{"id":10911,"date":"2022-04-07T13:39:35","date_gmt":"2022-04-07T05:39:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=10911"},"modified":"2022-05-19T10:59:21","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T02:59:21","slug":"ba-dinh-attractions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/ba-dinh-attractions\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Ba \u0110\u00ecnh Attractions To See On Foot: From The Presidential Palace To The Imperial Citadel"},"content":{"rendered":"

8 Ba \u0110\u00ecnh attractions to see on foot<\/h2>\n
\n

Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital of over a thousand years, has no shortage of historical sites and tourist attractions. However, they are scattered across many districts of the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

So if you don\u2019t have much time and want to visit as many places as possible, Ba \u0110\u00ecnh District, with about a dozen tourist destinations, is an ideal choice. In this listicle, we will gather 8 of Ba \u0110\u00ecnh attractions<\/b> that you can see on foot easily.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Hanoi Botanical Garden – the large green space of the capital city<\/h3>\n
\n

\"Hanoi
\nAn islet in the lake of Hanoi Botanical Garden. These cages are for pigeons.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Thoanh Nguyen<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s kickstart our journey at <\/span>Hanoi Botanical Garden<\/b>, where you can enjoy yourself in a fresh open space with lots of plants and flowers. Located to the northeast of the city, Hanoi Botanical Garden was built in the 1890s when northern Vietnam, or Tonkin, was under the French protectorate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At that time, the government wanted to create a green area adjacent to their administrative buildings which still serve a similar function today.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Nung
\nThe temple on the hill of<\/em> <\/span>n\u00fai N\u00f9ng<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>C\u01b0\u1eddng T\u1eed T\u1ebf<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

As the area of the garden was a plain surrounding a small lake, the government decided to diversify the terrain by creating a small hill and named it <\/span>n\u00fai N\u00f9ng<\/span><\/i>, meaning N\u00f9ng mountain. On this hill, people living around the garden built a small temple worshipping a local legendary hero.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, the government also installed cages along the garden passages to exhibit birds and other animals. However, these animals were later moved to Hanoi Zoo near Th\u1ee7 L\u1ec7 Lake.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Hanoi
\nHanoi Botanical Garden is home to many ficus and s\u01b0a trees that may be hundreds of years old<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>long nguyen<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In Hanoi Botanical Garden, you can energize yourself by walking under the canopies of hundred-year-old giant trees dubbed as Hanoi\u2019s green lung. <\/span>Also in this garden, you can find many <\/span>s\u01b0a (Dalbergia tonkinensis) <\/span><\/i> trees unique to Vietnam, and a remarkable collection of orchids.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hanoi Botanical Garden<\/strong>
\nAddress:<\/strong><\/span> 3 Ho\u00e0ng Hoa Th\u00e1m Street, Ng\u1ecdc H\u00e0 Ward Ba \u0110\u00ecnh District, Hanoi
\nOpen hours:<\/span><\/strong> 5AM-10PM, Daily
\nTicket prices:<\/span><\/strong> from VND5,000 (~USD0.22)<\/strong> to VND15,000 (~USD0.66)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

2. Presidential Palace – colonial-era palace where the Vietnamese president works<\/h3>\n
\n

\"Presidential
\nThe Presidential Palace is the biggest building that the French colonialists built in Indochina.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Simon Pender<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Situated beside Hanoi Botanical Garden is the <\/span>Presidential Palace<\/b>, an administrative building where you can see not only the workplace of the Vietnamese government but also the historical site where the independence of Vietnam was declared in 1945.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As you leave the garden and go down Ho\u00e0ng Hoa Th\u00e1m Street, the first remarkable building that\u2019ll catch your eye is the Presidential Palace. The whole building is coated in a bright yellow shade and shows the typical details of French colonial architecture.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, this building was constructed from 1901 to 1906 as the residence of the French Governor-General of Indochina. Do not confuse this with the State Guest House, historically referred to as Tonkin Palace, which served similar functions.<\/p>\n

