Ha Long Bay – a magnificent magical destination

Ha Long Bay is said to be a magic land of natural sea bay beauty, attracting more and more tourists ever since UNESCO’s recognition of its nature!

Location & Climate

Halong Bay is located in the Northeast of Vietnam, belonging to Ha Long city, Quang Ninh Province, in the Gulf of Tonkin. On the world map, it has borders to China in the North and adjacent to the East Sea in the East .

The Bay has a medium size of 1,553 square kilometers. It is accomodation of many fishing communities, including the 4 communes of Cua Van, Cong Tau, Vong Vieng and Ba Hang with a population of more than 1,600 people. The residents live on floating houses and boats, making their own lives by fishing and aquaculture.

The bay is a sea islands in tropical wet with 2 seasons: hot and moist summer, dry and cold winter. Average temperature is from 15°C- 25°C. Annual rainfall is between 2,000mm and 2,200mm. Halong Bay has the typical diurnal tide system (tide amplitude ranges from 3.5-4m). The salinity is from 31 to 34.5MT in dry season and lower in rainy season.
Historical name

Literally, “Ha Long” means "Bay of Descending Dragons." Before the 19th century, this name was not recorded in any document or archive. In this term, there is a mysteriously legendary tale as follows
“Long ago, in the first founding days, the Viet people were attacked by foreign aggressors. The Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and her band of Child Dragons to help the Viet people fight the invaders. While the enemy vessels were launching massive attacks against the mainland, the dragons descended in flocks from the sky. They spat out innumerable pearls which changed into jade stone islands the moment they touched the water. These islands linked together to form firm citadels that checked the enemy’s advance and smashed their vessels to pieces. After the invaders were driven out, Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons did not return to Heaven but stayed on earth, right at the place where the battle occurred. The spot where the Mother Dragon landed was Ha Long, and where the Child Dragons came down was Bai Tu Long. The place where their tails violently wagged was called Long Vi, the today’s Tra Co Peninsula with its soft sandy beach stretching a series of kilometers.”

Gifted Beauty & top sightseeings

In 1962, the Ministry of Culture and Information classified Halong Bay as a National Landscape Site, covering an area of 1,553 km2 with 1,969 islands. Halong Bay has been recognized twice by UNESCO as a World Heritage Area for its universal values of landscape, geology and geomorphology, respectively in 1994 and 2000, an area of 434 sq. km. including 775 islands.

The dense cluster of 1,969 limestone monolithic islands within the bay is topped with thick jungle vegetation, which rise spectacularly from the ocean. Most of the islands were formed over 500 million years ago, and massed in the Southeast and Southwest. Those in the Southeast have an average height of 50-200m, covering lots of flora. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves. Hang Đầu Gỗ (Wooden stakes Cave) is the largest grotto in the Ha Long area. French tourists visited in the late 19th century, and named the cave Grotte des Merveilles. Its three large chambers contain large numerous stalactites and stalagmites (as well as 19th century French graffiti). There are two bigger islands, Tuan Chau and Cat Ba, that have permanent inhabitants. Both of them have tourist facilities, including hotels and beaches. There are a number of wonderful beaches on the smaller islands. The others are Bai Chay, Ti Top, Minh Chau, Quan Lan and so forth.

Viewed from above, Ha Long Bay looks like an extremely vivid huge drawing, and sailing beneath the bay is like leisuring in between a huge valey on water. Ha Long bay is exactly a wonderfully skillful masterpiece of Nature that turns thousands of dumb soulless stone islands into fantastic sculptural and artistic works of various graceful shapes, both familiar and strange to human beings. Thousands of islands emerging in the fanciful waves look strong and magnificent but also mild and vivid. Amidst these islands tourists may feel as if they were astrayed in a petrified legendary world. The names given to the islands were based on their shapes and forms, such as, Human head Island, Sail island, Fighting cocks islands… Inside the stone islands are various breath-taking caves like Thien Cung, Dau Go, Sung Sot, and others. These are really magnificent palace of many huge stalactites hanging poised in mid air and stalagmites growing majestically upwards. Ha Long’s sea is always the same, blue, smooth and still.

What is more, the bay has its own seasoned beauty. In Spring, buds of trees burst on limestone islands. In Summer, it is cool and clean with many sparkling sun rays reflecting from the sea’s surface. In Autumn, especially at night, moonlight illuminates the mountains, making them like gold, inlaid into the earth. In Winter, with pervasive frost, Ha Long is glamorous as “a floating flower basket on smooth wave” (by writer Nguyen Tuan). All of them, stone, water and sky, make the Aesthetic value of Ha Long Bay.

The Bay’s Geological value is evaluated in two ways: by the history of its formation and its karst geomorphology. It is also home to the ancient Viet people beginning from 7,000 to 18,000 years ago, Ha Long’s Cultural − Historical value. Besides, Bio-diversity is an important natural resource, to be well-conserved so as to maintain the ecological balance of the whole region.

Ha Long Bay is undoubtedly not only a national but also a world nature, a magnificient work of Natural Creator. People who are admirers of natural beauty should stand up, pack their luggages, and right away pick up a flight to Ha Long, or else they will soon feel regretful!

When to Go to Hanoi

Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam in 1010. Since then, it is the social, cultural and economic center of the country. It is one of the most captivating cities in Southeast Asia. The lovely landscape of lakes, shaded avenues, verdant public parks and French-colonial architecture complements the unhurried pace of life. The historic Vietnam still comes alive in its temples, monuments and remnants of ancient culture. Although, the winds of change are flowing freely ushering in a new era. Hanoi still preserves many ancient architectural works including One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature or the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas.
Hanoi has emerged as a fascinating and unconventional tourist destination over the years. People, weary of visiting the clichéd and over crowded places, now prefer Hanoi as a charming city unique in its own beauty and culture. In short, the city has countless attractions to offer. Experienced travelers would like to have an idea regarding what is the best time to visit Hanoi. Weather surely tops the information-list so that when they visit, they have a pleasant weather to have the best of Hanoi.
The climate is generally agreeable. Hanoi is most pleasant from February to April and September to November avoiding the heat and the rain. The official peak season in Vietnam is from September to April.
Tourist season runs from late June through August and October through Tet, the grand New Year's celebration that takes place in late January or early February. Hanoi is worth visiting during the festival times as the city celebrates in a grand manner. Just make sure that you book your accommodations and transportations prior to the time of your visit because Vietnamese tend to travel in the summer and around Tet, making it difficult to get the booking in time.

