Area : 921 sq. kilometers
Population (1997): 2,356,500
Average annual temperature: 23.4^oC

Districts: Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung, Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Tay Ho, Cau Giay, Thanh Xuan and five rural districts: Tu Liem, Gia Lam, Dong Anh, Thanh Tri, Soc Son.

Hanoi is the political, economical, cultural, and tourist center of the country.

Hanoi is located in the Red River Delta, in the center of North Vietnam. It was founded in 1010 under the reign of Ly Cong Uan King.

The tropical monsoon climate is divided into the rainy and dry seasons. The most distinctive characteristic of Hanoi’s climate is the fluctuations between the cold and hot seasons.

Hanoi still preserves plenty of ancient architectural works comprising the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas. Tens of hectares of lakes lie intertwined between the streets, the largest ones being Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, and Truc Bach Lake. Many traditional handicrafts are also practiced in Hanoi including bronze molding, silver carving, lacquer, and embroidery.

Other famous sites include the One Pillar Pagoda (built in 1042), the Temple of Literature (built in 1070), the Tay Phuong Pagoda, which is very famous for its collection of statues, and Lenin Park.

More details about Hanoi can be found here in Hanoi Web site on Vietnam Tourism Site.