Hoan Kiem Lake or Sword Lake is considered the symbol of Hanoi, the witness of the city’s history and clture for hundreds of years. Hoan Kiem Lake together with Ngoc Son Temple are the two best natural attractions which are typical and welknown in the capital city. 
 

The Tortoise Tower of Hoan Kiem Lake.
 

In the past, the lake was named as Luc Thuy Lake (Green Water Lake) as the water here is green all year round. In XV century, it’s mane was changed to Hoan kiem Lake which associated to a legend that the sacred Turtle returned the sword to Le Loi King. It is sad that after become the king, Le Loi got his dating name as Le Thai To residing in Thang Long. On a time he was rowing on Luc THuy Lake for dightseeing, a large old turtle appeared ask the king to return the sword. As soon as the king drew the swort, it flied toward the turtle. The old turtle bited the sword,  greeted the king and sunk into water. Luc Thuy Lake then was called as Hoan Kiem Lake (Returning Sword Lake) or Sword Lake.  
Around the lake, there are some attractions related to historical events including The Huc Bridge, Pen Tower, Ngoc Son Temple, Tran Hung Dao Worshipping Temple and so on.

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Address: Quoc Tu Giam, Van Mieu, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam 
Opening hour: 08.00 - 17.00
 

Temple of Literature - The first university of Hanoi.
 

In Hanoi, while Hoan KiemLake is considered a typical natural attraction, Temple of Literature seems to be a historical and cultural attraction.  Serving as the first national university of Vietnam, after almost 1000 years, the ancient appearance and architechture of Ly dynasty Temple of Literature remain intact. Thus, this is one of the most important and typical historical and cultural relics of Hanoi and Vietnam in general. Temple of Literature was constructed in 1070, at the time of Emperor Ly Thanh Tong as a worshipping place of Confucious, the scholars of Confucious and the respectful teacher of Vietnam education Chu Van An.  
Under the rule of Emperor Ly Nhan Tong, Temple of Listerature was considered the home of talents in Vietnam, the first national university recording the name of thousands of first doctoral candidates.

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Among lots of sites marking our heroic history, Ba Dinh Square located in the area of Thang Long Citadel is an outstanding one which is renowned to tourists coming to Hanoi. Ba Dinh Square is also in association with Ho Chi Minh President relics. 
In the tours discovering Hanoi, people also mention Ba DInh Square as a place recording some of the most essential historical events of Vietnam. Right at this square, on September 2nd 1945, Ho Chi Minh President addressing our residents stating the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The square’s campus is 32000 m2 in acreage with 240 squares which provide enough space for 20000 people attending the meeting. In the middle of the square, there is a flag tower of 30m high. Ba Dinh Square has become a sacred area of the capital city. In the morning and at night, the lowering and flying of flag ceremonies take place here in such a solemn atmosphere that anyone once cone here want to stop to follow and practise the national ritual of flag etiquette. The flying of flag ceremony takes places at 6:00 and 6:30 in summer and winter respectively while lowering of flag ceremony is at 21.00.
 

Nearby Ba Dinh Square is Relic of Ho Chi Minh President which has become an important memorial site related to 15 years of living and working of Ho chi Minh President (from December 1954 to September 1969). The relic includes Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, Fish lake, Garden, Soai Street where Uncle Ho did exercise every morning, an old car, a house built in 1954, the traditional stilt house representing a simple life and the love for all the residents of Ho Chi Minh President. Millions of both local and international tourists have come here to visit, to listen and to admire the noble qualities and spirits of our national hero and also the world cultural celebrity.
 

Address: 40 Nha Chung, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
Opening hour: 08. 00 ~ 21.00
 

The Maria statue in front of Joseph's cathedral in Hanoi Old Quarter.
 

St. Joseph’s Cathedral is the official cathedral of the Archdiocese of Hanoi, and also one of the first constructions with the appearance of Western architecture in Hanoi. it was built in around 11th century. In 1057, Emperor Ly Thanh Tong ordered to build Bao Thien Tower in the area of Sung Khanh Pagoda, Thang Long capital.  St. Joseph’s Cathedral and Nha Chung Street in the past were part of Bao Thien Pagoda during Ly Trang, Le and Nguyen Dynasties. This is the place where Buddhist rituals took place regulally to pray for national peace and prosperity. Due to the devastation of time and wars, Bao Thien Tower was collapsed. When the French troops came to invade Hanoi, the new cathedral was built on the ground of Bao Thien Tower. The construction finished in 1886 and the opening ceremony took place on Christmas Day of Dinh Hoi Year (1887).
St. Joseph’s Cathedral is a construction designed by priest Puginier in Gothique architectural style. He is also the direct supervisor for the construction. Gothicque is the architectural style of medieval period in Europe which was so prevalent in 12th century and the Renaissance time in Europe. There is some common features between St. Joseph’s Cathedral and Notre-Dame Cathedral including the large, curving and sky upward domes. The cathedral is 64.5m long, 20.5m wide with two bell towers of 31.5m high with large and heavy stone pillars at 4 corners. The stone cross is at the top.  
The outside appearance of the cathedral looks ancient in the old coast of lime covered with moss. In contrast, the construction inside is morden and seems to be intact by the time. 
At present, St. Joseph’s Cathedral is one of the centres of Catholic activities in Hanoi and nearby regions. It also serves as an attractive destination fpr tourists, especially on some festivals. 
 

