General Information: Vietnam Overview, Vietnam History, People & 54 ethnic groups, Religion & Belief
Vietnam Culture: Customs & Habits, Language and Literature, Festivals & Folk-games, Art performance, Costumes, Architecture & Fine-arts, Food, Flowers, Fruits, Markets

Hanoi

Area: 921.8 sq. km

Population: 3,216.7 thousand habitants (2006).

Administrative divisions:

Districts: Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Hai Ba Trung, Tay Ho, Thanh Xuan, Cau Giay, Long Bien, Hoang Mai.

Rural districts: Dong Anh, Soc Son, Thanh Tri, Tu Liem, Gia Lam.

Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa...

Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the center of culture, politics, economy and trade of the whole country.

Geography

Hanoi is located in the Red River Delta, in the center of North Vietnam . It is encompassed by Thai Nguyen Province to the north, Vinh Phuc and Ha Tay to the west and south, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and Hung Yen provinces to the east and south-east.Hanoi means "the hinterland between the rivers" (Ha: river, Noi: interior). Hanoi 's territory is washed by the Red River (the portion of the Red River embracing Hanoi is approximately 40km long) and its tributaries, but there are some other rivers flowing through the capital, including Duong, Cau, Ca Lo, Day, Nhue, Tich, To Lich and Kim Nguu.

Climate:

Hanoi is situated in a tropical monsoon zone with two main seasons. During the dry season, which lasts from October to April, it is cold and there is very little rainfall, except from January to March, when the weather is still cold but there is some light rain. The wet season, from May to September, is hot with heavy rains and storms. The average annual temperature is 23.2ºC (73.7ºF) and the average annual rainfall is 1,800mm. The average temperature in winter is 17.2ºC (62.9ºF), but can go down to 8?C (46.4ºF). The average temperature in summer is 29.2ºC (84.6ºF, but can reach up to 39ºC (102.2ºF).

History

Hanoi is a sacred land of Vietnam . In the 3rd century BC, Co Loa (actually belonging to Dong Anh District) was chosen as the capital of the Au Lac Nation of Thuc An Duong Vuong (the King Thuc). Hanoi later became the core of the resistance movements against the Northern invasions. Located in the middle of the Red River Delta, the town has gradually expanded to become a very populations and rich residential center. At different periods, Hanoi had been selected as the chief city of Vietnam under the Northern domination.In the autumn of Canh Tuat lunar years (1010), Ly Thai To, the founder of the Ly Dynasty, decided to transfer the capital from Hoa Lu to Dai La, and so he rebaptized it Thang Long (Soaring Dragon). The year 1010 then became an historical date for Hanoi and for the whole country in general. For about a thousand years, the capital was called Thang Long, then changing to Dong Do, Dong Kinh, and finally to Hanoi , in 1831. This sacred piece of land thereafter continued to be the theatre of many fateful events.

Tourism

Throughout the thousand years of its eventful history, marked by destruction, wars and natural calamities, Hanoi still preserves many ancient architectural works including the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples. Famous sites include the One Pillar Pagoda (built in 1049), the Temple of Literature (built in 1070), Hanoi Citadel, Hanoi Opera House, President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum...

Hanoi also characteristically contains 18 beautiful lakes such as Hoan Kiem Lake , West Lake , and Truc Bach Lake ..., which are the lungs of the city, with their surrounding gardens and trees providing a vital source of energy.

Many traditional handicrafts are also practiced in Hanoi including bronze molding, silver carving, lacquer, and embroidery. Hanoi has many famous traditional professional handicraft villages such as Bat Trang pottery village, Ngu Xa bronze casting village, Yen Thai glossy silk...

Transportation

By road: Hanoi is 93km from Ninh Binh, 102km from Haiphong, 153km from Thanh Hoa, 151km from Halong, 474km from Dien Bien Phu, 658km from Hue, 763km from Danang, and 1,710km from Ho Chi Minh City.

By air: Noi Bai International Airport , over 35km from the city center, is one of the biggest airports of the country with various international and domestic routes. There are domestic flights from Hanoi to Danang, Dien Bien, Ho Chi Minh City , Hue , Nha Trang and international flights to many countries in over the world.

By train: Hanoi Railway Station is Vietnam 's main railway station. It is the starting point of five railway lines leading to almost every province in Vietnam .

Attraction

1) Historical & Cultural Vestiges

• Co Loa Historical Site

Location: This relic of an ancient urban area and military citadel is located in Co Loa Village, Dong Anh District, Hanoi.
Characteristic: Throughout history, Co Loa was nominated twice as the capital of Vietnam: the first time during the An Duong Vuong era in the late 3rd and early 2nd century BC, and the second time during the Ngo Vuong Quyen reign in the middle of the 10th century.
The three ramparts archeological relics from the Bronze and Iron ages are 16km long. The complex of religious and commemorative relics includes Ngu Trieu Di Qui Communal House, My Chau Temple, and Bao Son Pagoda. Mystical relics such as Ngoc Well, Flag Tower, and Ngu Xa Castle make of this area a culturally and historically interesting area.

