Spend a family vacation in Hanoi as you tour around the city’s History Museum and the crystalline Hoan Kiem Lake. The lake represents the spiritual heart of the city. It derived its name from a legend involving emperor Le Thai To who came across a giant tortoise while cruising on the lake. The tortoise took his sword with which he had secured victory against the Chinese aggressors of the Minh Dynasty. The emperor named the lake after this episode. Visit the Ngoc Son Pagoda, which was built in the 19th century on a small island on Hoan Kiem Lake. Vietnam’s literary genius, Saint Van Xuong was worshiped in this temple along with Tran Hung Dao, a national hero who led Vietnamese people to victory over Chinese and Mongolian invaders.
Get a slice of Vietnam’s history at the Hanoi History Museum, which displays centuries old relics that marked the country’s historical developments.
Also visit the One Pillar Pagoda, an architecturally-unique example of Vietnam’s pagodas. First built in 1049 during the Ly Dynasty, the pagoda is in the shape of a blooming lotus. Find out the interesting story behind the lotus shape of the pagoda!
You’ll also visit the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 by King Ly Thanh Tong to pay tribute to education and high academic achievers. Six years later, it became Hanoi’s first university. Explore Vietnam’s traditions and admire the city’s architectural splendors in this family vacation in Hanoi.