Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is located at 20° 25' latitude North and 105° 30' longitude East in the plains of North Vietnam, where there are many rivers flowing Eastwards to the sea. This is a convenient transport cluster for all the Northern provinces. The climate is tropical and is affected by monsoons. There are four seasons in Hanoi:

- Spring, from February to April; average temperature is from 15° to 20° C (59 ° -68° F), drizzle is frequent with wet weather. This is the season of the Lunar New Year holiday and many folk festivals.

- Summer, from May to August; average temperature is from 30° to 36° C (86 ° -97° F). There is a lot of rain and sunshine.

- Autumn, from September to November; average temperature is 25° to 36° C (75° - 97° F). It is cool, clear and dry. This is the best season in Hanoi, but is short, lasting no more than 50-60 days.

- Winter, from December to January; the temperature is the lowest, from 10° to 15° C (48° -59° F). The weather is cloudy and wet. The monsoons cause many phases of cold. The annual average rainfall in Hanoi is 1800 mm.

In the past, many rivers flowed through Hanoi, but they changed their currents from time to time, therefore the ground is mainly deposited alluvium and there are many lakes. These rivers and lakes give Hanoi a natural beauty. In the flood season, the water level of the largest rivers flowing through Hanoi (the Red River, the Duong, Nhue, Day Rivers) rises high. So from ancient times, the Vietnamese people have built thousands of kilometres of dykes by the river banks. Nowadays, in the city, some sections of the ancient dykes have become traffic roads.

Present day Hanoi comprises 7 inner districts and 5 suburban districts. Nevertheless, districts may be increased in number as the capital is developing fast together with the country. The 7 inner districts of Hanoi are:

- Hoan Kiem district: This is a trade, cultural and administrative centre. The Municipal People's Committee, the Central Bank and important state offices are located in this district. It also includes theatres, railway stations, markets and busy commercial streets. Two bridges link Hoan Kiem district with the other side of the Red River.

Hoan Kiem Lake in the centre of the district is considered the heart of the capital. Its ancient streets still keep deep imprints of Hanoi's millenary history, therefore they should be protected as historical relics.

- Ba Dinh district: Ba Dinh district is located South of West Lake, a zone where many highest state bodies and diplomatic offices are situated. The Mausoleum and Museum of Ho Chi Minh and the Hanoi old citadel are also located in this district. The Western part of this district is being reconstructed through large projects.

- Hai Ba Trung district is situated of Hoan Kiem lake including trade and administrative zones. It is now developing southwards, covering some industrial and population localities between the National Road 1 A and the Red river.

- Dong Da district. This is a Southwest expanded part of the city including many common living quarters, colleges, hospitals and factories built in the 1960s and 1970s. Large transport routes and multi-storey buildings are now under construction in this district and in the Southern part of Dong Da lake.

The districts of Tay Ho, Thanh Xuan and Cau Giay have recently been formed on the territory of the old districts and precincts to satisfy the development demands of the city. In these new districts, the construction tempo has increased on the Basis of the better planning.

The suburban districts of Tu Liem and Thanh Tri are located in the South of the city; Dong Anh and Soc Son districts are in the North; and Gia Lam districts are in the East. Formerly, these districts were agricultural areas, providing the capital with food and vegetables. At present, new factories, industrial and export processing zones are being established in this district.

For many centuries B.C, the Hanoi area was made by the Hung Kings the capital. At present, vestiges of the Co Loa citadel are found. This is the ancient capital's fortification of King An Duong Vuong, built in the third century B.C. In the 10th century, Vietnam gained independence after over 1000 years under the rule of the northern aggressors. In 1010, King Le Thai To moved the then capital from the inaccessible Hoa Lu area to the Dai La Citadel (present day Hanoi) as the latter was more convenient for production and trade. The King named the new capital "Thang Long", meaning "the soaring dragon" which, according to legend, was seen flying up from the citadel by the King and considered by himself as a good omen of prosperity. Nowadays, one may see in Hanoi architectural projects built in that time such as One-Pillar pagoda, Tran Vu temple, ancient university of Quoc Tu Giam-Van Mieu.

By the end of the 14th century, the Le dynasty weakened. Ho Quy Ly usurped the throne and moved the capital to Thanh Hoa, called "Tay Do" (the capital in the West). The old capital Thang Long was called the Dong Do citadel (the citadel in the East).

At the beginning of the 15th century, the national hero Le Loi defeated foreign aggressors and gave Thang Long Back the capital status with the new name of "Dong Kinh". Later, Western traders coming to Vietnam pronounced Dong Kinh as Tonkin or Tonquin which meant the whole North of Vietnam.

The remembrance of Le Loi's victory is connected with Hoan Kiem lake (Restored Sword) located in the centre of Hanoi. Legend has it that after the victory, Le Loi traveled by boat on the lake. A golden tortoise emerged from water surface and claimed back sword believed to have been given by God to Le Loi to resist the enemy.

