Ha Noi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, as well as the political, economic, cultural, commercial, and tourist center of the country. Visiting Hanoi means immersing oneself in the history, tradition, and legends of a capital that has existed for nearly a millennium. Hanoi is an ancient capital, established in 1010 during the Ly Dynasty. Over time, this capital has had many different names: Thang Long, Dong Do, and Hanoi. Today, Hanoi still preserves many ancient architectural works, including old streets and more than 600 pagodas and temples (such as the Temple of Literature, Ngoc Son Temple, Ba Trieu Temple, One Pillar Pagoda, and Quan Thanh Temple) nestled among rows of green trees. Hanoi's current architecture mainly dates from the 19th and 20th centuries, with the stately French-built district remaining nearly intact. In addition to the ancient architectural works, Hanoi also has many new architectural structures (such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Cultural House). The system of museums and theaters is extremely rich and diverse. Hanoi possesses tens of hectares of lakes interwoven with its streets, the largest being Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, and Truc Bach Lake, all of which have lakeside roads under shady trees. All these elements blend together to give Hanoi a purely poetic beauty that captivates tourists. Hanoi is also a city of many traditional handicrafts: bronze casting, silver carving, lacquer, and embroidery. Many consumer goods, handicrafts, and delicacies are highly appreciated by visitors from around the world. Hanoi's cuisine is extremely distinctive and rich. Just try the specialty "Bun Cha" for an unforgettable meal. Hanoi truly is a vibrant city full of colors and many things to discover! The sightseeing spots are incredibly diverse.

Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple: Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple are located in the heart of Hanoi. According to legend, during a relaxing boat trip on the lake after defeating the Ming army, King Le Loi was approached by the Golden Turtle God, who requested the return of the holy sword given by the heavens to protect the country. This small lake is surrounded by rows of ancient trees. At the northernmost point is a small island accessible by a red-painted wooden bridge called The Huc. The small Ngoc Son Temple, dating back to the 19th century, is dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao, a hero who fought against the Mongols in the 13th century, along with three other deities: La To, the pioneer of medicine; Nguyen Van Xuong, the god of literature; and Tran Vu, the god of martial arts. In the middle of the lake stands the Turtle Tower, considered a contemporary symbol of Hanoi.

The Temple of Literature: The Temple of Literature was built in 1070, dedicated to Confucius, and used as a school for princes. It was regarded as Vietnam's first university in 1076. The temple is about 350 meters long and 70 meters wide, surrounded by a large brick wall. Inside, there are five courtyards. The main entrance is for the king; one side entrance is for civilian mandarins, and the other is for military mandarins. Behind the large gate is the Literature Pavilion, dating from 1802. The most educated individuals would recite and compose poetry and critique literature here. In front of the rectangular courtyard are 82 stone stelae engraved with the names of the doctoral laureates who passed the royal examinations from 1498 to 1787.

Quan Thanh Temple: Quan Thanh Temple is located beside Truc Bach Lake. In the 11th century, Ly Thai To ordered its construction to honor Tran Vu, the god guarding the North, who, according to legend, freed the lake from the extremely dangerous nine-tailed fox. Tran Vu wielded a black flag, and his sacred symbols are the snake and turtle. In the 18th century, the temple was renovated, and a bronze statue of Tran Vu was cast. This statue is 3.4 meters tall, weighs 4 tons, and is placed inside the temple.

One Pillar Pagoda: One Pillar Pagoda is a beautiful square wooden pagoda built on a single pillar in the middle of a green lotus pond. The pagoda was constructed in 1049 and was originally named Dien Huu. According to legend, King Ly Thai To did not have a son. One night, the Goddess of Mercy appeared in his dream, sitting on a lotus and giving him a son. Later, he married a young country girl and had an heir. The king built this pagoda in the shape of a lotus to express his gratitude to the Goddess of Mercy.

