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the banks of the Red River, 100km from its delta, sits the capital of Vietnam.
A fishing village in the 3rd century BC, the community grew over the centuries,
and became known as Thang Long. It was renamed Hanoi in 1831 at a time when Hué
was the capital. 
Much of what is Hanoi today was built during the French occupation,
and is an archetype of the Franco-colonial architectural style that was to spread
throughout Indochina - typified by broad boulevards and ornate buildings. After
the French surrender at Dien Bien Phu, the city was turned over to the North Vietnamese
and was declared the capital by Ho Chi Minh. The new government built up the city's
industrial base, however this action directly led to it becoming a high-priority
target for US bombers in 1965, during the Second Indochina War. During the three
and a half year bombardment, over 75% of the population were forced to evacuate
the city.
After the war was over, the people returned, and today more
than three million call this peaceful capital home. Despite the bombing much of
the city's colonial architecture remained miraculously undamaged. Hanoi
is one of the Jewels of the Mekong - click here
- for our feature.  Art
Museum - Small exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and hill-tribe
artifacts.
Hanoi
Opera House - This 900-seat opera house, built in 1911, was recently renovated
and features regular performances.
Hanoi
Zoo - Animals, ponds, verdant grassy stretches, and cool shaded areas.
History
Museum - Houses articles dating from pre-historic periods up to 1945. The
Nguyen Dynasty is particularly well represented.
Hoan
Kiem Lake - Enjoyed by residents and tourists alike, this lake in the middle
of the city has a small pagoda at its centre.
Ho
Chi Minh's Mausoleum - The great leader is enclosed within a glass sarcophagus
in this building. Photography is forbidden and there are strict rules on dress
and behaviour. The mausoleum is closed for 3 months of the year, normally from
September onwards.
Maison
Central - Where once stood the infamous 'Hanoi Hilton' prison, where many
US POWs met their fate, there is now a small museum exhibiting relics of French
colonial days, including torture instruments and a guillotine, and the Vietnamese
battle for independence.
Military
Museum - Memorabilia and exhibits depicting the wars against France and the
US.
Museum
of Ho Chi Minh - Built to commemorate Ho Chi Minh's 100th birthday in 1990,
the museum is dedicated to his life and his legacy.
The
Old Quarter - A giant maze of narrow streets, filled with shops and traders,
selling anything and everything.
One
Pillar Pagoda - Originally built in 1049 on a single metre-wide stone pillar,
it was destroyed by the French after their defeat in 1954, and rebuilt by the
new government.
Revolutionary
Museum - With many original and interesting exhibits this small museum documents
the wars against French and US forces.
St.
Joseph's Cathedral - This imposing neo-Gothic building, with its superb stained
glass windows and elaborate altar, was built by the French in 1886.
Temple
of Literature - Considered one of the best preserved and significant examples
of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Built in 1070, this was the site of Vietnam's
first national university, before it was moved to Hué in 1802.
Water
Puppet Theatre - Traditional performances of the classic artform dating back
to the 10th century. The puppets dive and swim in water, accompanied by music
& songs with stories based on folk tales.
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