|
On the banks of the Red River, 100km from
its delta, sits the capital of Vietnam. A fishing village
in the 3rd century BC, the community grew over the centuries,
and became known as Thang Long. It was renamed Hanoi in 1831
at a time when Hué was the capital.
Much of what is Hanoi today was built during
the French occupation, and is an archetype of the Franco-colonial
architectural style that was to spread throughout Indochina
- typified by broad boulevards and ornate buildings. After
the French surrender at Dien Bien Phu, the city was turned
over to the North Vietnamese and was declared the capital
by Ho Chi Minh. The new government built up the city's industrial
base, however this action directly led to it becoming a high-priority
target for US bombers in 1965, during the Second Indochina
War. During the three and a half year bombardment, over 75%
of the population were forced to evacuate the city.
After the war was over, the people returned, and today more
than three million call this peaceful capital home. Despite
the bombing much of the city's colonial architecture remained
miraculously undamaged.
Hanoi is one of the Jewels of the Mekong - click
here - for our feature.
 Art
Museum - Small exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, ceramics,
and hill-tribe artifacts.
Hanoi
Opera House - This 900-seat opera house, built in 1911,
was recently renovated and features regular performances.
Hanoi
Zoo - Animals, ponds, verdant grassy stretches, and cool
shaded areas.
History
Museum - Houses articles dating from pre-historic periods
up to 1945. The Nguyen Dynasty is particularly well represented.
Hoan
Kiem Lake - Enjoyed by residents and tourists alike, this
lake in the middle of the city has a small pagoda at its centre.
Ho
Chi Minh's Mausoleum - The great leader is enclosed within
a glass sarcophagus in this building. Photography is forbidden
and there are strict rules on dress and behaviour. The mausoleum
is closed for 3 months of the year, normally from September
onwards.
Maison
Central - Where once stood the infamous 'Hanoi Hilton'
prison, where many US POWs met their fate, there is now a
small museum exhibiting relics of French colonial days, including
torture instruments and a guillotine, and the Vietnamese battle
for independence.
Military
Museum - Memorabilia and exhibits depicting the wars against
France and the US.
Museum
of Ho Chi Minh - Built to commemorate Ho Chi Minh's 100th
birthday in 1990, the museum is dedicated to his life and
his legacy.
The
Old Quarter - A giant maze of narrow streets, filled with
shops and traders, selling anything and everything.
One
Pillar Pagoda - Originally built in 1049 on a single metre-wide
stone pillar, it was destroyed by the French after their defeat
in 1954, and rebuilt by the new government.
Revolutionary
Museum - With many original and interesting exhibits this
small museum documents the wars against French and US forces.
St.
Joseph's Cathedral - This imposing neo-Gothic building,
with its superb stained glass windows and elaborate altar,
was built by the French in 1886.
Temple
of Literature - Considered one of the best preserved and
significant examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture.
Built in 1070, this was the site of Vietnam's first national
university, before it was moved to Hué in 1802.
Water
Puppet Theatre - Traditional performances of the classic
artform dating back to the 10th century. The puppets dive
and swim in water, accompanied by music & songs with stories
based on folk tales.
|
