Introduction
Hanoi, the capital city of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam lies in the delta of the Red River, towards the northern half of the country. Built around several lakes Ha Noi has always been the political, cultural, economic as well as the technological centre of the whole country.

What to do
The French colonial architecture that marks the structure and design of this city, gives the pleasure of experiencing life, as it existed in the quaint European villages. A walk around the cobblestone pavements, the tree lined boulevards, the lakes and parks all of which lend a tranquil charm to this reconstructed city is the best way to occupy you in the early hours of the morning. Later in the day, one can take a walk through history by visiting the government buildings, museums, temples and pagodas that are scattered in and around the city.

City at a Glance

Latitude 21° 2' N Longitude 105° 52' E Area 1000 sq km Population 3 million Language Thai Religion Buddhism Telephone Code 84

History

Founded in 1010 A.D, Hanoi served as the capital of various Vietnamese dynasties for many centuries. It lost this status for a brief while during the rule of Ho Qui Ly, a regent who had deposed the last king of the Tran Dynasty in the 14th century. In 1858 AD, due to commercial opportunities in Vietnam, the French established a military base in Hanoi. Soon it became the capital of French Indochina - a union of Cambodia, Laos, and some Vietnamese territories.

World War II broke out and the Japanese displaced the French colonial rulers from Hanoi, in March. But in September 1945, the Japanese surrendered in Tokyo and Vietnam was declared independent. But the French intended to return to Indochina, and a bitter war ensued between the Vietnamese and US backed French, who by 1949 had reasserted their right to Vietnam. A series of conflicts with the French followed and in 1954, French was defeated and Hanoi once again became part of the Republic of Vietnam.

The resulting peace agreements, known as the Geneva Accords, divided the country at the seventeenth parallel. However, peace did not last for long. This region was enveloped for the next thirty years (1956 to 1976), in one of the most prolonged and bloodiest warfare man has ever seen. Famously known as the Vietnam War it was fought between the US backed South Vietnam and the Viet Minh (League for the independence of Vietnam). During this period Hanoi remained the capital of North Vietnam and had to face the brunt of US belligerence.

Since 1976 it has been the capital of reunified Vietnamese state. Stiff economic sanctions by western countries and economic isolation against the country delayed reconstruction work till 1990s.

Weather and Best Season to Visit
Hanoi has an extremely cold weather. The climate is influenced by tropical monsoon pattern. Even in the peak of summer when neighboring Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) is very hot, the weather of Hanoi is cold. Therefore, the best time to visit this city is from April to October when weather conditions are comparatively comfortable.

Attractions
Old Quarter
A must-see here is the old quarter. Hanoi's most cherished neighborhood, it has a crisscrossing of commercial streets of Ba Muoi Sau Pho Phuong (36 streets and numerous alleys) besides, temples and lakes.

National History Museum
Vietnam's leading museum and centre for cultural and historical research, it presents a chronological picture of Vietnam's history.

Army Museum (Bao Tang Lich Su)
The museum contains military displays portraying Vietnam's military campaigns during the "American War".

Military Museum (Bao tang Quan doi)
This museum displays memorabilia like artillery, tanks, fighters et al; of the Vietnamese wars against France and the USA.

Hanoi Opera House
This building reflecting French architecture was built in 1911, and today is a premier location for performances.

Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum
The embalmed body of the revered leader, Ho Chi Minh, enclosed in a glass casket has been preserved here. The concrete structure of the mausoleum is designed on the lines of Lenin's tomb.

Museum of Ho Chi Minh
Built in 1990 to commemorate Ho Chi Minh's 100th birthday, this large, modern and air-conditioned museum is dedicated to his life and legacy.

Hoa Lo Prison AKA "Hanoi Hilton"
This former war prison is now a museum. The exhibits in the museum focus on the years when the prison was run by the French and housed Vietnamese prisoners.

Hoan Kiem Lake
At the heart of Hanoi is the "The Lake of the Returned Sword" where elders practise Tai chi. If lucky one can even spot huge live turtles in this lake.

