The present site of Hanoi was chosen for Vietnam's capital by King Ly Nam De as early as AD542 and was renamed Thang Long (Soaring Dragon) in later 1010. Hanoi has since remained of many Royal dynasties. Hanoi today is the political, commercial and cutural capital of the whole country.

Once in Hanoi, you will find yourself in a o­ne thousand-year old city of interesting pre-1940 architecture with various beauty spots, including many lakes, such as West lake and the Sword lake. A day tour o­n the Red River is very interesting. You can picnic in moutain areas in Soc Son, Bavi, or Tam Dao, etc. You will see historical and cultural sites and architectural works such as temples, pagodas, and communal houses everywhere. There are 549 pagodas, 551 communal houses and 258 temples. Pagodas, temples and communal houses are indispensable components of spiritual life for the Vietnamese people. Among them, the most ancient pagoda is Tran Quoc (National Defense) which was built in the 6th century.

In Hanoi, if you want to know more about Vietnam, you sould visit various museums which can provide you with a panorama of Vietnam's history from the past to the modern revolutionary movement, from the world's cultural celebrity, national leader Ho Chi Minh to heroic anti-aggressor resistances of the Vietnamese army and people, from selected art works to living in Vietnam. There is even the Museum B52 Victory near Ngoc Ha lake where a US B-52 bomb carrier was fired down in December 1972.
In spring, visitors can join pilgrimages and attend many traditional festivals during which many performances anf folklore games are organized in Hanoi and the surrounding areas.

At night, you can attend various performances. You should watch a water-puppetry show in Thang Long theatre. This is an original art of performance highly praised by people all over the world. Through the traditional performances of Cheo (popular opera), Cai Luong (renovated opera), Tuong (classical opera), dance and song (ca tru and quan ho), you will have an insight in Vietnam's abundant and diverse culture.
Now, Hanoi and the whole country welcomes with open arms international friends and whoever comes with good will, friendship and cooperation. Hanoi is deserving of the honorific title "The City for Peace" conferred by UNESCO. o­nce in Hanoi, you will soon know you are truly welcome.

BenThanh Tourist