The capital of Vietnam - Hanoi is a charming tourist spot in South-East Asia, situated on the banks of the Red River, about 100 kilometers from the mouth of the river. Attractions in Hanoi are an intriguing mix of east and west, with elegant buildings reflecting the French architecture as a result of the colonial past as well as the strong influence of Chinese culture as a result of its dominance centuries ago. Included in the highlights of the Hanoi are ancient shrines and pagodas, majestic lakes, well-maintained parks, beautiful gardens, interesting museums, and superb boulevards. Mentioned below in this article are some of the most famed landmarks that draw tourists to this fascinating destination.
Hoan Kiem Lake: Situated in the heart of the city, this lake is regarded as the symbol of the city, and is also known as the Lake of the Restored Sword. The focal point of the lake is Ngoc Son temple, devoted to the God of literature, General Tran Hung Dao, who in turn conquered the Mongolian force during the 13th century. Further, found at the center of the lake is an islet, where stands as the Tortoise Tower. Above all, one can also see the King Le Thai To's monument on the western banks of the lake.
One Pillar Pagoda: Located in the city's western part, One Pillar Pagoda was built during the reign of King Ly Thai Tong in the 11th century. An interesting legend is associated with this pagoda. The specialty of this pagoda is that it is supported by only one pillar that takes after a lotus seat on which the image of Lord Buddha has been seated.
Temple of Literature: Erected in 1070 as a Confucian temple, the Temple of Literature consists of five courtyards, of which central one was once used by the emperors and the side paths by mandarins. Apart from these, this temple also once served as the university, which was the first of its kind in the country.
Temple of Kneeling Elephants: Originally known as Voi Phuc Temple, this shrine was built during the rule of King Ly Thanh Tong to memorize the victory gained by the Prince Ling Lang against the Sung aggressors.
The Presidential Palace: Located within the Ho Chi Minh's Relic Area, the Presidential Palace is an impressive structure, which stands as a fine example of the French colonial architecture. With gates made of wrought iron, the palace blends elements of Italian Renaissance designs such as aedicules, broken pediments, quoins, and classical columns.
The Old Quarter: Situated in the heart of the city in between the Returned Sword Lake and the Long Bien Bridge, the Old Quarter is one of the most awesome spots in Hanoi. With a large number of buildings featuring French architecture, the Old Quarter is a great area to shop elegant lacquer ware, paintings, and tapestries.
Ho Chi Minh Museum: This museum is devoted to Ho Chi Minh - the hero of the national liberation movement.
The History Museum: A national museum, the history museum exhibits a great selection of archaeological related items, which are of great artistic as well as scientific prominence.
The Fine Arts Museum: Founded in 1966, this museum has on display art works and paintings by such famous artists such as To Ngoc Van, Tran Van Can, Nguyen Phan Chanh, and Bui Xuan Phai.
Hanoi Opera House: Erected in 1911, this is a must-visit spot in the city. Located in the city's French Quarters, this is an elegant building, which is noted for its fabulous French colonial architecture. It also hosts a number of performances per week.
Points of interest in Hanoi also include Hanoi Old citadel, The Ba Dinh Square zone, Labor's Culture Palace, Museum of the Revolution, Museum of History, Women's Museum, Quan Su Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, Ngoc Son Temple, Quan Thanh Temple, Hai Ba Trung Temple, West Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Uncle Ho's house-on-stilts, Co Loa Citadel, and Traditional Art Club. Apart from these, Hanoi provides an array of options for people touring the city to indulge in a number of activities from sightseeing and cyclo tours to superb dining and shopping facilities.
In short, Hanoi has everything to make your vacation in the city memorable as well as enjoyable. A plenty of accommodation choices are available to suit every taste and budget. For luxury lovers, there are a plethora of top-end accommodation choices, replete with most sophisticated comforts and facilities.
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