• Hanoi Cathedral

Location: Hanoi Cathedral is at 40 Nha Chung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Characteristic: Hanoi Cathedral was built on the site of the former Bao Thien Tower, which was famous in the ancient capital of Thang Long under the Ly Dynasty (the 11th and 12th centuries).
Hanoi Cathedral, also known as Saint Joseph's Cathedral, was inaugurated on Christmas Day 1886, two years after its construction. Its design is similar to the architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Many catholic rituals have been held there. A ritual ceremony dedicated to Jesus Christ is held in this cathedral every year on March 19.

• Hanoi Flag Tower

Location: Flag Tower is on Dien Bien Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi; near Ba Dinh Square.
Characteristic: Hanoi Flag Tower, also called Cot Co, is one of the rare architectural works in Hanoi that was fortunate enough to not be destroyed by the French administration between 1894 and 1897.
It was used by French troops as an observation tower and communication station between command headquarters and adjacent military posts.
It was built in 1812 and is composed of three platforms and a tower. The words Nghenh Huc, meaning "to welcome dawn's sunlight," are inscribed on the eastern door. The western door bears the two words Hoi Quang, meaning "to reflect light," and the southern door, Huong Minh, meaning "directed to the sunlight."
The tower receives sunlight through 36 flower-shaped and six fan-shaped windows.

• History of Military Museum

Location: Military History Museum is located at No. 28A Dien Bien Phu Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Characteristic: It was formerly the French expeditionary barracks and covers 10,000 m² divided into 30 showrooms. It was founded on December 22nd, 1958.
The content of the museum covers 6 periods:
-The history of the Vietnamese nation and the birth of the Vietnam People’s Army.
-The Vietnamese struggle against French colonialism.
-The Vietnamese struggle against American imperialists.
Visiting hours:
From 8:00 to 11:30 and from 13:30 to 16:00 all days.
-The Vietnam People’s Army on the path to a regular modern army.
-The People and the Army are oneness - they will be invincible.
- Piece of weaponry displayed in the museum courtyard (airplanes, tanks, heavy artilleries, rockets, mortars, bombs, etc.
The Military History Museum is the concentrated embodiment of the spirit of the Vietnamese people “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom.” Entry price is 10,000VND.

• Ho Chi Minh Museum

Location: Ho Chi Minh Museum is located at 3 Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi; near Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum.
Characteristic: The museum is a four-story building covering a total area of 100ha and designed in the shape of a lotus flower as a symbol of President Ho’s noble character.
This museum was completed on 9 May 1990 for the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday.
Visiting hours:
From 8:00 to 11:00 and from 13:30 to 16:30 daily except Monday and Friday.
The main showroom displays 117,274 documents, articles, pictures and exhibits illustrating the historical events that took place during President Ho Chi Minh’s life, as well as important events that occurred in the rest of the world since the end of the 19th
The museum contains other rooms such as a library, a large hall, meeting rooms and research rooms.
Since its opening, the museum has welcomed millions of domestic and foreign visitors. It is open from 8 am to 11 am and 1.30pm to 4.30 pm daily except Monday and Friday. Photography is forbidden. Cameras and bags must be left at the reception. Entrance ticket costs 5,000VND.

• Hoan Kiem Lake

Location: Hoan Kiem Lake is located in the center of Hanoi.
Characteristic: Hoan Kiem Lake also called Lake of the Restored Sword. The name Lake of the Restored Sword is derived from a legend.
After ten years of hard fighting (1418 - 1428), the Lam Son insurrectionists led by Le Loi swept the foreign invaders out of the country of Dai Viet (Great Viet), ending the Ming's 20-year domination over the Viet people. Le Loi became a national hero, proclaiming himself kings, called Le Thai To and establishing his capital in Thang Long.
On a beautiful afternoon, the king and his entourage took a dragon-shaped boat for sight-seeing on Luc Thuy (Green Water) Lake, which was located in the centre of Thang Long Capital (present-day Hanoi). As the boat was gliding on the lake, suddenly there was a great wave and on top of the wave, the Golden Tortoise Genie appeared, telling the king: "Your Majesty, the great work is completed. Would you please return the sacred sword to the King of the Sea?".
The precious sword was formerly lent to Le Loi by the King of the Sea and was always beside him throughout his battles and helped him win over the Ming invaders. At the time the Tortoise Genie spoke, the sword hung at the King's waist. It then moved out of the scabbard and flew towards the Genie. The Genie kept the sword in his mouth and dived under the water and bright lightning flashed up to the sky. Since then, Luc Thuy Lake has been called the Restored Sword Lake or the Sword Lake for short.
The Sword Lake is not only a historical site but also a beauty-spot of the capital. When visiting Hanoi, Ludemis, a Greek poet, exclaimed: The Sword Lake - An emerald jewel set in the heart of the city, With the Red River as a silk ribbon around.
It is said that when visiting Hanoi, if the visitor does not see the Sword Lake, then they would not have actually been in Hanoi. The lake is an endless topic and inspiration for painters, poets, writers, music composers, etc, and innumerable works about the lake have been produced.
Once, a famous Japanese painter said to the late-painter Van Giao that he had painted dozens of pictures of Mount Fuji - the second to none beauty spot of Japan. Then painter Van Giao replied by saying that he had painted hundreds of pictures of the Sword Lake.
The Sword Lake is really an emerald jewel of Hanoi. For generations, the Vietnamese believed that deep in the green water of the Sword Lake, there is a sacred sword of their ancestors, which is carefully safeguarded by the golden tortoise. When the weather changes, the tortoise emerges on the water surface to take a sun bath, seeming to prove his existence and remind the young generation of their national history of defending their country from foreign invaders.