Things to Do in Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam has a lot to offer to tourists and visitors alike. Hanoi is well known for its cultural richness. Most of the renowned Vietnamese painters, musicians and writers have honed their skills in the best schools of Hanoi. The city of Hanoi embraces various historic buildings, monuments, parks, gardens, cemeteries, lakes, opera houses and palaces. Apart from visiting the major attractions of Hanoi tourists have many other things to do in Hanoi. Indulging in the various things to do in Hanoi entail delightful shopping and experiencing the dazzling nightlife apart from sightseeing tours to the major sites in the city.
Hanoi was the melting pot of politics in Vietnam till 1802. Over time the city also acquired prominence as an administrative center. Though smaller and less modern than Ho Cho Minh, Hanoi embodies the rich and cultural heritage of Vietnam. Covering an area of 921 sq. km, Hanoi boasts of a population of more than 3,007,000 people. The city comprises of the districts Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Hai Ba Trung, Tay Ho, Thanh Xuan, Cau Giay, Long Bien, Hoang Mai.
Dong Anh, Soc Son, Thanh Tri, Tu Liem and Gia Lam. The city has experienced a booming economy, boosted by its tourism industry. Whopping changes are likely to hit other industries also. The mushrooming of factories along with expansion of handicrafts industries have led to a prosperous economy. Mushrooming of shops, bars, restaurants and souvenir stores are major outcomes of the growing economy. A flourishing economy has added to the things to do in Hanoi.
Shopping in Hanoi is a memorable experience. The city offers various goods and products at affordable prices. The ancient quarter houses most of the stores. Hang Gai offers a colorful silks and colorful clothes. Nha Tho in front of the French cathedral is home to an avenue of shops.
Hanoi is a colorful city in terms of nightlife and arts. Hanoi is home to both upscale and the seediest of bars and pubs. The people of Hanoi are driven by frenzy when it comes to bowling. Dazzling lights, pumping music and exotic bars add to this pursuit. Hanoi’s theatres embody its rich culture. The French brought in theatre with them in the 20th century. A host of drama houses stage several traditional folk performances.

Shopping in Hanoi
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam is the center of culture and politics of the country. It has also acquired popularity as a centre of administration over time. The city is home to major exotic tourist destinations. Apart from visiting the major attractions, a delightful shopping experience in Hanoi makes for a memorable tour. Hanoi has established itself as a major shopping destination in Asia. Shopping in Hanoi is a major attraction amongst foreign tourists and locales alike. Options galore await you in terms of shopping in Hanoi. If you are looking for Silk, fashions, bespoke tailoring, embroidery, handicrafts on shopping in Hanoi, you won’t be disappointed. While the ancient quarter boasts of being host to several stores, Hang Gai offers colorful silk and clothes. Nha Tho houses an avenue of shops.
Features of shopping in Hanoi:
- A booming economy has resulted in the sprouting of shopping malls across the city of Hanoi.
- Hanoi is a great place for shopping offering various goods and products at reasonable prices.
- The lustrous silk items make Hanoi a shopper’s paradise. 36 streets in the Old Quarter offering silk products is frequented by shopping junkies and is being named as Hang Gai or Silk Street. Several fashionable boutiques have a thriving business here. The place is also rich in souvenirs and antiques. Souvenir and silk shops remain open till 10pm on weekends.
- Hanoi offers elegantly designed home décor and furnishings. You can choose from beautiful, practical and original designs.
- Exotic handicrafts and pottery vie to empty your pockets. Skillfully made handicrafts are available aplenty in Hanoi. Rich and colorful pottery is found in Bat Trang village, located a few kilometers away from downtown Hanoi. Exotic pottery is available at affordable prices.
- Exotic art offers an answer to the creative minds. Exquisite pieces of art are found in galleries around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old quarter. Vietnamese artists are making a name for themselves across the world with their original and innovative concepts. Hanoi is arguably called Vietnam’s fine arts capital.
- Trang Tien and Hang Khay streets in Hoan Kiem district offer an exquisite variety of paintings and watercolors like lacquerware and puppets.
- An avenue of shops along Hang Gai and Duc Loi streets are renowned for producing tailor-made clothes.


Night Life in Hanoi
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam is one of the most intriguing tourist destinations in the world and it offers a varied range of attractions for its visitors which makes it all the more alluring. Nightlife in Hanoi is one of the major attractions of this colorful Vietnamese capital city. The most fascinating aspect of Hanoi Nightlife is that it doesn't restrict itself to night clubs and fabulous dining destinations only and provides a wide range of diverse alternatives so that everyone finds something interesting to plunge in.
Starting from modest and simple low budget pubs to chic lavish Apocalypse Now dance club, Hanoi has all sorts of night clubs to tune in for the club hoppers to provide an enchanting Nightlife in Hanoi. Hanoi has an excellent heritage of performing arts which hosts interesting performances in traditional folk arts which provides an interesting alternative to enjoy a colorful Nightlife in Hanoi.
Music lovers can get engrossed in the classical Vietnamese music concert and for those who are interested in experiencing something different and unique can watch water-puppet performance or they can also visit the theaters to enjoy cheo, a - people's opera, - integrating comic and tragic elements, and comprises of lots of music and songs. Those who share a passion to witness something rare and original can check out tuong -- a classical art form featuring Vietnamese legends, minimal music, and few stage props or opt for cai luong, or - renovated opera - -- it features music and singing, and resembles Western dramas and operas to a certain extent. Watching Movies or visiting an exhibition also forms an intrinsic part of Nightlife in Hanoi.

What & Where to Eat in Hanoi

The diverse and cosmopolitan nature of Hanoi reflects in its culinary art also. It is a delightful creation of local exotic fare and impressively influenced by the best of the epicurean extravaganza across the world. Cuisine in Hanoi, following the lines of the Vietnamese food, revels in its generous use of vegetables, herbs and spices, including lemon grass, lime, and kaffir lime leaves. Fish sauce, soy sauce and hoisin sauce spice it up. Almost all the regions serve fresh vegetables and fresh herbs as side dishes along with dipping sauce. Vietnamese cuisine also includes a number of Buddhist vegetarian dishes. The most common meats used in Vietnamese cuisine are pork, beef, prawns, various kinds of tropical fish, chicken and duck. Now, something a-typical other than the everyday fare are the varieties such as snake, soft-shell turtle, goat and dog which are enjoyed almost exclusively as ‘cocktail delicacies’ with alcohol.
Hanoi, being the capital of Vietnam, offers the best selection of dining possibilities of any major global city. Options are plenty ranging from street food corners and swanky food courts in the shopping malls to elegant and expensive fine dinning restaurants in world class hotels.
Start with the breakfast. Most city blocks feature pho stands where the vendors are ready to serve you white noodles in a steaming meaty broth. Chau, mixed with fish or meat, fried scallions and herbs, is another typical morning meal. Both are good for early morning empty stomach and the less than one dollar price will be good for your pocket too. Food stalls line Mai Hoc De and Dinh Liet dishing out bowls of hot noodles.
If you are looking for the familiar tastes of a Western-style breakfast, the eggs Benedict dipped in a yummy hollandaise sauce at Moca Cafe will be a divine experience. The buffet at La Brasserie at the Nikko Hotel offers unlimited choice of pastries, fruits and coffee. Cafe 129 and Kinh Do 252 Cafe are two more addresses you can look forward to, since both offer local and foreign tastes.
Come noon and the streets are abuzz with motorbikes as people are rushing for a quick lunch. The endless list of salads and buttery pastries at Hoa Sua offer a hearty meal taking care of your sweet tooth and also, of those extra calories. The vintage French-villa setting of the Verandah Restaurant and Bar is that kind of a place where you can step in conveniently once you are through your shopping spree. Au Lac, the Kangaroo Cafe and KOTO Restaurant are casual spots for a leisurely lunch.
If you are too much into crabs, prawns and clams, visit the casual seafood eateries on Pho To Hien Thanh. Other places serving sea food delicacies include San Ho Seafood Restaurant. Cha Ca La Vong serves grilled fish cakes, a must-try specialty of Hanoi.
Several of the posh private clubs and hotels offer lunch and dinner specials. Don’t feel out of the place if you find too much professional crowd around you. La-carte buffets featuring international cuisine change according to the season and occasion. Check the local guides for what’s served at the Press Club, Cafe Promenade at the Daewoo Hotel, Turtle's Poem at the Hilton Hanoi Opera and Le Beaulieu at the Hotel Sofitel Metropole Hanoi.
For backpackers, the Deli prepares sandwiches for lunches or solo dining. Bui Thi Xuan is home to an assortment of com bias and rice stands where you can select from a display of prepared foods including grilled meats, fried fish, shrimp, various pickled and blanched greens and sauteed tofu mixed with rice.
All you people who swear by the mid-afternoon snack, flock to the Ciao Cafe for pastries and light bites, sit at the lakeside balcony at Co Ngu Bar for sinh tos or fruit juices or sip coffee topped with frothy egg whites at the tucked-away Cafe Pho Co. Tea lovers must try out some of the 73 varieties brewed hot at the See Wan Ton Teahouse. Couples sit under the quiet shadows of the trees at Dak-Linh Cafe, drinking teas while the have-money-will-splurge type can frequent the posh Thuy Ta Cafe.
The bars at Emperor Restaurant, La Salsa Tapas Bar and Restaurant and La Brique are stylish, up-market places to enjoy your favorite drink. The refined menu has more to it than just the run-of-the-mill fare.
Casual eating out is fast catching on as a fave as locals and foreigners stretch the early evening hours. The easy-to-book tables, long menus and low prices of bia hois (beer halls) make these places popular for large groups. A few trendy places include Quan Bia Minh, Bia Hoi Dai Nam, Cua Hang Bac Nam Bia Hoi and 60 Ly Thuong Kiet Street.
Indo-chine and Nam Phuong are two classy Vietnamese restaurants housed in French villas where you can step in for a romantic candle-light dinner or a classic style dining. If you want have it amidst a calm, quiet ambience, try out the ribs and pub grub at Al Fresco's or the Vietnamese buffet at the classy Brother's Cafe. Tandoor is the place for The Great Indian Curry and the near-iconic Chicken Tikka Masala.