At the beginning of the 16th century under the Mac Dynasty Dong Kinh regained the Thang Long name.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the Nguyen Dynasty moved the capital to Hue. Thang Long remained the capital of the Northern provinces.

In 1831, the Minh Mang King of the Nguyen Dynasty established Hanoi Province including Thang Long and some surrounding districts. The word Hanoi means "the land between rivers".

At the end of the 19 century Hanoi was occupied by the French and it became a colonial city for over half a century.

In August, 1945, Vietnam regained independence. On September 2, 1945 a mass meeting was held at Ba Dinh square. President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence promulgating the foundation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Ha Noi was made the capital of independent Vietnam.

In 1946, Hanoi was once again occupied by the French. At the end of 1954, the French army was defeated and withdrew from Vietnam but the country was divided into two parts. Hanoi was the capital of the North. Many industrial zones, factories, schools, enterprises, hospitals and theatres were built, making Hanoi a political, economic and cultural centre of the North.

In 1965, Hanoi was seriously damaged by American bombardments.

On April 30, 1975 Vietnam was fully liberated. In 1976 the newly elected National Assembly recognized Hanoi as the capital of the independent and reunited country of Vietnam. Since then, Hanoi has quickly developed into a political, economic and cultural centre of the whole country.

Hoan Kiem Lake. Considered the heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is its symbol. Ngoc Son temple on the lake is dedicated to the God of literature, General Tran Hung Dao, who defeated the Mongolian enemy in the 13th century and the Pitron Saint of physicians. A large tortoise carcass of 2.1 m long and 250kg heavy that lived some 400-500 years is still kept at the temple. Ngoc Son temple is linked with the Bank by a beautiful curved bridge called The Huc (Morning sunshine). Just at the beginning of the bridge is a stone brush tower. It is located on a small hillock with three carved Chinese characters "Ta Thanh Thien" (writing on the blue sky). At its foot is Dai Nghien (Ink-stab). Many central and municipal bodies as well as busy trade streets are located around Hoan Kiem Lake. In the centre of the Lake there is an islet where the Tortoise Tower stands. The monument of King Le Thai To is situated on the Western Bank of the lake.

Hanoi Old citadel. Hanoi Old Citadel was destroyed and restored many times. At present, only the Northern Gate of the citadel on Phan Dinh Phung street still remains. On its walls, there are traces of bullets left by the French army attacking Hanoi. On Dien Bien Phu street stands the Hanoi flag-tower (60m high), consisting of three layers made of Baked bricks. It was built in 1812 in a prism shape with spiral stairs leading to the platform. It is also a symbol of the capital. Inside Hanoi Old Citadel traces of the grounds of destroyed palaces still remain.

The Ba Dinh Square zone. This zone is situated south of West Lake and North of Hanoi Old Citadel and is well-known for the following historical sites:

- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It was opened on September 2, 1975, standing on the historical Ba Dinh square. This architectural structure has a rectangular form and evokes a lotus. Its upper part was made in the style typical of a traditional Vietnamese pagoda. The Mausoleum is opened daily for people coming to pay their homage to president Ho Chi Minh.

- Uncle Ho's (Ho Chi Minh) house-on-stilts. The house is located in the compound of the Presidential Palace ( former Residence of the Governor General of Tonkin). It is made from wood, in the style typical of the houses of mountain ethnic minorities. Next to the house are century old trees, by the side of a beautiful lake. President Ho Chi Minh lived, worked and hold meetings with top leaders from 1954 until he passed away in this house (September 1969).

- Ho Chi Minh Museum. This five-storey architectural project is situated behind Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It was opened on September 2, 1990 on the occasion of the 100th birthday of the President. In this Museum many objects and documents relating to Ho Chi Minh are kept.

The West Lake zone. West Lake has an area of over 800 hectares. It is a former section of the Red River. There are many legends about this lake. Formerly this lake was called "Dam Dam" (Misty lake). Around the lake, stand many palaces of feudal kings and lords. Numerous ancient and beautiful pagodas and temples are also seen in the surroundings of West Lake. In the old times, in the area around West lake there were craft villages specializing in paper and silk production, etc., and villages providing the city with flowers or vegetables. At present, many hotels, restaurants and villas have been built around the lake. In future, this place will be the recreation and tourist spot of Hanoi.

Principal pagodas and temples in Hanoi

- Mot Cot Pagoda (One pillar pagoda). This is what remains of an ancient and much more imposing pagoda. It was built in 1049 in the shape of a lotus flower. According to a legend, King Ly Thai To, who had no male offspring, once saw in a dream the Goddess of Compassion (Avalokitesvara) sitting on a lotus who handed a boy to him. The King later married a young peasant woman he had met by chance and a son was born to them. As a token of gratitude, he had the pagoda built and dedicated to the Goddess. It is a square pavilion (3x3m) on top of a cylindrical stone pillar (diameter: 1.25m).

