Vietnam is usually well-known for its majestic natural beauty and has attracted many travelers from all over the world. Still, Vietnam’s significant feature also lies in its long history and ancient traditions existing in many historic attractions, old temples and fascinating museums.
Recently, The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in cooperation with Tourism Association of Vietnam have selected top 7 tourists attractions across Vietnam at Vietnam Travel Awards including the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or Cu Chi Tunnels. Let’s get an insight into these alluring destinations with our overview to gain a better understanding about Vietnam’s attractiveness.
1. Vietnamese Women’s Museum – Hanoi:
Vietnamese Women’s Museum, located on Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hanoi, was founded as a part of Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) in 1987. The museum is dedicated to Vietnamese women with its main purpose is to study, preserve and display historical and cultural relics of Vietnamese women. It is also a cultural exchange center for Vietnamese and international women to enhance and promote gender equality, development and peace.
The museum is well-known for its large collection of more than 28,000 objects related to women including their daily items, jewels, women’s fashion & costume, etc. These objects have been collected by the museum and the VWU since 1970s from every woman across the country. Each of these items tells their story and reflects Vietnamese women’s role in society throughout Vietnam’s history.
Vietnamese Woman’s Museum has successfully attracted thousands of domestic and international visitors each year by organizing many special exhibitions to show changes and development of contemporary society through projects targeting many different groups, especially vulnerable women and disadvantaged children.
2. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology – Hanoi:
Vietnam’s Museum of Ethnology displays a remarkable collection of anthropological artifacts from Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities and its neighboring countries in South East Asia. Cultural costume, traditional textiles, handicrafts and tribal art are creatively presented with an impressive display of life size ethnic houses and everyday objects.
The museum’s main mission is scientific research, collection, documentation, conservation, exhibition and preserving the cultural and historic heritage of Vietnamese ethnic groups. It is also operated to guide research, conservation, and technology that are specific to the work of an ethnographic museum.
With 15, 000 artifacts, 42,000 films and color photos, 2190 positive films, 273 audio tapes, music, 373 video tapes and 25 CD-ROMs, the museum becomes an attractive destination for domestic and foreign visitors to visit, study and experience Vietnamese culture. In addition, among 25 most attractive museums in Asia in 2014, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology has been voted by TripAdvisor as the fourth captivating destination.
The communal house in Vietnam Museum of Ethnology also plays a crucial role in museum’s large exhibition. It is the largest and the most impressive architecture, presenting power and talent of the community. Traditionally, it was used for collective rituals, social and ceremonial activities.
3. The Imperial City – Hue:
Sitting on the banks of poetic Huong River, Hue Imperial City is a walled palace belonging to the complex of Hue monuments recognized by UNESCO as the World Cultural Heritage. It includes Imperial Citadel, the Forbidden City and more than 100 majestic architecture in different areas with distinct functions.
The preservation and promotion of cultural heritage values is regarded as an urgent need to protect and pass on to the next generation as Hue Imperial City is the epitome of artistic aesthetics, consciousness and the harmonization among nature, environment and human.
Hue Imperial City with its dazzling beauty has successfully reminisced the ancient palace’s unique cultural and artistic activities.
4. Temple of Literature – Hanoi:
As Vietnam’s first university, Temple of Literature is Hanoi’s most well-known historical relics, carrying the essence of Vietnam’s history and preserving Vietnam’s traditional values. It is one of several temples in Vietnam which is dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars. Inside, there are 116 steles of carved blue stone turtles to honor talent and encourage study. They are also the symbol of longevity and wisdom.
Temple of Literature is also a serendipitous destination as calligraphists will assemble outside the temple and write wishes in Han characters for Vietnamese students on every Vietnamese New Year celebration.
5. Cu Chi tunnels – Ho Chi Minh City
Located about 70 km northwest away from Ho Chi Minh City Centre, Cu Chi Tunnels are miniature battlefield and products of the army and the people of Cu Chi’s creativity in the long and fierce resistance war of 30 years against enemies’ invasion to gain independence and freedom for the country.
Cu Chi Tunnels have become an evidence for the heroic history of Vietnamese and a legend of the 20th century. It is a unique battlefield with 250 km wide tunnel like spider webs in the ground. Inside the tunnels, there are different constructions such as trenches, ditches, and bunkers as living space with food storages, wells, kitchen Hoang Cam stove…
6. Valley of Love – Da Lat:
About 6km Northeast away from Da Lat City Centre, Valley of Love is one of the most poetic and lyrical sights attracting millions of domestic and foreign tourists each year.
Da Lat’s visitors often choose Valley of Love as a must-seen destination not only because of its romantic ambiance but also because of its natural landscape’s charming beauty.
With a total area of 140 hectares, this is a great place for camping, team building, etc. Visitors can also experience horse riding, pedalo, admire Da Lat’s beauty on a Jeep or spend time at the old railway station.
7. Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi with a total area of 18,395ha, including an archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu and remaining relics like Doan Mon Gate, Kinh Thien Palace, D67 House, Hau Lau, Bac Mon, surrounding walls and 8 gates from Nguyen Dynasty.
This is a complex of architectural monuments built from different dynasties and became the most important relic in the system of Vietnam historical sites.
Throughout history, Imperial Citadel of Thang Long has gone through many changes and deformation. But today visitors can still see the above and underground relics, archeological sites and artificial architectures.
Credit: The article aggregated from multiple sources.
