| The capital city of the Socialist Republic of | | | | such as Yen Thai glossy silk village, Bat |
| Vietnam, Hanoi is an enchanting destination, | | | | Trang pottery village, and Ngu Xa bronze |
| situated in the Red Delta River, in the | | | | casting village, where you can see artisans |
| center of northern Vietnam. With lush green | | | | engaged in bronze molding, embroidery works, |
| trees, beautiful boulevards, ancient shrines, | | | | and silver carving and lacquer. |
| dozens of dazzling lakes, and splendid French | | | | |
| edifices, Hanoi is truly an interesting spot | | | | Lakes - Hanoi's attractions also include more |
| to enjoy a memorable vacation. Hanoi, through | | | | than 15 charming lakes, and some of them are |
| out its history, was marked by several wars, | | | | Hoan Kiem Lake - the main leisure area in the |
| destructions, and natural calamities. But, | | | | city, West Lake - the largest in the city, |
| Hanoi is now a modern city, with an | | | | and Truc Bach Lake. A specialty of these |
| incredible array of attractions. | | | | lakes is that each of them is surrounded by |
| | | | wonderful gardens and trees. |
| The greatest of all attractions in the region | | | | |
| is perhaps its more than 500 pagodas and | | | | Museums - Hanoi is home to a number of |
| temples. Among which most popular is One | | | | remarkable museums, which among many others, |
| Pillar Pagoda, erected in 1049 during the | | | | are |
| reign of King Ly Thai Tong. Dedicated to Lord | | | | |
| Buddha, this beautiful wooden pagoda is | | | | - Vietnam History Museum, exhibiting |
| supported by just a single pillar, which | | | | artifacts that date back to various periods |
| takes after a lotus seat on which a statue of | | | | of Vietnam's history |
| Buddha has been seated. | | | | |
| | | | - Vietnam Army Museum, with collections |
| Prominent among the temples in the region are | | | | related to the armed forces of Vietnam |
| the Temple of Literature, which is one of the | | | | |
| most sanctified places for the disciples of | | | | - Fine Arts Museum, displaying a superb |
| Confucius; Hai Ba Trung Temple, dedicated to | | | | collection of paintings and sculpture |
| two heroines, Trung Nhi and Trung Trac; and | | | | |
| Ngoc Son Temple, located in the middle of | | | | - Ho Chi Minh Museum with art objects such as |
| Hoan Kiem Lake. Other religious landmarks in | | | | documents, press articles, and pictures of |
| the area are Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest of | | | | the times of Ho Chi Minh, apart from |
| its kind in the region, and Ambassadors | | | | memorabilia of the 19th century |
| Pagoda, which is regarded as the seat of | | | | |
| Buddhism in the country. | | | | Gastronomy - Hanoi boasts of an excellent |
| | | | gastronomy, influenced by the French Colonial |
| A must-see destination in Hanoi is Old | | | | Era. Just few among the sumptuous cuisines |
| Quarter, boasting of more than 35 winding | | | | available here are pho, gio lau or pork |
| streets, each of them selling a variety of | | | | sausage, nem ran, and cha ca. The place's |
| items such as handicrafts, porcelain, jade | | | | vegetable and seafood specialties are also |
| carvings, wickerwork and Russian Vodka. | | | | much famed. |
| Located outside the Royal Citadel, the Old | | | | |
| Quarter is regarded as the best destination | | | | Festivals - Hanoi hosts an array of lively, |
| to enjoy the spirit of the one | | | | colorful festivals, Dong Nhan Temple |
| thousand-year-old Hanoi. | | | | Festival, Lady Tam's Temple festival, Thay |
| | | | Pagoda Festival, Chuong Village Festival, |
| Another sight-seeing option in Hanoi is the | | | | Tran Vo Festival, and Dong Festival. |
| Presidential Palace, which is a fine example | | | | |
| of the French colonial architecture. | | | | With these incredible attractions, it is no |
| Constructed between 1900 and 1906, this | | | | wonder why people flock to Hanoi year-round. |
| splendid structure is within the Ho Chi | | | | No matter you are corporate, budget-conscious |
| Minh's Relic Area. | | | | or a luxury-loving traveler, a myriad of |
| | | | accommodation choices options are available |
| Situated within the French Quarters of the | | | | here to choose from according to your taste |
| city is Hanoi Opera House, a structure noted | | | | and pocket. |
| for its marvelous construction, reflecting | | | | |
| French colonial architecture. Several | | | | Mostly, luxurious accommodations are replete |
| performances are conducted here every week. | | | | with world-class facilities such as color TV |
| Also, a landmark in Hanoi is Ho Chi Minh's | | | | with satellite programs, music system, and |
| Mausoleum - the spot where the embalmed body | | | | mini bar. Since many of the hotels and |
| of Ho Chi Minh, acknowledged as the 'father | | | | resorts have their own websites, it allows |
| of the modern state,' is displayed. | | | | for easy booking of hotel rooms online. Many |
| | | | of them offer best deals on packages |
| Not to miss attractions in Hanoi also cover a | | | | inclusive of accommodation, dining, and to |
| plethora of traditional handicrafts villages | | | | and fro transportation for sightseeing. |