Top 19 famous historical relics over 1,000 years old in Vietnam

Summary of top historical relics more than 1,000 years old in Vietnam, destinations that preserve a thousand-year mark and unique cultural values.
Vietnam possesses many ancient buildings that have existed for millennia, preserving valuable traces of national history and culture. Join TravelViet to explore the tophistorical relics over 1,000 years old to understand more about the origin, and admire the architectural masterpieces that have stood the test of time.
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- Top 19 oldest historical relics more than 1,000 years old in Vietnam
Each historical site over 1,000 years old carries with it stories about its heroic past and lasting cultural value. Below are the oldest destinations that you should not miss.
Hoa Lu ancient capital
Hidden among the majestic limestone mountains of Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is one of Vietnam's typical historical relics over 1,000 years old, associated with the birth of the first centralized feudal state. This place was once the capital of Dai Co Viet under the Dinh and Early Le dynasties, witnessing the event of Dinh Bo Linh unifying the country, opening a period of independence after more than a millennium of Northern domination. Although the capital was moved to Thang Long in 1010, Hoa Lu still retains almost intact the mark of a heroic historical period.
This complex of Vietnamese historical relics stands out with King Dinh Tien Hoang Temple, King Le Dai Hanh Temple with ancient architecture, Nhat Tru Pagoda that preserves stone pillars dating back more than 1,000 years and Am Tien Cave which is likened to a "perfect love cup" amidst the rolling mountains. Each project reflects the level of architecture, beliefs and art of the Vietnamese people from the beginning of the country, creating a space that is both sacred and rich in history.

Hoa Lu ancient capital
Thang Long Imperial Citadel
In 2010, Thang Long Imperial Citadel was registered by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, affirming the outstanding global value of a Vietnamese historical heritage of international stature. Not only is it a famous tourist attraction, this place is also a "living documentary warehouse" that helps visitors better understand the process of building and defending the country of the Vietnamese people.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel
Kinh Thien Altar
Located in the middle of Moc Hoan valley in the core area of Trang An scenic complex, Kinh Thien Dan is a historical relic more than 1,000 years old associated with the heaven-sacrifice rituals of the Dinh, Early Le and early Ly dynasties. According to historical documents, this is where the emperors performed the Nam Giao ceremony to pray for peace, good weather, and prosperity for the country. This is also considered one of the most important royal religious spaces in Vietnamese history.
After a restoration project starting in 2018, the Kinh Thien Altar gradually recreates the majestic appearance of an ancient building amid a magnificent limestone mountain landscape. The building is designed with many architectural floors gradually ascending, creating a solemn and sacred feeling. Stone gates, steps and open spaces amidst nature contribute to highlighting the architectural value and spiritual significance of the relic.

Kinh Thien Dan
Lieu Coc Twin Towers
Located in Lieu Coc Thuong village, Hue city, Lieu Coc Twin Towers is one of the rare remaining over 1,000-year-old historical relics of the Champa culture. The project was built around the 9th - 10th centuries with a unique architecture of two parallel towers, with almost no similar works in Vietnam. It is this difference that makes Lieu Coc Twin Towers a heritage of special historical, archaeological and architectural value.
Even though it has gone through many upheavals of time and war, the remaining traces still show the sophisticated construction level of the ancient Cham people. Through archaeological excavations, many artifacts and brick architectural structures were discovered, contributing to clarifying the construction techniques, beliefs and cultural life of a kingdom that once flourished in Central Vietnam.
Today, Lieu Coc Twin Towers have been ranked as a National Monument, but more conservation solutions are still needed to preserve their long-term value. With over a millennium old and unique architecture, this is one of the notable Vietnamese historical sites, especially for tourists who love to explore ancient works and Champa cultural heritage.

Lieu Coc Twin Towers
Van Nien Pagoda
Located peacefully on the banks of the romantic West Lake, Van Nien Pagoda is one of the outstanding historical relics of Hanoi Capital that is more than 1,000 years old. Built in 1011 under the Ly Dynasty with the original name Van Tue, the pagoda has witnessed more than a millennium of development of the capital Thang Long. The pure, ancient space and rows of perennial trees make this place an ideal stop for tourists who want to learn about Vietnamese Buddhist history and culture.
The highlight of this Vietnamese historical relic is the traditional wooden architectural system including three gates, main hall, Mau temple and exquisitely carved monk's house. The pagoda also preserves many precious artifacts such as ancient bronze bells, Buddha statues, stone stele and especially the Jade Buddha Palace inaugurated on the occasion of 1,000 years of Thang Long - Hanoi.

