| Page Views: 165 Last Visit to Hanoi: November, 2008 | Hanoi by ValbyDK - last update: Nov 28, 2008 |
|  | HANOI - FACTS Hanoi has been inhabited since at least 3000 BC. One of the first known permanent settlements is the Co Loa citadel founded around 200 BC. From the 11th to the 19th century, Hanoi was the political centre of an independent Vietnam with a few brief interruptions.
Hanoi was occupied by the French in 1873 and was the capital of French Indochina after 1887. During World War II, the city was under Japanese control. From 1946 to 1954, it was the scene of heavy fighting between the French and Viet Minh forces. At that point, the city became the capital of an independent North Vietnam.
After the Vietnam War, Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam when North and South Vietnam were reunited on July 2 1976.
Hanoi is still the capital of Vietnam, and has an estimated population of around 6 million people. However, the largest city in Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Hanoi is located on the right bank of the Red River and Ha means river and Noi means within - Ha Noi means "within the river".
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| | MY VISIT I stayed three days in Hanoi in November 2008 (however - I used one day for at daytrip to Ha Long Bay). Hanoi is an absolutely wonderful and charming city - especially the Old Quarter and the French Quarter with many elegant colonial buildings.
Hanoi also has many sights - from old temples to impressive buildings in honor of the nation hero, Ho Chi Minh.
The traffic in Hanoi is amazing but also very scaring. Motorcycles everywhere and it looks like there are no rules, but somehow it works and the traffic seems to flow. Scaring the first few times to need to cross a road in Hanoi, but just walk across in a slow and steady tempo - don't think to much :)
If you don't have the time to visit both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) I would choose Hanoi. Compared to HCMC I think Hanoi has a much nicer and calmer atmosphere - but still a big city.
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| Pros: | "Charming old quarter..." | | Cons: | "Traffic..." |
ValbyDK's Hanoi Travel Tips
 Comments for ValbyDK about Hanoi | | | | |
PierreZA Wed Jan 21, 2009 04:36 UTC
Hi Klaus, very nice page about a place I would love to visit. Seems you did enjoy Vietnam a lot. | SLLiew Thu Dec 4, 2008 09:34 UTC
Excellent detailed tips of Hanoi. You are right about the warning of the motorcycles when crossing the road. I liked water puppet show. Bring back fond memories. | balhannah Thu Dec 4, 2008 04:05 UTC
Doesn't look as smoggy as when I was there in March. |
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