Sights in Vietnam
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Ngu Phung
On top of the Ngo Mon Gate is Ngu Phung, where the emperor appeared on important occasions, most notably for the promulgation of the lunar calendar. On 30 August 1945, the Nguyen dynasty ended here when Emperor Bao Dai abdicated to a delegation sent by Ho Chi Minh's Provisional Revolutionary Government.
reviewed
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B
Tran Hung Dao Temple
This small temple is dedicated to Tran Hung Dao, a national hero who in 1287 vanquished Mongol emperor Kublai Khan’s invasion force, said to have numbered 300,000 men. The temple is one block north-east of the telecommunication dishes that are between Ð Dien Bien Phu and Ð Vo Thi Sau.
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Chien Dan
The elegant Cham towers at Chien Dan are located just outside the town of Tam Ky on a wide open field; the only other building nearby is a small museum. Dating from the 11th or 12th century, each kalan faces east. Many of the decorative friezes remain on the outside walls.
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A1 Hill
There are tanks and a monument to Viet Minh casualties on the site of the former French position, known to the French as Eliane and to the Vietnamese as A1 Hill, where bitter fighting took place. The elaborate trenches at the heart of the French defences have also been re-created.
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C
Tam Son Hoi Quan Pagoda
The Tam Son Hoi Quan Pagoda was built by the Fujian Congregation in the 19th century, and retains much of its original rich ornamentation. The pagoda is dedicated to Me Sanh, the Goddess of Fertility and is particularly popular with local women who come here to pray for children.
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D
Ngo Mon Gate
The principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure is Ngo Mon Gate, which faces the Flag Tower. The central passageway with its yellow doors was reserved for the use of the emperor, as was the bridge across the lotus pond. Others had to use the gates to either side and the paths around the pond.
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Ho Chi Minh Museum
Despite its huge grounds, this museum is typically unenlightening for a site venerating Ho Chi Minh. At the front is a display of the usual US, Soviet and Chinese weaponry. Hidden behind the Party buildings are a replica of Ho Chi Minh’s house in Hanoi and a museum about him.
reviewed
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E
Quan Am Pagoda
One of Cholon’s most active pagodas, Quan Am Pagoda was founded by the Fujian Congregation in the early 19th century and displays obvious Chinese influences. It’s named for the Goddess of Mercy, Quan The Am Bo Tat whose statue lies hidden behind a remarkably ornate exterior.
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Nurseries
The nurseries operate year-round, though they are practically stripped bare of their flowers just before Tet. Note that domestic tourists from Ho Chi Minh City arrive in droves on Sundays and the nurseries are a major sightseeing attraction around the Tet festival holiday.
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F
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.
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Yok Don National Park
The largest of Vietnam’s nature reserves, Yok Don National Park has been gradually expanded and today encompasses 112,102 hectares of mainly dry deciduous forest. The park runs all the way up to the border with Cambodia, with the beautiful Serepok River flowing through it.
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G
Royal Fine Arts Museum
This museum moved to An Dinh Palace in 2008 when its former home Long An Palace was closed for renovation. The museum’s most precious artefacts were lost during the American War, but the ceramics, paintings, furniture and royal clothing that remain are well worth a visit.
reviewed
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Hon Do
About 300m south of Hon Chong (Outside Nha Trang) and a few dozen metres from the beach is tiny Hon Do, which has a Buddhist temple on top. To the northeast is Hon Rua (Tortoise Island), which really does resemble a tortoise. The two islands of Hon Yen are off in the distance to the east.
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H
Japanese Covered Bridge
This bridge has become a modern-day icon of Hoi An, although most visitors are surprised by how small it is. The first bridge on this site was constructed in the 1590s by the Japanese community of Hoi An, in order to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream.
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Endangered Primate Rescue Center
The Endangered Primate Rescue Center is home to over 140 creatures from 15 species of gibbon, langur and loris. The gibbon is a long-armed, fruit-eating ape, the langur is a long-tailed, tree-dwelling monkey, and the loris is a smaller nocturnal primate with large eyes.
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Mariamman Hindu Temple
A splash of southern India's colour in Saigon, Mariamman Hindu Temple was built at the end of the 19th century and is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mariamman. There are only 50 to 60 Tamil Hindus in HCMC, but the temple is also considered sacred by many ethnic Vietnamese and Chinese.
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Bai Tu Long National Park
There’s more to northeastern Vietnam than Halong Bay. The sinking limestone plateau, which gave birth to the bay’s spectacular islands, continues for some 100km to the Chinese border. The area immediately northeast of Halong Bay is part of Bai Tu Long National Park.
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Ho Tay Water Park & Moon Park
On summer's most sweltering days it may seem like all of Hanoi converges on this Water Park, 5km north of the city centre. After cooling off on the water slides and in the refreshing pools, you can catch a stiff breeze on a double-corkscrew roller coaster in the adjacent Moon Park.
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I
Museum of Folklore in Hoi An
Museum of Folklore in Hoi An occupies a 150-year-old Chinese trading house. The exhibits give some idea of local customs and culture, though it’s awfully dusty and decontextualised for a folk history museum. The view of the river from upstairs is very picturesque.
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J
Chau Giang Mosque
Domed and arched Chau Giang Mosque, in the hamlet of Chau Giang, serves the local Cham Muslims. To get there, take the car ferry from Chau Giang ferry landing in Chau Doc across the Hau Giang River. From the ferry landing, walk away from the river for 30m, turn left and walk 50m.
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K
Ho Chi Minh Museum
The Ho Chi Minh Museum offers the usual paeans to Uncle Ho, with an emphasis on his affinity for hill-tribe people and their love for him. There are also displays about Bahnar hero Anh Hung Nup (1914–98), who led the hill tribes against the French and Americans.
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Coconut Tree Prison
The island’s main penal colony was known as the Coconut Tree Prison and is near An Thoi town. Though it’s considered an historic site, plans to open a museum here have stalled. It’s still used as a prison, so not surprisingly, few visitors come to check it out.
reviewed
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L
Temple of Literature
About 2km west of Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature is a rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture. The temple complex, consisting of five courtyards, is extensive and well kept, and makes a welcome retreat from the frenetic streets of Hanoi.
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Long Thanh Gallery
Located in the bustling heart of the city, Long Thanh Gallery showcases the work of Vietnam’s most prominent photographer. Long Thanh developed his first photo in 1964 and continues to shoot extraordinary black-and-white images of everyday Vietnamese moments.
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Dalat Flower Gardens
An unusual sight in Vietnam, these gardens were established in 1966. Flowers here include hydrangeas, fuchsias and orchids, the last in special shaded buildings to the left of the entrance. It’s a good place to see a well-kept selection of Dalat foliage.
reviewed