According to Loverists, Hanoi is an ancient city, the political, economic and cultural center of the state. The city began its rapid development in the 11th century, when around the citadel of Thang Long (“Citadel of the Descending Dragon”), where Emperor Li Kong Wang moved his capital. Today it is one of the most interesting cities in Southeast Asia – wide European-style avenues and skyscrapers, many lakes, parks and fountains, interspersed with hundreds of colonial mansions and pagodas. Stretching for almost 15 km. along the Red River (Song Hong), the city is divided into seven central districts (“kwan”), surrounded by outlying districts (“hyuen”), most of which appeared after the 70s. 10th century The charming “Old Quarter” or “36 Pho Phuong” (“36 streets”) is today a hodgepodge of narrow streets,
The capital itself is literally full of sights of history – the Chua Mot Kot pagoda (“pagoda on a pillar”, 1049), the Bach Ma temple (“White Horse Temple”, IX century), the Kot Ko tower (“Flag”, 1812) are interesting.), the largest lake of the capital – Ho Tai (“Western”), along the banks of which there are many buildings of the era of emperors, a dam on Tran Kuang Khai Street (1100), Hoan Kiem Lake (“Lake of the Returned Sword”) with the Ngon pagoda Son (“Temple of the Jade Mountain”), the Thap Ryu Tower (“Turtle Tower”) on the tiny islands and the Huk Bridge (“Temple of the Rising Sun”), the tomb of Kinh Thien (part of the imperial “Forbidden City”, XI century), the remains of an ancient the defensive system of the capital – Quan Thanh and Quan Truong Gate (XVII century),An Duong Vuong monument complex on the site of the ancient capital of the country of the same name (Dong Anh metropolitan area), Tran Quoc pagoda (the oldest religious building of the capital, VI century), St. Joseph Cathedral (1886), Kwan Su pagoda (Ambassadors, XVII c.), as well as numerous bridges and bridges, the most famous of which are the Long Bien pedestrian bridge (the oldest in the capital – 1902, length 1682 m.), Chong Duong and Thang Long.
Only 160 km. from Hanoi, lies the famous Halong Bay (“the place where the dragon descended into the sea”) – perhaps the main and most beautiful attraction of the country (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site). This is an amazing complex of 3,000 tiny rocky islands, which are picturesquely scattered across the sea over an area of more than 1,500 square meters. km, surrounded by tiny beaches and indented with bizarre caves and grottoes (Hang Dou Go – “Stone Pillar Grotto”, Hang Trong – “Drum”, Tien Kung, Bonau, Hangkhan cave, etc.).
The most colorful islands are Cat Ba (National Park), Truong Sa, Hoang Sa, Zeu (Reu), Tuan Chau (here is the former summer residence of Ho Chi Minh, on the basis of which a luxurious tourist complex is being built), “Dragon”, “Boat”, “Sail “, Ngokwung and Yeng Tu rock. Wandong is also interesting – the oldest trading port in Southeast Asia, as well as numerous historical sites scattered throughout the bay.
You can get to the islands only by boats or boats that go here from the ports of Ha Long and Bai Chau (western district of Ha Long city).
hue – the capital of the last emperors of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945), one of the cultural, religious and educational centers of Vietnam, the third largest city in South Vietnam, and also one of the most interesting cities in the country. The imperial palaces, the walls of the Citadel (“Kinh Thanh”, 1804-1821) with the Mangka Fort (still used as a military base) and many gates, the Tai Hoa Palace (“Palace of Supreme Harmony”), “Nine of the Holy Weapons”, the forbidden Purple City (“Dai Noi” or “Tu Kam Thanh”, almost destroyed during the storming of the city by American troops in 1968), Tien Mu pagoda (Linmu, 1601) with the Thap Phuoc Duyen tower (1844 g.) and the famous bell Dai Hong Chung (1710, weight more than 2 tons), the Museum of Emperors (“Bao Tang Ku Wat”, 1845
The famous “Tombs of the Emperors” deserve special attention with the tombs of Tu Duc (1864-1867), Kien Fuca, Min Mang (1841-1843), La Zhi Long (1814), Dong Han (1888-1923), Hai Dinh (1920-1931), Tew Tree and others (located outside of Hue), Hoaquiem Temple (6 km south of Hue), the famous Dongba market (the country’s best traditional conical headdresses are sold here headdresses) and many other architectural structures and historical monuments, thanks to which Hue is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
South of Hue lies the Museum City of Hoi An – one of the centers of the Great Silk Road, the capital of the ancient state of Champa (II-X centuries) and one of the largest ports of its time. The Chinese and Japanese quarters, the intricacies of narrow streets, many temples (including the famous Kuan Kong), Caodai Pagoda, Phyoklam (XVII century) and Chuk Thanh (1454), Nha Tho Tok Truong and Tok Chan chapels, numerous “Meeting Halls” of Chinese communities, the famous Japanese covered bridge (Kou Nhat Ban or Lai Vien Kieu, 16th century) and the Japanese cemetery, mansions of merchant communities and entire areas of colonial architecture (844 buildings of historical significance in total).
Noteworthy nearby Ngu Nan Son (“Marble Mountains”, 18 km north of Hoi An), which are named after the five elements of nature – Kim Son (“metal”), Mok Son (“wood”), Hoa Son (“fire”), Tho Son (“earth”) and Thau Son (“water”). Here you can get acquainted with such historical monuments as Tam Thai pagoda (1825), numerous grottoes (Van Thong, Tang Chon, etc.), Linh Ung pagoda and cave Hindu sanctuaries.
40 km. from Hoi An lie the ruins of the ancient capital of the state of Champa – My Son (Mi Son), listed, like Hoi An, in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Other ancient capitals of Vietnam are also attractive: Koloa (the capital of the Thuc dynasty, 257-208 BC), Meling – the capital of Queen Chang (40-43 BC),(939-1009 AD) and others.
All 12 ancient capitals of Vietnam have their own interesting history and many historical and cultural monuments, they are excellent places for tourism.
Nha Trang is a beautiful seaside resort located almost in the very center of the country, in the province of Khanh Hoa. Despite the proximity of large industrial enterprises, Nha Trang is one of the best holiday destinations in the country.
The symbol of the city is a huge Buddha statue (Kim Than Fat To, 1963) on top of a hill, also interesting are the San Bong Bridge, the Long Son Pagoda (Tinh Hoi Khanh Hoa or Nam Fat Hoc Hoi, 19th century), the active temples of Po Nagar Cham Towers (“Tyamov Towers”, VII-XII centuries), Gothic Cathedral (residence of the Bishop of Nha Trang, 1928-1933), the ruins of the Dien Khanh citadel (11 km west of Nha Trang, 1793), the only institute of oceanography in Vietnam with the best aquarium countries, Che Island, the picturesque Hon Chong Cape and Mount Nui Kotien (Magic Mountain), the three-stage Ba Ho Waterfall, the “magic spring” Suoi Tien, numerous mineral and mud springs, Han Ho Fu Dong Park and Long Son Pagoda (5 km northwest cities).