Hanoi is the capital the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as well as the cultural, political, economic and commercial centre of the whole country. The city was first named Thang Long (*) by King Ly Thai To in 1010. Hanoi has been the capital of Vietnam ever since, except for one short period of time.
Hanoi still preserves almost 600 pagodas and temples, as well as numerous busy streets with an old architecture. So, despite the addition of very modern buildings, the city keeps its poetical features, with streets lined with long rows of secular trees, large parks covering dozens of hectares and numerous lakes.
In Hanoi, tourists can visit Ho Chi Minhs Mausoleum, One-Pillar Pagoda, Co Loa Citadel, Temple of Literature-Quoc Tu Giam (the first university in Vietnam), Quan Su Pagoda (Ambassadors Pagoda) considered as the official center of Buddhism, Thong Nhat Park and Thu Le Park, Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake.
Tourists can also make themselves acquainted with Vietnamese culture by visiting History Museum, Revolutionary Museum, Army Museum, and Museum of Fine Arts. Tourists can also visit some other interesting places close to Hanoi: Thay Pagoda and Tay Phuong Pagoda located in Ha Tay Province as well as Tam Coc Bich Dong in Ninh Binh Province, and so much more.
Ha Tay: Huong, Thay, and Tay Phuong Pagodas, as well as Dong Mo Golf Course
Phu Tho: Hung Temple, Ao Chau Pond
Vinh Phuc: Tam Dao Resort, Dai Lai Lake
Bac Ninh: Dau Pagoda, Dinh Bang Communal House, and Tho Ha Ceramic Village
Bac Giang: Suoi Mo Waterfall, Khuon Than Tourist Area.
Hung Yen: Hien Ancient Street
Hai Duong: Con Son Historical Area, Kiep Bac Temple
Ha Nam: Ngu Dong Son Grottoes, Ba Danh Pagoda, Long Doi Pagoda
Nam Dinh: Pho Minh Temples, Phu Day Relics, Tran Kings Temple
Thai Binh: Keo Pagoda, Bach Thuan Garden, Dong Chau Beach
Ninh Binh: Tam Coc Bich Dong, Phat Diem Church, Dinh Le Temples
Hoa Binh : Mail Chau valley, Kim Boi Hot Springs
