Hanoi is attractive to both domestic and foreign tourists for it is an
 ancient
capital endowed with many natural sceneries as well as its easy access by
different means of transport. The city is well-known for its brown-coloured,
tiled roof houses and more than 600 pagodas.
Almost 1,000 years have passed since its foundation, but a number of
ancient buildings are still standing.
Exploring Hanoi, visitors cannot help exploring its museums, opera house,
and French-style villas in the centre of the capital. For many
holidaymakers, Hanoi's architecture is unique though simple. Historical
sites that one should not miss when visiting the quiet and pure capital
include the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh, the lotus-shaped One-Pillar
Pagoda (built in 1042), Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (the Temple of Literature and
the first University of Vietnam constructed in 1070).
Hotels Hanoi
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 Sofitel
Metropole Hotel Hanoi *****
Hotel Sofitel Metropole Hanoi is located right in the heart of the capital,
within walking distance of the administrative, business and retail centres
and close to the prestigious Opera House.
Restaurants, art galleries and handicraft shops can be found within easy
reach from the hotel. |
Hanoi is also famous for flower villages such as Ngoc Ha flower village,
Nghi Tam and Quang Ba kamquat villages, and Nhat Tan peach blossom village.
All these sites have been a source of aspiration for many writers, poets,
and music composers who have a deep love for Hanoi.
Traditional trade villages such as Ngu Xa bronze casting village and Bat
Trang ceramic village also form part of Hanoi. Those villages produce
various handicrafts and products that have won the hearts of consumers
worldwide.
Many tourists have named Hanoi the "green city" as many of its streets
are lined with trees of both local and exotic species, some of which were
planted as early as at the beginning of the 20th century.
Hanoi now looks more charming than ever with more than 300 flower gardens
and verdant public parks, fountains, and many lakes which have a combined
acreage of 10ha and are scattered in the inner parts in the city, such as
the Tay (West) Lake and the Hoan Kiem (Restored Sword) Lake.
With its unique beauty and a thousand years of culture, Hanoi has drawn
more and more visitors who come all year round. Many foreign visitors have
returned for a second time to enjoy the hospitality, friendliness, and
dynamism of Hanoians and the calmness of the city itself.
Hanoi has also attracted an ever greater number of tourists to come for
the worldwide-renowned water puppet show, traditional festivals of
handicraft villages, such as the Le Mat and Trieu Khuc festivals, and food
specialities, such as Pho (noodle soup served with beef or chicken), Cha Ca
(grilled fish fillet served with fish paste), Banh Cuon Thanh Tri (steamed
rolls made of rice flour, glean meat pie), and Banh Com (sticky young rice)
in Vong village.
Home to six railways routes, eight land routes and an international
airport, the capital city boasts a great advantage in transport and
communications, giving visitors access to varied and available means of
transport to different places of interest inside and outside the city.
To cater for visitors' accommodation, Hanoi has to date around 360 hotels
of assorted sizes, providing nearly 8,000 rooms which meet international
standards. It is home to 200 international and local travel companies with a
total of 1,000 tourist guides and more than 1,500 cars capable of serving a
great number of visitors.
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