Entertainment in Hanoi

Whether you are visiting Hanoi for a business meeting or for a holiday, entertainment will be an integral part of it and the capital city of Hanoi provides you with ample options to get the best of entertainment while your stay. Being the commercial center of the country, Hanoi is visited by a lot of people all throughout the year.
The city with its music clubs, theatres, cinemas, sports and tourist attractions forms a labyrinth of entertainment zones in which you will be delighted to get lost.

Music Club and Theatres in Hanoi
The city of Hanoi is dotted with a lot of small and large scale music Clubs and Theatres in Hanoi. The Music Clubs are the happening places in the city frequented by both the young and the old. Generally the clubs have the associated services of dining so one can definitely look forward to spend some good time here. The Music Clubs cater to the different choices of the public. Vietnamese song and dance performances are accompanied by performances from professional artists often invited by the Club.
The Theater is the most important form of entertainment in Hanoi and as such they are found in abundance. The ancient art form has been preserved in its native state with slight variations added in terms of modernity. The Water Puppet Theater enjoys importance in terms of popularity. The Thang Long Water Puppet Theater in Hanoi is engaged in performing renowned shows all over the world.

Cinemas in Hanoi
Options for movies in Hanoi are restricted but not totally unavailable. International movies are shown at only a handful of places, the best among which is the Fansland Cinema. The movies shown here are generally good, some of them even being nominated for Oscars.

Sports in Hanoi
The People in Hanoi are sport enthusiasts no doubt and very sportingly engage themselves in a lot of events like football, Frisbee matches and volleyball. The Ho Tay Lake Water Park has put up the best choices in sporting venues for professional athletes and sport lovers alike.

Hanoi Museums

Apart from the geographical demarcations, a country is known through its history. It can be read from the pages of a book or can be viewed in personal by visiting the relics and monuments. The objects of the past are like puzzles which when put together make a complete whole and the best place to preserve them are the Museums. The museums with their collection pertaining to aesthetic, scientific and historical importance are like time machines in which you can travel through time.
Museums are a great store house of information and fulfill the purposes of public teaching and gathering knowledge. The exhibits have a history attached to them and are immensely beneficial to every individual of the country as well as to the society as a whole.
Almost all the countries have their share of museums which are important parts of national heritage and Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam is dotted with some exclusive Museums. The Museums are classified under various heads. There are historical museums and military museums. Some are special and some are specific dedications to a certain community or class. The Museums in Hanoi are the sources of past conquests, political and social backgrounds that the country has experienced in the by gone years. The inventions of the people, the relics of the Chinese and French influence, mementos of military conquests, are all preserved with utmost care in the many Museums located all over the city.
The Museums in Hanoi are an integral part of the social picture of Hanoi. They form the national and local identity of Hanoi and have enriched the local culture by preserving the changes in the history of civilization of the country. To the common folk they are symbols of national treasure and a place they can visit to learn. The Museums are the source of reference for making detailed study and research about the country for researchers.
The Hanoi Museums are also the conserver of the art culture of Vietnam. The various Museums house different kinds of Cham artifacts along with some interesting statues. The hand made works belonging to the ethnic groups of Vietnam are proud exhibits at these age old museums.


Army Museum in Hanoi
Hanoi, situated in the delta of the Red River and enveloped by various lakes is the, the capital city of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The word Hanoi means river interior and established in 1010 A.D, Hanoi for many centuries served as the capital of various Vietnamese dynasties. Hanoi consisting of eight inner districts and five outer districts is the political, cultural, economic as well as the technological centre of the whole country. The city of Hanoi still vividly bears the marks of French colonial architecture and cherishing life in this picturesque city gives a nostalgic reminder of the old world charm of the European villages.
The rich heritage of Vietnam and its capital, Hanoi is best reflected through the six national museums. Army Museum in Hanoi occupies a special poignant position among the six national museums as it depicts the war history of Vietnam and embodies the armed struggle of the Vietnamese people.
Features of Army Museum in Hanoi
- Army Museum in Hanoi spread on an area of10.000 square meter was founded on Dec, 22nd 1959.
- Army Museum in Hanoi offers a vivid and fascinating history of the Vietnam War under the leadership of Vietnam's communist party and of president Ho Chi Minh.
- Hanoi flag Tower, a national historic cultural monument, shares the adjoining ground with the Army Museum in Hanoi. The construction of 31 meter high Hanoi flag Tower got completed in 1812.
- The history of Vietnam's struggle for peace, independence and freedom of the nation is best captured in the thousands of exhibits displayed in the Army Museum in Hanoi.
- The exhibits of Army Museum in Hanoi primarily comprises of maps, scale models, military weapons and personal belongings of individuals associated with war the best part of the museum is that all the displayed items are accompanied by English translations.
- Army Museum in Hanoi displays a wide collection of military waste including a Mig fighter, anti aircraft missiles, tanks, and remarkable heap of wreckage from a US B52 bomber and French prop driven plane that were both blast in the Hanoi area and the tank that explode through the gates in Saigon during the battle for liberation.
- The Army Museum in Hanoi is located just opposite to the park which is adorned by a statue of Lenin and the address of the Army Museum, Hanoi is 28A Dien Bien Phu Street, Hanoi Vietnam.
- The Army Museum in Hanoi is open for the visitors from 9a-11a & 2p-4p Tu-Th, Sa & Su.


