Architecture sights in Central Vietnam
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Cam Pho Temple
The newish Cam Pho Temple has a sparkling ceramic dragon roofline. At the time of research the interiors were undergoing restoration.
reviewed
-
B
Pho Da Nang Pagoda
Pho Da Nang Pagoda was built in 1923 in a traditional architectural configuration. Local people participate actively in the pagoda's lively religious life.
reviewed
-
C
Phac Hat Pagoda
Phac Hat Pagoda has a colourful facade of ceramics and murals. It was being expanded at the time of research, with a large annexe being built at the rear.
reviewed
-
D
Bao Quoc Pagoda
Last renovated in 1957, Bao Quoc Pagoda was founded in 1670 by Giac Phong, a Buddhist monk from China. It was given its present name in 1824 by Emperor Minh Mang, who celebrated his 40th birthday here in 1830.
reviewed
-
E
Chinese All-Community Assembly Hall
Founded in 1773, the Chinese All-Community Assembly Hall was used by Fujian, Cantonese, Hainan, Chaozhou and Hakka congregations in Hoi An. The pavilions off the main courtyard incorporate elements of 19th-century French architecture.
reviewed
-
F
Phung Hung Old House
In a lane full of beautiful buildings, the old Phung Hung Old House stands out. It's still a family home, having housed eight generations over 226 years. At present it showcases hand embroidery and souvenirs; wander through and enjoy the ambience.
reviewed
-
G
Danang Cathedral
Known to locals as Con Ga Church (Rooster Church) because of the weathercock on top of the steeple, the candy-pink Danang Cathedral was built for the city’s French residents in 1923. Today it serves a Catholic community of 4000 – it’s standing room only if you arrive late.
reviewed
-
H
Tan Ky House
Built two centuries ago as the home of a well-to-do ethnic-Vietnamese merchant, Tan Ky House has been lovingly preserved and today looks almost exactly as it did in the early 19th century. Don’t be spooked by the portrait of a stern-looking matriarch over the entry hall; this gem of a house is worth lingering in.
reviewed
-
I
Assembly Hall of the Hainan Chinese Congregation
Built in 1851, the Assembly Hall of the Hainan Chinese Congregation is a memorial to 107 merchants from Hainan Island who were mistaken for pirates and killed in Quang Nam province during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc. The elaborate dais contains plaques to their memory. In front of the central altar is a fine gilded woodcarving of Chinese court life.
reviewed
-
J
Tran Duong House
There’s a whole block of colonnaded French-colonial buildings on Ð Phan Boi Chau between Nos 22 and 73, among them the 19th-century Tran Duong House. It’s mainly a showcase of antique French and Chinese furniture, including a sideboard buffet and a sitting room set with elaborate mother-of-pearl inlay. By contrast, the large plain wooden table in the front room is the family bed.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Forbidden Purple City
Behind the palaces, in the very centre of the Imperial Enclosure, the Forbidden Purple City is a citadel-within-a-citadel-within-a-citadel. Reserved solely for the personal use of the emperor, the only servants allowed into this compound were eunuchs who would pose no threat to the royal concubines. It was almost entirely destroyed in the wars, and a large part is now draped in green foliage. Take care as you wander around the ruins as there are some gaping holes.
reviewed
-
L
Quan Cong Temple
Founded in 1653, Quan Cong Temple is dedicated to Quan Cong - a highly esteemed Chinese general who is worshipped as a symbol of loyalty, sincerity, integrity and justice. His partially gilt statue, made of papier-mâché on a wooden frame, is in the central altar at the back of the sanctuary. On the left is a statue of General Chau Xuong, one of Quan Cong's guardians, striking a tough-guy pose.
On the right is the rather camp and plump administrative mandarin Quan Binh. The life-size white horse recalls a mount ridden by Quan Cong, until he was given a red horse of extraordinary endurance, representations of which are common in Chinese pagodas.
reviewed
-
Hoi An Old Town
Now a Unesco World Heritage site, Hoi An Old Town is governed by preservation laws that are well up to speed. Several buildings of historical and cultural significance are open for public viewing, a number of streets in the centre of town are off-limits to cars, and building alterations and height restrictions are well enforced. If only Hanoi would follow suit in its historic Old Quarter.
reviewed