Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is usually celebrated due to its centuries -old architecture, wealthy culture and life -bustling old district. Tourists know this as a energetic city stuffed with motorcycles, Pho stalls and French colonial charm.
However, under the known surface lies many less known facets of Hanoi, which reveal the complexity of the town, history and quiet secrets. Here are some things about Hanoi, which can surprise even experienced travelers.
Under the streets there’s an underground air defense system
Few visitors realize that there’s a network of war shelters and bunkers under Hanoi streets. During the war in Vietnam (known locally as an American war), Hanoi was heavily bombed. To protect its residents and state officials, the town has developed an underground defense system, including bomb shelters under the essential buildings similar to Hotel Metropole.
These tunnels and bunkers have been kept secret for many years, only newly discovered and open to the general public lately. The shelters are frozen but fascinating reminders of the town’s immunity and ingenuity through the war.
Long Bridge was designed by Eiffla
In Red River Long Bridge, it’s a rusty steel relic, often overshadowed with modern bridges and highways. However, many have no idea that the bridge was designed by Daydé & Pilé, an organization founded by the identical Gustave Eiffel, which designed the Eiffel Tower.
Completed in 1903 within the French colonial period, Long Bridge was once considered a miracle of Southeast Asia engineering. Today, it serves as a historic landmark and a logo of Hanoi’s everlasting connections along with his colonial past.
Hanoi lakes are steeped in myth and legend
While Lake Hoan Kiem is known for its central location and legend of the magic sword, many other Hanoi lakes are related to equally fascinating myths. For example, West Lake (Tây Hồ), the most important freshwater city, is related to several ancient stories, including stories about drowned palaces, a golden buffalo and haunting ghosts.
Locals imagine that these lakes are spiritually significant and function the town’s energy guards, faith rooted in ancient Vietnamese concept of geomance or Feng shui.
There is a street dedicated only to bookstores
Located quietly near Lake Hoan Kiem, đinh Lễ Street is usually called “Hanoi’s Book Street”. It is lined with small bookstores selling all the pieces, from classic Vietnamese literature to contemporary fiction and academic texts.
While many cities have literary horns, đinh Lễ is exclusive due to the intimate, atmosphere based on the community. Locals often gather here to browse, talk and even debate the books, reflecting the Hanoi page, which was hardly ever seen in tourist brochures – is an mental and literary spirit.
The city is the host of a hidden mosaic, which is certainly one of the longest on the earth
Running along Red River Dike, Hanoi ceramic mural extends to almost 4 kilometers and was accomplished in 2010 on the a thousandth anniversary of the town. What makes him extraordinary is that he was created from ceramic works from traditional craft villages throughout Vietnam.
Despite the worldwide record length, many visitors omitted it completely, since it is situated along a heavy road and isn’t a part of the City Tours standard. However, for individuals who search for it, he offers a colourful, vast visual narrative of Vietnamese culture and folklore.
Train Street isn’t only on Instagram, it is a living district
Train Street, where the railway track runs narrowly between the rows of residential buildings, has turn out to be a viral destination of social media. But it is usually forgotten that this area is a working district. People have lived here for generations, and trains still move only from their door.
Everyday life lasts, children are playing, families cook, and the laundry hangs over their heads, and trains several times a day. It is a energetic illustration of how Hanoans adapted to their urban environment with creativity and immunity.
