| Area and people | 3,359.82 km²; about 8.8 million residents; second most populous city in Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Capital since | 1010, when Ly Thai To moved the capital to Dai La and named it Thang Long |
| Imperial Citadel of Thang Long | recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on 1 August 2010 (Vietnam time) |
| Temple of Literature | built 1070; the Quoc Tu Giam school beside it was founded in 1076, regarded as Vietnam’s first university |
| Hoan Kiem Lake | about 12 ha; Turtle Tower built 1884 to 1886; Ngoc Son Temple on the north side |
| City for Peace | title given by UNESCO on 16 July 1999 |
Things to Do in Hanoi – A Blend of Culture, History & Modern Life
Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital, on the Red River delta. Colonial and modern buildings stand side by side with cafes and galleries.
Hanoi shows Chinese, French and Vietnamese influences. The Old Quarter has Buddhist temples, and the French Quarter has elegant villas and the Hanoi Opera House.
Street markets such as Thanh Ha and Dong Xuan sell local dishes, from banh xeo to egg coffee, and Parisian-style cafes are part of local culture.
Early mornings bring fresh markets, park exercise classes and the flag-raising ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The Temple of Literature is a symbol of Confucian learning in the center of the city.
The Hotel Metropole keeps a preserved bomb shelter from the war years, and a bia hoi corner is a casual place to try fresh draft beer.
The old capital in brief
After taking the throne in 1009 at Hoa Lu, Ly Thai To moved the capital to Dai La in 1010. A popular legend says he saw a dragon rise there and named the new capital Thang Long, “rising dragon”. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a complex of remains from the Dinh, Early Le, Ly, Tran, Le and Nguyen periods, was recognized as a World Heritage Site on 1 August 2010. Most surviving buildings date from after Gia Long’s rebuilding in 1802 or were cleared by the French for barracks.
Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 under Ly Thanh Tong, with statues of Confucius, the Duke of Zhou and the four disciples, and it also served as a royal school whose first pupil was the crown prince. In 1076 Ly Nhan Tong set up the Quoc Tu Giam beside it, which Vietnamese sources call the first university in the country. The complex has five courtyards separated by walls, and the stone steles of doctoral graduates there are called a stone history of unusual value. Students still come before exams to ask for luck.
Hoan Kiem Lake and the old quarter
Hoan Kiem Lake is a natural freshwater lake of about 12 hectares in the center of Hanoi, connecting the Old Quarter’s trade streets with the French quarter laid out over a century ago. The name refers to the legend that Le Loi returned a magic sword to a golden turtle. The Turtle Tower stands on an islet in the lake and was built between 1884 and 1886 in a French-influenced style; the Ngoc Son Temple is on the north side. We have not verified opening hours or prices here, so check them before you go.
Sources (read in Vietnamese, Vietnamese Wikipedia): Hà Nội, Hoàng thành Thăng Long, Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, Hồ Hoàn Kiếm. Last checked November 2026.
Hanoi: FAQ
When did Hanoi become the capital?
In 1010, when Ly Thai To moved the capital to Dai La and named it Thang Long.
When was the Temple of Literature built?
In 1070. The Quoc Tu Giam school next to it followed in 1076.
Is the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long a World Heritage Site?
Yes. UNESCO recognized it on 1 August 2010.
How big is Hoan Kiem Lake?
About 12 hectares.
What is the Turtle Tower?
A small tower on an islet in Hoan Kiem Lake, built between 1884 and 1886.