1000 years of Hanoi

03Oct10

Whenever I hear the name Hanoi, I often think about something really exotic and mysterious. Even though many people around the world (or at least, those raised in the Hollywood movies tradition) see Vietnam as a jungle ravished by the war, let us not forget that almost half a century has passed since the US-Vietnamese wars and that this Asian country has some of the biggest and most fascinating cities on the continent. With its crammed streets, scooters and neon lights, Hanoi in one of the liveliest cities you will ever have the chance to encounter. And just like any metropolis around the world, Hanoi is charmingly cosmopolitan: you can find together the cute Vietnamese girl wearing an Ao Dai, a skyscraper, a French bistro and a McDonalds. From a cultural perspective, Hanoi is the kind of city where you could spend weeks just discovering the art pieces, architecture and lifestyle. Last, but not least, Hanoi just celebrated its 1000th anniversary two days ago. A millennium is not an age that one can ignore, so the Hanoi administration is making sure that everything is made with style. For a few key facts and travel tips regarding this celebrated Asian capital, don’t hesitate to take a look at this Hanoi Travel Guide.