Four others can soon be Vietnam's new World Heritage Sites

Together with the existing world heritage sites that have gained international fame, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Trang An Natural Ecological Area, Cuc Phuong National Park, and Con Dao Prison are notable candidates for the title of UNESCO World Heritage site in Vietnam.

With a history that spans over a millennium, Hoa Lu is a significant cultural and historical relic complex located in Ninh Binh Province. It served as the first capital of Vietnam during the feudal era until King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long (Hanoi) in 1010. Many structures, including temples, pagodas, and communal houses, were restored or constructed in subsequent dynasties (Ly, Tran, Le, and Nguyen). This historical site has garnered increasing attention from both government authorities and tourists, making it one of Vietnam's earliest contenders for UNESCO status, initially nominated in 1991.

Trang An is a picturesque area featuring a network of lakes, limestone mountains, and caves adjacent to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. Not only is it renowned for its geological significance and natural biodiversity, but Trang An also captivates archaeologists due to its wealth of relics. With its extraordinary natural and historical values, this region dubbed “Ha Long Bay on land” is being developed as an international tourism destination while also vying for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Cuc Phuong National Park is another candidate from Vietnam's initial 1991 nominations. This tropical rainforest is a sanctuary for many species of animals, birds, fish, and insects, including several threatened species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Cuc Phuong is a popular destination for biologists, nature enthusiasts, and trekkers. For tips on camping within Vietnam's national parks, check out this list of national parks.

The final nominee, the Con Dao Prison, was built by French colonists to imprison Vietnamese nationalists. For decades, the prison's notorious “Chuong Cop” (Tiger Cage) was used to detain high-ranking opposition leaders considered the “most dangerous” by both the French and American regimes. Nearly four decades after the end of the war, the historical significance of this site remains poignant and relevant.

Despite significant efforts made by the Vietnamese government to promote and revitalize these sites, it remains unclear why two of them were not recognized in the initial 1991 nominations. Gaining UNESCO recognition would undoubtedly enhance tourism and encourage more visitors to the provinces, particularly to Ninh Binh, which is home to three of the four nominated sites.