Hanoi! The fabled Vietnamese metropolis that fused Chinese religion and Soviet communism to produce this tremendous mayhem of a city. The most charming facts about Hanoi are provided below, illuminating the capital’s unique vibe.
12 seasons of flowers
Giang Son, a singer, created the song “Hanoi 12 flower seasons” in honor of this beauty since it’s likely that each month in Hanoi has one specific variety of flowers in full bloom. Peach blossoms liven up the capital in January. Every street corner in February is covered with the purple blossoms of orchid trees. Easter lilies bloom in April, white “Sa” flowers (Dalbergia tonkinensis Prain) bloom in March, and scarlet flamboyant blooms and purple crape myrtles herald the arrival of summer in May.
In June, the West Lake is fragrant thanks to the lily season. Chinaberry flower first occurs in August, and dracontomelon blossom in July. In Hanoi, the milk flowers (Alstonia scholaris) and their passionate scent are considered to be the essence of fall. Purple asters and white daisies are in bloom in October and November, respectively. Golden canola flower clusters beside the Red River, which are in full bloom in December, symbolize the conclusion of the year.
36 streets
The 36 streets were originally given their names based on the items that were traded there, such as Hàng Gai (hemp ropes, jute ropes, etc.), Hàng Bồ (woven bamboo baskets), Chả Cá (fish cakes), Thuốc Bắc (medical herbs),… Although residents now use different trading strategies, certain streets, such as Thuốc Bắc Street and Hàng Bạc Street, still maintain the old customs. Because of how remarkable the Hanoi Old Quarter is, it frequently appears on the must-see lists of well-known foreign publications like the Telegraph, CNN, and Independent.
Egg coffees
Foodies rave about Hanoi, which The Guardian named one of the top 20 culinary destinations in the world. Egg coffee is the most distinctive dish on the list of things to try.
The majority of consumers adore this cocktail, according to Street Eats Hanoi moderator Mark Lowerson. They have trouble picturing how an egg might go with coffee when I describe it. I haven’t seen anyone object to the beverage. Even tourists who cannot drink coffee are astonished by the flavor of egg coffee, and the majority of customers want to return to experience it once again.
During the 2019 North Korea-US Hanoi summit, this customary beverage was proudly handed to visiting media. Giảng Đinh and Loading T were a few of the top destinations (as suggested by CNN).
The largest ceramic mural in the world
The “biggest ceramic mosaic mural in the world” title belongs to the almost 4-kilometer-long ceramic pathway that runs across the Red River dike system. The bold, colorful images that stick out on the busy streets are made entirely of porcelain tesserae from the Bat Trang hamlet. The mosaic depicts several eras in Vietnamese history. To commemorate Hanoi’s millennial anniversary, artists began working on the project in 2007 and finished it in 2010.
Train street
The Culture Trip, SCMP, and CNN all featured Train Street. Several times a day, the trains still pass through the roadway in proximity—barely out of reach. Locals take chances there and spend their lives on the tracks. Everyone rapidly gathers their belongings and takes a position to the side if they see the light signaling an approaching train. Life returns to normal once the train leaves since nothing unexpected happens.
The street is a distinctive feature of Hanoi and a popular spot for tourists to take photographs. On TripAdvisor, visitors to Train Street have used the terms “marvelous,” “one of a kind,” and “only in Vietnam.”
Although it is a desirable location, Hanoi’s government proposed closing in December 2019 to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors. Wayne Duncan’s picture.
Flower night markets
One of the top things to do in Hanoi that visitors advise is to visit Quảng Bá flower night market. This location was selected by CNN as one of the most breathtaking locales in the world to observe the Lunar New Year (or the Tet holiday).
The market is located in Hanoi’s Tay Ho neighborhood on Au Co street. It is one of the city’s biggest and oldest night markets. The market is open all through the night, with the busiest hours being between 1 and 3 in the morning when sellers, buyers, and moving vehicles make them… It draws visitors who come to see it and snap pictures.
The rising and lowering the national flag ceremony every day
Every day at 6 am and 9 pm, at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, visitors to Hanoi have the opportunity to see the ceremonial raising and lowering of the national flag. Once the speaker announces that the event is about to begin, a somber mood permeates the whole Ba Dinh plaza. All individuals, including those who are running or exercising, line up to see this sad ritual.
The first steel bridge across the Red River
Long Bien Bridge was built between 1899 and 1902 and is regarded as a historical witness. It is the first steel bridge across the Red River and was built by the same architect who created the Eiffel Tower. The bridge is 2,290 meters long. Nowadays, people still often cross the bridge on trains, motorcycles, and on foot.
A popular attraction for travelers in Hanoi is the bridge, which is brightly lit at night. The brightness is what most astonishes me. There isn’t the same kind of light here that you would see in other Southeast Asian cities. This area has such beautiful, subtle illumination. Because I believe it may collapse at any moment, the sensation of walking on the bridge is intriguing. Fear and adoration are experienced simultaneously. CNN received information from Swiss traveler Der Hagopian.
The city of lakes
Hanoi, which is roughly translated as “city inside rivers,” is situated along the Red River. Hanoi, which was built on lowlands between rivers, still has evidence of several rivers that formerly ran through it and created lakes inside the city. Among the most well-known lakes are Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Ho Thien Quang Lake, Truc Bach Lake, Bay Mau Lake, and Thu Le Lake. When in Hanoi, these lakes are peaceful locations to visit to escape the city’s bustle. An interesting fact about Hanoi is that even the locals frequently refer to it as the “city of lakes.”
The French Colonial Architecture
Monuments, cafés, churches, and many more structures are only a few examples of Hanoi’s magnificent French colonial architecture. Six million Vietnamese still adhere to Catholicism, which the French introduced to the country. Therefore, French colonization had a significant influence, which is seen in the stunning architecture that now reflects those periods of Hanoian history. The National Museum of Vietnamese History, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, Long Bien Bridge, and the Hanoi Opera House are just a handful of the numerous structures that display French architectural influence. These are some of the most well-liked tourist destinations in Hanoi at the moment.
Conclusion
The most fascinating information about Hanoi, the well-known capital of Vietnam, may be found in the following paragraphs. So why do you still wait? Pack your bags and travel to a wonderful city, which offers vibrant nightlife, amazing food, a rich history, and all that is lovely.
