Ba Dinh square is the largest square in Vietnam, Tran Quoc is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, and Nhat Tan bridge is Vietnam’s largest cable suspension bridge. These are among five places with interesting little-known facts, within the capital city.
Turtle Tower: The only turtle tower in Vietnam
Turtle Tower is a must-see place for visitors to Hanoi. (Photo: danviet.vn)
The Turtle Tower stands on a 350 sq. m islet, rising up in the middle of Hoan Kiem (Sword) lake in downtown Hanoi. It was built with harmony between French and Vietnamese architectural styles. The four-storey tower has three arches on each of the eastern and western sides and two other arches on both the southern and northern sides.
Together with Ngoc Son Temple and the Pen Tower, Turtle Tower is a must-see place for visitors to Hanoi.
Ba Dinh Square: The largest square in Vietnam
Ba Dinh square hosts several marches during major national holidays and festivals. (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)
Located on Hung Vuong Street, in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square is the largest square in Vietnam, measuring 320 metres in length and 100 metres in width. At the centre of the square stands a 25-metre flag pole flying Vietnam’s national flag,
It was the place where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, on September 2, 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The square hosts several marches during major national holidays and festivals. It is also a popular tourist attraction in the city.
Tran Quoc Pagoda: The oldest pagoda in Hanoi
Tran Quoc pagoda was named among the most beautiful Buddhist temples in the world in 2016 (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)
Located on an eastern island of West Lake in Tay Ho district, Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi at more than 1,500 years old. The pagoda is distinguished by its natural landscape, historical and architectural values.
Tran Quoc Pagoda was the centre of Buddhism in Thang Long imperial city (now Hanoi) during the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225) and the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400).
With the design like a blooming lotus on the water, the pagoda was named among the most beautiful Buddhist temples in the world by the UK news website Daily Mail in 2016.
Nhat Tan bridge: The largest cable suspension bridge in Vietnam
Nhat Tan bridge (Photo: hanoitv.vn)
Nhat Tan bridge runs the length of 8.9 kilometres over the Red River and has five spans, representing the capital's five ancient gates.
The inauguration of the six-lane bridge has helped to facilitate the development strategy of Noi Bai airport and contributed to improving the capital’s transport system.
Ho Hoan Kiem street: The shortest street in Hanoi
Less than 52 metres long, Ho Hoan Kiem Street is the shortest street in Hanoi (Photo: danviet.vn)
Less than 52 metres long, Ho Hoan Kiem Street is the shortest street in Hanoi. It connects Cau Go Street and Dinh Tien Hoang Street, looking toward Hoan Kiem lake.
As it is too short, many visitors think it is an unnamed shortcut to the lake. The street is known for savoury street food.