• Kim Lien Pagoda

Location: Kim Lien Pagoda is located in Quang An Village, Tay Ho District, Hanoi.
Characteristic: Kim Lien Pagoda was originally built on Nghi Tam Peninsula, on the bank of West Lake. The pagoda was part of the former Tu Hoa Palace of the Ly Dynasty.
Princess Tu Hoa is daughter of King Ly Than Tong. He ordered to built Tu Hoa Palace then sent his daughter and her imperial maids to this area to help them understand and venerate their position in the society.
Formerly, it was Dong Long Pagoda and built in the 13th century. In 1771, the pagoda was renovated and changed its name to Kim Lien, which has been used since then.
Kim Lien is composed of three pavilions, each of which has 2 roof layers and the appearance of being slightly curved and supple. Apart from its nice disposition, the pagoda has a gate of sophisticated and intricate architecture.

• Ly Quoc Su Pagoda

Location: Ly Quoc Su Pagoda is at 50 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Characteristic: Ly Quoc Su Pagoda worships a Buddhist Monk of the Ly Dynasty (the 10th - 12th centuries). This Monk, whose full name was Nguyen Chi Thanh, was born on 1066 in Dien Xa Village, Gia Vien District in Ninh Binh Province in the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong.
In 1077, at the age of 11, Nguyen Chi Thanh began practicing for the Buddhist monkhood and was taught by Tu Dao Hanh, a well-known monk. As the legend says, Monk Tu Dao Hanh was erudite in Buddhism and excellent in healing. He admired and respected Nguyen Chi Thanh's talent and virtue. In 1138, in his seventies, Monk Nguyen Chi Thanh cured King Ly Than Tong of a disease that many famous doctors had failed to do. For his respectful virtue and talent, he was given the title Ly Quoc Su by the King, which meant Great Monk and Merit Teacher of the nation.
The King provided Ly Quoc Su with a serene residential quarter, which was situated next to Bao Thien Pagoda in the centre of Thang Long Capital, on a side of Luc Thuy Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake of today). This pagoda had a 12-storey tower. Apart from preaching Buddhist sutra for the monks and nuns, Ly Quoc Su taught medicine, prescription of medicines and demotic scripts to many people in the temple and surrounding areas. Skilled in bronze casting, Ly Quoc Su also trained many bronze casting craftsmen.
That is why when he died at the age of 75 at Giao Thuy Pagoda in Nam Dinh in 1141, King Ly Anh Tong (holding power from 1138 to 1175) had a temple erected right on the ground of the residential quarter where Ly Quoc Su had lived. Throughout the country there are many pagodas worshipping both Buddha and Ly Quoc Su, who is considered the Saint of the bronze casting craft, such as Giao Thuy Pagoda in Nam Dinh and Keo Pagoda in Thai Binh.
Ly Quoc Su Pagoda was rehabilitated and redecorated many times with the biggest restoration being made in 1954. The cultural and historical treasure of this temple still remains Ly Quoc Su's statue, Buddha statues and statues of Monk Tu Dao Hanh and his mother and Monk Giac Hai. There is also the precious bell of Tu Chung, cast in the 19th century and a stone stele with inscriptions made in 1855 by Le Dinh Duyen, a famous man. The name of Ly Quoc Su was given to a 244 metre-long street running from Hang Bong to Nha Tho streets.

• Ngoc Son Temple

Location: Ngoc Son Temple is on Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Characteristic: Hoan Kiem Lake was already considered the most beautiful lake in Hanoi when Ngoc Son Temple was built on an island in the 19th century. Initially, the temple was called Ngoc Son Pagoda and was later renamed Ngoc Son Temple, since temples are dedicated to saints.
Saint Van Xuong, considered to be one of the brightest stars in Vietnam's literary and intellectual circles, was worshipped there. National hero Tran Hung Dao is also worshipped after he led the Vietnamese people to victory over the Yuan aggressors.
The temple as it is today is the result of renovations made by Nguyen Van Sieu in 1864. A Confucian scholar, Nguyen Van Sieu had a large pen-shaped tower built at the entrance of the temple. On the upper section of the tower, also called Thap But, are three Chinese characters Ta Thanh Thien, which literally means "to write on the blue sky” is to imply the height of a genuine and righteous person's determination and will; Dai Nghien, meaning "ink stand", is carved from stone resembling a peach placed on the back of the three frogs on top of the gate to the temple; and The Huc, meaning "where rays of morning sunshine touch".
On the way to the temple there are several parallel sentences (cau doi), written on the walls. These cau doi were part of traditional word puzzles played by educated individuals.

