-Ha Noi

Introduction:
Hanoi is perhaps Asia's most charming capital city. It is a city of broad, leafy boulevards, shuttered French villas and colonial-era buildings painted in muted hues of yellows and oranges. It is a city of parks and lakes, cafes and art galleries, and streets steeped in ancient and modern history. By day the city hums with commerce and moves at motorbike speed; by night the city is an enchanting, 19th century Asian village best experienced from the seat of a silent cyclo.
Hanoi sits alongside the Red River, Vietnam's second largest river. Beneath modern-day Hanoi lie artifacts and relics of the early Bronze and Iron ages, dating back some 20 centuries BC. In the 17th and 18th centuries, present day Hanoi (named Thang Long at the time) experienced rapid growth due to expansion of foreign trade. In 1786, the Tay Son Army from the South invaded North Vietnam and united the country. During the Tay Son reign the capital was moved south, to Hue, where it remained throughout the Nguyen Dynasty. In 1884, France established its colonial 'Protectorate' over all of Vietnam.

Information:
ONE PILLAR PAGODA
Emperor Ly Thai To built one of Hanoi's most famous landmarks, the One Pillar Pagoda in 1049 in honor of the Goddess of Mercy. The French destroyed the wooden shrine when they retreated from Hanoi in 1954, but the pagoda was quickly rebuilt. The design of the pagoda reflects the Buddhist belief that the world was created much as a lotus flower emerges from the water. The temple is built above a small pond covered in lotus blossoms.
HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM
Visiting Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum is an unforgettable Hanoi experience. Inside an austere, imposing building lies Ho Chi Minh; embalmed and bathed in an unearthly light. The mausoleum is a unique opportunity to reflect upon the life of one of the 20th century's more revered historical figures. Next to the mausoleum is a replica of "Uncle Ho's" wooden house on stilts, where he discussed resistance strategies with his top advisors during the war for independence.
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE
The Temple of Literature was Vietnam's first university, built in 1070 to educate the sons of the mandarin class. The complex consists of five separate courtyards, highlighted by the Khue Van Pavilion. Starting in 1442, hundreds of stone tablets, or steles, were erected to record the names and achievements of the graduates. Eighty-two of the steles remain, and these are considered the most valuable artifacts at the temple.
HISTORY MUSEUM
The museum contains numerous artifacts from Vietnam's history, with some relics dating back as far as the Neolithic period. Exhibits include sculptures and paintings, collections of religious artifacts, and a collection of items from the ancient kingdom of Champa.
HOAN KIEM LAKE
Hoan Kiem Lake is the heart of Hanoi. In the morning, residents migrate to the lake to jog around its tree-lined shores or to perform mesmerising tai chi. In the evening, the lakeside cafes fill up with residents sharing gossip from the day's events. Hoan Kiem Lake has a colourful history. Legend has it that in the 15th century, Emperor Le Thai To was sailing on the lake when a golden turtle appeared to snatch away the golden sword the emperor used to vanquish Vietnam's foes. The sword assures Vietnamese of divine intervention in times of national crisis.
THE OLD QUARTER
A walk through the Old Quarter allows one to glimpse Vietnamese life from ages past. In the early 13th century, guilds and artisans clustered their shops around certain streets. As time progressed, the narrow lanes were named after the guild or products sold there. Today, one still sees streets named "Gold" street or "Hat" street, and in many cases those same products are still sold there. There are two ancient houses in the Old Quarter that are especially worth visiting.
ANCIENT HOUSE: 87 MA MAY STREET
Built approximately 110 years ago, this house is one of the two ancient homes in Hanoi's Old Quarter, which were sympathetically restored as part of Hanoi's 990th Anniversary celebration last year. The house is a typical Old Quarter "tube house" 2 metres wide and 60 metres long with open yards between rooms for air and light. The house is arranged strictly in accordance with feng shui rules and is vividly decorated in a traditional manner.
ANCIENT HOUSE: 38 HANG DAO STREET
