UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list. This marked Vietnam's first cultural heritage site to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage.
For nearly 400 years (1558 – 1945), Hue served as the capital for nine generations of Nguyen Lords (16th – 18th centuries) in the South, then as the capital of the Tay Son dynasty (late 18th century), and finally as the capital of a unified nation under 13 Nguyen emperors (1802 – 1945).
Today, the ancient capital of Hue still preserves tangible and intangible cultural heritage that embodies the wisdom and soul of the Vietnamese people. According to researchers, among Vietnam's ancient capitals, Hue is the only one that has largely retained its complete ensemble of imperial architectural art, including its system of citadels, palaces, temples, shrines, and royal tombs.
Ha Long Bay
In 1994, Ha Long Bay was recognized by UNESCO as a natural world heritage site for its aesthetic value, and it received a second recognition for its geological and geomorphological value in 2000.

Photo: Vuong Loc
The islands in Ha Long Bay primarily consist of two types: limestone islands and schist islands. Although there's a vast number of islands in Ha Long Bay, no two are alike, creating a unique landscape found only here.
Inspired by their shapes and human imagination, many islands here have been given familiar and simple names such as Dau Nguoi Islet (Human Head Islet), Trong Mai Islet (Fighting Cock Islet), Dragon Islet, Ong Su Islet (Monk Islet), and Dua Islet (Chopstick Islet). Additionally, some islands are named after folk legends, like Bai Tho Mountain (Poem Mountain), Trinh Nu Cave (Virgin Cave), Tuan Chau Island, or after unique features on the islands, such as Ngoc Vung Islet (Pearl Islet), Kien Vang Islet (Golden Ant Islet), and Monkey Island.
My Son Sanctuary
According to the Department of Cultural Heritage, the My Son Cham Sanctuary is situated in a narrow valley within My Son village, Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province. The temple towers at My Son are representative of Cham religious architecture.

Photo: My Son Heritage Management Board/www.disanvanhoamyson.vn
Most of the temple towers and auxiliary structures were built with bricks using sophisticated techniques. Decorative patterns on stone pillars, along with sandstone statues and bas-reliefs, are carved based on Hindu myths. This harmonious combination with the intricate carvings on the exterior brick walls of the towers gives the My Son temple complex a vibrant character, showcasing the distinctive features of Cham artistic styles.
The My Son Sanctuary was officially recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in December 1999.
Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Ancient Town from above. Photo: Hoang Le
Hoi An Ancient Town is a famous tourist city in Quang Nam province. Beyond its cultural value expressed through diverse architecture, Hoi An also preserves a vast intangible cultural heritage. As a rare example of a traditional Southeast Asian trading port, Hoi An has, despite historical ups and downs, maintained its almost original state with approximately 1,360 relics.
Hoi An is renowned for the harmonious traditional architectural beauty of its ancient houses, walls, and streets. Despite centuries of changes and events, the town still retains its ancient, tranquil, and moss-covered charm on every tiled roof and tree.
Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park

The beauty of Hang Va in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Photo: Ryan Debooth
Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and its vicinity encompass parts of Bo Trach, Tuyen Hoa, and Quang Ninh districts. The majority of the park's core area consists of limestone mountains. The intensely dissected karst topography and evergreen tropical vegetation on these limestone mountains contribute to Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park's rich biodiversity and unique geological and geomorphological features.
The Phong Nha – Ke Bang area boasts a complex of over 300 diverse and magnificent caves, large and small, earning it the moniker 'Kingdom of Caves.' This region holds many strange and fascinating secrets, making it a paradise for speleologists, explorers, and tourists alike.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long relic. Photo: VNA
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a complex of relics associated with the history of the imperial city of Thang Long – Hanoi. This massive architectural work was built by various dynasties over many historical periods and has become one of the most important relics in Vietnam's heritage system.
According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi has undergone numerous changes throughout its 10-century history, paralleling the nation's own story. Here, archaeologists have unearthed a large quantity of ceramics and pottery, everyday items used in the imperial palace across various periods. Furthermore, the discovery of numerous copper coins and ceramics from China, Japan, West Asia, and other regions provides evidence that Thang Long was once a vibrant cultural exchange hub with neighboring countries, embracing the finest values of humanity.
Ho Citadel

The Ho Citadel is a robust fortress with unique stone architecture. Photo: Nguyen Phong
The Ho Citadel, also known as Tay Do Citadel, located in Vinh Long and Vinh Tien communes, Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province, is one of the most unique stone architectural works in Vietnam and globally. The entire city wall and its four main gates are constructed from large, blue limestone slabs, meticulously carved into precise, square blocks, fitted tightly together without the need for mortar.
Built by Ho Quy Ly in 1397, the structure was also known as Tay Do (Western Capital) to distinguish it from Dong Do (Eastern Capital, Thang Long – Hanoi). It once served as the capital and the socio-political and cultural center of Dai Ngu under the Ho Dynasty. Recognizing its outstanding global values in culture, architecture, and history, the Ho Citadel was inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in June 2011.
Trang An Landscape Complex

The Trang An Landscape Complex has been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list, becoming the first mixed heritage site in Vietnam and Southeast Asia to receive UNESCO recognition. Photo: Vuong Loc
Meeting all criteria for culture, aesthetic beauty, and geology with outstanding global values, the Trang An Landscape Complex has been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list, becoming the first mixed heritage site in Vietnam and Southeast Asia to receive UNESCO recognition.
The Trang An Landscape Complex covers an area of 6,172 hectares across Hoa Lu, Gia Vien, Nho Quan districts, Tam Diep town, and Ninh Binh city in Ninh Binh province. The complex comprises three adjacent protected areas: the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital historical and cultural relic area, the Trang An – Tam Coc – Bich Dong scenic area, and the Hoa Lu special-use primary forest.
Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago
Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its areas of natural beauty, including limestone islands covered with vegetation; sharp limestone peaks rising from the sea, along with associated karst features such as arches and caves.

Lan Ha Bay, part of the Cat Ba Archipelago. Photo: Vuong Loc
With 1,133 diverse and picturesque limestone islands (775 in Ha Long Bay and 358 in the Cat Ba Archipelago) covered by rich vegetation, rising from sparkling emerald waters, Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago appears like a chessboard of precious stones; a serene landscape of overlapping mountains and waters, complemented by fine white sand beaches.
With its unique blend of mountains, forests, and islands, Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago boasts a high level of biodiversity for Asia, featuring seven adjacent and successively developing marine-island, tropical, and subtropical ecosystems. The inscription of Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago as Vietnam's first inter-provincial World Heritage site by UNESCO will serve as an important precedent, contributing experience and practical insights towards establishing models for inter-provincial and cross-border heritage management.
Quang Ninh 9726 view
Update day : 24/09/2023
Source : Sài Gòn Tiếp Thị Affiliate links
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