Travel around Hanoi city, Vietnam

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Vietnam Travel News

Travel around Hanoi city, Vietnam

Post: 11-07-2016 09:49:59 AM - Views: 8473

As the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi city is home to a large number of must-see attractions. If you plan a trip to Hanoi, spare at least a couple of days to explore the city.

As the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is home to a large number of must-see attractions. Museums and pagodas scatter the city and Hoan Kiem Lake serves as the centre point to reach just anywhere. Hanoi Old Quarter, the cultural, dining, entertainment and shopping heart of the city is worth the majority of your time to discover. If you plan a trip to Hanoi, spare at least a couple of days to explore the city. Hanoi city is the most tourist destination in Vietnam.

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TRAN QUOC PAGODA

Located on a small penisula on the East side of West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda (Vietnamese: Chùa Trấn Quốc) is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with its history line of more than 1,500 years. The architecture of this Buddhist center is a subtle combination between the solemn and beautiful landscape on the peaceful and quiet ambiance of West Lake’s surface. Thanks to these historical and architectural values, Tran Quoc Pagoda attracts many tourists to pay a visit, both inside and outside of Vietnam.

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LY QUOC SU PAGODA

Located at 50 Ly Quoc Su Street in the Old Quarter, only 50m from St Joseph's Cathedral, Ly Quoc Su Pagoda (Vietnamese: Chùa Lý Quốc Sư) is one of the oldest ones of its kind in Hanoi. Built in 1131, Ly Quoc Su Pagoda has been renovated several times, especially in 1954 when it was destroyed during the French colonial period. Nonetheless, this nearly-900-year-old Vietnamese-styled temple has preserved many precious antiques like Buddha statue or the precious bell of Tu Chung, as well as the meticulous architecture of unique carving patterns.

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SAINT JOSEPH CATHEDRAL

Saint Joseph Cathedral, located at 40 Nha Chung street, Hanoi, is a Roman Catholic cathedral with neo- gothic style, which was built about 120 years ago.

In 1882, after the French army conquered Hanoi, the cathedral was constructed and completed in 1886. The cathedral and Nha Chung area were built on the land formerly belonging to Bao Thien pagoda, which was built under Ly dynasty.

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The architecture with domes of the cathedral follows the Gothic style and design of Paris Cathedral. It is 64.5m in length, 20.5m in width with two bell towers of 31.5m-height. Though the appearance of the cathedral, from the doors, the colorful window glass, to the religious paintings for decoration follows Western style, the main interior part is decorated in Vietnamese way with two typical colors yellow and red. Outside, in front of the cathedral is the statue of Mother Maria.

BAT TRANG POTTERY VILLAGE

Bat Trang, the seven-century old pottery village, is an interesting attraction in Hanoi that tourists should not ignore.

Located in an area rich in clay, the Bat Trang village (Vietnamese: Làng gồm Bát Tràng) has advantage of ingredients to create fine ceramics. Moreover, lying besides the Red river, between Thang Long and Pho Hien, two ancient trade centers in the north of Vietnam during 15th-17th century, Bat Trang’s ceramics were favorite products not only in domestic market, but also foreign ones thanks to Japan, Chinese and Western trading boats that passed by.

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In  the18th and 19th century, due to restricting foreign trade policy of Trinh, Nguyen dynasty, it was difficult for pottery products in Vietnam to be exported to foreign countries, and some famous pottery making villages like Bat Trang, or Chu Dau ( Hai Duong province) went through a hard time. Since 1986, thanks to economic reforms and development, more attention has been vested in the village and the world gets a chance to know more about Vietnamese porcelain through many high quality exported Bat Trang’s ceramic products.

HANOI OPERA HOUSE

Amid the flow of Hanoi’s history of 1000 years old, Hanoi Opera House (Vietnamese: Nhà hát lớn ở Hà Nội) proudly stands at the heart of central Hanoi as one of its most famous architectural, cultural and political symbol.