West Lake is intimately compared to the lung of the capital with acreage of more than 500 ha. The surrounding line reaches 17 km with a history of thousands of years. It is proved that the lake is a section of Red River after the river changed its current. There exist many legends and stories about this lake and its name. According to a story called “Ho Tinh”, West Lake was named as Xac Cao (or Fox Body) as it is said that, there was a nine-tail-fox living in this are, harming the locals. Long Quan then raised wter level to destroy the cave of the fox. The cave then collapsed and become a lake. In some other legends, the lake is also known as Mu Suong, Trau Vang Lake (Golden Buffalo), etc,. 
 

The West Lake is an ideal place for seeing the sunset.
 

West Lake is the most romantic corner in the colourful picture of Hanoi due to the hamony between the lake and the surrounding flowers and plants which is of great difference from the hustle atmosphere of the Old Quarter. West Lake is beautiful for not only the green and immense water but also the purple of Lagerstroemia, the red of phoenix flower, the gentle pink of lotus and the green of tree leaves, the fresh sunlight in early morning. The space is a bit sad with the row of drooping willow in the winter afternoons. This serves as the dating place for people of all ages who come for sightseeing and to talk to each other, to express their feeing, etc,. 
West Lake is not only an idealtourist attraction but aso contains our national cultural values. Around this lake, there are 21 temples and pagodas which have been ranked as historical relics. Some relics compound various valuable artifacs including 102 stone stele, 165 165 couplets, 140 horizontal lacquereds, 18 ancient bells, more than 300 statues in bronze, wood or stone and so on. 
 

Address: No. 18 Hoang Dieu, Ba Ding, Hanoi
Opening hour: Tuesday to Sunday, 08.00 - 11.30, 13.30 - 17.00
Tourist season: Spring & autumn with favourable weather conditions are the best times for travel tours to this destination. 
Thang Long Citadel is a complex of relics related to the history of Thang Long – Hanoi capital which started from Dinh – Tien Le dynasties, devoped prosperously under Ly, Tranand Le dynasties and was renamed as Hanoi in Nguyen dynasty. Thang Long Citadel includes the monumental architectural constructions built in different stages of history and has become one of the most important relics in the system of historical relics in Vietnam. Recognized as the world’s cultural heritage, Thang Long Citadel officially becomes the world assest which is in need of well protection and exploitation.  
 

Address: Nguyen Van Huyen, Dich Vong, Cau Giay, Hanoi.    
Opening hour: Tuesday to Sunday, 08.00 - 11.30, 13.30 - 17.00.
 

In the list of 10 interesting museum of Asia,
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is really worthy to visit once time.
 

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is located in Nguyen Van Huyen Street, DichVong ward, Cau Giay district, which is around 8km from the city centre. The museum includes a large exhibition house of two floors in the shape of a Dong Son bronze drum – the symbol of civilization in Vietnam. Surrounding areas are beautiful outdoor campus describing architectures and livestyle of different thnic groups in Vietnam. 
Visiting the museum, it takes you around 2 hours for not only watching paintings, photos and documentaries but also personally witnessing vivid artifacts and cultural identities of different minorities in Vietnam including Viet, Muong, Tay, Thai, Nung, Dao and Hmong. 
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology possesses 54 collections of 54 groups in Vietnam which are sorted by their usage, including collections of clothes, jewelry, argricultural tools, fishery tools, weapons, housewares, musical instruments, artifacts related to religion, marriage, mourning or other social and spiritual activities. 
Inside the Broze Drum House, there is an exhibition with the theme of Vietnam society under the time of subsidization which is sophisticatedly designed with artifacts and real witnesses that make onlookers cannot help touching about a past period of or country.