Fine Art Museum in Hanoi
Hanoi, the capital city of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam positioned in the delta of the Red River and encircle by various lakes. The word Hanoi means river interior and the city of Hanoi was established in 1010 A.D, Hanoi for many centuries served as the capital of various Vietnamese dynasties. Hanoi consisting of eight inner districts and five outer districts is the political, cultural, economic as well as the technological hub of Vietnam. The city of Hanoi still vividly bears the marks of French colonial architecture and cherishing life in this pictorial city presents a nostalgic reminder of the old world magic of the European villages.
The rich legacy and colorful tradition of Vietnam and its capital, Hanoi is best reflected through the six national museums. Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi occupies a significant position among the six national museums as it traces the origin of artistic culture in Vietnam and presents a promising account of the development of Vietnam's artistic fervor.


Features of Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi
- . Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi is located just opposite the Temple of Literature and it exhibits approximately 10.000 art works in 16 showrooms segmented according to the following division and arranged chronologically.
- Ethnic minorities
- Primitive eras-Neolithic Age, Bronze Age, and Paleolithic Age
- Feudalism-11th to 18th centuries
- Ancient sculpture-outstanding works from the 11th to 19th centuries
- Technological fine arts
- Fine arts
- Fine arts before the August 1945 Revolution
- Resistance against French troops (1940- 1954)
- Folk painting
- Apart from displaying the wide range of stylish art collections, Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi exhibits several fine art pieces like ancient stone sculpture, pieces from the Bronze Age, antique pottery, ethnic minority painting and lacquer painting.
- The classical structure with an authentic oriental touch, which is famous as the Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi was previously used as French Ministry of Information.
- Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi is situated at 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street and is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 to noon and 13:30 to 16:30.
- The admission cost of 20,000 Dong is worthwhile for the visiting this three-story museum, which opened in 1966.
- Taking photographs is strictly prohibited in the Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi
The Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi is a dedicated museum. It was built in memory of a great man whose name is written in golden alphabets in the history of Vietnam. The special person was a great revolutionary and statesman and went on to become first the Prime Minister and then the President of North Vietnam. The great man was none other than Ho Chi Minh. The common people of Vietnam are indebted to him for what he has done for his country and as a mark of their gratitude the museum was dedicated to him apart from a city and a mausoleum which also shares his name.
The Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi is the preserver of everything memorable related to the great revolutionist, Ho Chi Minh. The Museum consists of five extensive floors and was inaugurated on 2nd September, 1990, celebrating the 100th birthday occasion of the beloved President.
Features of Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi
- The museum has an extensive collection of military order's, mementos, photo's of the Communist Party's earlier achievements, the great August and October revolutions, the country's fight against Fascism and the imperialist power and the world movement led by Ho Chi Minh.
- The best way to explore the Museum is to start from up and then go down. The Top floor has a beautiful centerpiece. It is a gargantuan gold lotus flower which also consists of smaller exhibits related to Ho Chi Minh's political activities.
- You can make your way from the Past section to the Future by following the symbols made in the shape of labyrinthine murals. The section houses automobile models.
- The National Liberation Movements are symbolized by a "volcano", bright red in color and surrounded by national totems.
- The Museum is also an example of fine Soviet architecture and so the visitors have he opportunity to enjoy both- the exhibits and structure.
- For safety reasons, no bags or cameras are allowed inside the museum.

Timings- Open From Tuesday to Thursday and also on weekends. 8 A.M to 11 A.M and 1:30 to 4:00 P.M

Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi
In the whole of Hanoi, the Museum of Ethnology is the most exciting place to visit and missing a visit to this place will mean skipping an important part of Hanoi's history and cultural background. A superb administration has made this museum stand out among the crowd and had made this museum the seat of Vietnam's cultural heritage.
Renowned over whole of Vietnam, this Museum caters to a dual purpose. On one hand it conserves and exhibits the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam like the Muong, Thai, Tay, Yao while on the other it is dedicated to the cause of aiding researchers in their work as it is a vast repository of knowledge on the ethnic groups. As a genuine ethnographic museum, the Museum of Ethnology takes extreme measures to collect, research, preserve and exhibit the works. The construction work started in 1987 but the museum was made open to public viewing only in 1997. Since then it has attracted large number of people consisting of both local and visitors.
The Museum plans to cover in future and add to its rich collection the cultures and civilizations of the rest of the countries in South East Asia.
Features of Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi
- The Museum is a work of art in itself; however the interior design has been done by a French architect Mrs. Veronique Dollfus.
- The Museum comprises of two sections, one used for indoor purpose and the other for outdoor exhibitions. The indoor section houses the main building, an office, a well equipped research center, library, technical laboratory and an auditorium. The Outdoor section on the other hand displays different types of houses found all over Vietnam. The two sections are interlinked by a network of pathways.
- The Museum has an exquisite collection on display. Featured among these are 15,000 artifacts, photographs, and huge numbers of slides, audio and video tapes and CD ROMs. The huge collection is presented by an effective use of dioramas.
- The Museum is dedicated to display valuable information about the cultural heritages of the diverse communities; many simple objects of daily use also fill up the racks like knives, baskets, mats. These objects give us an insight into the creative faculty of the ethnic groups as well as their life style.
- The Museum also has the clothe collection, agricultural tools, fishing instruments, musical instruments and jewellery belonging to the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. Even artifacts related to various religious customs, rituals wedding and funeral ceremonies are kept at the Museum.
- Some of the priced objects are displayed in glass window show cases. The things displayed are accompanied by a label which gives detailed information about the artifact.
- Since the collection is so wide spread the Museum also publishes catalogues and books for a systematic study of the displayed works and objects.
- The Museum of Ethnology has incorporated modern technology especially while choosing the light fixtures. The focused lights illuminate the objects beautifully making it attractive and also highlighting its best side. Proper ventilation methods have also been introduced.
- The outdoor space is used up to showcase the dwellings of the ethnic groups. The dwellings are either preserved in their original state or being remade. The buildings consist of Tay stilt house, Yao House on half stilts and half earth, the Hanhi house made out of beaten walls to name a few. The interiors of the house feature the living and dining areas too.

Museum of Vietnamese Revolution Hanoi
The Museum of Vietnamese Revolution in Hanoi was established in 1959 and documents country's struggle for independence and also the history of the Communist Party. The museum showcases the images from 1858 to the present.
The visit to Hanoi Museum of Vietnamese Revolution would be a time to understand the changing times of the society that ranges from the Vietnamese streets to the seats of power. The objects on display offer insight into the culture of Vietnam.
The artifacts in the Museum of Vietnamese Revolution in Hanoi includes a jar of 1920's that stored the revolutionary documents, Japanese Buddhist Drum that was played during the rally and Vietnam's first sewing machine. Here one would find several photographs and other documents capturing the moments of independence.
The display at the Museum of Vietnamese Revolution in Hanoi can be highlighted in the following topics- National Liberation Movement of Vietnam against the French before the Communist Party was established (1858- 1930), Independence struggle under Communist Party (1858- 1975) and construction of the Socialist regime (1976- 1994).
The Museum is open Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 11. 30 am and 1.30 pm to 4 pm.

Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Touring the major landmarks of Hanoi can be interesting. Hanoi is dotted with some exclusive Museums. The museums with their collection pertaining to aesthetic, scientific and historical importance are like time machines in which you can travel through time. Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi is such a place where you can visit during your tour to Hanoi.
Museums in Hanoi are important parts of national heritage and Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The Museums in Hanoi are classified under various heads. There are historical museums and military museums. Some are special and some are specific dedications to a certain community or class. The Museums in Hanoi are the sources of past conquests, political and social backgrounds that the country has experienced in the by gone years. The inventions of the people, the relics of the Chinese and French influence, mementos of military conquests, are all preserved with utmost care in the many Museums located all over the city.
Some famous museums are Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Fine Arts Museum (B?o Tàng M? Thu?t), Temple of Literature, Army Museum (B?o Tàng Quân Ð?i), Air Force Museum (B?o Tàng Không Quân) and the Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi.
Fast Facts about Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi
Address of Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi: 1 Pho Trang Tien
Hanoi Vietnam
Contact no. of Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi: +84 4 8253518
Open Hours at Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi: Tuesday-Saturday 8a.m.-11.30a.m., 1.30p.m.-4.30p.m.
Features of Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi
Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi showcases items that mark the country's historical developments. The features of Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi include:
- Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi displays the country's heritage ranging from prehistoric tools to dynastic thrones to a bust of Uncle Ho.
- The second floor of Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi displays more than 50 sets of remains from the Champa Kingdom, which flourished in central Vietnam between the 2nd and 15th centuries.
- A hall packed with detailed seals, stone tablets and sculptures of mythical creatures provides a glimpse of dynastic life.
- Local escort is recommended in the museum to understand the brief descriptions of exhibits here.
Visit Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi and discover the historical treasure of the country!

Vietnam Womens Museum in Hanoi
This Women's Museum in Hanoi features among the must visit places in Hanoi. It is one of its kinds and is solely dedicated in honor of the brave Vietnamese women who had played an integral part in the social and political scenario of Vietnam. The Museum is a living symbol of the sacrifices and contributions made by the Vietnamese women. All the four floors of the Museum consist of artifacts and photo graphs related to women taking part in social evils, wars and doing party promotion works.
The Museum came into existence on the celebrated day marking the 65th anniversary of Vietnam Women's Union on October 20th, 1995.
Features of Vietnam Women's Museum in Hanoi
- The first section of the Museum has the statue of the "Vietnamese Mother". This 3.6 meters high statue is made out of pure gold and is crafted by Phu Cuong. The Mother is shown to be dynamic and full of strength yet retaining her soft and gentle features associated with motherhood. Her open right hand symbolizes her power to overcome any challenge while in her left hand she uplifted a child symbolizing innocence and victory. All over it is the mark of the Strength of the Vietnamese women as well as their beauty.
- Another section is dedicated to the women's achievements in the national defense and construction arena. The fighting spirit of the women is portrayed by the Two Trung Sisters who are believed to have raised the first flag against the invaders. Here is placed a torch which is the symbol of the eternally burning fighting and patriotic spirit of the Vietnamese women.
- The walls of the Museum are adorned with pictures of women taking part in national activities. The best and touching among them is the photo named "Mothers Children", which features a mother with her dead children and their belongings which are tokens of love from the mother.
- Other pictures show the achievements of women in the field of industry, education, healthcare, and many other allied fields. The staunch optimism and hard working spirit of the women are very easily visible through the lively photos.
- Another section of the Museum preserves the achievements and formation of the Vietnam Women Union. The organization is nearly 65 years old and since its inception has been dedicated to uplift and promote the contribution and engagement of women in the political scenario of the country and world movement in particular.
- Another interesting feature of the Women's Museum is the exquisite collection of beautiful dresses worn by the 54 Vietnamese nationalities. The dresses are symbols of sophistication, with appropriate color combinations and designs born out of an artistic mind. They epitomize the real beauty of a woman.

Sightseeing in Hanoi - part 2

Presidential Palace

Hanoi in Vietnam originally grew up around Hoàn Ki?m Lake. With a history dated back to 3000 years, Hanoi, the capital of a united Vietnam, will impress you with its monuments, scenic beauty and reserves of history imprinted through the strife-torn colonial and political regimes. As you visit Hanoi, you must not miss out the Presidential Palace in Hanoi.

Presidential Palace in Hanoi is a three- storey structure located on the north of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Presidential Palace stands as a memento of French contribution to the architectural splendor in Indochina. This mustard-yellow palace was built from 1900 to 1906 to function as the living and operational bases of the governors-general of Indo-China. Located on Hung Vuong Street and Hoang Van Thu Street, the designs of this palace were conceived by Auguste Henri Vildieu, the French architect officially appointed for Vietnam.

History says that Ho Chi Minh denied staying in Presidential Palace in Hanoi when he returned to independent Vietnam after defeating the French in 1954. He rather began staying in a mere cottage within the premises of the palace from 1954 to 1958. Thereafter, he built a Vietnamese house made of stilt but he continued to use the palace when important guests came to Hanoi. The tradition continues even now as the palace offers site for official receptions to guests and for other administrative meetings.

Features of Presidential Palace in Hanoi

- You won't be allowed to enter the palace but you can go around it for a look from outside.
- The building is enclosed by gardens and orchard and the famous Mango Alley, which being 300 feet long boulevard, leads from the palace to the stilt house where Ho Chi Minh stayed.
- Displaying the French architectural style, the palace has a conical structure.
- There are gates of wrought iron with sentry boxes at the entry of the palace.
- You will find parts of Italian Renaissance design used in 16th and 17th centuries in the structure of the building like the second floor with a stairway ending in the arched portal, broken gables, intricate columns and aedicules.


Tran Quoc Pagoda

Hanoi, the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, spreads over 2,000 square kilometers, but most important sites lie in compact areas. Touring the major landmarks of Hanoi can be interesting. You can also try a trip around West Lake that takes in the rural suburbs. Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi is such a place where you can visit during your tour to Hanoi.
A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in China, Japan, Korea, Nepal and other parts of Asia. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function. The modern pagoda is an evolution of the Indian stupa, a tomb-like structure where sacred relics could be kept safe and venerated.
The most exciting fact about the pagoda is that the earliest example in the Oxford English Dictionary of the use of the word pagoda in English is from 1634. Pagoda - comes from Sanskrit "dhatu garba". Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi is one such piece of architecture.
Fast Facts about Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi
Island in West Lake, Hanoi
Contact no. of Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi: no phone
Open Hours at Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi: 11a.m.-11:30a.m. and 1:30p.m.-6p.m. Monday-Saturday, 7a.m.-6p.m. Sunday and holidays.
Features of Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi
Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi is the oldest pagoda constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De. Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi was supposedly founded 1,400 years ago by King Ly Nam De with the name Khai Quoc (National Founder). At first it was built outside the Yen Phu Dyke and the move to West Lake. Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi was then named Khai Quoc, meaning "founding the country." It has been named An Quoc, Tran Quoc and Tran Bac. With architecture harmonious with nature, the pagoda complements the beautiful scenery around the lake. One of the present statues inside Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi was fashioned in 1639.
The features of Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi include:
- A bodhi tree is situated in the gardens of the Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi. It was taken from a cutting of the original tree, under which Buddha sat and achieved enlightenment.
- The island and pagoda provide a beautiful backdrop, particularly when viewed at sunset.
- Visitors must be decently attired and long trousers are required for men.
The existing building of Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi originated from the last repair work done in 1815, including the triple gate, the main pagoda, the sitting room, the ancestral worshipping chamber the garden tower.


