Hanoi is situated in the Red River Delta, at the heart of North Vietnam. As the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Hanoi is the center of culture, politics, economy, and trade for the entire country.
Throughout its eventful history, marked by destruction, wars, and natural calamities, Hanoi has preserved many ancient architectural works, including the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples.
Some of the most famous sites in Hanoi include the One Pillar Pagoda (built in 1049), the Temple of Literature (built in 1070), the Hanoi Citadel, the Hanoi Opera House, President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, and so on.