Vietnam offers an abundance of historical attractions that will delight history-buffs. Be it ancient dynasties, French colonial rule or American military conflict – there is plenty to see and experience here.
Hue is an ideal starting point, offering an impressive collection of temples, palaces and gardens to discover over the course of a few days.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Imagine an underground network of tunnels hidden among Vietnam’s lush green foliage; these were used by Viet Cong guerrillas against US-backed government troops in their fight.
Cu Chi tunnels were an underground network crisscrossing northwest Saigon’s Cu Chi district and used as shelter, transport supplies, lay booby traps and launch surprise attacks against soldiers. Even chemical smokeouts or the destruction of whole areas could not expose these well-hidden passageways.
Today, visitors can explore a small stretch of tunnels to gain an impression of life for resistance fighters during World War II. Although not suitable for everyone, the sights and sounds of this subterranean world offer powerful reminders of an immense conflict that lasted from 1955-1975.
My Son Cham Ruins
My Son is an expansive complex of tower-temples where Cham kings would perform religious rituals to honor their gods and renovate and add new temples based on their religious beliefs; these structures were constructed using brick.
The Champa ruins are organized into several “groups”, representing different periods in Champa’s kingdom and featuring distinct architectural styles; temples in Group E for instance feature towering altar-pedestals which are unique to Southeast Asia.
Ruins were heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, yet later restored. Sandstone sculptures collected by French archaeologist Henri Parmentier are displayed at Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture and worth visiting to gain more knowledge on Champa culture.
Con Dao Prison
Con Dao Prison stands as a stark reminder of the horrors endured by Vietnamese under French colonisation and later American control. A visit to this complex provides visitors with a firsthand look into tortured prisoners’ lives and hopes as well as its sinister culture that was once prevalent at this site.
The Tiger Cages at Phu Quoc Prison, as seen here, were particularly disturbing with their cramped cells that were too narrow to lie down or stand up in. Other notable sights were Cow Shed – an area used for torture- and Ma Thien Lanh Bridge, built using prison labour – worth seeing too.
Prison was transformed into a revolutionary school over its 113 year lifespan and many of those who served there became influential leaders of reunified Vietnam after they had served their sentences there, such as Ton Duc Thang and Le Hong Phong who held court here as prisoners.
Khe Sanh Combat Base
Khe Sanh Combat Base was once home to one of America’s most notorious sieges: in 1968, its hills echoed with white phosphorus bombs and napalm as US and Vietnamese forces battled arduously to repel Communist invaders.
General William Westmoreland selected this site for a major engagement as it was strategically important and offered natural protection such as mountains, valleys, streams, dense triple canopy jungle with multiple shades of green foliage, elephants and tigers. Furthermore, its encircled camp would enable him to mount sustained assault using Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses with tactical air support.
At its heart was its role of aerial resupply for Ho Chi Minh Trail supply lines, and today this site offers historical pictures and weapons as well as an abandoned helicopter, renovated bunkers and part of an airstrip for visitors to explore.
Cannon Fort
Cannon Fort is an historic area located on a hill that provides breathtaking views of Cat Ba Island. Once used as a military base during Vietnam War, today it serves as an incredible tourist attraction with breathtaking panoramas.
From this fort, visitors can see Lan Ha Bay, Monkey Island and all of Cat Ba. Additionally, it features a cafe that provides long-range binoculars so that visitors can appreciate the breathtaking landscape.
Fort Lafortun has numerous military relics, such as two large anti-sea cannons. There is also an observatory, bunker and traditional room that was once used to store historical memorabilia. Fort Lafortun was an integral part of China’s heroic struggles during the 20th century and continues to stand as a source of national pride today.
