Being one of the most ancient capitals in the world, Hanoi is the right place for travelers who are looking for well-preserved colonial buildings, historical attractions, or just a glimpse of the traditional local lifestyle.
There are numerous war memorials, historical museums, prisons, mausoleums locating right in the heart of the city, especially Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – the greatest leader in Vietnam history. As a multi-cultural community affected by Chinese, French and Russian, Hanoi is not only an old developing city but also offers vibrant nightlife, amazing local food, and many magnificent tourist attractions nearby, Ha Long Bay for example.
The Huc Bridge
Hanoi has been inhabited since at least 3,000 B.C., from the period of Co Loa Citadel (belonging to Dong Anh district) serving as the capital of Au Lac kingdom (Pre Thang Long-period), through many dynasties and wars (named Thang Long – Dong Do – Dong Quan – Dong Kinh), to being Vietnam’s capital in the present day.
Hanoi was eclipsed by Hue – the imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty (from 1802 to 1945). From 1010 to 1802, Hanoi was considered to be the most important political center of Vietnam.
In 1873, the French conquered Hanoi, which made Hanoi into the French’s colonial administrative center from 1883 to 1945. During the period, the French built a modern administrative city, many churches, public buildings, luxury villas but also destroyed various imperial palaces and citadels, reduced lakes’ and canals’ sizes, which results in Hanoi as it is today.
Similar to most of the French colonized land in Indochina and Southeast Asia, the Japanese Empire took control over Hanoi. On September 2nd, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the Democratic Republic of Vietnam at Ba Dinh Square, which involved Hanoi in the most important milestone in Vietnam’s history. Afterward, Hanoi has become Vietnam’s capital on January 6th, 1946.
You might interested: Top 10 authentic things to do in Hanoi – Discover the real Hanoi!
Temple of literature
Generally, Hanoi people are often stereotyped to be more formal in the Southern or other area cities. Hanoi ethnic residents are often friendly and hospitable. However, Hanoi is a multi-cultural city with citizens coming from many other Nothern provinces looking for better opportunities, which results in some complex customs and people’s behaviors.
Hanoi, or other Northern parts of the country, pays more attention to religious and traditional festivals. If you love to experience the truest traditional festival culture, then you should join the Perfume Festival (hosted in Hanoi’s iconic Perfume Pagoda), Lim Festival (hosted in Bac Ninh province). The festivals do not just offer a true view of how locals celebrate such tradition, but also give travelers the chance to enjoy UNESCO-listed “Quan ho” folk singing, many folk games such as bamboo swings, cockfighting, tug-of-war, wrestling, blind man’s bluff, and human chess.
Hanoi local life
Featuring a warm humid subtropical climate, Hanoi has 4 different seasons. Summer is hot and humid with abundant rainfall from May to August. Decreasing temperature and precipitation, the Fall season is comprised of September and October. The city is usually cloudy and foggy but cool and dry during Winter (from November to next January).
Visitors often come to Hanoi from September to November or March to April, when the weather is mild, not too hot, or too wet. If you would prefer cold days for your stay, coming to Hanoi from November to March is suggested.
Do you want to discover the best time to visit Hanoi?
Hanoi is a compact city, in which travelers usually stay within center districts (Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Tay Ho, or Hai Ba Trung). Getting around is quite convenient thanks to closely located attractions, restaurants, and hotels. You can either take a taxi or xe om (motorbike taxi), hire a private car, or travel around by bus. The prices are relatively cheaper in comparison with other cities in Vietnam.
Being one of the most ancient capitals in the world, Hanoi is the right place for travelers who are looking for well-preserved colonial buildings, historical attractions, or just a glimpse of the traditional local lifestyle.
There are numerous war memorials, historical museums, prisons, mausoleums locating right in the heart of the city, especially Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – the greatest leader in Vietnam history. As a multi-cultural community affected by Chinese, French and Russian, Hanoi is not only an old developing city but also offers vibrant nightlife, amazing local food, and many magnificent tourist attractions nearby, Ha Long Bay for example.
The Huc Bridge
Hanoi has been inhabited since at least 3,000 B.C., from the period of Co Loa Citadel (belonging to Dong Anh district) serving as the capital of Au Lac kingdom (Pre Thang Long-period), through many dynasties and wars (named Thang Long – Dong Do – Dong Quan – Dong Kinh), to being Vietnam’s capital in the present day.
Hanoi was eclipsed by Hue – the imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty (from 1802 to 1945). From 1010 to 1802, Hanoi was considered to be the most important political center of Vietnam.
In 1873, the French conquered Hanoi, which made Hanoi into the French’s colonial administrative center from 1883 to 1945. During the period, the French built a modern administrative city, many churches, public buildings, luxury villas but also destroyed various imperial palaces and citadels, reduced lakes’ and canals’ sizes, which results in Hanoi as it is today.
Similar to most of the French colonized land in Indochina and Southeast Asia, the Japanese Empire took control over Hanoi. On September 2nd, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the Democratic Republic of Vietnam at Ba Dinh Square, which involved Hanoi in the most important milestone in Vietnam’s history. Afterward, Hanoi has become Vietnam’s capital on January 6th, 1946.
You might interested: Top 10 authentic things to do in Hanoi – Discover the real Hanoi!
Temple of literature
Generally, Hanoi people are often stereotyped to be more formal in the Southern or other area cities. Hanoi ethnic residents are often friendly and hospitable. However, Hanoi is a multi-cultural city with citizens coming from many other Nothern provinces looking for better opportunities, which results in some complex customs and people’s behaviors.
Hanoi, or other Northern parts of the country, pays more attention to religious and traditional festivals. If you love to experience the truest traditional festival culture, then you should join the Perfume Festival (hosted in Hanoi’s iconic Perfume Pagoda), Lim Festival (hosted in Bac Ninh province). The festivals do not just offer a true view of how locals celebrate such tradition, but also give travelers the chance to enjoy UNESCO-listed “Quan ho” folk singing, many folk games such as bamboo swings, cockfighting, tug-of-war, wrestling, blind man’s bluff, and human chess.
Hanoi local life
Featuring a warm humid subtropical climate, Hanoi has 4 different seasons. Summer is hot and humid with abundant rainfall from May to August. Decreasing temperature and precipitation, the Fall season is comprised of September and October. The city is usually cloudy and foggy but cool and dry during Winter (from November to next January).
Visitors often come to Hanoi from September to November or March to April, when the weather is mild, not too hot, or too wet. If you would prefer cold days for your stay, coming to Hanoi from November to March is suggested.
Do you want to discover the best time to visit Hanoi?
Hanoi is a compact city, in which travelers usually stay within center districts (Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Tay Ho, or Hai Ba Trung). Getting around is quite convenient thanks to closely located attractions, restaurants, and hotels. You can either take a taxi or xe om (motorbike taxi), hire a private car, or travel around by bus. The prices are relatively cheaper in comparison with other cities in Vietnam.
Hanoi never fails to impress visitors with endless things to do and places to visit around the city. The land of a blend between the old and the new offers plenty of must-dos, from amusing activities to cultural discoveries in the old quarter. Let's explore our list of interesting things to do in Hanoi.
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