Hanoi

Quick Facts

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Coordinates

• Latitude: 21.0341
• Longitude: 105.8372

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Introduction

strawberries in Hanoi

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Sprawled along the banks of the Red River, Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam. Originally founded in 1010 by King Ly Thai To as Thanh Long (city of ascending dragons), the city has since become a fascinating combination of East and West as strong Chinese and French influences have merged with the Vietnamese way. This is specifically reflected in the city's architecture which is now having to also make room for more modern developments alongside. Hanoi's past can be taken in at sites like Hoa Lo Prison and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Plenty of green areas, lakes and shady boulevards, as well as over 600 temples and pagodas, add to the appeal of Hanoi.

Neighbourhoods

The city consists of three main areas:

• The Ancient Citadel Area (11th century) - Which was home to the Royal Family
• The Old Quarter (Ancient Business Area) - Which dates back to the 11th century and is considered the city's centre.
• The French Quarter - Which used to be home to French during their time in Hanoi.

Sights and activities

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Opening hours: 08:00 - 11:00 A.M except for Monday and Friday. Admission free) - Visitors are to be respectful both in dress (long pants and sleeved-shirts) and in attitude. Electronic devices are to be deposited before entering the mausoleum.

• The One-pillar Pagoda - One of the unofficial symbols of Hanoi, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy.

• The Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam St., south of the Mausoleum. Opening hours: Daily 07:30 - 17:30. Admission 5,000 dong.) - Built in 1070 as a place to worship Confucius and his disciples, it became Vietnam's first university 6 years later. The original area was burned down and destroyed by the French colonialists.

• History Museum (Tran Quang Khai Street, behind the Opera House. Opening hours: 07:30 - 11:30 & 13:30 - 16:30. Closed on Monday) - As its name suggests this museum is a showcase of Vietnam's history.

• Army Museum (Dien Bien Phu Street, the Ancient Citadel Area. Opening hours: 07:30 - 11:30 & 13:30 - 16:30. Closed on Monday and Friday) - History of the country and of its military. Artifacts include wreckage of B52 bombers, F111 fighter aircrafts and different kinds of weapons from the war.

• Hoa Lo Prison Museum (Hoa Lo Street, between Ly Thuong Kiet Street and Hai Ba Trung Street. Opening hours: 07:30 - 11:30 & 13:30 - 16:30. Closed on Monday) - Home to US prisoners of war, the prison was often called the "Hanoi Hilton"

Events and Festivals

Weather

Getting There

By Plane

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) - Is located about 40 minutes outside of Hanoi. There is a shuttle bus in front of the the Air Vietnam Offices just outside of the city center starting at 5 am and ending at 5 pm.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

Hanoi is the end or the beginning of the open bus ticket. Many different companies operate open bus tickets and remember to ask around before buying into one company for the journy all the way south to Ho Chi Minh City. For more information on the open bus ticket read the Ho Chi Minh City article.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

A popular and probably the easiest way to see Hanoi is by taxi.

By Public Transport

By Foot

Central Hanoi can easily be navigated on foot. Walking around this city is the only way to experience the sights, sounds (and smells) it has to offer. Walking around the city makes you part of the traffic - good or bad, it is the easiest way to have that true local experience.

The New York Times has a well commentated walking tour of the old quarter here. It is a good start for a self guided walking tour of the old quarter:

Note: Try to study the map discreetly and know your next turn before arriving at an intersection. If you ask for directions, motorbike taxi drivers will just implore you to hire them for a ride and even try to confuse you. Learn to look for distinct rooflines. Just a short time in the Old Quarter will have you distinguishing a Chinese temple or community house from a tube house or more French-influenced construction.

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

With online dance and battle games popular amongst Vietnamese youth, there is no shortage of high speed internet cafés around Hanoi. Rates can be as low as 3000 dong per hour and some of the better internet cafés that can be found in the Old Quarter carry popular software like Skype.

Phone

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