Ha Noi - A Nostalgic Portrait

Hanoi Overview

Hanoi is known as the capital and also the second largest city of Vietnam. This city plays the important roles in culture, politics, economy and commerce of the entire Vietnam.

The meaning of the name "Hanoi" is the combination of two separate names: "Ha" and "Noi". Ha means river, Noi means interior. In summary, Hanoi means "the hinterland between the river".

Hanoi is well-known as a main land that has the high spiritual and historical values for thousand of years. In the 3rd century BC, the King of the Au Lac Nation called An Duong Vuong made Co Loa, which is located in Dong Anh District nowadays, his kingdom's capital.

Through the ups and downs of history, the capital of Vietnam are sometimes moved to other locations such as: Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa, Binh Dinh, Hue. But since 1010CE, Hanoi once again became the capital of Vietnam until today.

Although Hanoi has undergone lots of changes throughout a long history of thousand years included many destructions from wars and natural disasters, there are still many ancient architectural works preserved consisting of the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples. Of which are well-known sites such as the One Pillar Pagoda, which was built in 1049, the Temple of Literature built in 1070, Hanoi Citadel, Hanoi Opera House, President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, etc.

One Pillar Pagoda

Beside those famous architecture works, Hanoi naturally comprises a numerous lake system, which is popularly known as the city's lungs, about 18 lakes located around its area including Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, and Truc Bach Lake, etc…combined with lots of green parks and trees around the city. The great amount fresh air from those lakes and trees plays very important roles that make Hanoi a green city.

Hoan Kiem Lake

West Lake

In addition, Hanoi is also the land of traditional handicrafts such as bronze molding, silver carving, and embroidery. There are a lot of famous villages in which the whole residents make handicrafts as their careers for living. Some of villages are well-known in nationwide including pottery in Bat Trang village, bronze casting in Ngu Xa village, glossy silk in Yen Thai village…

Bat Trang pottery village

With long history of culture, combined with the unique traditions, all these have made Hanoi great in the eyes of tourists and international friends.

Source: Internet