Hanoi: a thousand years of the city of the rising dragon

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and its soul — a city more than a thousand years old. Here quiet lakes sit beside the roaring motorbikes of the Old Quarter, ancient temples beside French mansions, and every stone remembers emperors. Here's the story and character of Hanoi in simple terms — and how the northern capital differs so much from the seaside resort of Nha Trang.

The city of the rising dragon

Hanoi was born in 1010. Emperor Ly Thai To, founder of the Ly dynasty, moved the capital of the state of Dai Viet here from its former site at Hoa Lu. Legend says that as he approached the new city, he saw a dragon rising into the sky — and named the capital Thang Long, 'rising dragon'.

Ever since, the dragon has been the city's symbol. On the site of an old fortress on the bank of the Red River grew the centre of Vietnamese civilisation, which remained the heart of the country for almost eight continuous centuries.

A thousand years as capital

Thang Long was Vietnam's main capital right up to 1802. Under different dynasties, palaces, temples and citadels were built here; from here the country was ruled and invasions repelled.

In 1802 the last dynasty, the Nguyen, moved the capital south to Hue. But Hanoi never lost its importance: it later became the country's main city again, and in 2010 it solemnly marked its thousandth anniversary.

From Thang Long to Hanoi: the city's names

Over its history the city changed names more than once. The most famous old name is Thang Long, but there were others. The modern name 'Hanoi' appeared in 1831 under the Nguyen dynasty.

'Hanoi' literally means 'inside the river' or 'between rivers' — the city does indeed lie in a bend of the Red River. That name has stuck with the capital for centuries.

The Old Quarter of 36 streets

The heart of old Hanoi is the Old Quarter, a maze of narrow lanes by the lake. It's known as the 'quarter of 36 streets': each historic street was occupied by its own trade or product, and the names still preserve that memory — Silk Street, Tin Street, Paper Street.

Here narrow 'tube houses' stand crowded together, street trading and food are everywhere, and the streams of motorbikes create that noisy, lively image of Hanoi that people come to see.

The Lake of the Returned Sword

In the very centre of the city lies the small Hoan Kiem Lake — the 'Lake of the Returned Sword'. A beautiful legend is tied to it: an emperor received a magic sword from a sacred turtle to drive out enemies, and after victory returned it to the lake's waters.

In the middle of the lake stands the Turtle Tower, and on a small island the Ngoc Son Temple, reached by a red bridge. It's a favourite place to stroll for both locals and visitors.

The Temple of Literature — the first university

Another gem of Hanoi is the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), founded in 1070. A few years later the Quoc Tu Giam opened beside it — in effect the country's first university, training future officials and scholars.

Today it's a quiet complex of pavilions, courtyards and stone stelae honouring its graduates. For the Vietnamese it's a symbol of respect for knowledge and education.

The heart of the modern capital

It was in Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, on 2 September 1945, that Ho Chi Minh proclaimed Vietnam's independence. Today the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum stands here — one of the country's main places of memory.

Nearby are the Presidential Palace, house-museums and government buildings. This is the ceremonial, official Hanoi, where the pulse of the country's political life beats.

Lakes, bridges and the French trace

Hanoi is called the city of lakes — there are dozens of them. The largest, West Lake (Ho Tay), is ringed by temples, cafes and promenades. And across the Red River stretches the old Long Bien Bridge — a memory of the French era.

The French left whole districts of mansions, boulevards and St Joseph's Cathedral. So in Hanoi Vietnamese antiquity and European colonial style are mixed together.

The taste of Hanoi

Hanoi is the birthplace of many famous dishes. The classic pho soup comes from here, as does bun cha — grilled pork with noodles and herbs that the locals adore. It's also where 'egg coffee' was invented — coffee under a cream of whipped yolk.

Street food is a culture in itself: little plastic stools, bubbling pots and the aroma of spices on every corner. Tasting Hanoi is half the experience of the city.

Hanoi today

Today Hanoi is Vietnam's second-largest city after Ho Chi Minh City, with over eight million people in its metropolitan area. It is the country's political and cultural capital.

Unlike the southern cities, Hanoi has real four seasons — it can get winter-cold here. It's a city of contrasts: ancient temples and skyscrapers, the quiet of lakes and the roar of motorbikes live side by side.

What it means for a visitor to Nha Trang

Hanoi and Nha Trang are two different Vietnams. The north is history, the capital, four seasons and ancient temples. Nha Trang is the southern coast, the sea, beaches and endless summer. To see both is to understand the country as a whole.

And if you're already in Nha Trang and want to delight a loved one, partner or friend — we'll deliver a fresh bouquet or helium balloons to a hotel, villa or office the same day. Message us on WhatsApp, Telegram or KakaoTalk.