Hanoi, mixes harmony with history
The capital of Vietnam and its second largest city, Hanoi is a blend of west and east, with influences of chinese and french culture from colonial times. It’s the second largest city in the country, with more than seven million inhabitants, and it’s lately being invaded by tons of tourists, for it has become one of the top destinations in the world. With the magic and mystery of the east, Hanoi will enchant you with its colours and people, that frequently talk to strangers, so you can expect a lot of help from them.A first stroll in this exotic capital should be on the Old Quarter, where the daily life happens with full power. Tangled narrow streets, motorbikes, street sellers and markets, restaurants and cafes, that’s the perfect place to start sinking in the local culture. The Night Market happens on this neighbourhood, opening from 7 pm and selling everything you may want.
A visit to temples is a must, and the Temple of Literature is a very interesting one. Founded almost thousand years ago, the temple was established as the first university in Vietnam, and walking on the courtyard you’ll see numerous stone tablets on tortoises with the name of the graduates. On the Ngoc Son Temple, the most visited, you’ll enjoy a lake, displays of giant turtles and on Vietnamese history.
Discover something else about the country’s history on the numerous museums, such as the Vietnamese Women’s museum, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Fine Arts Museum and Museum of the Vietnamese Revolution. A visit to some parks will relax you from the noise and hush of the streets, so you can go to Hoan Kiem Lake, the local’s favorite leisure spot, or the Lenin Statue and Park with aerobic class for elders in the mornings.
On one way or another, Hanoi will make you fall in love and wish to come every year. Give a chance to this friendly people and full of history country, visit Hanoi!
