Hanoi Travel Guides

Hanoi, the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is an elegant city located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake at its heart. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there.

Much of the city was transformed by the French when it became a French protectorate in the 1880s and there are wide boulevards and large colonial buildings which are now home to government departments and foreign embassies.

Following years of rampant inflation, poverty and repression, the government introduced economic reform or doi moi in 1986, allowing people to own their own businesses. Now Hanoi has been totally transformed and visitors are entranced by the city and its residents. Recent years have seen an enormous increase in visitors and at peak times every hotel room in Hanoi is booked up, so prices have risen accordingly.

Hanoi History: Ho Chi Minh established the Viet Minh during the WWII in order to gain independence from France. Fighting continued until 1954 when the French surrendered to the Viet Minh at Dien Bien Phu and Hanoi became capital of North Vietnam, but Ho Chi Minh was determined to reunite the whole country.

The USA came to the support of South Vietnam and full-scale war broke out in 1965. The Americans withdrew in 1973 and fighting continued until 1975 when Saigon fell to North Vietnamese troops. Vietnam was reunited under Hanoi and communist rule the following year. For many years Hanoi had a reputation as an austere city, unwelcoming to visitors. Life was hard for the residents as the city and country rebuilt itself. Hanoi had been continuously bombed by the Americans throughout the Vietnam War.

The Old Quarter: A maze of 36 narrow streets named after the products that were traditionally sold here and home to the amazing tunnel houses which have a very narrow frontage hiding very long rooms. Located north of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: Former President 'Uncle Ho' lies in state here and people come from all over Vietnam and the world to pay their respects. His embalmed body is displayed in a granite monolith modelled after Lenin's tomb in Moscow. For one of the most bizarre morning you'll ever spend, join the (lengthy) queues to see the embalmed body of Vietnam's national hero: Ho Chi Minh, who led the country's resistance forces and declared independence in 1954. A truly surreal museum is worth looking at too.

Temple of Literature: Tourists, particularly the foreign ones, now flock to the site for taking a look into its profound traditional meanings of both a Confucion temple and the first university of Vietnam. Văn Miếu or Temple of Literature, known as "pagode des Corbeaux" during the period of French colonisation, was founded as a Confucian temple in 1070.

Perfume Pagoda: Closer to Hanoi, around 65km (40 miles) southeast of the city, is the Perfume Pagoda, a delightful series of pagodas and Buddhist shrines in a natural setting of forest streams, lakes and grottoes. The Perfume Pagoda itself is reached by boat and a steep path.

One-pillar Pagoda (Chua mot cot): Its original name was Dien Huu (long-lasting happiness and good luck). Legend has it that King Lý Thai Tong was very old and had no son of his own. Buddha, sitting on a lotus flower in a square-shaped lotus pond in the western side of Thang Long Citade.

Hanoi Opera House: For a long time, the Hanoi Opera House has been a rendezvous for those who love theatrical performance and traditional songs and music, symphonies, opera and classical opera. It is also a tourist attraction for local and foreign visitors.

Restaurant in Hanoi: We introduce list restaurant in Hanoi

Hotels in Hanoi: We introduce list Hotels in Hanoi. Once decided the hotel and room type, please send us an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it