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An essential part of Hanoi’s 000 year history, Hanoi Opera House is without doubt one of the most famous cultural and architectural monuments of Hanoi. Located on the famous August Revolution Square, Hanoi Opera House is just a few steps from Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Old Quarter and Vietnam History Museum. The Opera house was constructed for ten years from 1901 to 1911 and modeled on Palais Garnier – the older of Paris two opera houses, Hanoi Opera House embraces the European architectural style under the Renaissance period with the Italian-made marble floor, copper chandeliers and exquisite French murals on the ceiling, thus making the place one of Hanoi’s singular architectural landmarks.

 

HANOI ANCIENT HOUSE AT 87 MA MAY STREET

Located within Hanoi Old Quarter, the ancient house at 87 Ma May street which was built at the late of the 20th century, is quite intact with typical architecture of ancient houses.

Today, the ancient house is open for tourists to come here and see how ancient Hanoian lived, enjoy as well as buy some Vietnamese traditional decoration items, souvenir.

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VIETNAM WOMEN’S MUSEUM

Despite being a patriarchal society, Viet Nam still reserves a special, if not sacred, place to honour Vietnamese women. Not only is October 20th is made Vietnam’s Women day but there also exists a museum dedicated to women.

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The museum displays rather recent history of women, such as women and ethnicity; women and the national struggle; Vietnam women association and the feminism; women and traditional costumes; and women’s cultural traits expressed through handicrafts.

There are also frequent exhibitions on contemporary women, such as women working as street vendors or women’s place in the family. The Vietnam Women’s Museum is definitely worth a few hour visit, especially for those keen on learning about culture and gender.

The museum is located at 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi. You can visit the museum.

 

VAN PHUC SILK VILLAGE

Situated on the bank of Nhue River, about 10km southwest of Hanoi Old Quarter, Van Phuc silk village is renowned for its traditional weaving and premium quality silk products. At the age of more than 1,200 years, Van Phuc is proud to be the most ancient silk village which provides the best silk in Vietnam.

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HANOI FLAG TOWER

Hanoi Flag Tower at the age of nearly 200 years is renowned as one of the symbols of Hanoi. The construction began in 1805 and completed in 1812, the 11th year of Gia Long time, Nguyen dynasty, five years after construction time of Flag Tower in Hue.

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LONG BIEN BRIDGE

If Hoan Kiem Lake with special green water and the red bridge named The Huc is the symbol of an elegant and charming ancient city; Red river and Long Bien bridge may be seen as the symbol of courageous capital in wars.

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“Hanoi” - the name means “surrounded by river” is the city of ponds, lakes, rivers and bridges. If Hoan Kiem Lake with special green water and the red bridge named The Huc is the symbol of an elegant and charming ancient city; Red river and Long Bien bridge may be seen as the symbol of courageous capital in wars.

 

HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is an important historical attraction of Hanoi, known for honoring the national hero: President Ho Chi Minh. The building is where visitors can express their admiration and gratitude towards the common father/uncle of Vietnamese who has led the country to independence and reunification. It is popularly known among Vietnamese as Uncles’ Mausoleum, for the intimate and familiar atmosphere Ho Chi Minh always created when he was alive. Built over 2 years from 1973 to 1975, the Mausoleum is also a lively illustrator of national unity.

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BA DINH SQUARE

The square adjacent to the Ho Chi Minh complex is called Ba Dinh square, where many important national historical events in modern history took place. The square was originally developed by French colony and known as Round Point Pugininer. On September 2nd, 1945 – now Vietnam National Day- Ho Chi Minh has read the Vietnam Independence Declaration. In the Declaration, he quoted French and the United States’s Independence Declaration that “All men are created equal and that everyone has the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness”.

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Representatives from all social sectors, including workers, youth, educators, soldiers, cheered over the country’s unity and independence is that historical moments. About 24 years later, the square also hosted the funeral of Ho Chi Minh. It was the same crowd who mourned and cried in the rain to send off their revere leader. It was then decided by in-power Vietnamese government that Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum be built on the square so that the national hero can be forever remembered.

