Hanoi - Vietnam's Capital City!

Hanoi's wide, tree-lined streets, beautiful lakes, cooler climate and colonial architecture give it a distinctive European feel. Despite this, Hanoi maintains it's Asian culture and strong nationalism.

There is still a strong French influence in Hanoi with some of the older folk still speaking the language and the French influence is also reflected in the availability, as elsewhere in Vietnam, of good food, wine, coffee and baguettes.

Hanoi's Old Quarter is located on the north-eastern shore of Hoan Kiem Lake, which means Lake of the Restored Sword and originates in a legend which tells of the sword being given to the Emperor to drive the Chinese out of Vietnam. After the war, a giant golden tortoise snatched the sword from him while he was out fishing and swam with it into the depths of the lake.

Today, Thap Rua or the Tortoise Tower, is on an island in the centre of the lake, and many beautiful photographs have been taken of it. Early morning is the best time to stroll around the lake and see the locals start their day with a game of badminton, some Tai Chi exercises or just a quiet stroll. A Sunday afternoon walk around any of Hanoi's beautiful lakes can make you feel you are in a Swiss lake resort rather than a bustling, Asian city.

Hanoi's Old Quarter is the area where travelers congregate and is a mecca for hotels, shopping, restaurants and travel services. Within walking distance are all the major tourist sights such as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, his stilt house, the Hanoi Citadel and the Opera House and a day tour of the city can easily be booked through your hotel if you prefer to have a guide to explain the history of Hanoi and it's sights.

An evening at Hanoi's world famous Water Puppet Theatre should not be missed. Delightful performances of unique Vietnamese legends and traditions, these stories depict the lives of Vietnamese farmers and peasants. Try and get a seat near the front so you can see the expressions on the faces of the puppets and appreciate the sadness and joy of the situations they portray.

Water puppetry was created by kings of the Ly Dynasty and this form of entertainment is still very popular with tourists and locals, adults and children alike. The puppets are controlled by puppeteers pulling strings and poles under water and are accompanied by live, traditional folk music and special lighting.

Around Hanoi there are a number of world-class travel destinations which can be easily and inexpensively reached by booking a tour. There are hundreds of tour companies to chose from and they take the hassle out of making it on your own. Don't spend the day with your nose glued into your guidebook when for as little as US$8 a day, including lunch, you can have all the logistics managed for you.

A day trip to the Perfumed Pagoda is a must. Travel in small boats through mystical scenery before climbing to one of the most revered sights in Buddhism. The climb is quite steep and quite long so take your time and tread carefully as the stairs can be very slippery if they are wet or even damp.

You cannot go to Vietnam and not see Halong Bay, the spectacular and romantic location of the cinematic classic “Indochine”, the most famous movie ever made about Vietnam and the more recent James Bond adventure "Tomorrow Never Dies". One, two or three day tours to Halong Bay are available, depending on how much time you have and what you like to do. Besides the magnificent land/seascape, protected today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with it's famous cliffs and monoliths rising from the emerald green sea, there are caves to be visited, treks to be made and the opportunity to sleep under the stars on a traditional Chinese junk.

Further afield, you can visit Hmong Tribes in the beautiful mountains to the north-east of Hanoi, close to the Chinese border. Trek to hilltribe villages and be welcomed by the villagers to learn about their lives there. Visit the famous Love Market in the hill town of Sapa and witness the amazing sights of the market in neighbouring village, Bac Ha.

Further References:

• Hanoi Water Puppet Theatre
• Official Government of Hanoi Website

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