Explore World heritages in Vietnam

Any site, whether natural or human-made, with impeccable international importance and historical or natural or scientific relevance, must be preserved for future generations. Such locations nominated and recognized by an international convention governed by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), will be declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Vietnam heritage tour is worth enjoying because Vietnam has some of the most beautiful UNESCO World's Heritage Sites.

Vietnam Heritage Tour Locations:
The UNESCO World Heritage convention was established in 1972, and Vietnam joined the convention in 1987. Vietnam has a total of 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites; five are cultural sites, two are natural, and one has mixed importance. Out of the 8, in 1993, the Hue Monument Complex was the first declared UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vietnam. The latest addition to the UNESCO list was Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016 and included in the best Vietnam tour package.

Vietnam - The "World's Leading Heritage Destination 2022"
By surpassing all major World Heritage tour destinations like Brazil, Armenia, Greece, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, Vietnam bagged the World's leading Heritage Destination in 2022," in a colorful ceremony held in Oman. In addition to the above, tour operators from Vietnam could grab 16 awards from various categories in the 2022 World Travel Award function. Ever since the inception of the awards in 2019, Vietnam could get the recognition as World's Leading Heritage Destination for the 3rd time.

Top Heritage Sites To Discover During A Best Vietnam Tour
Besides the enigmatic caves, lush green forests, pristine beaches, limestone karsts, and rice field terraces, your tour will become inconceivable if you do not include the following wonderful heritage sites. Vietnam has 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites spread from north to south, which beholds its unique identity to be explored beyond your wild fancy dreams.

1.    Ha Long Bay - Natural UNESCO Site
Ha Long Bay is a natural UNESCO World Heritage site, 165 kilometers from Hanoi and located in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. The Bay consists of 1,960-2,000 monolithic islets, with most limestone islets. You can find regular limestone mountains on the land, but the Bay's limestone mountains are raised from above the water.

Of the many islands, 40 are inhabited, and few offer tourist support services, hotels, and recreation facilities. The largest island, Cat Ba, is the tourist's main docking station, but many prefer to spend their nights on board. The bay activities include kayak, sunbath, or snorkeling.

Tourists can indulge in a traditional junk boat cruise, Cat Ba Island, kayaking to Bai Tu Long Bay, visiting floating village at Vung Vieng, stalactite caves, or snorkeling at Cong Do Island, etc.

2.    Ninh Binh Landscape Complex
Ninh Binh is the capital of Ninh Binh province, located in north Vietnam in the Red River Delta, 100 kilometers from Hanoi. It is famous for historical reminiscences and incredible natural beauty, surrounded by lime karsts and rice fields.
Tourists can also visit Trang An UNESCO World Heritage site, Tam Coc, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Hoa Lu ancient capital, etc., as part of their best Vietnam tour packages.

Trang An:
Seven kilometers northwest of Ninh Binh is the UNESCO World Heritage site Trang An complex, surrounded by karsts, canals, lakes, religious structures, caves, and vertical cliffs. Exploration of the caves revealed human activities dating back 30,000 years.

The presence of human life and their existence from the Neolithic era to the Bronze Age, and the reminiscence of pagodas and temples, is a reason to declare it a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014. Trang An offers an exciting cave expedition; there are 48 caves to explore, and a few are waterborne caves.

Tam Coc:
Take a paddled boat service along with the paddy fields on the Ngo Dong River to visit Tam Coc, which stands to read as the Three Caves, with lavish greeneries, pagodas, caves, and karsts for a soul-rejuvenating experience.

Bai Dinh Pagoda:
Moving further north from Tam Coc is the Bai Dinh Pagoda. It is part of a cluster of 3 pagodas located at different layers of the mountain. The pagoda is believed to be constructed in the 15th century worth visiting.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital:
The ancient capital of Dinh and Le Dynasties is located 15 kilometers from Nin Binh. The city beholds much cultural importance and sheds light on ancient history; there are many temples and pagodas to visit.

3.    Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark In Ha Giang:
It is in the northern province, Ha Giang, of Vietnam, bordering China, and was declared a UNESCO Global Geopark Network and Asia Pacific Geoparks Network in 2010. The geopark consists of huge mountains and deep canyons; most of the area is covered by limestone mountains. It has an average altitude of 1,400-1,600 meters and is spread over 2,356 square kilometers.

The following location can include part of your Wishlist while exploring Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.

Quan Ba Fairy Mountain:
Quan Ba Fairy Mountain, also known as the Twin Mountains, is a stunning piece of natural wonder located 46 kilometers from Ha Giang city. The limestone mountain, situated at an altitude of 1,500 meters and camouflaged with clouds and mist, is a hiker’s paradise.

Lung Cu National Flag Tower:
The 33-meter national flag tower, located at an altitude of 1,400 meters above sea level in the northernmost part of Vietnam, Ha Giang province, on top of the Dragon Mountain, represents the sovereignty of Vietnam. The hilltop offers a panoramic view of the valley.

