Hanoi, capital city of Vietnam, is located on the right bank of the Red River. Hanoi is often said to be the cultural center of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, still the city has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike.
Some of the prominent places are:
- Temple of Literature, site of the oldest university in Vietnam
- One Pillar Pagoda
- Flag Tower
- The Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem lake. The Old Quarter, near the scenic Hoan Kiem lake, has the original street layout and architecture of the old Hanoi. At the beginning of 20th century, the city consisted of only about 36 streets, most of which are now part of the old quarter. Each street then comprised of merchant and household specialized in a particular trade, such as silk traders, jewelers, etc. Nowadays, street names reflect these specializations, although few of them remain exclusively in their original commerce. The area is in general famous for its small artisans and merchants, including many silk shops.
Local cuisine specialties as well as several clubs and bars can be found here also. A night market in the heart of the district opens for business every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening with a variety of clothing, souvenirs, and food.
- West Lake is a popular place for people to take a walk, picnic, meet friends, etc. It's the largest lake in Hanoi, and there are also many Buddhist temples to visit. You'll find there small boats for hire and even a floating restaurant.
Hanoi is not just the capital city, but it's home to a large number of museums too, including the Vietnamese National History Museum, the National Museum of Ethnology, the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Revolution Museum.