Hanoi Old Quarter – Phố cổ Hà Nội

Hanoi Old Quarter

The Old Quarter (Vietnamese: Phố cổ Hà Nội) is the name commonly given to the historical civic urban core of Hanoi, located outside the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long. This quarter used to be the residential, manufacturing and commercial center, where each street was specialized in one specific type of manufacturing or commerce.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi

The President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Vietnamese: Lăng Chủ tịch Hồ Chí Minh) is a mausoleum which serves as the resting place of Vietnamese Revolutionary leader & President Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is a large building located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, where Ho, Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Vietnam from 1951 until his death in 1969, read the Declaration of Independence on 2 September 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. It is open to the public.

Temple of Literature Hanoi – Quốc Tử Giám Temple

Temple of Literature Hanoi - Quốc Tử Giám Temple

The Văn Miếu (Vietnamese: Văn Miếu, Hán tự: 文廟)) is a temple dedicated to Confucius in Hanoi, northern Vietnam. The temple also hosts the Imperial Academy (Quốc Tử Giám, 國子監), Vietnam’s first national university. The temple was built in 1070 at the time of Emperor Lý Thánh Tông. It is one of several temples in Vietnam which is dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars. The temple is located to the south of the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long. The various pavilions, halls, statues and stelae of doctors are places where offering ceremonies, study sessions and the strict exams of the Đại Việt took place. The temple is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese đồng banknote. Just before the Vietnamese New Year celebration Tết, calligraphists will assemble outside the temple and write wishes in Hán characters. The art works are given away as gifts or are used as home decorations for special occasions.

Hỏa Lò Prison Hanoi – Hanoi Hilton in Vietnam War

Hỏa Lò Prison Hanoi - Hanoi Hilton in Vietnam War

Hỏa Lò Prison (Vietnamese: [hwa᷉ː lɔ̂]) was a prison used by the French colonists in French Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this later period it was known to American POWs as the Hanoi Hilton. The prison was demolished during the 1990s, although the gatehouse remains as a museum.
“Hanoi Hilton” redirects here. For the 1987 film, see The Hanoi Hilton (film). For the hotel operated by the Hilton International Corporation, see Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel.

Hoan Kiem Lake (Guom lake) – Center of Hanoi Capital

Hoan Kiem Lake (Guom lake) - Center of Hanoi Capital

Hoan Kiem Lake (Vietnamese: Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, Hán tự: 湖還劍, meaning “Lake of the Returned Sword” or “Lake of the Restored Sword”), also known as Hồ Gươm (Sword Lake), is a fresh water lake, measuring some 12 ha in the historical center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam.

In the past, the lake was variously named “Luc Thuy Lake” (Vietnamese: Hồ Lục Thủy, meaning “Green Water Lake” – aptly named for the water’s color) or “Thuy Quan Lake” (Vietnamese: Hồ Thủy Quân, meaning “Mariner’s Lake”). The lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life.