{"id":801,"date":"2020-09-04T15:44:58","date_gmt":"2020-09-04T05:44:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/worldheritagejourney.com\/?p=801"},"modified":"2023-12-18T18:44:58","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T08:44:58","slug":"world-heritage-sites-in-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldheritagejourney.com\/world-heritage-sites-in-vietnam\/","title":{"rendered":"World Heritage Sites in Vietnam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam. One of the most fascinating and beautiful countries in all of South-East Asia, Vietnam is beloved for its incredible history, fantastic landscapes and excellent cuisine. So if you’d like to learn more about the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Vietnam, read on for our full guide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And of course, don’t forget to check out World Heritage Journey on YouTube <\/a>for the latest videos. You can also follow us on Facebook, where we post about interesting World Heritage Sites<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – World Heritage Sites in Vietnam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First of our UNESCO Heritage Sites in Vietnam is Thang Long Citadel, located in central Hanoi. It was built in the 11th century during the Ly Dynasty, but little from that era still remains. Interestingly, the imperial capital moved south in the 19th century to keep the emperor safe from Chinese invasions. But the Hanoi citadel itself remained an important part of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Main gate of Thang Long Citadel<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Even after the capital moved away, Thang Long Citadel remained the emperor’s primary northern residence, and was frequently used for official state functions. The immense 16th century South Gate is a great example of this. It’s the main entrance to the Imperial Citadel Hanoi, but only the emperor was permitted to use the centre gates. His entourage and ministers had to use the side entrances!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the French occupation, most of the ancient citadel buildings were demolished and replaced with modern French structures. This included a fortress inspired by Sebastian Vauban, who was among the world’s leading fort designers. Vauban is also the subject of a separate World Heritage Site, the Fortifications of Vauban<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Layout of Thang Long Citadel, showing Vauban’s influences<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These French buildings are most of what we can see at the site today. But after the battle of Dien Bien Phu and Vietnamese independence in the 1950s, the Citadel took on another new life. It was home to the famous flag-raising ceremonies organised by Ho Chi Minh. During the War, it was both the North Vietnamese military command headquarters, and a major political base too, as the governing Politburo held meetings here in a reinforced bunker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Defensive towers at Thang Long Citadel<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Across the road, there’s also an enormous archaeological dig uncovering earlier remains of the Citadel. In 2003, workers building the new Vietnamese National Assembly building uncovered evidence of the ancient citadel, and excavations have continued since then. There’s not really a whole lot to see here, but it’s definitely fascinating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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