Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is named by the King Le Loi - The first king of Late Le Dynasty in Vietnam. The name means "Lake of the Returned Sword" alluding to the legend that Le Loi King received a magic sword and became the winner in the war with the Ming invader (Chinese now), after the war he returned the sword for a golden turtle at this lake. Therefore, in the small island at the center of the lake has a tower named “Turtle tower”. The highlight of Hoan Kiem lake is a graceful red-painted wooden bridge. The bridge link to Ngoc Son temple in Ngoc Son island.
Nowadays, Hoan Kiem lake becomes a social and cultural center of Hanoian. Coming to Hoan Kiem lake, you can see the couples taking wedding photos, walking people, and many foreign tourists. This is also the center to launch firework on the major national holidays especially is Tet holiday (New year eve in Lunar calendar).
Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature is a 1,000-year-old temple also the first university of Vietnam. It was built in 1070 under Ly dynasty to worship Confucius, his four students and Chu Van An - A very famous teacher of Vietnam. Nowadays it is added the altars of 3 kings that built and developed this temple.
The Temple of Literature has five courtyards from south to north, divided into three pathways running through the Temple's length. In the past, the center way was for the King only, and two other ways were for the mandarins.
The architecture of Temple of Literature is the traditional typical type. Especially, there are many stone steles put on turtle backs that wrote about the capacitors of the country during the dynasties. It is the value document for history and culture. Each year, before the national examination, many students come here to worship and ask for a good examination.
Hanoi old quarter
Hanoi old quarter has been the center of this capital city from 10 century. Nowadays, it still be the most developed part of the city. The old quarter is a maze of streets. Almost streets here have a typical name with the word “hang” means “shop” first, each street sale an unique product and the second word of the name is the name of product that sold at the street.
You can find anything you want at this old quarter, from the luxury restaurants with the European dishes to the street vendors with local foods, from 5 stars hotels to the motels, from tailor shops to souvenir shops…
Ho Chi Minh mousoleum
Ho Chi Minh or Uncle Ho was the president of Vietnam who led Vietnamese people to defeat French colonialist and American imperialist. He had a aspiration after passing away, he would be cremated and his ashes would be spread across the country. But because of loving him and wishing him stay together with the country, Vietnamese people built this mausoleum and protected his body here. Each day, hundreds of local people and foreigners visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to see a very famous world cultural celebrity, one of the most influential people to the world in 20th century, a the great leader of Vietnam and show the respect to him.
Near by the mausoleum is Presidential palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt house, Ho Chi Minh museum and One pillar pagoda. Visiting this place, you will be heard many interesting stories about Ho Chi Minh.
Hoa Lo prison
Hoa Lo prison or “Hilton prison” was built in 1880s by French. Before, it was built to imprison and torture Vietnam patriotic people. After 1954, North Vietnam was liberated, the prison became the place to keep the US soldier captured in the dropping bombs campaigns to destroy the northern Vietnam. Visiting Hoa Lo prison, you will know more about Vietnamese people, how they love there country, what did they do to protect the country. Sometimes, you can find the amazing things and hear amazing stories. The prison has the name “Hilton hotel” because for Vietnamese, it was a nightmare but for Us solders it was a luxury hotel with good food everyday, the games to play, the only girl in the prison even had a cat and flower to decorate her “room”.
Duong Lam ancient village
Duong Lam ancient village located in outskirt of Hanoi, it takes about 1 hour and a half from Hanoi to this small village. The village has the typical feature of an local village that not be effected by the modern life in the Hanoi prosperous capital. Almost the houses here were made from unique material: laterite. It gives Duong Lam an ancient beauty. This village also has temples and pagodas with traditional architecture.
Moon Garden Homestay is a small resort nearby Duong Lam village. Different from other resorts, this one has the traditional houses in traditional style as all other local houses. Moon Garden Homestay gives the guest the unique experience – the experience of a truly authentic Vietnam.
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