Places of Interest

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and verdant public parks. Making a different thing to different people, it said to be slow paced, pleasant and even charming.

ONE PILLAR PAGODA
Hanoi's famous One Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot) was built in 1049 by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who ruled from 1028 to 1054. It was built of wood on a single stone pillar 1.25 m in diameter, is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, symbol of purity, rising out of a sea of sorrow. It was rebuilt in 1955. This small pagoda, which surrounds a garden courtyard, is one of the most delightful in Hanoi. The old wood and ceramic status on the altar are very different from common in the south. An elderly monk can often be seen performing acupuncture on the front porch of the pagoda.

TEMPLE OF LITERATURE
It was founded in 1070 and Vietnam's university was established here in 1076 to educate the sons of mandarins. The Temple of Literature consists of five courtyards divided by walls, Khue Van pavilion, which is at the far side of the second courtyard, was constructed in 1802 and is considered a fine example of Vietnam architecture. 82 steles that recorded most of the names, places of birth and achievements of men who received doctorates of 116 triennial examinations were held between 1442 and 1778 are considered the most precious artifacts in the temple. The temple constitutes a rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnam architecture and well worth visit.

HOAN KIEM LAKE
Hoan Kiem Lake, is an enchanting body of water right in the heart of Hanoi, had been considered the most beautiful lake in the city. By the name Hoan Kiem (Sword Restored) is related to sword restored legend of Le Thai To King, as he was on boat cruise on the lake, saw a giant turtle coming towards him. The turtle took his sword that had secured the victory against the Minh aggressors, Hoan Kiem Lake attracts not only Vietnamese but also foreigners when arrive Hanoi.

NGOC SON TEMPLE
Hoan Kiem Lake was already considered the most beautiful lake in Hanoi when Ngoc Son Temple was built on an island. The temple was called Ngoc Son Pagoda and was renamed Ngoc Son Temple since temples were dedicated to the scholar Van Suong who was considered to be one of the brightest stars in Vietnam's literary and intellectual circles and the National hero Tran Hung Dao who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century. Ngoc Son Tenple is reached via wooden The Huc (Where rays of morning sunshine touch) Bridge, which was constructed in 1885. To the left of the gate stands an obelisk whose top is shaped like a paintbrush.

WEST LAKE
An attractive landscape at the West of the City. West Lake has an area of 500ha and is the largest lake in Hanoi.

TRAN QUOC PAGODA
Located on an island in the West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda was built in 541, is the oldest pagoda of Vietnam.

CO LOA CITADEL
Co Loa Citadel is the first fortified citadel recorded in Vietnamese history, This is perhaps the most ancient Citadel in Vietnam, built by Thuc An Duong Vuong in III Century BC. The Citadel was built to conform to a helicoidal design and comprises 3 turns: the exterior, the medium and the interior turn. At the base of the exterior rampart, was a deep moat, where boats could go to and easily. Now the remaining vestiges are the Communal House of Co Loa, the temple devoted to the worship of the Princes My Chau and that devoted to the worship of An Duong Vuong, the King who loved his daughter with all his heart, but lacking vigilance, he left Co Loa and lost both his family and his country.

HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM
Was constructed between 1973 and 1975. The mausoleum is divided in to three levels with a combined high of 21.6 m and is the place to keep the body of President Ho Chi Minh who had been confered the title "World Cultural Activist" and is the national Hero of Vietnam.

HISTORY MUSEUM
The building, constructed of reinforced concrete, was completed in 1930. Exhibits include artefacts from Vietnam's prehistory: proto-Vietnamese civilisations (1st and 2nd millennia BC), the Dong Son civilisation (7th century BC to 3rd century AD), the Oc-Eo (Funan) culture of the Mekong Delta (1st to 6th century AD); the Indianised kingdom of Champa (1st to 15th century), the Khmer kingdoms, various Vietnamese dynasties and their resistance to Chinese attempts at domination, the struggle against the French, and the history of the Communist Party.

ARMY MUSEUM
Outside, Soviet and Chinese weaponry supplied to the North are on display, alongside French and US-made weapons captured in the Franco-Viet Minh War and the Vietnam War. The centrepiece is a Soviet-built MIG-21 jet fighter triumphant amid the wreckage of French aircraft downed at Dien Bien Phu and a US F-111. The displays include scale models of various epic battles from Vietnam's long military history, including Dien Bien Phu and the capture of Saigon.

FINE ARTS MUSEUM
Here you can see some very intricate sculptures, paintings, lacquerware, ceramics and other traditional Vietnamese fine arts.

VIETNAM MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY
It is dedicated to scientific research, documentation, conservation, exhibition and the enhancement of the cultural and historical heritage of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. The Vietnam museum of Ethnology has collected close to 25,00 objects from among the people of Vietnam, as well as photographic and audio-visual resources.

Revolutionary Museum
Presents the history of the Vietnamese Revolution.

QUAN THANH TEMPLE
It was built in Ly Thai To Dynasty (1010 - 1028), three ancient Chinese characters, which are still seen today on the top of the entrance. Quan Thanh Temple is dedicated to Tran Vu Saint who was a combination between a legendary character and a saint who had earned the merits of assisting An Duong Vuong King in getting rid of ghost spirit during the his citadel construction at Co Loa. The most attention shout be paid to a black bronze statute of Tran Vu Saint with 3,600 kilograms in weight, 3.96m high and 3.48 in circumference. Another special object is an ancient bronze bell with 1.15m high.