And Ba Dinh sQuare in 1954 video

HANOI WATER PUPPET THEATRE

Located at 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang street, nearby Hoan Kiem Lake, Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is a familiar address for both domestic tourists and foreign ones, who want to enjoy water puppet shows and discovery the beauty of this unique Vietnam traditional art.

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In 1969, the theater was established and since 1990; many water puppet shows have been performed by Thang Long theater artists.Every year, about 500 shows are offered to approximately 150,000 audiences. Moreover, the theater has brought water puppetry art to more then 40 foreign countries like Japan, France, America, Australia, Spain… through performance tours, or international cultural exchange program or puppetry festivals.

HOAN KIEM LAKE

If you are about to visit Hanoi for a few days, it is very likely that you will reside somewhere near Hoan Kiem Lake. The lake is considered the center of Hanoi, not only physically but also symbolically. In fact, the more you spend time learning about the lake, the more special it becomes.

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The tale goes that Le Loi King came across a shining metal bar when he visited his friend. It turned out that his friend caught the bar in one of his attempts for fish. The King asked for the bar, brought it home and moulded it into a sword. All of a sudden, there was two words printed on the sword “Thuan Thien” (harmonious with heaven).

Le Loi then understood that the sword was a gift from heaven. He used it for the battle against the war with a neighbouring country. At the beginning of 1428, when peace prevailed, on one of his trip to the Thuy Quan (now Hoan Kiem) Lake, there was a tortoise rising above water and shouting: “Please return the sword to the Dragon King”. Without hesitation, the King threw the sword to the lake. The tortoise took the sword and dove down the water. From then on, Thuy Quan became Hoan Kiem lake.

36 OLD STREETS

One of the reasons that Hanoi - the capital city of Vietnam, has attracted so many tourists over the years is its Old Quarter (36 old streets and guilds).

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As the oldest continuously developed area of Vietnam, Hanoi's Old Quarter has a history that spans 2,000 years and represents the eternal soul of the city. Located between the Lake of the Restored Sword, the Long Bien Bridge, a former city rampart, and a citadel wall, the Old Quarter started as a snake and alligator-infested swamp. It later evolved into a cluster of villages made up of houses on stilts, and was unified by Chinese administrators who built ramparts around their headquarters. The area was named "Dominated Annam" or "Protected South" by the Chinese.

THE ONE-PILLAR PAGODA

The One-pillar pagoda (Vietnamese: Chùa Một Cột) or Dien Huu pagoda, has one of the most special architectures in Vietnam. The pagoda is situated next to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, right in the center of Hanoi.

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The pagoda started being constructed under Ly’s dynasty in 1049. The legend goes that one night in 1049, King Ly Thai Tong dreamed of the Holy Lady (Phat ba Quan Am) sitting on a lotus and leading him to a similar building.

When he woke up, he was advised by Thien Tue monk to build the pillar-based pagoda like in his dream and topping it with the lotus of the Holy lady. Every year when it came to April 8th in Lunar calendar, the King came to the pagoda for Buddha bathing ceremony and afterwards, released a bird.

In 1105, King Ly Nhan Tong extended the pagoda and added Linh Chieu bond. However, time has erased everything but the limited area like what we see now. Near the pagoda there’s a bodhi tree. This is the gift from Rajendra Prasad- Indian presidents to Ho Chi Minh President.

The pagoda now became one of the most meaningful symbols of Hanoi.

QUOC TU GIAM TEMPLE

The Quoc Tu Giam Temple (Vietnamese: Văn Miếu Quốc Tử Giám, other name: Temple of Literature) is about 10 minutes away from Hoan Kiem lake. It was constructed in 1070 under Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty, first to honor Confucius and nowadays to celebrate the doctorates and high rank scholars of Vietnam. In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong continued the work and built Quoc Tu Giam as the first university of Vietnam.

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If you like to get a visa to Vietnam, you can apply Vietnam visa online at our website visavietnam.net.vn or contact to Hotline +84.988.512.577 (Viber), emai: thanhnienmoi@gmail.com 

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