Introduction
The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is the second largest city in the country, after Ho Chi Minh City. Hanoi is located about 85 miles (140 kilometers) inland from the South China Sea on the western bank of the Red River. The city is unusual in that it has many lakes within its limits. Modern Hanoi is a mix of historic buildings and new skyscrapers.
Places of interest
Hanoi has many tree-lined streets, lakes, parks, and colorful markets. Some of the city's historic sites were destroyed by French attacks in the late 1800s and American bombs in the 1960s and 1970s during the Vietnam War. However, some old buildings remain. One of the most well-known historic sites is Van Mieu, or the Temple of Literature. This temple complex was dedicated to the Chinese philosopher Confucius. Built in about 1070 AD, Van Mieu was home to the first university in Vietnam. Another important site is the Mot Cot (One-Pillar) Pagoda, built in the 11th century. Mot Cot was reconstructed in 1954 after being burned down by French troops.
Hanoi also has many important historical sites and museums. One of the most popular is Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh was the president of North Vietnam for more than 20 years. In his mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh's preserved body is on display. The Revolutionary Museum illustrates Vietnam's struggles against outside groups, and the Vietnamese Women's Museum has displays on women's lives and history in Vietnam. Among the city's scenic lakes are Hoan Kiem, Bay Mau, and Ho Tay. Of these, Hoan Kiem is the best known because it has an island in it that houses a temple.
Economy
Hanoi is a major center for government, services, and industry. Many people work in government offices, banks, and private business offices, while others are industrial workers. The city's factories make foods, drinks, electrical machinery, cloth, wood, chemicals, and many other products. However, despite the city's economic strength, many of its people are poor and have trouble meeting their basic needs.
History
People have lived in and around the Hanoi area since prehistoric times. Ly Thai To, the first ruler of the Ly dynasty (1009–1225 AD) of Vietnam, made Hanoi the capital in 1010. For the next 800 years Hanoi fought off various groups of invaders. It remained the capital of Vietnam until 1802. That year, the Nguyen dynasty made the city of Hue the country's capital.
French troops attacked and took over Hanoi in the late 1800s. In 1902 the French made Hanoi the capital of French Indochina. They were interested in the city because it was on an important trade route and close to southern China. The French constructed many buildings and made improvements to the city during their rule. Japanese troops occupied the city from 1940 to 1945 during World War II. In August 1945, following the Japanese surrender, Ho Chi Minh took power in Hanoi. However, in 1946 the French returned and ruled Hanoi and other parts of Vietnam. The Vietnamese fought the French until 1954, when they won a major battle and the French left Vietnam.
During the period 1954–76, Hanoi was the capital of North Vietnam. The United States bombed Hanoi extensively during the Vietnam War, when the Communist North Vietnam tried to take over non-Communist South Vietnam. After the war, in 1976, North Vietnam extended its control over all of Vietnam, and Hanoi remained the capital.
During the 1980s, food was scarce, making rice shortages and starvation common in Hanoi. In the 1990s, the government began to relax its control of businesses, attracting investors from Europe and the United States to the city. By the early 21st century, Hanoi was becoming a popular tourist destination. Population (1992 estimate), 1,073,760.