Lung Cam Village:
Nicknamed the cultural village of Vietnam, Lung Cam village is 25 kilometers from Dong Van. It is a unique natural habitat of 3 ethnic minority fractions of Lolo, Mong, and Han, an exciting tourist spot in Ha Giang province with Hmong houses.

The Vuong Palace:
It is another fantastic tourist spot on Dong Van Plateau in the Ha Gian province, earmarked as a national cultural heritage site. The mansion, spread over 3,000 square meters, and constructed in Chinese architecture, took 8 years to complete.

Ma Pi Leng Pass:
Ma Pi Leng Pass is one of the top 4 passes in Vietnam in Ha Giang, connecting Ha Giang to Dong Van Plateau and Mec Vac towns. It has an altitude of 1,500 meters and is close to the China-Vietnam border, the best location for adventure lovers.

Nho Que river:
The river flows through Vietnam and China; a tributary of Gam River originates from Nghiem Son Mountain in Yunnan Province, China, a unique tour location for kayaking.

4.    Non-Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark:
The 3,270 square kilometers spread natural geo park was declared a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2018. The park covers Ha Lang, Cao Bang city, Quang Hoa, and Trung Khanh districts and is the habitat of many ethnic groups. Its stunning natural beauty, surface and underground rivers, karsts and limestone formations, and sites with geological significance attracts tourist globally.

Tourists visiting the geo park can also visit nearby locations like Ban Gio waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, Magnificent Angel Eye Mountain, and picturesque landscapes.

Ban Gioc Waterfall:
The twin waterfall on Quay Son River, straddling between China and Vietnam borders, is the largest in Southeast Asia. It is an impressive visual experience watching the waterfall gush over multi-tiered terraced cliffs. The waterfall is 25 kilometers from Cao Bang city.

Nguom Ngao Cave:
The cave is close to the Ban Gioc waterfall, an incredible example of natural wonders, with beautiful formation of stalactites. It is the most attractive limestone grotto in northern Vietnam. The caves are colorfully illuminated to enhance their visual experience.

Magnificent Angel Eye Mountain:
The Angle Eye Mountain (Mat Than) is part of the Non-Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark. It is a popular tourist location 30 kilometers from Cao Bang town. The peculiar shape of the mountain and surrounding greeneries, rice fields, and lakes are beautiful.

Picturesque Landscapes:
The Non-Nuoc Cao Bang geopark landscape is the final word of natural beauty. The captivating natural beauty is the only reason tourists visit this northern mountainous limestone karsts geopark. The geopark has 36 natural lakes perched and interconnected about 1,000 meters above sea level; surrounded by lavish vegetation is a must-visit location in your lifetime while visiting the Non-Nuoc Cao Bang geopark.

 

5.    Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park:
The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, spread over 85,754 hectares, is located in north-central Vietnam, 500 kilometers from Hanoi, is a UNESCO-protected site since 2003. The park is famous for its bio-diversity character, tropical forests, subterranean rivers, numerous caves, limestone karsts, and lush greeneries.

More than 300 caves of different sizes are the main attraction of this UNESCO site, and some of the must-visit sites are Phong Nha, Thien Duong, Son Doong caves, and Moc stream.

Phong Nha Cave:
It is the largest cave in Phong Nha National Park, with 14 grottoes. The cave is 7,729 meters long, with a subterranean river and many chambers. Its underground river is the largest in the World. The caves have attractive rock formations, stalagmites, and stalactites, making it a favorite tourist location. You can find hieroglyphic scripts on the walls of the caves.

Thien Duong Cave:
Thien Duong cave is called Paradise cave, part of Phong Nha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site 60 kilometers from Dong Hoi town. Characterized by unusual stalactites and stalagmites, the cave has a length of 31 kilometers, making it the largest dry cave in Asia. It is one of the best natural wonders; you must visit while at the heritage site.

Moc Stream:
It is the dream destination for nature lovers, just 20 minute drive from Nha-Ke Bang National park. It is rich with natural bio-diversity, and its stunning limestone rock formations and large caves make it one of the potential tourist attractions in the Nha Ke Bank National Park area. The stream offers exciting enjoyment, kayaking, rowing, and a silent retreat from the busy World.

 

6.    The complex of Hue Monuments:
The complex of Hue Monuments is yet another UNESCO World Heritage site located in Hue City of Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam, along the Perfume River. The complex reflects the imperial power of the Nguyen Dynasty, surrounded by a 600-meter defense wall, demonstrating the cultural and architectural brilliance of the Nguyen Dynasty. The massive monument was built in the 14the century and took 203 years to complete construction under various rulers.

Tourists will also have the opportunity to explore the Royal citadel and Royal Tombs and have hands-on experience with the Royal Music of ancient times as part of the Vietnam heritage tour package offered by Vietnam tour operators.

