Vietnam — Heritage

Checked 26 September 2026: Vietnam has nine properties on the World Heritage List—six cultural, two natural and one mixed. Eight further places are on the Tentative List. A tentative entry is a possible future nomination, not an inscription on the World Heritage List.

The years below distinguish first inscription from later recognition and boundary changes. A serial property may contain multiple component sites; counting every component as a separate World Heritage property would inflate the total.

Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Checked: 2026-09-26.

Archaeological layers and surviving structures explain the long history of political power in the Red River Delta. Visit the excavations as well as the visible monuments; the heritage is not limited to one gate or palace.

Cultural · 2010

UNESCO — Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long – Hanoi

The late-fourteenth-century stone citadel in Thanh Hóa connects defensive architecture with the surrounding landscape. Its massive gates are an entry into the site, not the whole of its historical significance.

Cultural · 2011

UNESCO — Citadel of the Hồ Dynasty

The Nguyễn imperial capital is represented by a connected landscape of citadel, palaces, temples and tombs. River and terrain are part of the design. Restoration history deserves attention alongside the imperial period.

Cultural · 1993

UNESCO — Complex of Hué Monuments

A trading-port town whose streets and buildings preserve evidence of exchange across cultures. Its houses, assembly halls and bridges should be read as a town still inhabited and used, not an empty architectural exhibit.

Cultural · 1999

UNESCO — Hội An Ancient Town

This religious landscape records the architectural and spiritual history of Champa. Brick towers, sculpture and the surrounding valley belong together. Follow marked routes and respect protected fabric during a visit.

Cultural · 1999

UNESCO — Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary

A serial cultural property associated with the Trần dynasty and Trúc Lâm Buddhism. Its component places form a network rather than one compact attraction. Plan the journey around the specific components you intend to visit.

Cultural · 2025

UNESCO — Yên Tử–Vĩnh Nghiêm–Côn Sơn, Kiếp Bạc Complex of Monuments and Landscapes

First inscribed in 1994; geological values received further recognition in 2000. The significant boundary modification in 2023 added Cát Bà. This is one natural property, not two separately counted World Heritage entries.

Natural · 1994 · 2000 · 2023

UNESCO — Hạ Long Bay – Cát Bà Archipelago

Inscribed in 2003, with significant boundary modifications in 2015 and 2025. The 2025 extension includes Hin Nam No in Laos, making the property transboundary. The limestone system spans two countries; ordinary border formalities still apply to travel.

Natural · 2003 · 2015 · 2025

UNESCO — Phong Nha–Kẻ Bàng National Park and Hin Nam No National Park

Vietnam’s mixed World Heritage property combines karst landscapes with evidence of human occupation and cultural history. Its value is not exhausted by a boat ride: archaeology, settlements and the relationship between people and terrain matter too.

Mixed · 2014

UNESCO — Tràng An Landscape Complex

Dates indicate submission to the Tentative List, not World Heritage inscription.

1. The Area of Old Carved Stone in Sapa — 1997
2. Hương Sơn Complex of Natural Beauty and Historical Monuments — 1991
3. Cát Tiên National Park — 2006
4. Con Moong Cave — 2006
5. Ba Bể – Na Hang Natural Heritage Area — 2017
6. Óc Eo – Ba Thê archaeological site — 2022
7. Vân Long–Kim Bảng–Tam Chúc Sanctuary: Delacour’s Langur Bio-cultural Landscape — 2026
8. Củ Chi Tunnels — 2026

Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Checked: 2026-09-26.

Intangible cultural heritage is a separate system concerned with practices and knowledge. Examples include Nhã nhạc court music (Representative List, 2008; originally proclaimed in 2003), ca trù singing (Urgent Safeguarding List, 2009), Mother Goddess practices (2016) and Xòe dance of the Thái people (2021). These do not add to the nine World Heritage properties.

Biosphere reserves belong to UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme; Global Geoparks connect geological heritage with education and sustainable development. A national park, biosphere reserve, geopark and World Heritage property may overlap but are not synonyms. Check the designation and boundary relevant to the place you are visiting.

Sources: UNESCO · Intangible Cultural Heritage · UNESCO · Man and the Biosphere · UNESCO · Global Geoparks. Checked: 2026-09-26.