• One Pillar Pagoda

Location: One Pillar Pagoda is on Chua Mot Cot Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
Characteristic: The One Pillar Pagoda is a cultural and historic relic, unique for its architectural features.
The pagoda was first built in 1049 under the Ly Dynasty, on the west side of the ancient Thang Long Capital. Its original name was Dien Huu, expressing the wish for longevity for the second King Ly. The pagoda is built in the shape of a lotus blooming on its stem.
The pagoda was built after the description of a dream of King Ly Thai Tong who reigned between 1028 and 1054, in which Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the Goddess of Mercy, led him to a lotus flower.
The actual One Pillar Pagoda is the miniature reconstruction of a large, ancient, royal Buddhist building. The pagoda is open daily from 8am to 5pm.

• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Location: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is located on Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi.
Characteristic: It contains more than 10,000 objects, 15,000 black and white photos and hundreds of video tapes and cassettes which depict all aspects of life, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.
The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology opened at the end of 1997. Since then, it has attracted the attention of visitors as well as ethnographers and researchers from all over the world.
The museum has successfully recreated the daily life together with the religious rituals and the symbolic festivals of each ethnic group in Vietnam. Visitors have the opportunity to admire costumes, embroidery as well as outside stilt houses and habitats from the different groups.
All displayed objects mingle and supplement one another to create a colourful and diversified picture of Vietnamese culture. An open-air exhibition in the museum’s spacious and peaceful ground features ethnic houses from all over Vietnam.
The displayed object area is divided into 9 parts:
- Introduction.
- Introduction of Viet (Kinh).
- Introduction of Muong, Tho, Chut ethnic groups.
- The ethnic groups belong to the Tay, Thai, and Kadai groups.

Visiting hours:
8:00 - 17:00 all days; except Mon and holidays, Tet in a year.
Admission:
- Regular Admission: 20,000VND.
- Reduced Admission:
5,000VND: College and university students.
3,000 VND: Primary and secondary students.
- Free Admission: Children under 6 years of age and to Vietnam’s ethnic minority members.
The outdoor exhibition area is only large enough for the most popular architectural styles to be presented. Already presented are the E De long house, the Tay stilt house, the Dao house half on stilts and half on earth, the H' Mong house whose roof is made of pomu wood, the Viet house with tile roof, the Gia Rai tomb, the Ba Na communal house, the Cham traditional houae, the Ha Nhi house made with earth-beaten walls.
There are future plans to present the Co Tu tomb and the surrounding completion of the Viet house. Between the houses, there are trees indigenous to the area of each house, zigzagging paths and a meandering stream crossed by small bridges. The outdoor museum is being realised step by step.

• Vietnam Women’s Museum

Location: Vietnam Women’s Museum is located in the centre of Hanoi on Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Characteristic: The Vietnam Women’s Museum covers a 4,500m² area planted with beautiful trees. It was open on the 20th October 1995 on the 65th anniversary of the Vietnamese Women’s Association’s establishment.
Documents and objects are displayed and carefully preserved and maintained in this place, expressing the role of women in the process of the development of the Vietnamese nation. The museum is also a place for cultural exchange for Vietnamese and international women with the goal of creating “equality, development, and peace”. The exhibits are displayed on an area of 1,200m² on two-storey building; the museum organized around five main themes:
- Vietnamese women in Vietnamese community.
- The involvement of Vietnamese women in the fight for national independence and national construction.
- The Vietnamese Women’s Association and its struggle to liberate women.
- The culture of Vietnamese women expresses through traditional handicraft products.
-Women costumes of the 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups.
The museum is open daily except Monday, from 8 am to 4 pm. The entrance fee is 10,000VND.

2) Scenic Landscapes

• Hoan Kiem Lake

Location: Hoan Kiem Lake is located in the center of Hanoi.
Characteristic: Hoan Kiem Lake also called Lake of the Restored Sword. The name Lake of the Restored Sword is derived from a legend.
After ten years of hard fighting (1418 - 1428), the Lam Son insurrectionists led by Le Loi swept the foreign invaders out of the country of Dai Viet (Great Viet), ending the Ming's 20-year domination over the Viet people. Le Loi became a national hero, proclaiming himself kings, called Le Thai To and establishing his capital in Thang Long.
On a beautiful afternoon, the king and his entourage took a dragon-shaped boat for sight-seeing on Luc Thuy (Green Water) Lake, which was located in the centre of Thang Long Capital (present-day Hanoi). As the boat was gliding on the lake, suddenly there was a great wave and on top of the wave, the Golden Tortoise Genie appeared, telling the king: "Your Majesty, the great work is completed. Would you please return the sacred sword to the King of the Sea?".
The precious sword was formerly lent to Le Loi by the King of the Sea and was always beside him throughout his battles and helped him win over the Ming invaders. At the time the Tortoise Genie spoke, the sword hung at the King's waist. It then moved out of the scabbard and flew towards the Genie. The Genie kept the sword in his mouth and dived under the water and bright lightning flashed up to the sky. Since then, Luc Thuy Lake has been called the Restored Sword Lake or the Sword Lake for short.
The Sword Lake is not only a historical site but also a beauty-spot of the capital. When visiting Hanoi, Ludemis, a Greek poet, exclaimed: The Sword Lake - An emerald jewel set in the heart of the city, With the Red River as a silk ribbon around.
It is said that when visiting Hanoi, if the visitor does not see the Sword Lake, then they would not have actually been in Hanoi. The lake is an endless topic and inspiration for painters, poets, writers, music composers, etc, and innumerable works about the lake have been produced.
Once, a famous Japanese painter said to the late-painter Van Giao that he had painted dozens of pictures of Mount Fuji - the second to none beauty spot of Japan. Then painter Van Giao replied by saying that he had painted hundreds of pictures of the Sword Lake.
The Sword Lake is really an emerald jewel of Hanoi. For generations, the Vietnamese believed that deep in the green water of the Sword Lake, there is a sacred sword of their ancestors, which is carefully safeguarded by the golden tortoise. When the weather changes, the tortoise emerges on the water surface to take a sun bath, seeming to prove his existence and remind the young generation of their national history of defending their country from foreign invaders.