- Quan Su Pagoda (Ambassadors' Pagoda). This is the most active Buddhist centre in Hanoi. In the 15th century, this was the site of the Guesthouse for Ambassadors coming from Buddhist countries, with a small pagoda nearby. The pagoda was rebuilt in 1936-42.

- Ba Da Pagoda (Pagoda of the Stone Lady). As the soil was being dug for the building of the citadel of Thang Long (ancient Hanoi), a stone statue of a woman was unearthed. A temple was built to be dedicated to her. It later became a pagoda. The temple dates back to the 15th century.

- Hai Ba Temple (Temple of the Two Ladies). This temple is dedicated to Trung Sisters. One can see in the sanctuary the statues of two women, kneeling with arms raised, as if addressing the people.

- Quan Thanh Temple (or Tran Vu) wrongly called "Pagoda of the Big Buddha" by the French colonialists. It was built by West Lake under the Ly Dynasty (1010-1225) and later reconstructed. Tran Vu was the God of the North. His attributes are a tortoise and a snake. A bronze statue (1677) is 3.72 metres high and weighs 4 tons. A bronze bell dates Back to 1677.

- Tran Quoc Pagoda by West Lake. A stele (1639) carries an inscription on the history of the pagoda. It was built probably on the site of an old royal summer palace.

- Van Mieu Temple (the Temple of Literature). Built in 1070. Later rebuilt. Dedicated to Confucius. It was also the first University in Vietnam (training scholars mandarins) which opened in 1076. It features quietness and harmony with the greenery surrounding it. There is Khue Van Pavilion, 82 stone steles bearing the names of the laureates of royal examinations held over a period of three hundred years (1484-1787).

- Voi Phuc Temple (Temple of Kneeling Elephants). According to a legend, it was built under the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong (1054-1072) and dedicated to Prince Ling Lang who defeated the Sung aggressors, attacking the enemy with his war elephants. Statues of Ling Lang and his men can be seen there.

- Co Loa Citadel (Spiral-shaped Citadel), in Dong Anh district, suburban area of Hanoi.

There are ruins of a fortified palace with walls arranged in a spiral that was built in the 3rd century B.C. to serve as the capital of King An Duong Vuong. Of the nine coils of the spiral, which covered an area of more than 5 square kilometers, there remain only the vestiges of three, which in certain places are now about 2 metres high and 15 metres wide. In the centre of the citadel some buildings with valuable sculptures, are still found such as temples dedicated to King An Duong Vuong and his daughter, Princess My Chau, whose love for her husband caused the fall of the kingdom.

Hanoi's museums

- Museum of the Revolution, No.25, Tong Dan Street. Various relics of the Vietnamese people's patriotic and revolutionary struggle.

- Museum of History, No. 1, Pham Ngu Lao Street. Rich collections of archaeological findings of great scientific and artistic value, including some relating to the era of the Hung kings, about 4,000 years ago represent the evolution of the Vietnamese nation.

- Museum of the Army, Dien Bien Phu Road. Great periods of the armed struggle of the Vietnamese people are reflected.

- Women's Museum. No.36, Ly Thuong Kiet Street. Here thousands of objects on historical tradition of Vietnamese women in the cause of building and safeguarding the country are displayed. Moreover, there is a special section dealing with the wholehearted support of world's women towards Vietnamese women.

- Museum of Fine Arts. No.68. Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. Artistic works of great value, ranging from bronze drums (first millennium B.C.) to sculptures, paintings, engravings, and lacquer works by contemporary artists are displayed, not to mention folk art.

- Opera House. The Hanoi Municipal Theatre also known as the Opera House was built by the French in 1911 after the architecture of Paris Opera House. This theatre is the stage for the most interesting and important performances in Hanoi.

- Labour's Culture Palace was built with the help of the Soviet Union, and inaugurated in 1985 on the site of the former Exhibition House. The large hall has 1200 seats and a round stage. The small hall has 250 seats. There are also many places reserved for 24 clubs with various activities.

- Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. The traditional water puppet shows are staged with original and interesting programs. It is a folk art particular to the people cultivating wet rice fields in North Vietnam. The artists hidden behind a curtain while immersed in water manipulate the puppets through an apparatus put under in the water surface, which serves as the stage.

- Traditional Art Club. Scenes from the most interesting Vietnamese traditional plays are sown here.

- The Cathedral of Hanoi (St. Josheph's Church), built in 1886 in Gothic style, is the most beautiful and largest church in Hanoi. Near the Cathedral is the office of Hanoi's bishop, and in front of it is the Madonna Monastery.

- Cua Bac Church. Its architecture is slightly influenced by that of Vietnamese pagoda and temple.