HANOI
Hanoi is the oldest capital city in Southeast Asia and located on the Red River Delta - North Vietnam. With a history of more than 1000 years, Hanoi is a culturally interesting travel experience. Many ancient architectural features are still preserved, particularly in the fascinating backstreet district – “The Old Quarter”. Lakes, parks, shady boulevards and more than 600 temples & pagodas add to the cities appeal. Stroll or ride by cyclo through the lively “Old Quarter”, shop for silk, lacquer and ceramics, enjoy the famed water puppet theatre and more…
Within the city, the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Museum, One Pillar Pagoda) is a place that most travelers ‘must see’. The Temple of Literature is the oldest university in Vietnam. For insight of Northern Vietnam’s culture, visit the Museum of Ethnology, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Museum of Women, Hoa Lo Prison, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Some 10-20kms outside the city are traditional trade villages such as Bat Trang Ceramic Village, Duong Lam Ancient Village, Van Phuc Silk Village … each one with their own unique characteristics.
Hanoi is typically the departure hub for travelers en-route to World Famous Ha Long Bay. It is also close to Ninh Binh Province (Hoa Lu Citadel, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Nature Reserves Center of Tam Coc, Trang An, Kenh Ga, Van Long…) to the East; or Mai Chau Valley, Sapa Hill Station to the North West; or Ba Be Lake, Ha Giang mountainous province to the North East.