Visit Hanoi, Vietnam

Add to My List Check Off

Hanoi, Vietnam celebrated its 1,000 birthday as a capital city of Vietnam in 2010. Hanoi is also the country’s second most populous city. In the first part of the 20th century Hanoi also served as the capital of French Indochina and the French cultural influence is still apparent in the city today. It is believed that the Hanoi area has been inhabited for over 5,000 years. Hanoi is a main cultural center for Vietnam with many historically oriented galleries, displays and exhibits. Hanoi is quite compact and much of the city can be seen on foot although local transportation in the form of “cyclos” is readily available for weary travelers. Visitors to Vietnam enjoy a variety of excursions. Shopping in the Old Quarter with shops and vendors lining its 40 streets is a favorite activity of tourists in Hanoi. The streets are named for the primary item offered by the vendors on each. Visitors and residents line up to watch the show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater where dramatic puppet shows explain the history, culture and myths of Vietnam. The One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 and maintained as one of the primary historical monuments in Hanoi is frequently on the list of tourists. The most photograph worthy sites in Hanoi are found at Ba Dinh Square which is also the home of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the Vietnamese Manifesto was first read in 1945. One of Asia’s most beautiful spots can be found on the grounds of Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) and Quoc Tu Giam (National University). Sheltered behind high stone walls and ancient Frangipani trees are found ancient religious structures, historical treasures and great pools filled with blooming Lotus. The primary focal point of the Sanctuary is dedicated to Confucius. On the outskirts of Hanoi is Hoa Lo Prison, now a museum but the site of the “Hanoi Hilton” where the prisoners of war during the Vietnamese conflict were infamously held. A trip to Hanoi, Vietnam needs to be on your list if you have dreamed of visiting a city that possesses a fascinating blending of Eastern and Western culture and has successfully combined its ancient history and traditions with modern architecture and convenience.

Write a Review

No Ratings Yet

Flag as inappropriate ›