Hanoi sits on the banks of the Red River. It is a beautiful city
which retains an air of French colonial elegance, featuring a
unique mix of French and Asian flavors in its architecture
and
landscaping. In the middle of the city lies the peaceful Hoan
Kiem ake (Lake of the Restored Sword) with the 18th-century
Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain Temple) sitting on an island in
the centre of the lake. To the north of Hoan Kiem Lake is the
Old Quarter, a fascinating maze of small antiquated streets
lined with markets and pavement restaurants and cafés.
There are a number of interesting pagodas in Hanoi. The most
legendary being The One Pillar Pagoda, first constructed in
1049, was built to resemble a lotus flower - the symbol of purity
rising out of a sea of sorrow.
About 160km from Hanoi, near the port of Haiphong, is Halong
Bay. This is an amazing complex of 3000 chalk islands rising
out of the South China Sea - a sight to behold. |
