Hanoi is the scared land of Southeast Asia. In, fact it wouldn’t be an exaggeration if we label it as the “City of temples”, keeping in account the huge ancient architectural works in Hanoi including the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples. Today, Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam and this modern metropolis provides accommodation to more than 3,083,800 people. The paramount beauty of the city goes beyond the historical limits and gropes in several natural splendours. Hanoi is decked up with the tranquil surroundings of the city’s 18 beautiful lakes. The Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, and Truc Bach Lake are the most significant among them who provide the city dwellers the necessary fresh water stock and much needed break from the pollution.
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Hanoi, sprawling over the Red River Delta in North Vietnam, justifies its meaning of the “hinterland between the rivers” (Ha: river, Noi: interior). At different periods of history, the area of present-day Hanoi had been selected as the chief city of Vietnam but under different names. For about a thousand years, the capital was called Thang Long, then changing to Dong Do, Dong Kinh, and finally to Hanoi, in 1831. The city gradually expanded to become a bustling cosmopolitan with modern houses, administrative buildings, entertainment complexes and world-class hotels. Hanoi has also been the trade centre of Vietnam and had individual district or street names dedicated to each trade or individual deity of the trades. Tourists will find many affordable yet comfortable bed and breakfasts and hostels near Hanoi’s famous European-style public squares and tree-lined boulevards. The National History Museum, the Revolution Museum, and several historic monuments, including the Temple of Literature, the Mot Cot Pagoda, Hanoi Citadel, Hanoi Opera House, and the Temple of the Trung Sisters are some of the places of interest in Hanoi. Travellers with long plans can also take apartments for rent at the heart of Hanoi against nominal prices.
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