One of the far most South-East Asian country, Vietnam has been an attractive tourist destinations around the world. With a hot tropical and humid climate in the country throughout the year, it has been famous to people for it’s food, the geography and the scenic beauty of the Terraced rice fields through the country’s valleys.
- The city of Hanoi.
The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has been an imperial city of Vietnam and tourism in Hanoi has been an important featured destination for travelers.
I. Hoàn Kiếm Lake
The Hoàn Kiếm Lake is a lake in the historical center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. The lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life. Throughout thousands of years of geographical changes, the lake moved eastward to its present position kilometers from the river. Before the famous historical legend of King Le Loi here, Hoan Kiem Lake used to be called Luc Thuy Lake (or Green Water Lake) since the water was green all the year round. In 15th century, it was named Hoan Kiem Lake after the legend of Emperor Le Thai To, which is somehow similar to the story of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake’s.
What could not be missed in this beautiful complex is the Turtle Tower, which lies in the middle of the Lake, so as to remind Vietnamese people of the Turtle God of his great assistance. It was told that King Le Thanh Tong used to fish here. Lord Trinh also built the structure to house his entourage while visiting the lake.
II. One pillar Buddhist Pagoda
A reconstructed ancient Buddhist Temple is one pillar in the centre of an elegantly square shaped lotus pond, The One Pillar Pagoda is said to represent a lotus flower growing up out of the water.
The little temple is constructed from wood based on a single stone pillar crafted into the shape of a lotus blossom and has been rebuilt several times, most recently in 1955 when the base was destroyed during the French evacuation. The pagoda is often used as a symbol for Hanoi and remains one of the city’s most revered sights in a beautifully tranquil garden setting with benches provided for comfortable contemplation. The shrine inside the pagoda is dedicated to the Vietnamese Buddhist deity Quan Am with her effigy nestled inside the tiny three square metres temple.
III. Ba Dinh Square
Located to the west of Hanoi’s old city gates, until the early 20th century, Ba Dinh Square was a space with abandoned grounds, and newly-levelled ponds. The French had built a garden here named Puginier Round Point, also known as Round Square or Puginier flower garden (Puginier was the name of a priest).
Some office buildings and villas surrounded the Puginier flower garden. One of the earliest constructed buildings was the Governor’s Palace, built in 1902, which later was renamed the Presidential Palace