• West Lake

Location: West Lake is in Tay Ho District, Hanoi.
Characteristic: West Lake, also called Ho Tay, is the biggest lake in central Hanoi, covering 500ha. In the past, West Lake used to be part of the Red River. West Lake, a beautiful spot in Hanoi, was once a resort for mandarins and kings.
Many palaces including Thuy Hoa Palace, Ham Nguyen Sanctuary, Tu Hoa Palace, Kim Lien Pagoda, and Ngoc Dam Palace were built on the bank of the lake.
The 17km path around the lake leads to Nghi Tam flower village, Tay Ho, Nhat Tan peach garden and Tay Ho Temple, were built in honour of Princess Lieu.
Today, many hotels of all sizes surround the lake. Visitors can go sightseeing and enjoy typical dishes, such as Ho Tay shrimp cakes, Ho Tay snail noodles, and Ho Tay fish dishes.

3) Cultural Travel

• An Hoa Festival

Time: the 10th to the 12th day of the second lunar month.
Place: Yen Hoa Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Ly Nhan Tong, Lady Van Phuc, Lady Tu Nang (daughter of Ly Nam De), Bach Hac tam giang.
Characteristics: Worshipping ceremonies are carried out by men only or by women only, Chinese chess playing, cock fighting.

• An Phu Communal House Festival

Time: The 13th day of the second lunar month.
Place: Nghia Do Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Nguyen Bong God and Mr. Tran Toan.
Characteristics: Game of “di câu noi” (going on the noi bridge). A long, small, smooth and pliable bamboo is spanned from the lakeshore to the mid-lake, look like a bridge swaying lightly, and not fit a foot. The prize hang on the above able to hand.

• An Thai Village Festival

Time: the 10th day of the second lunar month.
Place: Yen Thai Village, Buoi Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Vu Phuc Chieu Ung Royal Highest and his wife - Lady Thuan Chinh (Mr. and Mrs. Dau).
Characteristics: Steamed glutinous rice, barbecued beef meat, glutinous rice, boiling pullets. Games: swinging, contests of flower and spring bonsai.

• Ancient houses in Hanoi

Location: The ancient quarter is located on an area of about 100ha, within the territory of Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.
Characteristic: Geometrically, the ancient quarter has a shape of triangle, whose peak is constituted by Hang Than Street, eastern side by damp, western side by the streets of Hang Cot, Hang Dieu, Hang Da and based by the axis of Hang Bong, Hang Gai, Cau Go Streets.
According to the assessment of some historians, the ancient quarter made its appearance immediately after the Thang Long's establishment, i.e. nearly a thousand years ago. Most of houses presently existing within the ancient quarter's borders have, however, their age of only more than 100 years. In this quarter, those houses that keep an air of anxiety are no longer so numerous. It is just the phenomena of extension that has sharply and negatively deformed its spatial appearance. Under such circumstances, the embellishment and preservation of this quarter has required great efforts.
The houses at 87 Ma May and 38 Hang Dao are two projects of embellishing ancient houses, launched at the occasion of 990th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi. They became now a tourist spot to be presented to visitors in terms of architectural value of Hanoi's ancient houses.
The house at 87 Ma May is a place to present the typical architecture of Hanoi’s ancient houses. The ancient houses have generally a small, pretty form and appearance like the Vietnamese people themselves. Following the former feudal ideology, houses were not allowed to be higher than the shoulders of the King’s palanquin, because when the King was in his palanquin, nobody was allowed to see the face of His Excellency.
The ancient houses had a tube - like shape. Their width is usually narrow, sometimes only of 2m, while their length can amount up to 60 - 70m. Under such circumstances, to get enough light and fresh air, there is always a yard between houses. The principal construction material used is wood. However, during 100 recent years, people began to use bricks and traditional mortar made from honey and leaves to build walls or stick tiles on slope roofs. The window bars, doors and roof rafters are all decorated with dragon - or phoenix - shaped vignettes, and other designs.
The house at 87 Ma May was identified to be about 110 years old. Originally, Ma May Street consisted of two shorter streets: the first section was Hang May street, where goods made from rattan were marketed, and the second one constituted a part of Hang Ma Street with things for sacrifices made from paper. In this street there were numerous businessmen, both domestic and foreign. In 1954, five Chinese families came and installed themselves in this house. That is why the house was strongly deformed, and the traditional architecture was damaged.
Originally, the ancient house at 38 Hang Dao was constructed as communal house of Dong Lac - a communal house of the former marketplace for silk brassieres. It was built under the Le Dynasty (17th century). During the years of war, it was heavily damaged. Around 1856 (year of Binh Thin under the King Tu Duc reign), it was restored for the first time. In 1941 (15th year of the King Bao Dai reign), the communal house was rebuilt as a two - floor construction. The owner’s family lived and made their business in the ground floor, while the first floor was reserved for the altar. In 1953, the house became a shop with miscellaneous goods.
The latest restoration was conducted in the period from February 2000 till April 2000. The house at 38 Hang Dao was chosen as a place for presenting the traditional construction techniques combined with modern restoration techniques. The construction materials used here are composed of reinforced concrete and wood: floors are made from concrete, while stairs are made from concrete and covered with wood.
The doors were designed in such a manner that the central one is higher, while the side ones are lower, following the architecture of ancient pagodas and communal houses: the central door was reserved for the nobles (members of the royal family, mandarins, officials), while the side ones for the mobs. The sanctuary on the first floor was restored just as its origin.
The vignettes on the handrails were kept the same as the available original patterns. The house at 38 Hang Dao has become not only a tourist spot but also a location of the headquarters of the Management Unit of Hanoi’s ancient quarter. At this address you can also get more information on ancient streets and ancient houses of Hanoi.

