Vietnam is a beautiful country located in Southeast Asia, with a long and sad history of foreign occupations before World War II and civil war that only ended in 1975. You could somehow still sense the “communism” feeling. When we were touring the Ho Chi Minh complex, our tour guide referred to their founding father as “the perfect man” who wanted equality for all the people. So far, I have only visited Hanoi. I found this city charming and vibrant, with its many beautiful colonial buildings still intact, wide streets with beautiful old trees, and the thousands of mopeds running throughout the city.

Officially known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, it is situated in the easternmost part of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia, neighbouring with: Cambodia to southwest; Laos to northwest; China to north; Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines across South China Sea to east and southeast; and Thailand across the Gulf of Thailand to southwest. Hanoi has been the capital since the times of French Indochina from 1902 to 1954. Around the time of the Vietnam War from 1954 to 1975, it also served as the capital for North Vietnam and remained so after the reunification of Vietnam in 1975.

It is believed that northern part of Vietnam was once under China’s rule for over one thousand years, from 111 BC to 939 AD. An independent state was formed in 939, followed by imperial families from Ly and Tran dynasties, when Buddhism flourished and became the state religion, to Le and Nguyen Anh empires. Chinese empires continued to occupy Vietnam, but only lasted for brief moments. France gained control in mid 19th century. In early 1940s, the Viet Minh, a communist and nationalist liberation movement emerged, under the Marxist-Leninist revolutionary leadership of Ho Chi Minh, who led the country against Japanese occupation in 1945 and later gained independence for the country. However, the French returned to restore colonial rule and once again guerrilla campaign led by Ho Chi Minh fought and regained independence after First Indochina War in 1954.

The defeat of French and Vietnamese loyalists resulted to separation of two states: Ho Chi Minh’s North Democratic Republic of Vietnam and Emperor Bao Dai’s South State of Vietnam. The 300-day period of free movement allowed nearly one million northerners mainly Catholics, to move to the south and avoid persecution by communists. In 1955, Prime Minister of South Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem took control over Bao Dai and proclaimed himself president of the Republic of Vietnam. The two sides then engaged in a civil war known as the Vietnam War, with heavy intervention by the US in support of South Vietnam. North Vietnam won the war in 1975, and the two sides unified under a Marxist-Leninist government. However, the country remained poor and impoverished because of its political isolation. In 1986, the government initiated a series of economic and political reforms which started Vietnam’s road towards integrating into the global economy.

Its rapid growth through economic and political reforms have led the country into a fast-emerging economy, with one of the highest growth rate worldwide. By the year 2000, Vietnam had established diplomatic relations with all countries. It remains one of the four remaining one-party socialist states. In the world. As of 2016, Vietnam is the 14th most populous country in the world, with a population of 95 million people, as well as the ninth most populous country in Asia.

Hanoi

Hanoi is situated on the right bank of north river and is 1,090 miles north of largest city, Ho Chi Minh. Hanoi has been inhabited since 3000BC and became capital of several powerful kingdoms, such as Au Lac and Liu Song. It was not until 1010 when the first ruler of the Ly Dynasty named the city Thang Long and established it as the capital of Dai Viet. The capital moved briefly to Hue in 1802 during the Nguyen Dynasty, but moved back again by 1831 and was renamed Ha Noi. In 1873, it was occupied by the French and subsequently turned into the capital of Indochina by 1887. Hanoi became the capital of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War and remained so after reunification in 1975. Today, it is the second largest city after Ho Chi Minh (formerly known during the Vietnam War as Saigon), with a population of almost 8 million people and an area of 1,292 sqm within its municipality.

Hanoi is the political and one of the main cultural centres in Vietnam. Despite rapid growth in high rises and real estate prices, the city continues to host countless well-preserved historic sites. The Old Quarter is famous for its original street layout and old-Hanoi architecture. The city was also built between rivers from low land and has many scenic lakes such as Hoan Kiem and West lakes, therefore often referred to as “city of lakes.” As an administrative centre for Indochina under French rule, French colonial architecture style became dominant and still exist today, with tree-lined boulevards and the many villas and mansions.

Several of the old colonial buildings are an eclectic mixture of French and traditional Vietnamese architectures. Government-owned buildings can be distinguished by the yellow colours. Today, the city is bustling with restaurants, bars, cafes as well as museums, shops and other retail outlets. It is quite a fun and interesting city to explore- modern and still traditional at the same time, with thousands of mopeds running around.

Airport  

Noi Bai International Airport.

Public Transportation

Buses, Taxis and Cycle-Carriages.

Recommended Hotels

Sofitel Legend Metropole, Movenpick, Hilton Opera, Maison d’Orient, Golden Silk Boutique, Splendid Star Boutique, JW Marriott, Hanoi Old Quarter, Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi MGallery by Sofitel, Melia, Intercontinental Westlake and Luxury Old Quarter.

Recommended Restaurants

HOME Hanoi, Ngon Villa, Essence Café, Cha Cha Thang Long, Red Bean, Gia Ngur, The Gourmet Corner, Banh Mi 25, The Hanoi Social Club, Banh Cuon Ba Hanh, Madam Yen, Madame Hien, Huong Viet and Hanoi Garden.

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