Formerly called Thang long (City of Rising Dragon), Hanoi became Vietnam's official  capital city in 1954 with the signature of the Geneva agreement. The city later suffered tremendously by the destruction caused by the American bombardments during the Vietnam War and the and of the conflict marked a long period of withdrawal from the outside world . Only from the 1990's and the Doi Moi economical opening did Hanoi open up to the rest of the world once again. Hanoi earned its nickname, the Paris of the East, from the picturesque tree-lined boulevards adorned with French-style villas and buildings. The city is truly a beautiful infusion of Eastern and Western cultures. Many of the relics from ancient dynasties survived wars and the wear and tear of time. Grand Opera House, Hotel Metropole, Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi Old Quarter and Vietnam National Museum of History are just some of its famous landmarks.

Today's Recommended Activities:

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: is a mausoleum which serves as the resting place of Vietnamese Revolutionary Leader & President Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is a large building located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, where Ho, Chairman of the Workers' Party of Vietnam from 1951 until his death in 1969, read the Declaration of Independence on 2 September 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. It is open to the public

Ho Chi Minh House:

Hoa Lo Prison: was a prison used by the French colonists in French Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War (which in Vietnam is called the American War). During this later period it was known to American POWs as the "Hanoi Hilton". The prison was demolished during the 1990s, although the gatehouse remains as a museum.

Temple of Literature: is a temple dedicated to Confucius in Hanoi, northern Vietnam. The temple also hosts the Imperial Academy, Vietnam's first national university. The temple was built in 1070 at the time of Emperor Lý Thánh Tông. It is one of several temples in Vietnam which is dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars. 

Ethnology Museum: is a museum in Hanoi, Vietnam, which focuses on the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam .

Visit Thu Huong Lacquer Arts & Workshop: where you will learn about history of lacquer, and get to know the reason why the traditional Vietnamese lacquer takes a long time to finish.

Cyclo Tour of Hanoi Old Quarter:  A great way to see the Old Quarter of Hanoi.

Enjoy a Traditional Water Puppet Show: is a tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. Today's Vietnamese water puppetry is a unique variation on the ancient Asian puppet tradition.

Hanoi Street Food Tour: explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter on foot with a foodie guide who introduces you to local cuisine. Sample authentic dishes and learn about Vietnamese cuisine as you discover the traditional guilds of ‘36 Old Streets.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

ninh-binh-luxury-day-tour

two-days-ninh-binh-top-things-to-see-and-do

luxury-halong-bay-day-cruise-from-hanoi

4-days-luxury-tour-of-sapa-from-hanoi-get-off-the-beaten-track

7-day hanoi-sapa-halong-bay-luxury-tour-packages