• Ba Chua Kho Temple (Giang Vo) Festival

Time: the 12th day of the second lunar month.
Place: Giang Vo Communal House, Giang Vo Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Ba Chua Kho (Queen of the Stock).
Characteristics: The worshipping ceremony of 13 villages. Games: human chess, duck catching, puppetry show, and water puppetry show.

• Ba Gia Village Festival

Time: 9th to the 11th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Phu Gia Communal House, Tay Ho District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Royal Highest Trang Muc, a general of Saint Dong, Queen of silkworm Quynh Hoa.
Characteristics: Water procession, a dao singing.

• Ba Tam Temple Festival

Time: The 19th to the 22nd day of the second lunar month and the 25th day of the seventh lunar month. The main festival day is on the 19th day of the second lunar month. The festival is held in large-scale every 5-year.
Place: Duong Da Hamlet, Duong Xa Commune, Gia Lam District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Imperial concubine Y Lan.
Characteristics: Custom of “Phat co tong” (raising the flag of the canton).
The temple festival is held on the 19th day of the second lunar month and the 25th day of the seventh lunar month (it is said that this is the anniversary of her death). The festival involves water procession, worshipping ceremony, incense offerring. The offerrings are only vegetarian food. Especially, there is custom of raising the flag of the canton in oder to dispel dull cloud to make clear sky. Games in the festival: human chess playing, cock fighting, wrestling, cheo, tuong singing.

• Ba Tia Communal House Festival

Time: the 8th to the 10th day of the second lunar month.
Place: Vinh Ninh Hamlet, Vinh Quynh Commune, Thanh Tri District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Truong Tu Nuong, General under Hai Ba Trung.
Characteristics: Contests of wrestling, chess, smash pots and pans while going on the bridge.

• Bac Bien Village Festival

Time: 6th day of the third lunar month.
Place: Ngoc Thuy Commune, Gia Lam District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Ly Thuong Kiet, Hai Ba Trung, Dao Ky.
Characteristics: Palanquin procession of the relationship between neighbouring villages, carp releasing.

• Bach Ma Temple Festival

Time: the 12th to the 13th day of the second lunar month.
Place: 76 Hang Buom Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Bach Ma God (the symbol of God of sun), Long Do God (the god defends the east, confer a title of "Thang Long Capital of Nation royal tutelary god”
Characteristics: Xuan Nguu presenting rite.

• Vu Shrine Festival in Xuan Dinh

Time: The 10th day of the second lunar month.
Place: Xuan Dinh Commune, Tu Liem District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Vu Phuc (Mr. Dau), Do Thi Thien (Mrs. Dau).
Characteristics: A palanquin procession, contests of giay cake, che kho (soft green-lentil cake).

• Vua Pagoda Festival

Time: 5th to 9th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Vua Pagoda, Pho Hue Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: De Thich.
Characteristics: Contest of human chess.

• Worshipping Water-nymph Festival

Time: The 10th day of the second lunar month.
Place: Linh Dam Hamlet, Hoang Liet Ward, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Bao Ninh (water-nymph).
Characteristics: Offering fish feast (without head), human chess playing, duck catching, boat rowing.

• Xuan Duc Village Festival

Time: Spring Festival: 4th day of the first lunar month. National Ancestor commemorating festival: 12th day to the 14th day of the tenth lunar month.
Place: Xuan Duc Village, Tan Minh Commune, Soc Son District, Hanoi
Objects of worship: Lac Long Quan, Au Co.
Characteristics: Huc cau game. The ball symbolizes for the sun, is pained red, made by lôc thông wood, and weighs about 60 - 70kg.

