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Exploring the must-see monuments in Vietnam is to embark on a journey through centuries of history, artistry, and cultural identity. Our 20 years of passionate exploration throughout the country have revealed how each monument carries not only architectural beauty but also deep symbolic meaning, making these sites unmissable for truly understanding Vietnam’s soul.
The Temple of Literature is much more than Hanoi’s largest temple—it's a testament to Vietnam’s long-standing reverence for education and Confucian values. Founded in 1070 by Emperor Lý Thánh Tông to honor Confucius, the complex later became the nation’s first university (Quốc Tử Giám), educating scholars and royal elites for nearly a millennium. Though battered by wars through the centuries, it has been carefully restored, and its 82 stone steles—engraved with the names of doctoral graduates—are now recognized by UNESCO as World Documentary Heritage.
The architecture is exceptionally symbolic: the temple is laid out along a strict North-South axis, with five architecturally distinct courtyards. Each courtyard represents a phase of scholarly pursuit or a Confucian ideal. The Nhập Đạo Courtyard, with its stone steles instructing visitors to dismount, sets a tone of humility before knowledge. Notable features include the Pavilion of Constellation (Khuê Văn Các), an iconic wooden structure with intricate details, evoking Hanoi’s intellectual spirit (even gracing the 100,000 VND note). Decorative motifs—dragons and phoenixes, glazed tiles from Bat Trang, and ornate gates—reinforce the social order and philosophical ideals ingrained in ancient Vietnamese education. In every leaf-dappled path, the temple whispers stories of Vietnam’s most revered scholars.
The Japanese Bridge in Hoi An is a shining example of the city’s cosmopolitan history. Constructed in the late 16th century by Japanese merchants, its primary function was to connect the Japanese and Chinese quarters of the then-vibrant trading port—facilitating not just commerce, but cultural exchange as well. Architecturally, the bridge is unique: lacquered red wood atop solid stone foundations, capped by a gracefully curved pagoda roof adorned with yin-yang motifs. Inside, a small temple is dedicated to a northern deity believed to protect residents—combining functionality with spiritual and artistic significance.
Beyond its physical attributes, the bridge is woven with local legend. It is said to suppress a mythical water monster, an embodiment of chaotic forces, by aligning with geomantic (feng shui) principles, thus safeguarding the town. This fusion of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese symbolism is both practical and mystical, a testament to Hoi An’s layered identity. Today, after recent restorations, the Japanese Bridge remains a profound emblem of unity and harmony—honored nationwide on the 20,000 VND banknote and cherished by locals as a source of pride and protection.
Once the imperial heart of Vietnam, the Hue Imperial Citadel exemplifies the power and artistry of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802–1945). Encompassing 520 hectares, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a formidable series of three concentric ramparts—outer defenses in the Vauban style influenced by both Asian and European concepts, and inner sanctums of palaces, shrines, and administrative buildings. The Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City within recall the Forbidden City in Beijing, reserved solely for the emperor and his family.
The citadel was not simply a seat of government; it represented cosmic and philosophical ideas. Its layout is meticulously aligned with feng shui and Confucian precepts—every gate, moat, and path intended to preserve harmony between yin and yang, and the sustainability of the dynasty. Despite damage during past conflicts, restoration efforts have revived much of the complex’s grandeur. Visitors today can admire the exquisite lacquered woodwork, imperial tombs along the Perfume River, ceremonial halls, and the enduring serenity of its lush gardens. For those who wish to step into the layers of Vietnam’s regal past, these walls are unrivaled.
French colonial architecture in Ho Chi Minh City stands as a living archive of early modern Vietnam—a blend of imported styles and local ingenuity. Particularly in District 1, the broad tree-lined boulevards, grids, and elegant facades recall Saigon’s historic élan.
Notre Dame Cathedral: Built from 1877–1883, this cathedral draws inspiration from Notre-Dame de Paris, blending neo-Romanesque style with Gothic flourishes. Its red brick front—imported from Toulouse—supports twin spires and stained-glass windows. Twice a day, the bells peal above bustling modern traffic, and the square before the statue of the Virgin Mary remains a favorite gathering place, notably for wedding photographers catching the soft southern light.
Central Post Office: A masterpiece of engineering and design, with a metal structure attributed to Gustave Eiffel, the Post Office (1886–1891) is a working reminder of the city’s dynamic colonial era. Step inside to find domed ceilings, arched windows, intricate ironwork, and an enormous painted map of colonial Vietnam—details that merge European utility with Indochinese flair.
Ben Thanh Market: Opened in 1914, Ben Thanh is not classically European, but echoes the Art Deco and colonial aesthetic with its iconic clock tower, airy halls, and bustling stalls. A center for trade ever since, it remains the city’s symbol of daily life, where old meets new.
Museum of Fine Arts: Housed in a richly eclectic former merchant’s house, this museum is a fusion of French, Chinese, and Vietnamese design—a study in colonial-era cross-pollination, now home to centuries of Vietnamese art.
Walking these streets is to move through layers of Ho Chi Minh City’s—and Vietnam’s—history, where each building tells a story of ambition, adaptation, and enduring beauty.
At Shanti Travel, our deep expertise enables us to bring these singular landmarks to life for every traveler. Whether it’s the reverence for scholars at the Temple of Literature, the poetic symbolism of the Japanese Bridge, the imperial splendor of Hue, or the cosmopolitan elegance of Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarters, these must-see monuments in Vietnam anchor your journey in the stories that have shaped a nation.
