Sights in Vietnam
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A
Khmer Museum
This museum is dedicated to the history and culture of Vietnam’s Khmer minority. It doubles as a sort of cultural centre, and traditional dance and music shows are periodically staged here for larger groups.
reviewed
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B
Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
Housed in a grand neo-classical structure built in 1886 and once known as Gia Long Palace (later, the Revolutionary Museum), the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City is a singularly beautiful and impressive building.
reviewed
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Tam Bao Pagoda
This pagoda, which dates from the early 19th century, is near the corner of Ð Thich Thien An and Ð Ngo Quyen. Rebuilt in 1913, the garden contains numerous trees sculpted as dragons, deer and other animals.
reviewed
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Bai Dai
Being a remote beach in a military area, rest assured that it is not crowded. A new road to Bai Dai cuts down on motorbike time and red dust in your face. The beach is open to the public and sports a couple of restaurants.
reviewed
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Bai Dam
A beautiful white-sand beach along the southeastern part of the island. South from here is undeveloped Bai Khem, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and also, sadly, a military area that's closed to the public.
reviewed
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C
Bao Dai’s Summer Palace
This art deco–influenced villa was constructed in 1933 and was one of three palaces Bao Dai kept in Dalat. The decor has not changed in decades and the place has the feel of an oversized, faded dollhouse.
reviewed
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D
Galerie Quynh
This is one of the best-known galleries in the city – probably the place for Vietnamese contemporary art. Don’t turn around thinking you have missed this place, as it is located in a very backstreet part of town.
reviewed
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E
Main Post Office
HCMC’s grandiose French-style main post office is right next to Notre Dame Cathedral. Built between 1886 and 1891, it is the largest post office in Vietnam and worth visiting just for its architecture.
reviewed
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F
Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation
What began as a traditional assembly hall was later transformed into a temple for the worship of Thien Hau, a deity from Fujian province. The grand triple gate to the complex was built in 1975.
reviewed
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G
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
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Ben Tre Museum
The Ben Tre Museum is set in an ageing but atmospheric old yellow villa. It has the usual assortment of rusty weapons and American War paraphernalia, along with rousing images of Ho Chi Minh.
reviewed
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Rach Gia Museum
The Rach Gia Museum is housed in a gem of a colonial-era building, but was once again under wraps for a renovation when we visited. The collection includes some Oc-Eo artefacts and pottery.
reviewed
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H
Royal Theatre
The Royal Theatre, begun in 1826 and later home to the National Conservatory of Music, has been rebuilt on the former foundations. Cultural performances are held here daily at 09:00, 10:00, 14:30 and 15:30.
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Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
Housed in a beautiful grey neoclassical structure, the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City was built in 1886 and has displays of artefacts from the various periods of the Communist struggle for power in Vietnam.
reviewed
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I
Lighthouse
The 1910 lighthouse boasts a spectacular 360-degree view of Vung Tau. From Cau Da Pier on Ð Ha Long, take a sharp right on the alley north of the Hai Au Hotel, then roll on up the hill.
reviewed
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J
Museum of the Vietnamese Revolution
A must for all budding revolutionaries, the history of the Vietnamese Revolution is enthusiastically presented in this museum. It’s diagonally across the road from the History Museum.
reviewed
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K
Cong Vien Van Hoa Park
Next to the old Cercle Sportif, which was an elite sporting club during the French-colonial period, the bench-lined walks of Cong Vien Van Hoa Park are shaded with avenues of enormous tropical trees.
reviewed
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Bo Bla Waterfall
The 32m-high Bo Bla Waterfall is on the east side of Hwy 20, 16km southwest of Di Linh, near the village of Lien Dam. There’s a steep 25-minute walk down to the base of the falls.
reviewed
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Cao Dai Temple
If you missed the one in Tay Ninh, My Tho has its own colourful but smaller Cao Dai Temple that’s worth a look. It’s west of the town centre between Ð Dong Da and Ð Tran Hung Dao.
reviewed
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L
Military Museum
Devoted to all things militaristic, this museum has the usual assortment of American War weaponry and Ho Chi Minh portraits. Missiles and a fighter aircraft sit on the front lawn.
reviewed
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M
History Museum
The stunning Sino French–style building that houses the History Museum was built in 1929 by the Société des Études Indochinoises. It’s worth a visit just to view the architecture.
reviewed
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N
Opera House
A grand colonial building with a sweeping staircase, the Opera House, also known as the Municipal Theatre, is hard to miss at the intersection of Ð Dong Khoi and ÐL Le Loi.
reviewed
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Khmer Minority People’s Museum
Opposite the Ang Pagoda entrance is the nicely presented Khmer Minority People’s Museum, which displays photos, costumes and other artefacts of traditional Khmer culture.
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Statue of Me Suot
Near the market is a statue of Me Suot, commemorating an elderly woman who died in an American attack while she was ferrying North Vietnamese soldiers across the river.
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Ong Met Pagoda
The chief reason for visiting the large Khmer Ong Met Pagoda is its accessibility, as it’s right in the centre of town. The friendly monks will happily show you around.
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