Van Mieu and Quoc Tu Giam

Hanoi has emerged as a fascinating and unconventional tourist destination over the years. People, weary of visiting the clichéd and over crowded places, now prefer Hanoi as a charming city unique in its own beauty and culture. Hanoi with its distinctive French influence, has a lot to offer to its visitors. Visit the West Lake, Water Puppet Theater, Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda and the Fine Arts Museum.
Van Mieu and Quoc Tu Giam in Hanoi or the Temple of Literature is a historic site in Vietnam. It was founded in 1070 as a Confucian temple. Vietnam's first university, the Quoc Tu Giam or National University was established within the temple in 1076 to educate the mandarin class. The university functioned for more than 700 years, from 1076 to 1779 during which a good number of 2,313 doctors graduated.

Features of Van Mieu and Quoc Tu Giam in Hanoi
- The Temple of Literature is Vietnam's historical seat of learning and became the site of the country's first university in 1076.
- The temple is based on Confucius' birthplace at Qufu in the Chinese province of Shandong.
- The temple consisted of a complex of small buildings and five walled courtyards and was an exclusive establishment teaching the precepts of Confucius.
- It is one of the few remaining buildings from the original city founded by Emperor Ly Thanth Tong in the 11th c and is a fine example of Vietnamese architecture.
- The entrance to the first courtyard via the impressive twin tiered Van Mieu gate, leads to three pathways that run through the length of the complex.
- The center path was reserved for the king. The path to its left was reserved for the administrative Mandarins and the one to its right, for military Mandarins.
- The first two courtyards exude an air of tranquility with ancient trees and well trimmed lawns.
- Entrance to the third courtyard is through the imposing Khue Van Cac, a large pavilion built in 1802.
- The Thienh Quang Tinh or the Well of Heavenly Clarity is at the center of the courtyard.
- There are two great halls to its both sides housing the real treasures of the temple.
- These are 82 stone stelas upon stone tortoises and are inscribed with names and birth places of the 1306 men who were awarded doctorates from the triennial examinations held here at the Quoc Tu Giam between 1484 and 1780.
- There were 34 more stone stelas which are believed to have been lost over the years,
- In 1484, Emperor Lê Thánh Tông started the tradition hi of printing the names of the laureates of the university on stone stelas which were placed on top of stone turtles.
- The fourth courtyard is bordered on either side by great pavilions which once contained altars to the 72 of Confucius' greatest students.
- The pavilions now contain offices, a gift shop and a small museum which contains ink wells, pens, books and personal artifacts belonging to some of the students who have studied here through the years.
- At the far end of the courtyard is the altar with statues of Confucius and his four closest disciples.
- The fifth courtyard contained the Quoc Tu Giam, Vietnam's first university founded in 1076 King Ly Can Duc.
- This was destroyed by French bombing in 1947.
- The complex has undergone a lot of restoration work, most recently in 1920 and again in 1954.
- But, it is still one of the few remaining examples of later Ly Dynasty (1009-1225) architecture.

Sightseeing in Hanoi - part 1

Hanoi Opera House

Hanoi has emerged as a fascinating and unconventional tourist destination over the years. People, weary of visiting the clichéd and over crowded places, now prefer Hanoi as a charming city unique in its own beauty and culture. Hanoi with its distinctive French influence, has a lot to offer to its visitors. Visit the West Lake, Water Puppet Theater, Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda and the Fine Arts Museum.
Hanoi Opera House rises magnificently at the end of the Trang Tien Street. Built by the French in 1911 and renovated in the late 1990s, the façade of the building is colonial French with pillars and balconies overlooking the city center. Various performances of art - local, international, traditional, modern are staged at this 900-seat opera house, professionally managed by a solid team of various experts with the Vietnamese symphonies playing quite regularly.

Features of Hanoi Opera House
- Hanoi Opera House is situated near the Red River and several hundreds meters east of Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Since its establishment, the Hanoi Opera House is the largest theatre in Vietnam. Its construction started in 1901 and was completed in 1911.
- Previously the site was a big pond, adjacent to the city gate of Tay Long of the ancient Thang Long capital.
- It is an old theatre with distinctive French architecture and typical Gothic and Mosaic characters evident on the door domes and the glassed room.
- Hanoi Opera House features the same architectural style as the Opera House in Paris.
- Some foreign architects are of the opinion that as it was built nearly 300 years after the Paris Opera House, Hanoi Opera House avoids superfluous architectural details which make it more elegant.
- For a long time, the Hanoi Opera House has been the most favorite haunting place for those who love theatrical performance, traditional songs, music, symphonies, opera and classical opera.
- In 1997, the theatre was renovated under the skillful management of two Vietnamese French architects, Ho Thieu Tri and Hoang Phuc Sinh.
- The original 3-storey architecture remains while the ornamental patterns on the ceiling, arches, walls and doors were renewed.
- The 3-meter-high stage and the audience's hall, with 600 seats, were also modernized keeping in mind international standards.
- The interior is designed in such a way to meet high requirements, artistically as well as technically to stage refined qualities of various arts like folk music and songs, ballets and piano to classical opera, reformed opera, Vietnamese operetta and drama.
- Hanoi Opera House has also successfully organized several large-scale international concerts with the latest being a program of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra playing the Ninth Symphony by Beethoven.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi is an important landmark of the city and stands integrated to the political and social history of Vietnam. Hanoi in Vietnam, which has a history dated back to 3000 years, even otherwise has several monuments, scenic beauty and reserves of history imprinted through the strife-torn colonial and political regimes. However, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum draws special emphasis because it testifies about Uncle Ho in Vietnam.
Yes, we are talking about the famous revolutionary and statesman of Vietnam, Ho Chí Minh, who is revered as the father of Viet Minh independence movement in 1941. This Vietnamese leader later founded the communist regime partially in Vietnam in 1950 and served as both the Prime Minister and President of North Vietnam. Known to the world as Bác Ho or Uncle Ho' meaning "he who enlightens," he also inspired the foundation of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi is located in 5 Pho Ngoc Ha and you will feel a wave of awe and mysticism hitting you when you watch the corpse preserved in the mausoleum.
After his death on September 2, 1969 at Hanoi from cardiac failure, Ho Chi Minh . was embalmed and put for view in this granite mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi was built on the basis of the model of Lenin's Tomb in Moscow. Though Ho Chi Minh wished that he be cremated after his death and his ashes buried on three hilltops spread in the three main regions of Vietnam, his body was embalmed following the tradition upheld by other Communist leaders across the world.
Features of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi
- The structure in which the body is placed, is a gray cubicle surrounded by columns.
- On the top, there is a flat, square fresco engraved with the words "Chu Tich (President) Ho Chi Minh" written in red plum marble.
- The marble was brought from Marble Mountain outside Danang in Vietnam
- When the national holidays are celebrated in Vietnam, numerous people including the general secretary of the Communist Party, the prime minister and the president visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi and witness parades of ethnic minorities, tanks and soldiers.
- Before entering Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, you have to sign in at an office at No. 8 Hung Vuong Street, which is towards the south of the mausoleum.
- You can not take cameras, hats or bags and don't dress in shorts or tank tops while going inside
- You are expected to observe silence in the room containing the corpse.



