Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2013 was estimated at 3.1 million for urban districts, 7.3 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. it is estimated that there are more than 4 million mortorbikes
in the city.
A great place to explore on foot, there is a lot to see and do here. Vietnam's capital lies on the banks of the Red River, some 100 kilometres from its mouth. Human settlements here date back as far as the 3rd century BC.
Previously
known as Thang Long, it was renamed Hanoi in 1831 at a time when Hue was the capital. Large areas of present-day Hanoi were built during the French occupation, reflected in its broad boulevards and French-inspired architecture, which give the city a definite
charm.
A mass of motorbikes swarms through the tangled web of streets that is the Old quarter, a cauldron of commerce for almost 1000 years and still the best place to check the pulse of this resurgent city. Hawkers in conical hats
ply their wares, locals sip coffee and bia hoi (beer) watching life (and plenty of tourists) pass them by. Witness synchronised t’ai chi at dawn on the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake while goateed grandfathers tug at their
wisps over the next chess move.