There are many interesting activities and places to visit in Hanoi. Here are some suggestions of things to do in Hanoi:
- If you like history and culture, you can visit some of the many sights that Hanoi has to offer. For example, you can visit the Temple of Literature, which is the oldest university in Vietnam and a symbol of education. Or you can visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where you can see the embalmed body of the founder of modern Vietnam. Or you can visit Hoa Lo Prison, where you can recall the horrors of the war with France and the US.
- If you like nature and tranquility, you can go to one of the lakes that are in Hanoi. For example, you can visit Hoan Kiem Lake, which is the heart of the city and a legendary place associated with the magical sword and turtle. Or you can visit Tay Lake, which is the largest lake in Hanoi and a popular place for relaxation and sports activities. Or you can visit Truc Bach Lake, where American pilot John McCain was captured during the Vietnam War.
- If you like food and shopping, you can immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Hanoi's streets. You can sample a variety of street food such as pho, bun cha, banh mi, or egg coffee. You can also visit Cho Dong Xuan market where you can buy clothes, souvenirs, spices, and other goods. Or you can visit the Hang Dao Street Night Market where you can enjoy music, art, and entertainment.
I hope I have helped you find something you would enjoy in Hanoi. Hanoi is a great place to explore Vietnamese history, culture, and life.
Hanoi (UK: /ˌ(ˌ)hæ-, həˈnɔɪ/ ha-, hə-NOY or US: /hɑː-/ hah-NOY; Vietnamese: Hà Nội [hàː nôjˀ] is the capital of Vietnam. It covers an area of 3,358.6 km2 (1,296.8 sq mi). It is the second largest city in Vietnam, consisting of 12 urban districts, 1 district-level city and 17 rural districts. Hanoi is located in the Red River Delta and is the cultural and political centre of Vietnam.
Hanoi's history dates back to the 3rd century BC, when part of the present-day city served as the capital of the historic Vietnamese nation of Âu Lạc. After the demise of the Âu Lạc, the city was part of Han China. In 1010, the Vietnamese Emperor Lý Thái Tổ founded the capital of the imperial Vietnamese nation of Đại Việt in present-day central Hanoi and named the city Thăng Long (literally "Rising Dragon"). Thăng Long remained the political centre of Đại Việt until 1802, when the Nguyễn Dynasty, the last imperial Vietnamese dynasty, moved the capital to Huế. In 1831, the city was renamed Hanoi and served as the capital of French Indochina from 1902 to 1945. On January 6, 1946, the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam designated Hanoi as the capital of the newly independent country, which lasted through the First Indochina War (1946-1954) and the Vietnam War (1955-1975). Since 1976, Hanoi has been the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Hanoi is home to various venerable educational institutions and important cultural facilities, including the Vietnam National University, the Mỹ Đình National Stadium, and the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts. Among its achievements is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the central sector of the imperial citadel of Thăng Long, which was first built in 1011 AD. Hanoi was the only Asia-Pacific site to be awarded the title of "City for Peace" by UNESCO on 16 July 1999 in recognition of its contribution to the struggle for peace, efforts to promote equality in society, environmental protection, promotion of culture and education, and care for the younger generations. Hanoi joined UNESCO's Creative Cities Network as a city of design on October 31, 2019 on the occasion of World Cities Day. The city has also hosted a number of international events, including APEC Vietnam 2006, the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-132), the 2019 Hanoi North Korea-US Summit, as well as the 2003 Southeast Asian Games, the 2009 Asian Indoor Games and the upcoming 2021 Southeast Asian Games.
If you have visited Hanoi, we would love to hear your thoughts and impressions. Hanoi is the capital and oldest city of Vietnam, offering a rich history, culture, architecture and gastronomy. It is a city full of life, energy and contrasts. If you have been to Hanoi, please share your experiences with us. What did you see, what did you do, what did you taste, what surprised you, what disappointed you, what would you recommend to others?
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