• Xuan Lai Temple Festival

Time: 4th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Xuan Lai Hamlet, Xuan Thu Commune, Soc Son District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Saint Dong.
Characteristics: Wrestling, carrying water and making fire for rice cooking contest, striving for flags and "mo tugging" game.

• Yen My Village Festival

Time: 17th day of the third lunar month.
Place: Yen My Commune,Thanh Tri District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: The village's tutelary god Cao Son Royal Highest.
Characteristics: Traditional games: bird fighting, duck catching, seesaw playing, pots smashing contest, rice cooking contest.

• Yen Noi Village Festival

Time: the 10th day of the second lunar month.
Place: Lien Mac Commune, Tu Liem District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Bach Hac Tam Giang, Princess Tuc Chinh.
Characteristics: Custom of establishing a relationship between neighbour villages to take part in the festival. Offering is only ordinary rice, sesame and salt (roasted and crushed). Mock battle of throwing sand game.

• Yen Phu Communal House Festival

Time: The 10th day of the second lunar month.
Place: Yen Phu Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi.
Objects of worship: Uy Do Linh Lang (Prince of Tran Dynasty).
Characteristics: Boat rowing on the lake.
Yen Phu Communal House worship Uy Do Linh Lang, is located on a peninsula of Ho Tay (West Lake), Yen Phu Village. On the 9th day of the second lunar month, villagers hold the moc duc (washing statues) ceremony, row to the middle of Ho Tay to get fresh water for washing statues. There is barbecued beef worshipping on the main festival day (the 10th day of the second lunar month). The returning palace ceremony with rituals: bat buu flag (eight weapons for ornaments on the flag), long dinh (imperial palace), bat am musical band, procession of the Mother with bat cong (eight poles) palanquin, tu linh (dragon, unicorn, tortoise, phoenix) dancing for praying for good fortune. There is also the skiff-rowing race, which starts from the back of the communal house to Tran Quoc Pagoda then returns to the communal house.

• Yen Phu Incense Village

Location: Yen Phu Incense Village is in the Yen Phu city gate, located on the edge of the mysterious West Lake in Tay Ho District , Hanoi.
Characteristic: Besides the ornamental fish breeding, inhabitants in the village have done incense for long time.
According to the some documentation and the village elders, Chinese handed down the work of making incense since the 13th century. The Buddhism and the custom of burning incense was developed here and many other places. In the 20th century, making incense developed strongly and not only attracts people in this village but also in the other villages like An Duong, Nghi Tam with a large of people.
In the early time of 1980, there was the sign of oblivion as many families changed their job. But this career is recovered and developed until now.
Even though the incense business is not a cushy job and high income, inhabitants still take their job because of the traditional career. They are used to living on it and find the other suitable job difficult. Thus, this is the hard job; It spends a lot of work stage. Everybody in a work family has to work hard for each division labor in the task from normal to complex. The young and old often does the normal job as sharpening stick, drying and collection, parking goods. The most complex stage is the mixture of spice incense between the sawdust and spice materials. This work is carried out by the experienced worker because it affects on the quality of incense.
Everyday, there are lots means of transport bring materials to village and merchants come here to take incense to the districts all the country. The incense village is more crowded in Tet holiday and the late time of year because the demand of incense is high.
Besides the family live on producing incense, some families carry on business relating to incense like materials, agency, so they live on incense too.

4) Sport & Entertainment

• Friendship Cultural Palace

Location: Friendship Cultural Palace is on Tran Hung Dao St., Hanoi.
Characteristics: The construction of the palace started on November 5, 1978 and completed on September 1, 1985. The Friendship Cultural Palace, also called Huu Nghi Cultural Palace, was a present from the USSR Central Trade Union Council to the Vietnam Trade Union.
The Friendship Cultural Palace covers 3.2ha, and has three major buildings: a performance house, a study house, and a science and technology house comprising 120 rooms. The Friendship Cultural Palace is the biggest cultural center in the capital of Hanoi.
The front building is the performance house, equipped with a rotary stage, and two halls (the big hall has a seating capacity of 1256, the small one 375). Behind this block is the study house with a library and rooms for clubs to hold workshops and conferences. The science and technology house connects the two buildings together. The Friendship Cultural Palace is where cultural activities, art performances, fashion shows, beauty contests, conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and sports events are usually held.

