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Introducing Hà Nội

This page offers you an introductory tour of the city of Hà Nội, Vietnam's venerable capital. It celebrated its thousandth birthday a couple of years ago. The heart of Hà Nội is the Lake and the district of Hoàn Kiếm, which is where we start.

May 2016

Pagoda & Bridge on Hoan Kiem Lake
Pagoda & Bridge on Hoan Kiem Lake
Pagoda & Bridge on Hoan Kiem Lake Hà Nội is fortunate in having at its centre a delightful small lake which is kept in immaculate condition. To the lake's borders Hanoians flock at all times of day to walk or sit or exercise. Hoan Kiem Lake is the scene of many activities
Hoan Kiem Lake is the scene of many activities
Hoan Kiem Lake is the scene of many activities Some activites are a little eccentric
Some activites are a little eccentric
Some activites are a little eccentric Indeed often a little bizarre
Indeed often a little bizarre
Indeed often a little bizarre Seats, spaces, gardens and cafes are available all around the lake and offer between them something for most local and international visitors alike. At dawn many are engaged in universal ways
At dawn many are engaged in universal ways
At dawn many are engaged in universal ways While others attempt to be disengaged
While others attempt to be disengaged
While others attempt to be disengaged < Humans exercise, the kingfisher fishes in central Hà Nội
Humans exercise, the kingfisher fishes in central Hà Nội
Humans exercise, the kingfisher fishes in central Hà Nội The strong green of the waters is in fact a harmless algae, and local rules prohibit fishing so the waters are clean, ensuring the kingfishers and small turtles are well fed. One larger turtle has been found in recent years. Others are beyond such things - a king's memorial
Others are beyond such things - a king's memorial
Others are beyond such things - a king's memorial Returning to the living - students sketch
Returning to the living - students sketch
Returning to the living - students sketch Senior citizens read by Thap Rau
Senior citizens read by Thap Rau
Senior citizens read by Thap Rau Young lovers coo to the same background later in the day
Young lovers coo to the same background later in the day
Young lovers coo to the same background later in the day This monument (from the 1890s) is used as a symbol everywhere
This monument (from the 1890s) is used as a symbol everywhere
This monument (from the 1890s) is used as a symbol everywhere And as dusk falls the lights by Hoan Kiem Lake come on
And as dusk falls the lights by Hoan Kiem Lake come on
And as dusk falls the lights by Hoan Kiem Lake come on The Thap Rau Island at night
The Thap Rau Island at night
The Thap Rau Island at night Hoan Kiem is one of some 22 lakes in the central area of Hà Nội. It is the best kept and most intensively used. The West Lake is the largest and now has a road and walkway all around its 10 kilometre perimeter. This the largest lake in Ha Noi - 2 miles across - called “Ho Tay”
This the largest lake in Ha Noi - 2 miles across - called “Ho Tay”
This the largest lake in Ha Noi - 2 miles across - called “Ho Tay” This is an old gate, newly restored in tasteful concrete!
This is an old gate, newly restored in tasteful concrete!
This is an old gate, newly restored in tasteful concrete! The History Museum
The History Museum
The History Museum While the 1,000 year history of Hà Nội ensures its cultural and political status, the built environment has suffered from various problems over the centuries - mostly inflicted by invaders. But many fine buildings can be seen in the central area, often as in the case of the museums, housing interesting rich collections of material. The foreign office, President Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum is beyond The foreign office, President Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum is beyond The foreign office, President Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum is beyond The one pillar pagoda in central Ha Noi
The one pillar pagoda in central Ha Noi
The one pillar pagoda in central Ha Noi A 100 year old house used as a museum in Ma May Street A 100 year old house used as a museum in Ma May Street A 100 year old house used as a museum in Ma May Street And this interior is in the Temple of Literature also called Van Mieu And this interior is in the Temple of Literature also called Van Mieu And this interior is in the Temple of Literature also called Van Mieu The beautifully restored Temple of Literature or Van Mieu is one of the key buildings to attract tourists. It was the oldest university in the country and architecturally, like many buildings, owes a major debit to Chinese style. The main courtyard of the Temple of Literature The main courtyard of the Temple of Literature The main courtyard of the Temple of Literature Roofs in the Temple in classic Chinese style Roofs in the Temple in classic Chinese style Roofs in the Temple in classic Chinese style The 'Pen' Pagoda near Hà Nội The 'Pen' Pagoda near Hà Nội The 'Pen' Pagoda near Hà Nội Gateway of Pagoda by Ho Tay Gateway of Pagoda by Ho Tay Gateway of Pagoda by Ho Tay Here, at the Thay Pagoda, these Chinese elements can be seen again Here, at the Thay Pagoda, these Chinese elements can be seen again Here, at the Thay Pagoda, these Chinese elements can be seen again While there are no shortage of international tourists, the Vietnamese themselves are interested in and proud of their heritage, so much so that up-market wedding shots are repeatedly posed in famous locations around the city. These classic buildings are used as sets for wedding photography
These classic buildings are used as sets for wedding photography
These classic buildings are used as sets for wedding photography And so are the streets, here the war memorial gives a setting And so are the streets, here the war memorial gives a setting And so are the streets, here the war memorial gives a setting Into this urban world a tree squeezes - squeezes as the population here is 2.4 people per square yard. Yes honestly!
Into this urban world a tree squeezes - squeezes as the population here is 2.4 people per square yard. Yes honestly!
Into this urban world a tree squeezes - squeezes as the population here is 2.4 people per square yard. Yes honestly! But the rural world is also invited into Hà Nội - a flower festival But the rural world is also invited into Hà Nội - a flower festival But the rural world is also invited into Hà Nội - a flower festival And for this festival a central four lane highway is converted And for this festival a central four lane highway is converted And for this festival a central four lane highway is converted Hà Nội offers a great range of diversions both cultural and aesthetic which have evolved over the centuries and mean that it retains an oriental charm and character that most far eastern cities have lost with over-modernisation.