Hanoi

The Vietnam War is not all there is about Vietnam. This country also has many interesting features for people to explore. This is especially true for Vietnam's capital city, Hanoi.

Geography and climate of Hanoi

Hanoi is the heart of Vietnam's social, cultural and political evolution. This city is located along the Red River in the northern part of Vietnam. Hanoi. This capital city is also blessed with four seasons. The winter in Hanoi is cool and dry, while summer is hot and humid. Spring and autumn are also interesting seasons with all the colours of nature painted everywhere. The seasons in Hanoi can also be categorised into two major group, the rainy and the dry seasons. The former is from the month of May to September and the latter is from the month of October to April.

History and name derivation of Hanoi

Hanoi was also known as Long dol, Tong Binh and Long Bien. The name "Hanoi" was given by the king of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty. The name means "a city lying between rivers or river interior". The rivers mentioned above refer to the Day and the Red Rivers. According to scholars, Hanoi was already inhabited as early as 8000 BC. This long history of existence maybe one of the reasons for Hanoi's diversity in terms of culture and tradition.

Economy of Hanoi

Hanoi's economy is mainly based on agriculture and industrial production. Because of the numerous wonderful places in Hanoi, tourism is also one of the industries that contribute to the economy of the city.

Interesting places in Hanoi

The long and colourful history of Hanoi is not just the only factor that makes this city appealing. Hanoi is also full of various wonderful places. The following are some of the must-see locations in Hanoi:

* Temple of Literature - This is one of the most popular tourists destinations in Hanoi. The Temple of Literature is a Confucian temple and also known as the first university in Vietnam. Aside from the historical and cultural significance of the place, it is admired for its architectural style, which dates back to 11th century architecture. The lushness of the surrounding is also a factor that attracts tourists; the abundance of trees in the area makes it a great place for sightseeing and relaxation.

* Ho Chi Min Museum - Hanoi is not only rich in heritage, it is also a place with many modern structures. One of these contemporary buildings is the Ho Chi Minh Museum. This museum is known for its four-storey Lotus flower shaped structure. This houses memorabilia, press articles and documents during the time of Ho Chi Minh.

* Halong Bay - This scenic place is only 165 kilometres east of Hanoi. This natural wonder contains limestone and various beaches. Halong Bay has 1, 969 islands in varying sizes. Some part of this place is home to natural parks and marine reserves.

The wealth, beauty and cultural diversity of Hanoi only shows that Vietnam is a very interesting country to explore and rediscover.