Hanoi, with an estimated population of 3,500,000, is the capital of Vietnam
.
The city is located on the right bank of the Red River, in the centre of North
Vietnam.
Hanoi is the heart of a thriving modern, country and its economic, cultural
and political centre.
For about a thousand years, the capital was called Thang Long, then changing
to Dong Do, Dong Kinh, and finally, in 1831, to Hanoi, in 1831 which means “the
hinterland between the rivers”.
The city became the Vietnam capital in the 7th century. It was occupied by the
French in 1873 and passed to them ten years later. From 1902 to 1953 Hanoi was
the capital of French Indochina.
In 1940, the city was occupied by the Japanese and was liberated five years
later when it became the seat of Vietnam's government. From 1946 to 1954, it
was the scene of heavy fighting between the French and Viet Minh forces. After
1954 Hanoi became the capital of North Vietnam and following the 1975 events
it became the capital of the unified country.
Today, Hanoy is a modern city full of charm, with remarkable colonial architecture,
large shady avenues, and numerous lakes and gardens.
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