A visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi is one of the most significant sites in modern Vietnamese history. Following the death of Ho Chi Minh in 1969, the Vietnamese leadership decided, against his own wishes for a simple cremation, to preserve his body for public veneration, much as Lenin’s remains had been treated in Moscow.
Construction of the mausoleum began on 2 September 1973 on the very spot in Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh had declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945. Designed through collaboration between Vietnamese and Soviet architects and engineers, the structure draws clear inspiration from Lenin’s Mausoleum while incorporating local elements such as a gently tiered roof reminiscent of traditional Vietnamese temples. Grey granite cladding, sturdy columns, and materials sourced from across the country give the building a sense of permanence and national unity.
The mausoleum was formally inaugurated on 29 August 1975, and since then it has served as both a place of quiet ...
Wat Singharam, known as the Monastery of the Lion, is a restored ruin situated on Ayutthaya’s city island. It stands on the grounds of what is now Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University. The site lies on the east bank of the remaining stretch of Khlong Chakrai Noi, directly opposite Wat Borom Phuttharam, with the ruins of Wat Suan Luang Khangkhao further south along the same canal bank.
The historical background and exact period of construction remain unknown. Evidence suggests it was possibly built during the middle Ayutthaya period (roughly 1488–1629) and later restored in the late Ayutthaya period (1629–1767). It predates the construction of the nearby Wat Borom Phuttharam.
Fragments of Chinese porcelain decorated with stucco designs were discovered at the entrance in front of the vihara; this style of decoration appears on other monuments restored during the reign of King Borommakot (1733–1758). A mid 19th century map labels the site as Wat Kot, likely a reference to that same ...
Kong Khong Market, also known as Bowing Market or Talat Kong Khong is located about 15 minutes south of Ayutthaya.
This market has a weird name because in the past vendors would lay their merchandises on the ground or in their boats. People who wanted to buy the goods had to bow their heads down in order to take a closer look at the items for sale.
This market was opened in 2006. It is a private market with the objective to allow the locals to have some space to open their shops. The market has been successful and has grown bigger until it has becomes the most interesting market in Ayutthaya. This market is open Thursdays to Sundays. On Thursdays and Fridays, customers are the locals or people working in nearby factories. During the weekends, customers who are tourists from other places in Thailand stop here.
Even though this market is not a big one, it has its own charm. All vendors wear Thai costumes in magenta or purple like the color of the mangosteen. The highlight of this market is the ...
Baibour Night Market (ตลาดใบบัว วงศ์สว่าง / Baibour Market Wong Sawang) the newest night market to open in Bangkok, launched on the 9th of September 2026 right beside the Wong Sawang MRT station on the Purple BTS Line.
Spanning more than 17 rai with space for hundreds of stalls under cover, it offers a spacious, modern setting that feels fresh compared with the city’s longer-established markets.
Getting there could not be simpler: step off the BTS at Wong Sawang and you are only a short walk from the entrance, making it one of the most accessible new markets for both Bangkok residents and visitors coming from Nonthaburi or further afield.
Inside, the market blends daytime convenience with evening energy. A wide selection of food and drink is available throughout the day and into the night, alongside everyday shopping and services, all set in a clean, covered environment designed for comfortable browsing.
Visit Baibour (Baibua) Night Market if you want to ...