The Military Museum: This museum was built in the late 20th century. During the French colonial period, it served as a base for the French army. Today, it has been converted into a museum displaying artifacts from Vietnam's wars of defense against foreign invaders, including numerous images of war relics and trophies. The exhibits and displays are particularly striking, especially the audiovisual aids used to illustrate the Dien Bien Phu Campaign and the Liberation of Saigon.

The Vietnam National Museum of History: Formerly part of the French School of the Far East, this museum showcases a rich collection of prehistoric objects and artifacts from various stages of the country's development. Visitors can explore the history of Vietnam from its early days of nation-building to the present.

President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum: Inaugurated in 1975, the mausoleum is the final resting place of beloved Uncle Ho, the founder of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The mausoleum is 21 meters high and constructed from Vietnamese gray marble and granite. Designed to resemble a lotus flower, it is located in the historic Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence in 1945. The mausoleum is an important site that cannot be missed. The Vietnamese people always line up to visit, showing their deep respect and admiration for Uncle Ho.

Hanoi Old Quarter and Dong Xuan Market: Just a five-minute walk northwest of Hoan Kiem Lake takes you to Hanoi's Old Quarter. This area resembles a tree leaf, with the main vein being the Silk Road leading to Dong Xuan Market. It still retains the old images of Hanoi, offering a unique sense of the city's past. Many small streets are named after different crafts: Cotton Street (Hang Bong), Sugar Street (Hang Duong), Rice Street (Hang Gao), Charcoal Street (Hang Than), Mat Street (Hang Chieu), Goldsmith Street, and Fried Fish Street. Situated in the heart of the Old Quarter, Dong Xuan is the main and busiest market in Hanoi.

Co Loa Citadel: Co Loa Citadel is 18 km from downtown Hanoi, located in Dong Anh district. It was the ancient capital of the Au Lac Kingdom, ruled by King An Duong Vuong from 214 to 208 BC. The citadel has the structure of a snail shell. According to legend, at night, white roosters caused significant damage to the construction. A holy turtle, sent by the river god, mysteriously intervened to complete the citadel's construction, and then King An Duong Vuong was given a magic bow to defeat the Chinese invaders. Thuc Phan, the son of Chinese King Trieu Da, married My Chau, the daughter of King Thuc, and took the opportunity to steal this magic weapon. War then ensued, and King Thuc Phan committed suicide. The people built a temple dedicated to King Thuc, Princess My Chau, and a well where Thuc Phan, in his grief, committed suicide.

Thay Pagoda: Thay Pagoda, located in Ha Tay province about 40 km from Hanoi, dates back to the 12th century. This pagoda is dedicated to three main figures: Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, surrounded by 18 Arhats; Zen master Tu Dao Hanh (the ancestor of water puppetry); and King Ly Thanh Tong, who is believed to be the reincarnation of Tu Dao Hanh. It is fascinating to climb Lai Son Hill for a magnificent panoramic view.

Tay Phuong Pagoda: Tay Phuong Pagoda, also known as Sung Phuc, was constructed in the 13th century on a hill shaped like a buffalo. To reach the pagoda, one must climb 262 brick steps. The pagoda consists of three parallel buildings with beautiful tiled roofs. Seventy-six jackfruit wood statues showcase the great artistic value of the 18th century.

Huong Pagoda: The Huong Pagoda complex is a collection of temples on limestone mountains, offering an unforgettable destination. A boat ride on the Yen Stream through rice fields to the mountain is a memorable experience. Most of the temples are built amidst a chain of blue mountains, forests, lakes, and grottoes. In the spring, pilgrims from various parts of the country flock to Huong Pagoda. The main pagoda, located at the top of the mountain, is the highest. Thousands of stone steps challenge the adventurous spirit of tourists. Even elderly women devoutly wear long scarves while murmuring prayers, believing it will ease the arduous climb. On the Huong Tich grotto, Trinh Lord’s praises are carved: "First-rate grotto of the southern country."