Hoan Kiem Lake

Hanoi has emerged as a fascinating and unconventional tourist destination over the years. People, weary of visiting the clichéd and over crowded places, now prefer Hanoi as a charming city unique in its own beauty and culture. Hanoi with its distinctive French influence, has a lot to offer to its visitors. Visit the Hoan Kiem Lake, Water Puppet Theater, Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda and the Fine Arts Museum.
Hoan Kiem Lake is located at the heart of Hanoi. The name literally means 'The Lake of the Restored Sword'. The name refers to the 15th-century legend in which the nobleman Le Loi, who fought for the Vietnamese against Ming China, received a sword from a magic turtle living in the lake. The nobleman defeated the Ming and returned home in victory. One day, the emperor was boating in the lake when the turtle appeared asking for the sword to restore it to its heavenly owner. In memory of this event, the emperor built the Tortoise Tower on an island at the south end of the lake. Enormous turtles still live in the lake today. When they are spotted, it is supposed to foreshadow the death of one of the country's leaders.

Features of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi
- Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi is one of the most enchanting spots in the city.
- The early morning misty air is energetic for people who throng the footpath that circles the lake for morning exercise, badminton and tai chi.
- The lake serves as a meeting point and performance venue during major festivals such as Tet and for holidays like National Day.
- The apparently unique species of turtles, known as Rafetus swimhoei, are sometimes considered as the largest freshwater turtles on earth.
- Sometimes, one of these near-mythical creatures appears on the surface of the water for air. According to scientists, this happens due to the increasing pollution in the lake.
- During the day, most of the people who throng the place, are either tourists or workers from surrounding government offices.
- Tour buses and taxis park at the North end of the lake, near the gates and foot-bridge which lead to the Ngoc Son Pagoda.
- You will find many young people selling post cards, maps, and paperback books here.
- You will find photographers eager to take your snap with their old-fashioned 35mm cameras and young boys offering shoe shin.
- You will be amazed by their fluency in English and it's another kind of an experience to have a conversation with them.

Ngoc Son Temple
Hanoi has emerged as a fascinating and unconventional tourist destination over the years. People, weary of visiting the clichéd and over crowded places, now prefer Hanoi as a charming city unique in its own beauty and culture. Hanoi with its distinctive French influence, has a lot to offer to its visitors. Visit the Ngoc Son Temple, Water Puppet Theater, Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda and the Fine Arts Museum.
Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi dates back to the times of 18th c. The ancient temple is located beautifully on an idyllic island of the lovely lake Hoan Kiem. The religious site is at the north end corner of the lake which is actually the middle of the lake. Surrounded by a public park, Hoan Kiem is one of the many beautiful lakes in Hanoi. A wooden bridge connects the island to the main land.

Features of Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi
- Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi is a shrine situated amidst soulful placidity.
- The name of the temple literally means 'Jade Mountain'.
- One of Hanoi's most picturesque temples, the temple honors some scholars and military heroes.
- This shrine is dedicated to the 13th c military hero Tran Hung Dao, the scholar Van Xuong and to Nguyen Van Sieu, a Confucian artist who offered his duty for restoring the temple and the surrounding areas in 1864.
- Nguyen Van Sieu helped to build both the Thap But and the Dai Nghien.
- Thap But is a 30-ft stone structure whose tip resembles a brush. It is also known as the Pen Tower.
- Dai Nghien is a nearby rock hollowed in the shape of a peach, commonly known as the Writing Pad.
- You have to walk through the Three-Passage Gate or Tam Quan and across the Flood of Morning Sunlight Bridge or The Huc to reach the temple.
- The island temple opens onto a small courtyard where old men are engaged in the game of danh co tuong or Chinese chess.
- There is a 6-ft-long stuffed tortoise in the pagoda's anteroom.
- This turtle was found from the Hoan Kiem Lake in 1968 by the local people.
- The belief is that the creature is old enough to be the legendary turtle of the lake's mythology.
- These days, souvenir and art shops do brisk business alongside the historic and religious displays.
- The island has an air of tranquility which helps to escape the noisy streets surrounding the lake.

Old Quarter in Hanoi
Hanoi in Vietnam is internationally famous for its well-laid streets networking across the locale. Old Quarter in Hanoi hosts such a location in the capital of Indonesia. As an important landmark of the city, Old Quarter reflects a crucial phase in the growth of the city. Hanoi in Vietnam, even otherwise has a history of strife-torn colonial and political regimes dated back to 3000 years, which it upholds through numerous monuments, scenic beauty and relics.
Old Quarter in Hanoi also has a history as old as 2000 years old. With the Returned Sword Lake to the South and the Long Bien Bridge to the North, Tran Nhat Duat Street on the East and the citadel wall on Ly Nam De Street in its West, Old Quarter located close to Hoan Kiem lake retains the original layout and architecture of the city, Hanoi.

Hanoi originated out of a group of villages consolidated under the Chinese regime. Legend says that King Ly Thai To, who occupied this area in 1010, tried refurbishing the former Chinese palace in this area but in vain. Much later in the thirteenth century, commercial villages grew around this palace, which led to development of transport routes from the village of workshops to the market for sale located between the palace and the Red River. Gradually the traders formed guilds and shifted to the areas in Old Quarter in Hanoi. All the streets that developed here have names starting with Hang meaning merchandise or shop. Each street had similar group of traders expert in one particular field. There are also temples on each street, where patron saints special to each trading group is worshipped. . Even today, you will find silversmiths from Hai Hung province in Hang Bac Street.

The streets developed with the shops in the front and the stock and living areas in the backyard. As a result, the houses became narrow and came to be known as tube houses. By the beginning of 20th century, there were only 36 streets in Hanoi, the maximum of which are now in Old Quarter. Thus Old Quarter is also called the 36 old streets. Though Hanoi underwent the strife of being annexed by various political regimes till it attained liberation in 1954, Old Quarter in Hanoi remained the same and withstood the effect of bombing in 1972.
If you visit the Old Quarter now, you will find restaurants, schools and even modern shops beside the crafts and trading colony. Some of the famous streets are Han Gai Street, Hang Quat, To Thinh Street, Hang Ma and Lan Ong Street.


One Pillar Pagoda

One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the capital of Vietnam. As you visit Hanoi in Vietnam, you will come various other monuments, parks and historic places. However, One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi reflects the architectural splendor that this country has grown.
One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi was built originally in 1049 during the Ly dynasty.
Located in Ngoc Ha in Ba Dinh district, Hanoi, this pagoda is located on the west side of the original capital of Thang Long. According to the legend, King Ly Thai To of the Ly dynasty had saw in his dream that Goddess Quan Am sat on a lotus leaf and gifted him a son. Soon after the king saw this dream, the king married a rustic girl of peasantry class and begot a son from his wife. The king became so overwhelmingly happy that he constructed a wooden pagoda on a stilt in a lake so that the goddess of Mercy- Quan Am, could be venerated and the long life of his son could be ensured. He named the pagoda- Dien Huu, which means happiness and good luck which According to a theory, the pagoda was built in a style so as to resemble a lotus emerging out of the water.
Later, One Pillar Pagoda succumbed many a times to the ravages caused the colonial powers. It was severely destroyed even till 1954 when the French forces were beating a retreat. The present form of One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi was built in 1955 when the pagoda was refurbished with a concrete pillar from its remnants by the Vietnamese government. Today's structure can be just called the replica of the original pagoda, which was a large building. Locals believe that if you pray in this pagoda, it will invoke well-being and fertility. You are also advised to wear full-length clothes as you visit this place.