Read more about Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
 

Taking about One Pillar Pagoda is talking about a unique construction which its year of being constructed remains a controversy among historians. It is a certain that the pagoda was built very long time ago. In 1954 when the French troop prepared to draw from Hanoi, they laid mines to destroy One Pillar Pagoda with a massive explosion. In order to protect the historical values, the pagoda was restored by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism following its initial architecture under Ly Dynasty. One Pillar Pagoda has been preserved until now. 
 

One Pillar Pagoda with the typical architectures of Vietnamese temple.
 

The pagoda is in wood with a Buddhist statue being laid inside. The costruction includes Lien Hoa Dai in square with dome located on a pillar of 4 m high. Lien Hoa Dai’s roof was tiled with 4 curved corners and the two dragons flanking a moon on top. Dragon is the symbol of power and strength with humanity values, intellect and desires of ancient people and civilization. 
 

Address: Thanh Nien Street, Tay Ho district, Hanoi
Phone number: 0084 24 3829 3869
Opening hour: 08.00 - 16.30.
 

Tran Quoc - one of the most ancient Hanoi attractions.
 

Spring and autumn are the best time to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda as these are the time of best weather conditions and also the seasons of festivals and religious travel. 
Tran Quoc Pagoda serves as one of the most ancient pagodas in Vietnam which is located next to West Lake, at the end of Thanh Nien Street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi. the pagoda was built under the time of Emperor Ly Nam De (541 – 547) nearby Red River with the name of Khai Quoc Pagoda (which means founding a country). In the period of Emperor Le Thanh Tong (1434 – 1442), the king changed the name of this pagoda into An Quoc. In 1615, the pagoda was moved to the current position. 
With historical, architectural and religious values, Tran Quoc Pagoda is not only a sacred place for Buddhist followes but also a renowned tourist attraction for local and international tourists.
 

The house serving as Vietnam Fine Arts Museum at present was built by the French during 1930s of 20th century as the dormitory of French authorities’s daughters in Indochina who came to study in Hanoi. After gaining independence, the Ministry of Culture conducted to restore the house from its Western architecture into a more traditional Vietnamese one by adding some decorations and details of village communal house in Vietnam. It then serves as the permanence exhibition of Vietnamese fine art works. In 1966, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum official opened.
 

You can see lots of impressing objects at the museum.
 

Serving as part of museum system in Vietnam, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is said to be one of the most essential museums in retaining and developing the artistic and cultural heritage of different communities in Vietnam. Coming here, tourists shall be getting to know about all the stages in the development process of Vietnamese fine arts through documents and artifacts presented at the museum. The exhibits system here provides the public profound and unique knowledge about culture and history of Vietnamese enthic groups.
 

Quan Thanh Temple is located at the intersection of Thanh Nien Street and Quan Thanh Street in Hanoi. This sacred temple was built in Ly dynasty to worship Huyen Thien Tran Vu – a god protecting the Northern area of Thang Long. Inside the temple, there is a bronze statue weighting 4 tons which is a masterpiece of skilful workers at Ngu Xa bronze casting village. 
Quan Thanh Temple is situated in a nice location of between Truc Bach Lake and West Lake. This is not only a construction with historical and architectural values, but also a place where religious and cultural activities of Hanoans take place, and a tourist’s attraction.
 

Address: No 1, Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Open: From 09.00 / Except every Monday.
Vietnam History Museum is the storing place of artifacts reflecting different cultures during our history from the primitive times to the foundation day of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, including Dong Son Bronze Drum, Bat Trang Pottery, Shiva Statue, Wooden piles in Bach Dang battle and so on. Those are the essential witnesses for our history. 
 

Hanoi Botanical Garden was built at the early years of French’s invasion, which is located behind Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and President Palace, at the Noth of Hanoi. Up to now, the Botanical Garden has been considered the green lung of Hanoi with the variety of plants and animals. Besides the very large and old trees which are the witnesses of historical ups and downs, experts have also collected and planted many rare species nationwide. Some strange kinds of plants and grass in the world are also experimentally planted here. Nature lovers have chance to enjoy the biodiverdity right in the city centre.
 

Address: 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Phone: 0084 244 3825 9936
Opening time: Tuesday to Friday 
 

The traditional costumes of Vietnamese women as "áo dài", "tứ thân", "áo yếm", etc,.
 

Vietnam Women’s Museum is considered the place to store the image of Vietnamese Women in both ancient and modern times. 
The museum includes 4 floors with thousands of documents and artifacts that have taken almost 10 years to be found and collected from nationwide, including photos, clothes bearing typical features of Vietnamese women. 
Besides the artifacts representing a peaceful life of Vietnamese women, some are the remains of war times. The pictures describing the captivity and interrogation of invaders could make any viewer to feel the tenacity and indomitable of Vietnamese women, those who are said to be good at both housework and social affairs.