Today, Vietnam is a proud and independent nation that has risen from shackles of outside control from the Chinese, Khmers, Chams, Mongols, and finally the West. Whiles war and natural disasters have cruelly taken away much of Vietnam’s historical heritage a great deal still remains and paint a vivid picture of Vietnam’s rich and diverse past. The following UNESSCO World Heritage sites are amongst Vietnam’s best.

ANCIENT HOI AN TOWN

From 16th to 18th Century, the central Vietnam town of Hoi an was a flourishing trading port and frequented by trading vessels plying the seas around Asia and Europe. Today, that history is still alive and on display with the ancient town having been completely and diligently preserved. Aligned along narrow laneways Hoi An’s tube – shaped wooden house are in a traditional Vietnamese design and techniques with those from other countries such as China and Japan. In addition, the lifestyle of the local people remains well preserved, with traditional religion, custom and cooking observed in many annual festival. In modern day Hoi an, visitor are offered some of Vietnam’s best boutique hotels, international restaurants, and trendy bars. It is also arguably the place to get tailor- made clothes. And with its swath of museums, open house, historic temples, pagodas, cooking classes, nearby beaches and a full – moon lantern festival that transforms the town into a magical fairytale setting, Hoi An is a must – top destination for anyone visiting Vietnam.

HUE ANCIENT CITY RELICS

Proclaimed by UNESSCO as a “masterpiece of urban poetry”, the ancient city of Hue sits prettily on the banks of the Perfume Piver in central Vietnam. Here the Nguyen emperors rules from within the stone walls of the Citadel and its “ forbidden City “ which was only accessible to the emperors, their concubines and the closet of acquaintances. Although hue sustained much damage from natural disaster and war, significant amounts of the city and its architecture remain. Today, a complex of carefully restored and preserved UNESCO World heritage monuments can be found including temples, several tombs, palaces and pagoda, with the Thien Mu Pagoda being the largest and the symbol of the city. Also home to Vietnam’s famed Imperial cuisine featuring large degustation style menus, Hue hold a special place in the heart of all Vietnamese people and is well worth a visit.

MY SON SANCTURARY

Set within the jungle in small valley surrounded by High Mountain in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam lies My Son, a complex of delicately carved stone temple and towers dating back to the 7th – 13th Centuries. The religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence, My Son is an exceptional example of cultural interchange and the introduction of the Hindu architecture in the Indian sub-continent into South – East Asia. Here, Champa kings were crowned and buried, with successive kings endowing My Son with ever more temples to worship their gods. Ravaged by disrepair and the impacts of war, relics of My Son still stand proud with those remaining undergoing loving restoration. For anyone interested in Vietnamese history, visiting My Son provides the perfect complement to ancient Hoi An and imperial Hue.