‘’Hell on Earth’’ was how Con Doa Prison was described during its heyday - and that alone tells you all about the dire conditions and brutal torture liberally dished out by its guards and security staff. It seems ironic that Con Dao Prison is situated on a beautiful tropical island considering the horrors that took place there. Con Son Island, where the prison is located, …
Bich Dong Pagoda – Ninh Binh City
The Bich Dong Pagoda, translated to the "Pagoda of the Emerald Grotto" in English, is a temple set in the Ninh Binh Province. It's established against the Bich Dong Mountain inside the Ngu Nhac Son range. The structure is partially built inside a cave and is part of a three-temple complex, surrounded by natural elements and beauty. This helped it get listed as a UNESCO World …
Ba Den Pagoda – Tay Ninh Province
Ba Den Pagoda (Linh Son Tien Thach Tu) is a 300-year old temple built on Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh Province. Located about 110 miles from Ho Chi Minh City, the mountain and temple are popular tourist destinations. Many international sightseers make an effort to visit the pagoda during the Lunar New Year to pray for wealth and prosperity for the following year. On top of …
Son La Prison – Son La Province
There isn’t much left of the old Son La Prison but what has remained is still enough to send chills down the spine. Situated on the summit of Khau Ca Hill and overlooking Son La Town, this former prison is a ghastly reminder of the horrors that were regularly inflicted in the era of French rule. We have to go back to 1908 to uncover the origins of Son La Prison. It began …
Temple of Literature – Hanoi
The Temple of Literature is not just another Southeast Asian temple. While it houses shrines, altars, and religious writings within, this storied location, in the heart of Hanoi, pays homage to a more secular divinity: education. This oasis of peace in an otherwise chaotic metropolis is a place for reflection, meditation, and for the serious visitor, some learning as …
Hanoi Old Quarter
With a history spanning over 2,000 years, Hanoi's Old Quarter is an area that is as precious to locals as it is intriguing to visitors. Many businesses on these streets have been around for centuries and still thrive today as some of this capital's main hubs for shopping, eating, and cultural traditions. Since the Old Quarter is one of Hanoi's oldest and most ever-changing …
Buu Long Tourist Area – Bien Hoa
Situated about 6 km/3.7 miles from the Bien Hoa City’s center, Buu Long Tourist Area is a beautiful recreational retreat enjoyed by Vietnamese natives and international travelers. With an impressive area of 84 hectares/ 207.5 acres, this park has many different must-see attractions that appeal to families and individuals of all ages. Bien Hoa, the provincial capital of Dong …
Tay Ninh Holy See (Cao Dai Temple) – Hoa Thanh
Located just 4km/2.5 miles from Tay Ninh, Cao Dai Temple is part of a prominent Caodaist complex founded in 1926. It's still an active place of worship for the Caodaism faith, one of the ten official religions in Vietnam. The Holy See, also known as “Toa Thanh Temple,” is regarded as the Caodaist headquarters and a popular tourist attraction. The area that the Holy See …
Ho May Park – Vung Tau
A stop to Vung Tau isn't complete without a visit to Ho May Park, an amusement park that's guaranteed to be one of the most unique ones you'll see in your life. There won't be a lack of things to see, do, and experience with several different areas to explore. The park is set on top of Nui Lon's peak and spreads over 100 hectares/247 acres of land, offering some fantastic …
Long Bien Bridge – Hanoi
Originally known as the “Paul-Doumer Bridge” prior to 1954, the Long Bien Bridge is one of the most famous in Vietnam and one of five that crosses the Red River. Made of cast iron steel, its unique appearance resembles the Eiffel Tower, which is not a coincidence as the two structures were both designed by Gustav Eiffel. Long Bien is also one of Hanoi's busiest bridges, with …
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi
Located in the heart of Hanoi, the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long is a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to the 11th century. Even before the complex was there, the site itself was the hub for the country's politics for 13 consecutive centuries and the capital of Vietnam for eight. Over the years, the Citadel underwent several changes and witnessed many conflicts of …
Vinh Hung Ancient Tower – Bac Lieu Province
The Vinh Hung Ancient Tower was discovered in 1911, but the archaic building is much older than that. This structure is from the Angkor period, when the Khmer people lived, dating back to the 9th century. According to Sanskrit writings found on the pagoda next door, it’s estimated that the Vinh Hung Tower was built sometime between 814-892 BC. The tower is especially …
Vinh Trang Pagoda – My Tho
Constructed in 1850, the beautiful Vinh Trang Pagoda is one of the most impressive, famous pagodas in the Mekong Delta region. This exquisite temple is located roughly 3 km/1.8 miles from My Tho’s city center and has two acres of stunning property. With fruit trees and manicured gardens surrounding the main building, along with several styles of architecture from other …
Minh Thanh Pagoda – Pleiku
Located on a hill about 2km (1.2 miles) from Pleiku’s city center, the Minh Thanh Pagoda is often surrounded by mist. Built in 1964 with the guidance of Venerable Thich Giac Dao, and rebuilt again in 1997, this shrine is thought of as the most beautiful one in Gia Lai Province. It's also an embodiment of Vietnam’s national identity, confirming cultural and spiritual values …
Terraced Rice Fields – Sapa
The terraced rice fields of Sapa have become iconic due to their intricate design and unparalleled precision. Amazingly, this is all manmade and the locals use the same practices to cultivate their fields as their ancestors did centuries ago. This is because the people of Sapa have always had a deeply close connection with nature. Its earliest settlers lived off the produce …
Stone Church – Sapa
Sapa’s stone church has stood since 1902 and is considered one of the most beautiful and regal buildings in town. The 600 m2 church is a rare Catholic relic dating back to the days of French rule and, despite several renovations, it retains its original appearance and charm. History of the Sapa Stone Church Upon its completion, Sapa Church served as a sacred site for the …
Muong Hoa Valley – Sapa
The magnificence of the Muong Hoa Valley has to be seen in person to be believed. Located roughly 14km away from Sapa, the rolling hillsides and soaring peaks constitute the largest rice farmlands in the region. The dramatic landscape is inhabited by humble locals who take pride in their livelihoods and culture. Always happy to embrace visiting tourists, these villagers have …
Long Son Pagoda – Nha Trang
Long Son Pagoda, also known as “White Buddha Pagoda” and “Chua Long Son,” is located at the base of the Trai Thuy Mountain in the city of Nha Trang. The shrine attracts many visitors for being the biggest in Nha Trang and being home to the “largest outdoor Buddha image in Vietnam” with a height of 24 meters (78.7 feet). The statue can be easily seen from the city, nearby …
Dinh Cau Temple – Phu Quoc
Located in the town of Duong Dong on Phu Quoc Island, you’ll find the Dinh Cau Temple built on a unique rock formation at the beach. The temple is surrounded by the beauty of the ocean, making it a widespread place to capture extraordinary views of the water and unforgettable sunsets. Even though it is a popular tourist attraction, it’s also an operating religious structure …
Po Nagar Cham Towers – Nha Trang
Constructed sometime between the 7th and 12th centuries, the Po Nagar Cham Towers, which is situated just north of Nha Trang by the Cai River, is the name for the primary temple in the Po Nagar Cham Complex. These days, it's still an operating place of worship, and just four of the original towers remain from what used to be seven or eight. The site was constructed to …