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Hanoi

Overview

Vietnam's capital, lies on the banks of the Red River, some 100 kilometers from its mouth. Human settlements at the place date back as far as the 3rd century B.C.  Vietnam's capital and second largest city retains its French colonial ambiance and is dotted with lakes and lovely parks.  West of Hanoi are the Son La mountains, known for their sanctuaries, grottos, and pagodas.  The traditional cultures of Vietnam's ethnic minorities still survive in the Northern Province's mountains, but these regions might be inaccessible because of border disputes between Vietnam and China.  Also in the north is Halong Bay, which the Vietnamese consider a wonder of the world.  This tranquil, magical bay is dotted with more than a thousand limestone islands, which rise from the water in dramatic rock formations and harbour extensive grottos and caves.

Attractions


The Perfume Pagoda
- The pagoda, or rather an accumulation of several pagodas about 60 kilometers southwest of Hanoi, is considered one of the most beautiful places in all of North Vietnam. The pagodas and shrines are in between and even inside various limestone caves.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - The mausoleum, built from 1973 to 1975 in a style similar to that of the Lenin Mausoleum in Moscow, is located at Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh publicly declared Vietnam's independence on September 2, 1945. Right after his death on September 3, 1969, Ho Chi Minh's body was embalmed by a team of Soviet experts.
The One Pillar Pagoda - The One Pillar Pagoda is one of the few monuments of Vietnam dating back to the time of the founding of the first Vietnamese empire independent from China in the 11th century.  However, the present pagoda is not the original building.  After it has repeatedly been damaged or destroyed in its almost 1,000 years of existence, it was renovated and rebuilt over and over again.
The Temple of Literature - This pagoda and the surrounding complex have played a prominent role in the history of Vietnamese thinking.  Originally it had been built in 1070 in honour of the Chinese philosopher Confucius, whose teachings have influenced Vietnam almost as strongly as they have shaped China.
National Preserve of Cuc Phuong - This national park is one of the last tropical primeval forest reserves on Earth. There are 64 species of fauna and thousands of species of flora, many of which are extinct everywhere else in the world. Bizarre and fascinating species of animals from flying lizards to monkeys dwell within the park's 61,000 acres.
Halong Bay located about 170 kilometers east of Hanoi near the most important North Vietnamese port city of Hai Phong, is of a breathtaking scenic beauty.  More than 3,000 islands, islets and limestone rocks rise from the waters of the bay.  The coast is rocky and perforated by numerous caves and grottoes with ancient stalactite and stalagmite formations.
Ho Tay Lake Water Park - The latest addition to Hanoi's entertainment parks, the Ho Tay Lake Water Park is having the same success as a similar park found in Ho Chi Minh City.  With 12 large and small slides, including some group tube rides, it is a big attraction for Hanoi families.


Transportation


By air
- Vietnam has two air carriers - Vietnam Airlines and the newer and smaller Pacific Airlines. Most folks will arrive at the international airport Noi Bai 35 km (45-60min) north of the city.  You can hire taxis into the downtown Hanoi or hop on a shuttle-bus.  Either transport might drop you in front of a hotel of their choice so the driver can collect a commission from the owner.  If you insist on being taken to another place they should ususally give in.
By train Trains arrive at the main Hanoi train station daily from cities in the south including Hue and Nha Trang. The Reunification Express goes all the way to Ho Chi Minh City though there is very little 'express' about it.  There are train services to the north-west (including Kunming in China and Lao Cai from where you reach Sapa).
By bus - There are public buses you can take to the city center from Noi Ba Airport, they cost about 5000 VDN and will take about 1 hour.  They will take you to one of the bridges close to the old quater.

 

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