Hanoi travel guides Hanoi information
Map of Vietnam and information on the Vietnam
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A journey through northern Vietnam begins in today’s political capital, Hanoi. once the ancient capital of Thang Long. Visitors to Hanoi will encounter the cultures of both East and West, with the changing fortunes of history reflected in the architecture of its many traditional temples and pagodas, in the lingering presence of a French colonial past, and in the whirr of construction as the city’s blossoming modern towers rise above it all.
Administration
Hanoi is divided into the following seven urban districts: Hoan Kiem District, Ba Dinh District, Dong Da District, Ha Ba Trung District, Tay Ho District, Thanh Xuan District, Cau Giay District and five outlying districts: Gia Lam, Dong Anh, Thanh Tri, Tu Liem and Soc Son.
Transportation in Hanoi Vietnam
Many quarters, avenues, and highways are being built.Many hotels and office buidings are also being built, giving a new look to the city. Noi Bai International Airport, 35km from the centre of Hanoi, is one of the two biggest airports in Vietnam.Public transport is limited to buses, which are extremely cheap, but slow, crowded and a challenge for non-Vietnamese speakers. There are plenty of taxis to be hired and this is the safest and easiest way to get across the city. Motorbike taxis are also a cheap and easy way to get around.Renting a car or a motorbike are also popular options; all cars come with a driver/guide, which is a good idea considering the chaotic nature of the streets. Visitors should be cautious about renting a self-drive motorbike, bearing in mind the primary cause of injury and death among foreigners in Vietnam is due to motorcycle accidents. Two-seater cyclos (cycle rickshaws) are plentiful and can be flagged down anywhere.Fares should be negotiated beforehand and a map is useful, as many drivers don’t speak English.
Hanoi Culture
The ancient name of Hanoi is Thang Long, meaning ascending dragon. The cultural and historical remains bear the mark of a long process of establishment and defense of the country, closely related to heroic legends. Hanoi is famous for its Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam, built in 1070, and many other historical vestiges such as Tran Quoc Pagoda, One Pillar Pagoda, Quan Su Pagoda, and Quan Thanh Temple. In Hanoi, there are also sites tied to the life and work of President Ho Chi Minh. Besides the Old Quarter, there are in Hanoi many beautiful landscapes such as West Lake and Hoan Kiem Lake, attracting many Vietnamese and foreign tourists. Hanoi is the tourism centre of the whole country.
Hanoi Climate
Hanoi is situated in a tropical monsoon zone. The climate is divided in four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter.However, one may divided the climate into two main seasons, the dry and the wet season. The dry season lasts from October to April, during which there is cold weather without much rain. From January to March, the weather is still cold but it is raining. From May to September is the hot season with heavy rains and storms. In August, September, and October, there are autumn days in Hanoi. In the last days of autumn, the weather is beginning to freshen and turn to cold as winter arrives without warning.
Festivals in Hanoi Vietnam
vietnam festivities
Co Loa Festival
The festival takes place every year from the 6th to the 16th of the 1st lunar month at An Duong Vuong temple in Dong Anh district, on the outskirts of Hanoi. Co Loa Festival commemorates Thuc Phan An Duong Vuong, the man to whom the 18th Hung King gave his country the name of Au Lac and chose Co Loa as the capital. Twelve hamlets take part in a procession for the Spirits. Many games such as swinging, rice-cooking competitions, and tru and cheo singing also take place.
Soc Son Temple Festival
Soc Son Temple is located in Ve Linh Hamlet in Soc Son District, on the outskirts of Hanoi. It is devoted to the cult of Saint Giong, a hero who fought during the resistance war against foreign aggressors. The festival is organized every year on the 7th of the 1st lunar month, include bathing with incense, bamboo flower procession, elephant procession, and betel procession. According to the legend, Soc Son Temple was built where Saint Giong took off his armor after his victory over An aggressors and flew to heaven.
Trieu Khuc Festival
Trieu Khuc village, part of the greater village of Tan Trieu, has been renowned for its hats, silk, embroidery, and other handicrafts for a long time. The festival takes place every year on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of the 1st lunar month at the communal house of the village to commemorate the merits of national hero Phung Hung ( 770- 798) and to glorify the weaving profession. During the festival, there is Bong dancing, an ancient and very unusual dance. After the cult ceremony, the entertainment takes place including unicorn dacing, wrestling, cheo.
Dong Da Festival
Dong Da festival is organized every year on the 5th of the 1st lunar month. This festival commemorates the resouding merits of Emperor Quang Trung. The cult ceremony takes place in Khuong Thuong Temple and the mass for peace of the dead souls takes place at Dong Quang Pagoda. After the procession of the five dragons of Thang Long is the offering the incense and the litany reciting ceremonies. There are also games such as strength and talent competitions held in the front yard of the hill.
Dong Nhat Temple Festival
Dong Nhan Temple belongs to Hai Ba Trung district. The temple is devoted to the cult of the two Trung Sisters. These two heroines, who had the great merit of fighting foreign aggressors, securing independence for the country, and adding a lustrous page to the nation’s history. The festival is held from the 3rd to the 6th of the 2nd lunar month to commemorate the merits of the two sisters. The festival comprises a solemn ceremony as well as many games.
Le Mat Village Festival
Le Mat Village belongs to the greater village of Viet Hung in Gia Lam district. The festival is held on the 23rd of the 3 rd lunar month to commemorate the son of the Hoang family ( the tutelary spirit of the village) who reclaimed the wastelands to found the village. The highlight of the festivities is the snake dance, a very original performance in the yard of the communal house; this dance is significant since the population of Le Mat is renowned for catching snakes. The festivities of Le Mat are an opportunity for the children to meet and remember the history of the difficult establishment of the village, to shre their happiness, and to express their gratitude to their ancestors.