\"Ho
\nH\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh\u2019s stilt house behind the Presidential Palace<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Anh \u0110\u1ee9c L\u00ea<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

As the house of a key colonial administrator, the Presidential Palace was once the biggest building in Indochina. Designed to reflect the Italian Renaissance style, it has 30 aedicules or Roman-style rooms with lots of intricate columns and decorations. Today, it is the office of the President of Vietnam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Politburo
\nThe former Politburo Meeting House where many game-changing decisions of the Vietnam War were made.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>DAEHUN KIM<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Though you are not allowed to enter the palace, the area behind it is a historical site open to the public with many things to discover. When Vietnam regained the capital from the French in 1954, H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh decided to live in a stilt house in the backyard and used the palace for receiving distinguished guests only.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not far away is the politburo meeting room where then-North Vietnamese strategies were discussed and determined. You can find all of these in the backyard of the Presidential Palace.<\/p>\n

President H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh’s Vestige in the Presidential Palace Area
\nAddress<\/span><\/strong>:<\/span> 1 Ho\u00e0ng Hoa Th\u00e1m Street (Red Gate), Ng\u1ecdc H\u00e0 Ward, Ba \u0110\u00ecnh District, Hanoi
\nOpening hours<\/strong>:<\/span> Daily except for Monday afternoon
\nWinter: Mornings: 8AM-11AM. Afternoon: 1.30PM-4PM
\nSummer: Mornings: 7.30AM-11AM. Afternoon: 1.30PM-4PM
\nTicket prices<\/span><\/strong>: VND25,000 (~USD1.09)\u00a0<\/strong>for foreigners and free<\/strong> for Vietnamese citizens<\/p>\n

\n

3. Ba \u0110\u00ecnh Square – The place where you can see President H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh<\/h3>\n
\n

\"Ba
\nBa \u0110\u00ecnh Square with H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh\u2019s Mausoleum in the center<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Pedro Marcos Sol\u00f3rzano<\/span><\/a>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

As soon as you leave the Presidential Palace, you will immediately see <\/span>Ba \u0110\u00ecnh Square<\/b>, the venue where President H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh delivered his Independence Proclamation on 2nd September 1945.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At 320 meters long and 100 meters wide, this is currently the largest parade square in Vietnam, divided into 210 lawn patches. <\/span>\u00a0Every patch represents a group of people attending the proclamation ceremony in 1945, so it\u2019s a good place for you to enjoy the view and at the same time imagine the scale of that event.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please note that some patches have been removed to make room for the National Assembly Building nearby.<\/p>\n

\"Ho
\nH\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh\u2019s Mausoleum has the shape of a cube with each side measuring 30 meters long.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>RIZKI SANZAYA<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The position where H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh declared Vietnam\u2019s independence is now his mausoleum. <\/span>The construction of this building started on 2nd September 1973 and ended on 16 May 1975, using various materials collected across the country. <\/span>These materials are said to have been collected across the country despite the intense war.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can visit the mausoleum for free. However, you are required to dress formally, turn off mobile phones, cameras, and camcorders as well as keep quiet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"National
\nThe National Assembly Building of Vietnam was built from 2009 to 2014 with 7 floors, including 2 basements.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Qu\u00e2n Mai Ng\u1ecdc<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

On the other side of Ba \u0110\u00ecnh Square is the National Assembly Building of Vietnam, where all meetings of the Vietnamese National Assembly are held. This building is restricted to the public; however, taking pictures with it from afar is acceptable.<\/span><\/p>\n