Ha Noi city - The capital of Vietnam

Hanoi – the antique & dynamic capital of Vietnam

If ever being heard of Vietnam, with the popular S-shape or the dragon-shape, you may have known its significant land/capital – the “dragon-eye” site: Hanoi.

Location

This beautiful capital strategically lies at the center of the triangular basin of the Red River. With around 3.5 million people, and an area of 920 square km, Hanoi is now the country’s center of economy, politics, culture, and society.

Natural conditions
Hanoi is famous for numerous rivers, lakes, and mountains alongside and in the surroundings. Scattered around are places of sight-seeing, which are so much attractive thanks to green lands full of streams, rivers, and mountain, such as Tam Dao, Con Son, Kiep Bac, etc. Hanoi is also well known for typical tropical seasoned place of South East Asia with four seasons: fresh, green and cool in Spring, a bit hot in Summer, fine in Autumn, and cold in Winter. Yet the most interesting thing is that all those take place in most sites of the capital. “Leisuring around the rivers in the suburbs or walking down the green mountains like Soc Temple in Soc Mount, Ve Linh Mount, Phuc Tuong Mount, etc, in autumn brings in such a great feeling. Believe me, you will taste the cool and fresh air as if the most delicious desert after such a busy time”, said a busy trader during her stay in Hanoi.

History
Before being named “Hanoi” as present, the capital had had several names throughout history. In 1010, Ly Thai To, the first ruler of the Ly Dynasty, moved the capital of Đại Việt (the Great Viet) to the site of the Đại La Citadel. Claiming to have seen a dragon ascending the Red River, he renamed it Thăng Long (Ascending Dragon) - a name still used poetically to this day with the belief that this was good omen of the country’s future. It remained the capital of Vietnam until 1397, when the capital was moved to Thanh Hoa, also known as Tây Đô (Western Capital). Thăng Long then became Đông Đô (Eastern Capital). King Minh Mang, under the Nguyen Dynasty, has laid the name “Hanoi” on the capital since 1831. This means “a city lying Between Rivers or River Interior”, which are Red and Day rivers. Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam when North and South Vietnam were reunited on July 2, 1976.

Many historians reckon that the city was established more than 1,500 years ago. Therefore, with the length of living, Hanoi is very rich of cultural, historical and traditional values.

Historical Places to visit

Within the “River Interior City”, there are a number of historical and beautiful places to get by. Mentioning about Hanoi, what comes first to tourists’ mind is the ever first historical University of the capital and also the nation - Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Translated as “The Literature Temple”). Besides its foremost meaning, Van Mieu is also the place to worship Confucius, setting doctor steles. Youngsters and youth always come here to pray for success by touching the rock tortoises’ head before any examinations, cause it is believed to be very sacred.

Since Vietnam is a Buddhism-oriented nation, its capital has been the Buddhism center for centuries. As a result, it is not surprising that there are as many as about 600 temples and pagodas in Hanoi. For Buddhist tourists, among many great pagodas, Tran Quoc Pagoda should be the first to pay a visit. It is not only the oldest one among those 600, (6 century years old), but also one of the most gorgeous and sacred. The second that is worth visiting is Mot Cot Pagoda (One-Pillar pagoda), another symbol of the capital. Its special architecture is similar to a lotus on the top of water.

Located near the two symbolic pagodas and right in the middle of the capital it is the historical Lake – Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of Returned Sword), and Ngoc Son Temple with 100% natural beauty. Related to the Lake, Vietnam has a classic story telling about King Le Loi after winning over Minh invader, returned the magic Sword to the Tortoise down in the Lake. Since then, the Lake was named “Hoan Kiem”. It is more surprising that up to now, the historical Tortoise still sometimes appear up the Lake surface for a moment.

As for Catholics coming to Hanoi, there are also great Churches to come for praying and/or visiting. From 19th century, many Catholic churches were built in here. The biggest one is Cathedral. And Cua Bac church is a beautiful original typical French architect.

As you may have found out, Hanoi is more an antique and peaceful city than a modern one. This might be seen quite clearly when you take a walk around the 36 Old Quarter. This is a typical characteristic of Hanoi with small old streets, tube houses which still remain their shape from 19th century. Additionally, the beauty of Hanoi in the past is also found in the ancient citadel, right nearby.

Historical places that worth to pay a visit cannot be without Ba Dinh Square, the political area where President Ho Chi Minh read the Independent Declaration on the September 2nd, 1945. As famous as this is the House of Parliament, Presidential Palace, President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, etc.

To know more about Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular, both in terms of history, tourists should spend one or two days on visiting the nation’s Ethnology, Military, History, Ho Chi Minh,... museums. These will open a huge detailed picture of this antique and beautiful historical city.

Culture

Talking about Hanoi’s culture, there must be a long time to complete the story. The initial Hanoi’s famous cultural thing is a series of traditional handicraft villages, such as Bat Trang ceramic and pottery village, Hang Bac silver-making street, Ngu Xa bronze-making, Phu Do noodle-making, Yen Phu incense, and Ngoc Ha flower, and Dong Ho picture villages. All of them have existed for centuries, and are still famous for 99% hand-made and 100% nature-originated products.

Hanoians are extremely good at making and tasting food. They have so many delicacies, for example, Banh cuon (steamed rice roll), Cha ca La Vong (La Vong grilled fish), Pho (noodle) with chicken or beef, Nem (spring roll), and so on. it can be said that this is the most attractive thing for foreigners to come and feel a “special Hanoi through Hanoi specialties”.

Adding more to Hanoi's culture, kinds of arts play very impotant role. Hanoi’s famous culture also lies in Folk performances, which are Water Puppet, Cheo, Tuong and A Dao… (a traditional kind of music performances).

Sight-seeing

Besides plentiful cultural relics, Hanoi boasts many scenes of beauty. The most popular ones in Hanoi are peaceful lakes. Standing around all the city’s lakes are great and high green trees with large shadows on sunny days. Also, they are sources of inspiration for artists. The famous Hoan Kiem Lake (mentioned above), West Lake, Truc Bach, Bay Mau Lake, etc., are the undeniable green, fresh, and peaceful beauties of the capital. Lots of songs and poems have recommended their beauty from time to time, season to season. “West Lake in the Autumn afternoon, peaceful flat water surface from far far away is so much appealing…”, those beautiful popular song words are always ever bear in mind by Hanoians as time goes by.

Water Park near West Lake is another side of sight-seeing places with all colorful and playful water games to play. This is really suitable for children. But it is strongly suggested that they should always be accompanied by their parents when playing strong-feeling games there!

A green and peaceful Hanoi, a fast-growing hospitable city with great tourism potentials, is now open and warmly welcome friends from all over the world.