Hanoi is the eternal topic for countless Vietnamese writers, poets and all those who love the beauty and uniqueness of the Capital of Vietnam. A new day has arrived carrying with it the first heavy rain of the monsoon season, the cold wind violently blowing against the branches of the tree in front of my house. I have been sitting for hours in front of the computer thinking about my beloved Hanoi, the place where I intend to live and work for the rest of my life.
Having been working for many years in the field of tourism, I have had several opportunities to meet with many different people; some have eventually become good friends. I have often asked them the same question, “what is the one thing that impresses you most when you visit Vietnam?” Their common answer has often been “Hanoi”. With my question and their answers, I would hastily write down all the reasons I received, such as Hanoi history, Hanoi people, scenic places, Hanoi cuisine, culture, and more.
Honestly, Hanoi would be a worthy destination for your next vacation, because this 600 year-old city often leaves lasting impressions with its tourists. If you have had the patience to follow this writing till now, there is no excuse from not experiencing Hanoi personally for yourself.
Being the richest cultural center of the whole country, Hanoi is the place that preserves Vietnam crucial national cultural identity. For this reason, Hanoi should not only be the first tourist stop, but it also should be the last place on the journey of discovery of Vietnam.
From my point of view, there are three conspicuous main points in Hanoi nowadays which are worthy of discussion. The land has suffered diverse ups and downs of a thousand-year history. Yet the ancient-fashioned flavor of Hanoi Old Quarter has not much changed over the course of time. Every day, you can have a chance to mingle with the messy and bustling atmosphere of the busiest area in Hanoi known as “The 36 Old Quarters”. You won’t experience the same feeling as when walking hastily on American streets with skyscrapers and people in luxurious and fashionable outfits. Hanoi Old Quarter used to be the provider of high-quality products to royal families residing in ancient Thang Long capital. Getting lost is a common occurrence with tourists who manage on their own to discover the 600 year-old quarter using a local map. However, this should not be cause for abandoning the idea of making your visit to Hanoi even once. Remember, it is very easy to find things out by asking the local residents. They might not be good at spoken English, but they are friendly and they will know how to guide you. It is not coincidental that Hanoi received the honorary name City For Peace.
Particularly, you should take time to explore the interesting things inside the Old Quarter. A typical example is the tube houses; holes made in the walls of each house create channels between the houses and serve as means of escape from the enemies. Thanks to this initiative, Vietnamese soldiers in wartime were able to secretly move from the first to the last quarter without need of roads. However, due to the impacts of war and time, this pipe system for houses has been partially replaced with new architecture and styles. Moreover, the old city still holds hundreds of remains of ancient relics and ruins that are still great significance up to now, typical examples of which are Quan Chuong Gate, Huong Nghia Shrine, Co Linh Luong Tu, Bach Ma temple, Thanh Ha communal house, Hang Ma street, and more, not to mention the very interesting and unique recreation programs that take place every day, every hour in this city. You will find them fascinating, so please do not miss them during your stay in Hanoi.
The second important thing to note about our capital is the old system of architecture in colonial time. They really stand out and contrast with the rest of the capital's ancient architecture. In my heart a sense of loss resurfaces every time I have got a chance to enter those buildings. However this is not necessarily agony and perdition. Time has flown by so quickly with its numerous changes after the reunification of Vietnam in 1975, but those buildings have become an indispensable part of the overall architecture of the capital. Most of them are nowadays served as government offices. Others have become well known landmarks for many tourists, such as the Opera House, the Sofitel Metropole Hotel, the Presidential Palace and others.
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