Hanoi Vietnam, Northern Vietnam

Experience the historical beauty of the ancient capital Hanoi

City History Instagram Spot

Find yourself enthralled with the beauty of the ancient and the modern city of Hanoi as the past and the present mix together to form a city filled with color, life, and history. Winding roads snake through ancient citadels, markets, and theatres while unique museums and temples sit comfortably among old railroads and modern skyscrapers. The capital of Vietnam is steeped in both Vietnamese pride and beauty, apparent in the architecture, people, and the surrounding scenery.

With a history spanning over 1000 years, Hanoi is filled with vibrant stories, ancient pagodas and citadels, and a rush of life that can’t be found anywhere else. Used as a political center for Chinese occupations and an administrative center for both Japanese and French occupations, Hanoi has seen a mix of history unlike anywhere else in the world. The influence of four cultures is seen in the architecture of the city and lifestyle of the people who occupy it. However, during the Vietnam war, Hanoi sustained bombings by the US that would destroy some of the centuries-old monuments depicting this history.

Today, Hanoi is a bustling city filled with Vietnamese pride, apparent in the care and preservation of old monuments, citadels, and temples. An abundance of both culture and history can be found within the clean, white walls of the French Quarter, as well as in the bustling street markets of the Old Quarter. Hanoi offers the traveler a chance to experience both the old and the new, all within one gorgeous city on the bank of the Red River.

Today, Hanoi remains the capital of Vietnam and the pride of Vietnamese culture is distinct in the preservation of both the old and new. There is an abundance of culture, history, and education to be had when visiting any of the main attractions that have been standing for centuries. Citadels and their expansive grounds filled with ethereal gardens, busy and rambunctious street stalls and markets in the Old Quarter, the striking contrast of the clean lined, white colored building French Quarter to the rest of city are just some of the sights you can expect to see while visiting.

If you’re looking for some natural destinations and sights, Hanoi has, still, a lot to offer. The most famous natural sight is Hoan Kiem Lake – a freshwater lake that houses the Ngoc Son temple grounds as well as jade island. The peacefulness and captivating story surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake serves as a relaxing break from the fast-paced city surrounding it.

Visiting Hanoi while in Vietnam is a must, whether for the legendary street food, the striking mix of the ancient and the modern, or the vibrancy of the city’s culture. Add Hanoi onto your Vietnam itinerary and you won’t be disappointed.