Stop and check in at some of Vietnam's most ancient destinations.

Sa Pa Stone Church

If you've visited the "misty town," you've probably had the chance to admire the Sa Pa Stone Church – a century-old architectural masterpiece built in 1895. The most attractive feature of the church is its architecture, designed in the style of ancient Roman Gothic, most clearly evident in the roof, bell tower, and arches, all of which are pyramidal in shape, giving the structure a light and airy feel.

Besides being a structure of aesthetic and artistic value, the Sa Pa stone church is also a place for traditional cultural activities of the local ethnic people. If you visit on Saturdays, you can witness firsthand the unique cultural activities of the ethnic minorities, such as the "love market." Along with that, there are prayer activities on weekends with children singing hymns in the Hmong language.

Long Bien Bridge

Built between 1898 and 1902 across the Red River, Long Bien Bridge stands proudly, witnessing many ups and downs of history. This century-old structure and tourist attraction, built by the French, boasts a unique architectural design with a single railway track running down the middle, flanked by lanes for motorcycles and pedestrians. With its ancient beauty, Long Bien Bridge has now become a popular photography spot in Hanoi, loved by many photographers and young people.

However, taking photos directly on Long Bien Bridge is dangerous because dozens of trains pass by every day. Gathering to take photos on the railway tracks in the middle of Long Bien Bridge is therefore considered a violation of the Railway Law, endangering the lives of both visitors and train passengers. The best suggestion if you want a beautiful photo with this historic bridge is to take photos on the pedestrian walkway or sit at a cafe with a view of the bridge.

Duong Lam Ancient Village

The ancient village of Đường Lâm is located in Sơn Tây town, about 44 km from the center of Hanoi. Despite the vicissitudes of time, this "land of two kings" still retains the basic characteristics of a Northern Vietnamese village, with its familiar village gates, riverside docks, banyan trees, and communal house courtyards. The peaceful pace of life in Đường Lâm allows visitors to feel refreshed and find tranquility within their hearts.

This is also a purely Vietnamese village, with most of its structures, such as the village well, village gate, communal house, and village pagoda, built with laterite stone and wood combined with locally available materials, yet still standing today after centuries. Along with historical relics, houses dating back hundreds of years, and the customs and traditions of the people, Duong Lam ancient village is now a famous destination attracting tourists from all over to visit and learn more about the history and unique culture of Vietnamese rural life.

Hue Imperial Citadel

The Hue Imperial Citadel is one of the most important areas of the Hue Citadel complex, serving as the residence and workplace of the king and royal family, as well as a place of worship for ancestors and the Nguyen dynasty kings. Construction of the citadel began in 1804, but it wasn't until the reign of Emperor Minh Mang in 1833 that approximately 100 large and small structures were completed.

The Imperial Citadel is surrounded by a protective moat, with four gates: Ngo Mon, Hien Nhon, Chuong Duc, and Hoa Binh. Inside are the Thai Hoa Palace - where the emperor held court, the area of ​​temples, and the Forbidden City - the residence of the emperor and royal family. The century-old Hue Imperial Citadel is an ideal tourist destination to explore and learn about the cultural and historical heritage of ancient feudal dynasties.

Da Lat Train Station

Dalat Railway Station is a must-see for tourists who have had the chance to visit the "city of a thousand flowers". Considered the most beautiful old railway station in Vietnam, it was designed and built by two French architects between 1932 and 1938.

Dalat Railway Station boasts a distinctly Western architectural style, with areas such as the main hall housing the ticket office, the staff quarters, and the platform with three covered tracks extending outwards. Currently, the station still displays a more than 100-year-old French-style steam locomotive and a remaining section of the old cogwheel railway. The steam locomotive has now become an extremely popular backdrop for photos, a favorite spot for young people to check in. Furthermore, Dalat Railway Station is the only place in Vietnam that still preserves these two artifacts, and only a few places in the world still possess them.

Ho Chi Minh City Post Office

Located at 2 Paris Commune Square (Ben Nghe Ward, District 1), the Saigon Post Office sits right next to Notre Dame Cathedral. It is considered one of the most beautiful architectural landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting many visitors and explorers every day.

Built between 1886 and 1891 by the renowned French architect Gustave Eiffel, the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office stands out in its striking yellow color in the afternoon sun. The building's architecture is a harmonious blend of Western and Eastern styles, featuring a beautiful archway. With its artistic and historical value, it has become an unmissable stop for tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City.

Binh Thuy Ancient House

The Binh Thuy Ancient House is located at 142/144 Bui Huu Nghia Street, Binh Thuy Ward, Can Tho City. Built in 1870, it is one of the few ancient houses that remain intact to this day and holds great value in supporting research and understanding of the culture, customs, and traditions of the people of the Mekong Delta during the transitional period between the two centuries.

When visiting Binh Thuy Ancient House, tourists will have the opportunity to "travel back in time" to the distant past, immersing themselves in the dreamlike, affluent lifestyle of wealthy families in Southern Vietnam, and hearing about the daily life of Southern Vietnamese families more than 100 years ago through the simple stories of the homeowner. Especially, visitors will be able to admire a house with an architectural style that harmoniously blends Eastern and Western cultures.

Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House

The Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, also known as the Sa Dec Ancient House, is one of the most unique architectural works in Southern Vietnam. It was the residence of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the male protagonist in the novel "The Lover." The house became famous worldwide when the autobiography of writer Marguerite Duras was adapted into the film of the same name (L'Amant) in 1991.

The Huynh Thuy Le ancient house is a unique blend of Eastern and Western styles. The roof resembles a boat from the Mekong Delta, while the arched doorways are designed in the Roman style, featuring carved reliefs of flowers, plants, birds, and animals from the 17th century. This century-old tourist site was recognized as a provincial-level historical site in 2008 and a national-level historical site in 2009.

Minh Chi