Fri 16th May 2008
Hanoi is located in the north of Vietnam, about 1000 kilometer north of Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnams capital city has a population of more than 3 million. It is a strange mix of an Asian capital --full of busy people-- and a communist capital -borad boulevards, ugly governmental institutions. Add a touch of French colonial architecture to that and you have quite a unique city, with a lot of charm.
The best place to start exploring the city is Hoan Kiem Lake. It is right in the center, on the island is a small temple.
There are many museums in town related to the hero of the nation : Ho Chi Minh. He is much more present here than in the city that was named after him -Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Warning to visitors of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: Don't wear red - it may be taken as an insult.
From Hanoi you can see the Halong bay one of the most beautiful area's of Vietnam as a daytrip, but it is worthwhile to spend some more time there.