UNESCO Sites of Indochina

Within Indochina (Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam) we feature eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites; places recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation as being of such unique interest to the world that they have been afforded special preservation status.

Before embarking on my travels through Southeast Asia, I must confess that I did not know too much about the countries making up Indochina — namely Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos — apart from glowing recommendations from those who had been before me. However, as I researched my trip, my appetite was truly whetted for what I was about to see and experience.

I soon learned that among the plethora of interesting places to visit within the region are a total of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites; places recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation as being of such unique interest to the world that they have been afforded special preservation status.

Below, I’ve picked out a route through Indochina that takes in seven of my favourite World Heritage Sites, all of which can be easily combined into a three week trip around the region.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Indochina

UNESCO sites of Cambodia

Temples of Angkor

UNESCO sites of Laos

Luang Prabang
UNESCO site of Wat Phou

Dominated by the vast expanse of the Mekong River, this sleepy tropical region is home to the temple ruins of Wat Phou, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

UNESCO sites of Vietnam

Halong Bay
Hoi An
Hue
My Son Ruins

Hoi An

My Son is Vietnam’s most important Cham site. The Cham civilization dominated the area that is now south Vietnam for many centuries before being crushed by the Vietnamese.