President H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh’s Mausoleum
\nAddress<\/span><\/strong>:<\/span> 2 H\u00f9ng V\u01b0\u01a1ng Street, \u0110i\u1ec7n Bi\u00ean Ward, Ba \u0110\u00ecnh District, Hanoi
\nOpen hours<\/strong>:<\/span> Every morning except on Mondays and Fridays
\nHot season (1st April-31st October): 7.30AM – 10.30AM.\u00a0 For holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays: 7.30AM-11AM
\nCold season (1st November-31st March): 8AM – 11AM. For holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays: 8AM-11.30AM
\nTicket prices<\/span><\/strong>: VND25,000 (~USD1.09)\u00a0<\/strong>for foreigners and free<\/strong> for Vietnamese citizens<\/p>\n

\n

4. The One-Pillar Pagoda – symbolic Buddhist pavilion with unique architecture<\/h3>\n
\n

\"One-pillar
\nThe One-Pillar Pagoda today<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Thi\u00ean Ho\u00e0n<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Keep walking to the left of H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh\u2019s Mausoleum, you will find one of the most famous pagodas in Vietnam – The One-Pillar Pagoda<\/strong>, or Ch\u00f9a M\u1ed9t C\u1ed9t in Vietnamese. Actually, this so-called pagoda is a pavilion built on a giant pillar in the middle of a pond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Legend has it that in 1049, emperor L\u00fd Nh\u00e2n T\u00f4ng dreamed of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, who led him to a brilliant lotus. Waking up, the emperor told many monks about his dream. He then decided to build a pagoda named Di\u00ean H\u1ef1u (<\/span>\u5ef6\u7950\u5bfa) <\/span>to worship Guanyin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this pagoda, a single-pillar pavilion was erected as a reference to the lotus in the emperor\u2019s dream. He named the pavilion Li\u00ean Hoa \u0110\u00e0i (<\/span>\u84ee\u82b1\u81fa) or the Lotus Pavilion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"One-pillar
\nThe One-Pillar Pagoda in 1885.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Two hundred years later, under the Tr\u1ea7n Dynasty, the whole pagoda, including the pavilion, was <\/span>reconstructed together with the whole site<\/span>. The following centuries witnessed the ups and downs of the pagoda.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By the 19th century, the pagoda had sustained serious damage. That\u2019s why in 1847, under the Nguy\u1ec5n Dynasty, it was renovated. Minor renovations were also conducted in 1852, 1864, and 1922.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Destroyed
\nThe ruin of the pavilion after the French\u2019s explosion in 1954<\/span><\/i>
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit: <\/span><\/i>manhhai<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

In September 1954, before the French fully retreated from Vietnam, they ravaged many important buildings in Hanoi. The lotus pavilion, or the One-Pillar Pagoda, was completely destroyed by explosives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Only one year later, the government of the then-Democratic Republic of Vietnam assigned Nguy\u1ec5n B\u00e1 L\u0103ng, who later helped extend the History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, as the main architect to reconstruct the pavilion.<\/p>\n

After its many rounds of reconstruction and renovation, the design of this pavilion was no longer the original one under the L\u00fd Dynasty. However, it still has great historical and religious significance for Hanoians and the Vietnamese in general.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Ch\u00f9a M\u1ed9t C\u1ed9t (One-pillar Pagoda)
\nAddress<\/span><\/strong>:<\/span> Ch\u00f9a M\u1ed9t C\u1ed9t Street, \u0110\u1ed9i C\u1ea5n Ward, Ba \u0110\u00ecnh District, Hanoi
\nOpen hours<\/strong>:<\/span> 7AM – 6PM, Daily<\/p>\n

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5. Hanoi Flag Tower – imperial landmark with a Western fortification design<\/h3>\n
\n

\"Hanoi
\nHanoi Flag Tower today<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Savoir Aimer<\/span><\/a>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Keep walking down the road, finish the \u00d4ng \u00cdch Khi\u00eam Street, then take a left turn to L\u00ea H\u1ed3ng Phong Street. Keep walking for another 800 meters and you will arrive at the <\/span>Flag Tower<\/b>, another ancient landmark of Hanoi.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Flag Tower was built from 1805 to 1812 under the Nguy\u1ec5n Dynasty, making it one of the latest parts of the imperial landmarks in Hanoi. A high tower erected on three square floors may remind you of similar fortifications in Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n

