Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (Nguyễn Văn Huyên street, Dịch Vọng, Cầu Giấy District, Hanoi) — this museum comes out of the recognition that Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country and that more attention should be paid to promote socio-cultural diversity. Despite being “off the beaten path” (far) compared with other geographically proximate museums in Hanoi, the […]
Vietnam Military History Museum (28A Điện Biên Phủ, Điện Biên, Ba Đình, Hanoi) – this museum recalls the country’s two major armed conflicts in the 20th century: the civil war that led to an end of Vietnam’s French colonization, and the American war against the former North Vietnamese Communist government. It was set up in […]
Vietnam History Museum (No. 1 Phạm Ngũ Lão, Tràng Tiền street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi) – this museum is located behind the renowned Hanoi Opera House. It was built in 1926 under the name Louis Finot Museum by the Ecole Française d’Extreme-Orient and finish in 1932. After being taken over by Vietnamese Government, the museum […]
Thien Hau Temple (710 Nguyễn Trãi, phường 11, Quận 5, Hồ Chí Minh City) — located in the Chinatown area (District 5) of Ho Chi Minh City and built back in the 19th century, Thien Hau Temple is dedicated to Thien Hau, the Lady of the Sea. Upon entering this weathered-looking structure, the beauty of […]
Saigon Notre Dame Basilica (Paris Square, Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City) – this cathedral is an enduring reminder of Vietnam’s French colonial presence. Church service is still held here on Sundays. The cathedral is beautiful, complete with two 40-meter high towers, and a statue of the Virgin Mary at the front lawn area. Admission: […]
Saigon Central Post Office (Top of Dong Khoi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) — Built between 1886 and 1891 by renowned architect Gustave Eiffel, the building’s vaulted roof and arched windows are reminiscent of early European railway stations. An enormous picture of Ho Chi Minh overlooks proceedings. Visitors can check the Post Office’s working […]
St. Joseph’s Cathedral (40 Nha Chung Street, Hanoi) – this is a Roman Catholic cathedral which was built in the 1880s by the French after they conquered Hanoi. It was built on land formerly belonging to Bao Thien pagoda. The architecture with domes of the cathedral follows the Gothic style and design of Paris Cathedral. […]
Reunification Palace (106 Nguyen Du St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) – this site probably has the most historical significance in regard to modern Vietnam. It was here, on April 30th, 1975, that the Vietnam War ended. Tanks of the (North Vietnamese) Liberation Army drove through the gates and a soldier went up to […]
One Pillar Pagoda (Ong Ich Khiem St — Ngoc Ha, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi) – located next to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in the center of Hanoi is this unique structure (a.k.a. Dien Huu Pagoda). It was built by King Ly Thai Tong during the 11th century. Built of wood on a single stone […]
Museum of Ho Chi Minh City (65 Lý Tự Trọng, District 1, Hồ Chí Minh City) – located within a neoclassical mansion built in 1885 (and once acting as the residence of the Governor of French Indochina, and the Supreme Court of the Republic of Vietnam), this museum showcases the history of this Vietnamese city, […]