• Hanoi Opera House

Location: The Hanoi Opera House is situated on Le Thanh Tong St., Hanoi; near the Red River and several hundreds meters east of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Characteristics: It is an old theatre with French architecture and typical Gothic and Mosaic characters reflected on the door domes and the glassed room respectively.
For a long time, the Hanoi Opera House has been a rendezvous for those who love theatrical performance and traditional songs and music, symphonies, opera and classical opera. It is also a tourist attraction for local and foreign visitors.
The Hanoi Opera House is renowned for its unique architecture and good composition. It is furnished rationally and harmoniously. Since its establishment, the Hanoi Opera House is the largest theatre in Vietnam. Its construction started in 1901 and completed in 1911. Previously the site was a big pond, adjacent to the city gate of Tay Long (also called Tay Luong) of the ancient Thang Long Capital. The construction met with many difficulties, because the foundations of the theatre were built on the pond. Before building a concrete foundation, nearly one metre thick, the pond was emptied and dredged, then 30,000 hard bamboo stakes were placed on its bed.
The Hanoi Opera House is of the same architectural style as the Opera House in France. Some foreign architects said that due to being built nearly 300 years after the Paris Opera House, the Hanoi Opera House avoids superfluous architectural details, which make it more magnificent and attractive.
After nearly 100 years of operation, the theatre's equipment and adornments became old and run down. In 1997, the theatre was repaired and modernized under the management of two Vietnamese French architects, Ho Thieu Tri and Hoang Phuc Sinh. The original architecture of the 3-storey theatre has remained. The decorative designs on the ceiling, arches, walls, and doors were renewed. The 3-metre-high stage and the audience's hall, with 600 seats, were also modernized in conformity with international standards. The theatre has been equipped with state-of-art facilities and appliances, compatible for all types of artistic performances, from folk music and songs, ballets and piano to classical opera, reformed opera, Vietnamese operetta and drama, all made great impressions on the audience. The Hanoi Opera House has also successfully organised many large-scale international concerts.
The Hanoi Opera House is a worthy artistic centre and a cultural and architectural relic of the capital Hanoi.

• Hanoi Young Pioneer Palace

Location: Hanoi Young Pioneer Palace is at 36 Ly Thai To St., Hanoi.
Characteristics: During the French domination period, the building was divided into two parts: the northern area was a kindergarten and the southern area was a French club. After Liberation Day in October 1954, the building became the Young Pioneer Center, a recreation center for children.
In 1973, the infrastructures were renovated and upgraded with the assistance of the former Czechoslovakia. Today the six-storey building features nearly 100 well-equipped rooms for the practice and study of different subjects, including technology, culture, and arts. There is also a library with thousands of books.

• Hanoi Zoological Garden

Location: Hanoi Zoological Garden is on Cau Giay and Buoi streets, Hanoi; it is located on the west side of Hanoi center-city.
Characteristics: Hanoi Zoological Garden is the place where hundreds of animals are exhibited.
Hanoi Zoological Garden opened its doors in May 1977. It covers a total area of 29ha, in which water is 6ha. There is also Bo Mountain, Voi Phuc Temple here. Voi Phuc Temple, meaning "prostrated elephant," was built during the Ly Dynasty to worship the Linh Lang deity.
Besides, Hanoi Zoological Garden has thousand of trees and flowers. It also features entertaining games such as driving carts, ball games, and electronic games; there is a bookshop and an outdoor stage for dancing.

• Ho Tay Water Park

Location: Ho Tay Water Park is located in Tay Ho District, Hanoi.
Characteristic: Ho Tay Water Park covers an area of 35,560m², comprising five entertainment sections. The first phase of its construction was completed on 19 May 2000, putting into operation several entertainment amenities.
Among them are seven sliding lanes with the average height of 12m, of which two are high-speed lanes ever installed in Vietnam with the height of 14.5m; a three-meter wave-making pool can bring about waves as high as 1.2m. Adventurers should not miss out on the Tibetan suspension bridge, the hair-raising swinging ropes, and the 3.5-meter diving pool where they can dive using specific devices or spring-boards. The 0.6-meter massage pool ensures a relaxed feeling. Children can go to specially-designed pools, sliding lanes and water games. The 4.5-meter ‘lazy river’ spans 450m, flowing past five bridges.
Moon Park stands adjacent to the Water Park. Sitting on the 60-meter swing, one gets a panoramic view of Hanoi. The Moon Park also boasts a three-dimension cinema, new-generation electronic games, and a supermarket. There is a sports complex where tourists can play tennis, badminton, ping-pong, and billiards. Fascinating extras include a pond for fishing, a mini golf court, as well as bumping cars and a roller coaster.
As the most modern and exciting theme park in Hanoi, the Ho Tay Water Park has received millions of visitors so far.

• Thong Nhat Park

Location: Thong Nhat Park is surrounded by Tran Nhan Tong, Le Duan, Dai Co Viet, and Nguyen Dinh Chieu streets in Hanoi.
Characteristics: Thong Nhat Park covers an area of more than 50ha. It is an elegant place in Hanoi.
The park was built in 1958 and inaugurated in 1960. At that time, the country was divided into two parts with two different political regimes; the park was named Thong Nhat, meaning "united," to express the hope of reunification of the people.
In April 1980, on the 110th anniversary of Lenin’s birthday, Thong Nhat Park was renamed Lenin Park. Nowadays, Lenin Park is situated on Dien Bien Phu St. Thong Nhat Park has its original name.
The park features many gardens and trees, as well as an island in the middle of the lake. There are games for children such as driving carts, a mirror house, train rides, and boats on the lake.
During Tet holiday, the Spring Flower Festival is held in the park.

(Source: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism)