Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city in Vietnam
Population: about 6 million people
The city lies on the right bank of the Red River. Hanoi is 1,760 km (1,090 mi) north of Ho Chi Minh City and 120 km (75 mi) west of Hai Phong city.
Hanoi was built in 1010 (11th century) by Ly Dysnasty and then was the mornachy Capital of Vietnam from 1010 until 1802. Later the main capital was moved to Hue as the central of Vietnam (680Km South of Hanoi).
Hanoi was captured and occupied by the French in 1883, and then became a French influent city in 19th and 20th Century, It was again accupied by the Japanese from 1940 until 1945.
Ho Chi Minh Former President took over Hanoi for a few months after the Japanese failed and left Vietnam in Sept 1945.
The French Troops were sent back to Vietnam and reinforced the power in Indochina ( Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia), the conflict happened between the Communists and the French in 1946, Hanoi was recaptured by the French until 1954 October.
The French failed in Indochina War ( 1946 - 1954), the Country was devided into 2 parts as North Vietnam & South Vietnam in 1954 after Geneve Accord.
Hanoi then became the capital of North Vietnam ( Democratic Repulic of Vietnam) under Ho Chi Minh leader.
After Vietnam War ( 1958 - 1975), Vietnam was reunified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, The new government declared it as the capital again of Vietnam until today.
October 2010 officially marked 1000 years since the establishment of the city. The Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural is a 4 km ceramic mosaic mural created to mark the occasion. Hanoi has been inhabited since at least 3000 BC
What to see in Hanoi?
- Hoan Kiem Lake: Is the heart of Hanoi, it covers an area of 50 ha
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: It was built in 1973 and opened in 1976 for all visitors, where it maintains Ho Chi Minh Mummified Body, and you also can visit his home where he lived from 1954 to 1969.
- One Pillar Pagoda: Original built in 1049 under Ly Dynasty, but destroyed in the war, and rebuilt in 1954. The Single Pillar Pagoda stands for Vietnam Buddhism
- Hanoi West Lake & Tran Quoc Pagoda: It is the biggest freshwater lake in Hanoi, covers about 500 ha, and here you can see a beautiful pagoda which was ever built as the first one in Hanoi in 6th Century A.D
- The Temple of Literature: It was the first university of Vietnam built in 1070, and was a Confucian university for Vietnamese shcolars from 12th to 19th Century, Over 82 well-known national examinations were held at this University System. Now it is a temple museum.
- Hanoi Old Quarter: It used to be a comercial village located nearby the Imperial City in 15th Century, and It got big development when the French captured Hanoi in late 19th Century, and this part of Hanoi became more wealthy and more French Influence
- Museums: There are several interesting museums, here they are the best & worthy to visit such as: Vietnam History Museum, Vietnam Military Museum, Vietnam Ethnology Museum
- Water Puppet Show: Your part of interesting trip to Hanoi is water puppet show, it takes about 45 minutes, but a great fun.