Hanoi sprawls along the banks of the Red River, which is spanned by two bridges Long Bien and Chuong Duong. The Hanoian is proud to be residents of a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and verdant public parks. Over thousand years of its eventful history, Hanoi still preserves much ancient architecture throughout the Old Quarter, over 600 pagodas and temples, reminding of the city's rich cultural heritage.
Highlights of Hanoi are strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter and to Hochiminh Complex with nearby One Pillar Pagoda. Other famous sites are the Temple of Literature, the Opera House (especially if can catch a live performance) and the Museum of Ethnology. From Hanoi, it is possible to take day trips to nearby handicraft villages such as the Bat Trang pottery village, the Van Phuc silk village or well-known destinations of Tam Coc or the Perfume Pagoda. Hanoi is also a good base for excursions to Ha Long Bay and to Sa Pa as well as the northern mountains where you can sample life in rural Vietnam.
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