destionation of Vietnam
Hanoi
Hanoi Brief Introduction
The ideal of Hanoi evokes images of a stern, austere bastion of Vietnamese Communism, ravaged by war and closed to the world. Visitors to the capital, however, will be surprised to find themselves in one of Southeast Asia's most charming cities. With its Chinese architecture, majestic French colonial buildings, and tree-lined lanes, this ancient city of lakes extends a reserved but genuine welcome - the essence of the North Vietnamese. Less cosmopolitan than Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is kinder and gentler than its southern rival. Fewer skyscrapers tower overhead and less traffic clogs the streets. The hard-core communist era appears to be on the wane; the almost overnight transformation of the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" prison into the Hanoi Tower Commercial Center has been an omen of things to come. Hammers and sickles still adorn the cityscape, but the doi moi "renovation" policies are slowly reshaping the face of the city.
Tourism has been on the rise in Hanoi in recent years. The Old Quarter has stepped up as the city's tourist enclave, with tourist hotels, travel cafes, and Western restaurants popping up left and right. The rest of Hanoi hasn't chipped in so far, but the construction of hotels on the shores of the romantic West Lake and the rise of souvenir shops in handicraft villages on the outskirts of Hanoi forecast that the city is eager to bring in more tourist dollars. For now, plenty of hidden gems remain, revealing a different Hanoi to the inquisitive; it remains to be seen if the city will ever really succumb to the tourist industry, a la Bangkok.
To most backpackers, Hanoi is a gateway in or out of Vietnam or a haven of luxury and infrastructure on their journey through less-accommodating northern Vietnam. Either way, it would be pity to pass through this beautiful ancient city without establishing at least a brief acquaintance with its unique ambience, turbulent history, savory cuisine, and cozy cafes. Hanoi may the wallflower of Southeast Asia, but if you make a little effort, she can truly shine.
History Museum The History Museum, housed in a stately French-designed building, elaborately to presents Vietnams past from prehistory Communism, with display divided by period. The almost incessant foreign aggression that the Vietnamese have withstood over the centuries makes for an impressive read. Don't miss the Dong Son bronze drums and ceramics or the Khmer and Cham artifacts. (One block behind the Opera, across from the Revolutionary Museum on Pho Trang Tien, enter through the gates on the Pho Trang Tien. Open Tues-Su 8-11:45am and 1:30-4:30pm.)
Hoan Kiem Lake The lake takes its name from 15th-century legend of a magic turtle who loaned a sacred sword to Le Loi, the nobleman who led the Vietnamese against the invading Ming army. Padding in the lake following the victory, the newly crowned emperor encountered the turtle, who demanded the sword back. The Tortoise Tower on a tiny island in the lakes center commemorates the event. Several mammoth turtles still live in the lake and occasionally surface, an event that locals believe is a sign of the impending death of one of the country's leaders. Strolls here are relaxing and enjoyable, but are punctuated by the entreaties of persistent children who sell postcards and t-shirts on the north side of the lake
8VNCL2 - 8 Days / 7 Nights North Discovery : Hanoi - Perfume Pagoda - Ninhbinh - Halong - Sapa - Hanoi
10VNCL2 - 10 Days / 9 Nights Vietnam at a glimpse : Hanoi - Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi - Ho Chi Minh City
Temple of Literature The Temple of Literature was allegedly built in 1070 during the reign of Emperor Ly Tranh Tong to honor scholars and literary man. The Emperor dedicated this peaceful sanctuary to Khong Tu (Confucius). Six years later, the Royal College (Quoc Tu Giam), Vietnam's first university, was founded here in order to educate the children of court mandarins. The university remained in used until 1802, when the national university was moved to the new capital, Hue. The buildings remain in pristine condition. To enter, pass through the Four Pillars on Quoc Tu Giam. Please remember to dismount your house, in compliance with an ancient inscription on this gate. The following succession of open courts was established by a series of open gates, symbolic of the academic experience.
West Lake (Ho Tay) West Lake is the largest lake in Hanoi, which about 13km in circumference. The lake area, where once- marshy shores used to be adorned only by pagodas, trees, and the occasional house, has developed since the American War into a nice spot for a stroll, meal, or drink. It is now also a popular for young couples to meet in evenings to see the sun set from a swan paddle boat or the back of the motorbike. Additionally, the West Lake's surrounding area houses Hanoi's most chic hotels and apartment buildings, as well as some large mansions owned by the nation's economic and political elite.
Museum of Fine Art North of the Temple of Literature, this museum features Vietnamese art fromthe Stone Age until the 1980s. It features an abundance of early Vietnamese stone sculpture and woodwork, Socialist -Realist sculpture, and a series of "combat art" lacquer paintings. (Open Tue, Thurs-Fri Sun 8:30am-5pm, Wed and Sat 8:30am-9pm.)
One Pillar Pagoda One of the few structures remaining from old Thang Long, the pagoda is dedicates to Quan Am, the goddess of mercy. Emperor Ly Thanh Tong built the pagoda after dreaming that the goddess, sitting on a lotus flower, gave him a boy. Soon after, a son was born to him. The pagoda was thus built to resemble a lotus plant.
The former residence of the Governor-General of French Indoch- ina, the presidential palace has served as a state guesthouse sin -ce 1954, when the Viet Minh defeated the French. Ho Chi Minh believed the building should belong to the people and chose to live in an electrician's hut on the grounds. His personal area in the hut is as his left it. In 1958, he moved into a simple stilted house near a carp pond, which remained his residence until his death in 1969. The home was built for Uncle Ho near the Presidential Palace so he would feel more "with the people."
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Despite his wish to be cremated, poor Ho Chi Minh couldn't escape his well-preserved fate. Completed in 1975, the sober granite structure service as a receiving stand for officials and party leaders, upholding the slightly macabre Communist tradition of constructing glass sarcophagi for their idols. Almost every morning, a procession of pilgrims and curious visitors solemnly passes under the communist and Vietnamese symbology that adorns the mausoleum. You, too, can join them, braving the cold sanitized air of the building and the white uniformed soldiers guarding his earthly remains to venerate the late president's corpse. It would have made any pharaoh jealous. (Up Dien Bien Phu, away from the army museum, approach from Duonh Hung Vuong. Open Apr-Oct. Tues - Thu: 7:30-10:30am, Sat-Sun: 7:30-11am; Nov-Mar: Tues - Thus: 8-11 am, Sat-Sun: 8-11:30am. Get there earlier to avoid the line, especially on May 19th, Uncle Ho's birthday, and Sept. 2nd, the date he declared Vietnam's independence on that every spot in 1945. Close briefly every Nov for the make-up artist/embalmer to touch him up a bit. Wear respectable attire-no shorts, short skirts, or tank tops. No bags or cameras allowed; some people stash them at the visitors' entrance at the south end of square.)
3VNCL5 - 3 Days / 2 Nights Land tour in the north of Vietnam : Hanoi- Halong- Hanoi
18VNCL1 - 18 Days / 17 Nights Vietnam wonder : Hanoi - Ninhbinh - Halong - Sapa - Quangbinh - Hue - Hoi An - Nha Trang - Hochiminh - Mekong Delta - Tayninh - Hochiminh


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