Hang Dao Street has been famous for its silk sellers since the 17th century. This house, built on the foundations of a 17th century trader's home, has been renovated to reflect the architecture and decorative styles of old Hanoi. The first floor is designed for trading purposes and living accommodation, the second for the family altar and the act of worshipping.
HANOI OPERA HOUSE
The Hanoi Opera House is one of Hanoi's most memorable landmarks. Designed by French architects, the Opera House is one of Vietnam's grandest buildings. The building's exterior is a delightful mix of shuttered windows, wrought iron balconies, and tiles friezes. The construction of Hanoi Opera House started in 1901 and was completed in 1911. The Opera House was completely restored in 2000.
HANOI HILTON
The French built the notorious Hoa Lo Prison in the early 20th century, and used it to jail many of Vietnam's Viet Minh revolutionaries. During the U.S.-Vietnam war, American POW's were jailed there, including former Ambassador Douglas "Pete" Peterson and U.S. Senator John McCain.
In 1996, a modern, 26-storey office and apartment building was built on the site. However, large sections of Hoa Lo were preserved and converted into a museum.
WATER PUPPET SHOW
Water puppetry is a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water. The art form dates back to the 10th century. It was invented by inhabitants of Ha Tay province, a rice-growing region where the people lived and worked according to the rhythms of the Red River.
Traditionally water puppet performances are held on the surface of communal ponds or lakes during village festivals. Today theatres have been built to further promote this ancient art form. The stories depict Vietnamese legends, peasant life and local festivals.
NGOC SON TEMPLE
Ngoc Son Pagoda was built on Ngoc (Jade) island in Hoan Kiem Lake in the 19th century. The pagoda was built in honor of Saint Van Suong - the spirit of literature and wisdom, and Tran Hung Dao, one of Vietnam's most famous warriors. At the entrance to the temple are two monuments depicting an inkwell and a paintbrush. Surrounded by water and shaded by trees, this temple is a delightful place to escape the bustle of Hanoi.
QUAN THANH TEMPLE
Quan Thanh Temple was built during the reign of King Ly Thai To (1010 - 1028). The temple honours Saint Tran Vu, a legendary figure who helped King An Duong Vuong chase away ghosts during the construction of Co Loa Citadel. The central feature of the temple is a giant, black, bronze statue of Tran Vu cast in 1667. An ancient bronze bell hangs from the top of the three-gated entrance.
TRAN QUOC PAGODA
Built in 544-588 AD, Tran Quoc is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. The pagoda's unique design features a visitor hall, two corridors and a bell tower. Inside the pagoda are numerous statues, the most notable of which is the wooden statue of the Shakyamuri BuddhThe oldest stele was built in 1639 and depicts the pagoda's history. Several burial stupas in the garden are relics of one of the earliest Zen Buddhist groups in North Vietnam.
DAO QUAN BICH CAU TEMPLE
Originally built in the 15th century and subsequently re-built in 1896 by Vietnamese Taoists, Dao Quan Bich Cau is one of the most beautiful temples in Vietnam.
ST. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL
The neo-gothic St. Joseph's Cathedral was completed in 1887. The cathedral remains a popular worshipping place for Vietnamese Catholics, and the courtyard in front of the church has been converted into a makeshift flower market.
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
The museum displays approximately 10,000 historical artifacts. It also possesses numerous fine arts such as ancient stone sculptures, antique pottery, ethnic minority paintings, and lacquer ware.
ARMY MUSEUM
The museum contains numerous relics from Vietnam's many battles against foreign aggressors.
HO CHI MINH MUSEUM
The museum contains documents, artistic works, photographs and other items, which vividly detail Ho Chi Minh's accomplishments in developing modern Vietnam. Portions of the museum focus on the links between revolutionary Vietnam and the outside world.
Note: All museums are closed on Monday. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is only open during the morning from Tuesday to Sunday and is closed from September to November for annual maintenance.

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