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The beautiful city of Hanoi is a must see when visiting Vietnam. Hanoi acts as the capital of Vietnam, and is also the oldest capital city in Southeast Asia. Dating back to 1010, the city has had a number of name changes, and has been the host of various foreign occupations throughout history, including those by the Japanese, Chinese and French. After the Vietnam War, Hanoi became the capital of all Vietnam when North and South Vietnam were reunited.
Today the city is a bustling example of modern commerce and is the country's political center. Visitors to the region can still experience the beauty of the architecture and charm of old-world Vietnam in many of the city's areas including the Old Quarter, many residential neighborhoods and various marketplaces. Hanoi is literally built on history, as in 2004, the remnant of a massive 900 years old citadel was discovered in central Hanoi, near the site of Ba Dinh Square. The city is often referred to as the cultural center of Vietnam, where every conquering dynasty throughout history has left behind their imprint. Due to wars and various periods of plunder, many of the ancient relics have not survived through wars and time. However, the city still has many fascinating cultural and historic monuments for visitors to enjoy.
Hanoi's climate is typical of the region, with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. The tourist season typically runs through the spring and fall months when the weather is more forgiving and the temperature is moderate.
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Hanoi Opera House
For an impressive view of Hanoi's historical beauty, take a look down Trang Tien Street towards the Hanoi Opera House standing strong at the end of the vista. Built by the French in 1911, this incredible building was renovated in the late 1990s, regaining much of its grandeur. The facade is colonial French with pillars and balconies overlooking the city center. The Opera House seats 900, and plays host to visiting foreign performances as well as Vietnamese symphonies. The latter play quite regularly, with the best seats selling for less than USD10 each, so this is a definite pit-stop for visitors interested in experiencing some of Vietnam's greatest cultural offerings.
The Temple of Literature
In 1070 King Ly Thanh Tong founded this temple to pay tribute to education and to those who have achieved high academic standards. In 1076, a mere six years later, the Temple of Literature became home to Hanoi's first university. Even now, more than 200 years after the last national examination, the site's five courtyards still enjoy an atmosphere of higher learning. Today, visitors can sit in thee same grass areas as current art students who try to reproduce the traditional Vietnamese architecture on paper. The Temple of Literature is a wonderful place to sit and reflect on the beauty of old Vietnam.
One Pillar Pagoda
The One Pillar Pagoda is located in Ngoc Ha, in the Ba Dinh District, on the west side of the ancient capital of Thang Long (Hanoi). First built in 1049 during the Ly Dynasty, the One Pillar Pagoda is architecturally-unique example of Vietnam's pagodas. The structure mimics the shape of a lotus blooming on its stem, an engineering and architectural feat for any age.
The Old Quarter
The Old Quarter is a must-see for the visitor to Hanoi. Located near the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake, this area is famous for its local artisans and merchants, including many silk and exotic fabric stores. For food lovers, local cuisine specialties abound in the several bars and clubs to be found here. At night there is a market in the heart of the district that opens every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening. It's a great place to pick up bargains on a variety of clothing, souvenirs, and food.
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