Royal Citadel:
The Royal citadel of the Nguyen Dynasty, built within a square fortress of Hue complex, is a brilliant construction with lavish ornate decoration sprawled over 2 square kilometers along the banks of the Perfume River. It has many palaces within the complex, pagodas, temples, tombs, and beautiful gardens to visit. However, most of them are in dilapidated condition, but they are still exciting locations to visit from a historical perspective.

Royal Tombs:
Royal tombs are the identity of rulers, built in commemoration of various dynasties located in the southeast part of Hue Citadel. Tourists can find seven royal tombs in Hue, which you can include in the Vietnam heritage tour. Many tombs are moss corroded, but three of them, Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc, are in relatively good condition with excellent proximity.

Royal Music:
Nha Nhac Cung Dinh is the Hue royal traditional music performed since the 13th century from the Tran dynasty to the Nguyen dynasty, a unique fine art form with roots emotionally connected to the Hue Imperial City and the public in general. It was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritable of Humanity by UNESCO in November 2003.

7.    Hoi An Ancient Town:
The ancient port town, Hoi An, an active southeast Asian trading port during the 15-19 centuries, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. Hoi An is in the Quang Nam Province and offers various tour activities, including kayaking, motorbike exploration, etc. The city is a popular tourist destination offering Vietnam's traditional and modern cultural face.

Make it part of your itinerary to understand the cultural and historical values of Hoi An, which has a significant role in contemporary Vietnam social life.

Cultural And Historical Values:
You can find the strong cultural and architectural fusion of Japanese, Chinese and European influence in Hoi An contemporary life, which is well preserved by the authorities for the future generation. The Old Town is a famous tourist center because of its historical importance and is a small area to explore on foot.

A friendly community, delicious cuisines, street foods, and many authentic choices are essential factors that can let you enjoy the best Vietnam tour in Hoi An. To make your trip more memorable, you can find beautiful souvenirs of bamboo lanterns, ceramic items, ornate accessories, hand-painted tiles, etc. It is also famous for its traditional handicraft item shopping Centre, and many tailor workshops are offering instant custom-made dresses of your choice.
 
Hoi An is famous for beautiful temples, pagodas, and structures with European influence. Out of the many temples, Phuc Kien Temple, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Hai Nam Temple, Quan Am Temple, and Chuc Thanh Pagoda are some of the famous locations with immense historical value.

8.    My Son Sanctuary:
My Son UNESCO World Heritage Site is an ancient sanctuary in Quang Nam province of Vietnam, ensembled with all the ingredients required to consider it a world-historical location. It has a history dating back to the 4 to 13 centuries and was the capital of the Champa Kingdom with ferocious religious activities. The massive temple remains and some of the intact structures with carvings of Hindu deities exhibit the influence of Hinduism and the construction technologies of the Cham dynasty. Under the UNESCO World Heritage protection scheme, the massive adobe built complex gets periodical maintenance and attracts tourists globally.

Conclusion:
Tradition and modernity perfectly blend to meet the challenges of contemporary life is an outstanding example; the World can copy from Vietnam's progression along with the changing tourism landscape. Incorporating cutting-edge technologies for serving tourists, tour operators put their best effort into offering the best Vietnam tour packages to cater to the requirements of all types of visitors who want to enjoy quality time and entertainment for an affordable budget.

Vivutravel, a renowned tour operator with 16 years of impeccable service, offers its best tour packages to tourists like many other tour operators. Their offer includes tailor-made packages with bilingual travel guides and transfers for an affordable rate and helps you plan your Vietnam heritage tour for an ever-memorable experience.

Suggested Vietnam heritage tour by Vivutravel and please contact us for a detailed tour itinerary/quote.

Brief Itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Hanoi - Ha Giang - Nam Dam Homestay
Day 3: Nam Dam - Dong Van
Day 4: Dong Van - Ma Pi Leng Pass - Nho Que River Boat trip - Ba Vi Homestay
Day 5: Ba Vi - Cao Bang
Day 6: Cao Bang - Ngoc Con Village - Ban Gioc Waterfall
Day 7: Ban Gioc waterfall - Nguom Ngao Cave - Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Tam Coc Boat Trip - Mua Cave Mount
Day 9: Ninh Binh - Halong Bay (Overnight Cruise)
Day 10: Halong Bay - Hanoi
Day 11: Hanoi - Fight to Dong Hoi
Day 12: Phong Nha Cave - Paradise Cave
Day 13: Dong Hoi - Vinh Moc Tunnels - Hue
Day 14: Hue - Royal Citadel - Perfume River Boat Trip - Tomb of Minh Mang and Khai Dinh
Day 15: Hue - Hai Van pass - Hoi An
Day 16: Hoi An - My Son - Hoi An
Day 17: Hoi An Free Day
Day 18: Hoi An Departure

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