Fact 1
Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam, is a rich cultural city with a history that dates back at least 1000 years although it had inhabitants long before that. In 1010 Ly Thai To King had recognized Hanoi as the capital of Vietnam, a status which has remained till today. The city was originally renamed ‘Thang Long’ with literally meaning as ‘soaring dragon’ because he claimed to have seen a dragon over the Red River.
Fact 2
The Capital of Vietnam – Hanoi – literally means ” city inside rivers” as it is built on the bank of Red River, Hanoi still maintains trace of twenty lakes and rivers which now circle and enhance the city. Famous lakes include Ho Guom (Sword Lake), Ho Tay (West Lake), Ho Thien Quang (Halair/Halais Lake), Truc Bach Lake, Bay Mau Lake (Seven Hectare Lake), Thu Le Lake (in the Thu Le Zoo). Hence sometimes people refer to Hanoi as the “City of Lakes”. The lakes and waterways combined with the pervasive French architecture give the city an almost European feeling.
Fact 3
Visiting Hanoi Old Quarter as known as Hanoi’s 36 Streets is a prerequisite to any other activities. Situated adjacent to Hoan Kiem Lake the narrow alleyways and streets, still named, in many instances, after the artisan or merchants who lived and worked in them, are busy, bustling places reflecting the original layout and architecture of yesteryear.
In fact, there are more than 70 streets in the area still commonly referred to as 36 Streets. The area around the Hoan Kiem Lake in the center of Hanoi has always been home to the powerful. For almost two thousand years, artisans and traders from villages around the region have sold their goods here. The streets were named for what they sold.
Hàng Bạc is where silversmiths once poured ingots for the kings. Today, it’s filled with jewelry shops, money exchanges, and backpacker hostels. Hàng Đào’s name refers to the pink flowers littering the ground during Lunar New Year, or Tết. It was a popular color for the silks that made the street famous. Now, it’s lined with modern clothing shops. Hàng Quạt got its name from handheld fans, popular in the days before electricity and air conditioning.
Fact 4
Fact 9
Tran Vu Pagoda in West Lake is one of the oldest pagodas in Hanoi (built in 12nd century) which houses a big black copper statue made in 1667, weighing around 4 tons.
Fact 10
There is a widely known rumor that Long Bien Bridge which connects Hoan Kiem and Long Bien District of Hanoi was designed by the same designer who’d built the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. However, this fact is not true, Long Bien Bridge was built by the architects Daydé & Pillé of Paris.
For a short period in 2012, Hanoi was the cheapest city in the world for a one night stay for two at a four-star hotel, which included cocktails, dinner, a bottle of wine and a taxi ride.
Fact 12
Poetry, songs and literature will tell you that the best time to visit Hanoi is during fall (September to December) and spring (March to May) as these are the two most beautiful seasons in this city when the weather is cool.
From Hanoi, you can also take a one-day visit to some traditional handicraft villages like Ceramic Bat Trang Village, Van Phuc Silk Village, Ba Vi National Park or Perfume Pagoda.
Fact 14
The houses in Hanoi are super narrow because the store owners had to pay tax based on the width of the building.
Fact 15
Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural, or Hanoi Ceramic Road (Vietnamese: Con đường Gốm sứ), is a ceramic mosaic mural along the walls of the Red River dike system in the capital of Vietnam, northern Vietnam the world’s largest ceramic mosaic and awarded a Guinness World Records certificate
With a length of about 6.5 kilometers (4.0 mi), the ‘Ceramic Road’ is one of the major projects that were developed on the occasion of the Millennial Anniversary of Hanoi. It is the world’s largest ceramic mosaic and awarded a Guinness World Records certificate. The mosaic wall mural is made from ceramic tesserae which are products from Bát Tràng, a nearby village famous for its Bát Tràng porcelain.
The content of the mosaic represents the decorative pattern from different periods in the history of Vietnam: Phùng Nguyên culture; Đông Sơn culture; Lý Dynasty; Trần Dynasty; Lê Dynasty and Nguyễn Dynasty. Also incorporated on the wall are modern artworks, paintings of Hanoi, and children’s drawings.
Fact 16
Old Quarter has a wide range of accommodation for the travelers. There are a lot of different categories of tourist accommodation. Most of them are very decent and a very good starting point for future visits to Hanoi, the best place for eating. Prices are low and start from 150,000 Dong. You can also book luxury and expensive hotels.
A renowned place for nightlife and sitting with beer and food is Bia Hoi corner in the Old Quarter. Hundreds of plastic chairs, beer for 5000 Dongs, and the local specialties in the local atmosphere are unforgettable. Hanoi is good for walking, there are no hills, but you have to watch out for motorcycles.
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