Van Nien Pagoda
Gin Temple

Gin Temple
Duong Lam ancient village
About 45km from the center of Hanoi, Duong Lam ancient village is known as the "living museum" of the Northern Delta, where the traditional Vietnamese village space has been kept almost intact for hundreds of years. This land with a history dating back more than a millennium is the hometown of two kings Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen, and is considered one of the unique Vietnamese historical relics that clearly reflects ancient life, culture and architecture.
Walking along tiled alleys, laterite walls covered with the color of time or ancient moss-tiled roofs, visitors will feel the peaceful rhythm of life still preserved by the people for many generations. Currently, Duong Lam owns dozens of historical relics, communal houses, pagodas, temples and hundreds of ancient houses from 100 to more than 400 years old.

Duong Lam ancient village
Thang Nghiem Pagoda
Thang Nghiem Pagoda is a historical relic more than 1,000 years old, built during the Ly Dynasty and associated with the development of Buddhism in Thang Long. According to many documents, this place was once a stopping point for famous monks such as Khuong Viet and Van Hanh, and is associated with many special historical stories in the nation's journey to build and defend the country.
Different from many ancient pagodas in the North, Thang Nghiem Pagoda impresses with its architecture imbued with Tantric Buddhism with striking yellow, red and brown colors, harmoniously combined with curved tile roofs, wooden columns and traditional laterite walls. In addition to the 34 precious ordinations still preserved, the pagoda also owns many statues and dharma objects with long-standing cultural value.
Thanh Do Ban
Do Ban Citadel (also known asHoang De Citadel) is one of the more than 1,000-year-old historical relics of special value in Central Vietnam. The project was built at the end of the 10th century during the Champa kingdom and was once the capital of Vijaya - an important political and military center of the Cham people for many centuries. After Dai Viet conquered Champa in 1471, the citadel continued to be associated with the Tay Son dynasty and the Nguyen dynasty, creating a complex with a rare "multi-layered cultural" mark in Vietnamese history.
Do Ban Citadel stands out with its massive scale including three citadel layers: Outer Citadel, Inner Citadel and Forbidden Citadel, reflecting the level of military planning and unique ancient architecture. Not only did it witness the prosperity of the Champa kingdom, this place also marked many important historical events, especially the battles between the Tay Son army and the Nguyen Dynasty at the end of the 18th century.

Thanh Do Ban
My Son Sanctuary
The entire Vietnamese historical relic site includes more than 70 temples and towers built of baked bricks and sandstone with sophisticated architectural and sculptural techniques that still remain mysterious to this day. Despite suffering many losses from war and time, My Son Sanctuary still retains unique artistic, religious and historical values, demonstrating the interference between indigenous culture and Hinduism. In 1999, the work was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, becoming a historical destination not to be missed for those who love to explore Vietnam's ancient heritage.
Ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda
Nestled among the limestone mountains of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, ancient Bai Dinh pagoda is a historical relic more than 1,000 years old bearing the imprint of Buddhism during the Dinh, Early Le and Ly dynasties. Unlike today's famous new Bai Dinh pagoda complex, the ancient pagoda impresses with its shrines built inside natural caves, creating a rare sacred and mysterious space.
According to historical records, the pagoda was founded by Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong in 1136 and is closely associated with the development of Buddhism in the ancient capital. The unique feature of this Vietnamese historical relic is the system of Bright Cave, Dark Cave, Jade Well and the temples of Saint Nguyen and Cao Son god still preserved today. Not only preserving many antiques bearing the mark of the Ly Dynasty, ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda is also considered a "historical witness" of many feudal dynasties.
Dam Pagoda
Leaning its back against Dam Mountain and facing the Duong River, Today, although many items are no longer intact, Dam Pagoda is still famous for its Ly Dynasty dragon-carved stone pillars, ancient foundation system and many valuable archaeological artifacts. The ancient space between mountains and green trees further highlights the quiet beauty of this more than 1,000-year-old historical site. With special value in history, architecture and Buddhism, Dam Pagoda is an attractive historical destination for tourists who want to learn about the art and culture of the Ly Dynasty - one of the most brilliant periods of development of the Vietnamese people.

Dam Pagoda
Doi Son Pagoda
Located on the top of Doi Mountain, Doi Son Pagoda (Dien Linh Tu or Long Doi Son Pagoda) is one of the famous historical relics of more than 1,000 years old in the Northern Delta. Built during the Ly Dynasty under the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong, the pagoda is located on a dragon-shaped mountain facing Thang Long, creating a special feng shui position. To get to the pagoda, visitors will pass nearly 400 winding stone steps amidst the cool green forest, giving the feeling of entering a pure spiritual journey.
Not only possessing a charming mountain and water landscape, this Vietnamese historical relic also preserves many architectural imprints of the Ly Dynasty with Sung Thien Dien Linh stele - a national treasure, the system of Three Entrances, Three Jewels, Mau Temple and many valuable ancient Buddha statues. Every year, the pagoda is the place where the Doi Son Tich Dien Festival and Doi Son Pagoda Festival take place, unique intangible cultural heritages of Ha Nam.
Buddhist Temple
Located on the slopes of Phat Tich mountain in Bac Ninh province, The highlight of this Vietnamese historical relic is the monolithic green stone Amitabha Buddha statue carved during the Ly Dynasty, considered the largest ancient stone Buddha statue in Vietnam still kept today. Besides, the pagoda grounds also have rows of sacred animal statues, ancient towers, stupa gardens and many precious artifacts reflecting the peak sculptural art of the Ly Dynasty.

Buddhist Temple
Huong Lang Pagoda
In the midst of Hung Yen land rich in cultural traditions, The unique feature of this Vietnamese historical relic is the system of rare stone artifacts such as stone lion statues, six sets of steps carved with dragons, crocodiles, phoenixes, lotus flowers and chrysanthemums, many of which have been recognized as National Treasures. The soft, sophisticated sculptural lines reflect the peak artistic level of the Ly Dynasty.
An Pagoda
Located in the scenic complex of Ao Ba Om and the Museum of Khmer Ethnic Culture, Ang Pagoda is one of the more than 1,000-year-old historical relics typical of the Southern Khmer people. Built in the 10th century, the temple named Paly is Wat Angkor Raig Borei and is considered one of the oldest Khmer temples still in existence in Vietnam. After many restorations, the pagoda still retains the traditional architecture and unique cultural values of Khmer Theravada Buddhism.
Surrounded by rows of ancient trees and a wide moat, this Vietnamese historical site impresses with its three-towered gate, magnificent main hall, and system of statues, Garuda birds, fairies, and intricately carved motifs. Not only is it a place for religious activities of the Khmer community, Ang Pagoda is also a historical destination that helps visitors learn more deeply about the culture, art and spiritual life of Southern residents over the centuries.

Ang Pagoda
Ngau Pagoda
Ngau Pagoda (Hung Long Tu) is a historical relic more than 1,000 years old associated with the Ly Dynasty and many folk legends of the capital. According to historical data, the pagoda was built by Queen Le Thien during the reign of King Ly Than Tong, as both a place to worship Buddha and the Goddess Ngau - a deity revered by local people for many generations. The ancient space and rich history make the pagoda a famous spiritual destination in the suburbs of Hanoi.
Through many changes over time, Ngau Pagoda still preserves many traditional architectural values along with valuable statues, horizontal panels, parallel sentences and ancient artifacts. In 1995, the pagoda was ranked as a national historical and cultural relic, affirming its important role in the system of Vietnamese historical relics. Coming here, visitors not only have the opportunity to worship in a pure space but also have the opportunity to explore a thousand-year-old ancient temple imbued with ancient Thang Long culture.

Ngau Pagoda
Dau Pagoda
Ham Long Pagoda
Hanoi 10 view
Update day : 23/07/2026
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