Others
Other places worth visiting are the Quang Truong Ba Dinh (a huge open space where Ho Chi Minh declared independence in 1945), the Mot Cot Temple (Small lotus shaped temple), Lenin Park and the Art Museum.

Important Festivals and Exhibitions
Hanoi is famous for a number of festivals that are celeberated here, thriughout the year. Some of these are: the festival of Dong Da hill celeberated on the 5th day of the 1st lunar month; Giong Festival, Hanoi, commemorating Saint Giong, a legendary child hero who defeated foreign invasion and saved the nation, celeberated on the 9th day of the 4th month; and the Festival of Dong Quan held annually on the 22nd day of the 11th lunar month.

Places Nearby
Hoa Lu
This is a tenth century ancient capital known as 'Halong bay on Land'. The place is famous for its scenic beauty as well as, the mysticism of temple caves.

Perfume Pagoda
Chua Huong (Perfume pagoda) is located in Huong Son (Perfume mountain) 70 km southwest of Hanoi. The place has a cluster of temples, most important being Huong Son Thien Tru Pha and Huong Tich temple, which were built during the reign of Le Chinh Hoa (1680-1705). Other shrines and temples were later built in this area to take advantage of the beautiful scenery in this area that has turned it into one of the most famous tourist destinations in Vietnam.

Mai Chau
If staying with rural people in thatched-roof stilted house on split bamboo floors means adventure and fun to you, then Mai Chau, it seems, is the best destination to head for. The closest Montagnard village to Hanoi (145 km Northwest of Hanoi), it is a beautiful rural area, inhabited by ethnic White Thai people, related to tribes in Thailand, Laos and China. Lac village is the most beautiful one in the region with good service, nice music and hospitable people. If lucky, villagers can organise a traditional song and dance performance here in the evenings, at a reasonable price. Beside you can also venture out on an adventurous 18 km trek from Lac village to Xa Linh village, but make sure that you have the right equipment and a professional tour guide to assist you.

SHOPPING
Hanoi, with a number of arts and crafts galleries is Vietnam's fine arts capital. Fashion silk, lingerie, leather goods, handicrafts, lacquerware and souvenirs make Hanoi a hot destination for shoppers. The largest markets in town are the Dong Xuan Market, and the Hang Khoai Market.

WHERE TO STAY
Hanoi offers the visitor numerous accommodation options with excellent facilities. The Sedona Suites, Green Park hotel, and the New Tong Dan guesthouse are the best options in the luxury class. This apart, there are various middle range inns and hotels located in the Old Quarter of the city, which provide good basic facilities.

WHERE TO EAT

Hanoi is dotted with lakeside cafes and restaurants where one can sample local cuisine and sip sweet coffee. Cafés, hotels, markets and restaurants can be found around the Hoan Kiem Lake and in the old quarter. If you have an adventurous tongue, consider having Ban Mei for lunch. This is Vietnamese sandwich served on sliced French baguettes. Also, try out the pho, a soup unique to Vietnam. Besides, you can also get to relish Indian and Western cuisines, that are available in a few upmarket restaurants around the city.

Travel Information
Air Travel resources
The international airport at Hanoi is known as the Noi Bai International Airport. It is well connected by regular flights to over seventeen destinations both domestic and international. Various international carriers like Air France, Aeroflot, Thai Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cambodian Airlines etc. fly in and out of Hanoi.

Noi Bai International Airport Tel 884-3389

Gia Lam Airport is to be upgraded to cater domestic flights.

By Land and water
By Rail
Hanoi Railway station is at Le Duan Street. There is an express Train to Saigon, which takes 40 hours to reach Hanoi. From Hanoi itself their are several local trains to the Chinese border and other places around Hanoi like Hai Phong and Ha Long.

By Bus
The city has two interprovincial bus stations. The station for northern provinces is located in Gia Lam district, the other for southern provinces at Giai Phong Road. Local Transport Car Taxis which are available throughout the city are an easy option to travel within Hanoi. The public transport system here however is not upto the mark and therefore , should be avoided. One can also rent bicycles and motorbikes. But the best way to go sightseeing around the city is by a Cyclo ride (pedal cab) .