The foundation covers an area of<\/span> 2,007 square meters with the side length of each floor varying from 12 to 42 meters. The tower on top of the third floor is 18 meters tall. The tower has four gates, namely Nghi\u00eam H\u00fac (<\/span>\u8fce\u65ed) to the east, H\u1ed3i Quang (\u56de\u5149) to the west, H\u01b0\u1edbng Minh (\u5411\u660e) to the south, and a nameless one to the north.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Vietnam
\nThe Vietnam Military History Museum building as viewed from the third floor of the flag tower<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Ho\u00e0n T\u1ea5n C\u00f4ng<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The flag tower today is part of the Vietnam Military History Museum complex. In this museum building, you can find many artifacts from various military conflicts throughout Vietnamese history, particularly the Indochinese wars from 1945 to 1975. Wrecks of many bombs, aeroplanes, and tanks are also exhibited outside.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hanoi Flag Tower \/ Vietnam Military History Museum
\nAddress<\/span>:<\/span><\/strong>28A \u0110i\u1ec7n Bi\u00ean Ph\u1ee7 Street, Ba \u0110\u00ecnh District, Hanoi
\nOpen hours:<\/span> <\/strong>8AM – 11.30AM, 1PM – 4.30PM, Daily
\nCuration tours for delegations of over 150 visitors is available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
\nTicket prices:
\n<\/span><\/strong>– VND40,000 (~USD1.75) for foreigners, VND20,000 (~USD0.87) for Vietnamese citizens
\n– 50% off for those aged below 15 and students, including international students studying in Vietnam (student card needed)
\n– Free tickets for the disabled and children under 6 years of age.
\n– Camera-holders may be charged around VND30,000 (~USD1.31)<\/strong> each.<\/p>\n

\n

6. Th\u0103ng Long Imperial Citadel – the emperor\u2019s forbidden city through many centuries<\/h3>\n
\n

\"\u0110oan
\n\u0110oan M\u00f4n (<\/span>\u7aef\u9580<\/span>), the southern gate of the Imperial Citadel built in the 17th century, serves as the entrance of the citadel site today.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Jorian Krol<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

After visiting the Flag Tower, keep going up Ho\u00e0ng Di\u1ec7u Street for a few minutes. You will visit the remains of the <\/span>Th\u0103ng Long Imperial Citadel<\/b><\/a>, or Ho\u00e0ng Th\u00e0nh Th\u0103ng Long in Vietnamese and <\/span>\u6607\u9f8d\u7687\u57ce in Chinese words<\/span>, where numerous Vietnamese emperors and aristocrats used to live in.<\/span><\/p>\n

The citadel covers an area of approximately 18,395 hectares, featuring lots of buildings and artifacts stretching across 1,300 years. Some of the artifacts date back to the period when the country <\/span>was a Tang Dynasty protectorate<\/span> from the 7th to 9th century.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Thang
\nThe citadel in the 1870s reflects the Vauban style with fortifications at angles and sides. You can also spot the Flag Tower to the south of the citadel.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image adapted from <\/span>manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Imperial Citadel was built in 1011, when emperor L\u00fd Th\u00e1i T\u1ed5 moved the capital from Hoa L\u01b0, Ninh B\u00ecnh – a mountainous province in northeastern Vietnam – to the city of \u0110\u1ea1i La, and renamed it Th\u0103ng Long, which is Hanoi today. After a dozen centuries, many more buildings were added and removed. <\/span><\/p>\n

Under the Nguy\u1ec5n Dynasty (1802-1945), Hanoi was not the capital city, so the citadel was rebuilt to a smaller size. However, due to wars and conflicts, <\/span>especially the French forces\u2019 destruction during their time<\/span> in Vietnam, just a few of those <\/span>buildings<\/span> remain unscathed in the Imperial Citadel today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"18
\n81 Ho\u00e0ng Di\u1ec7u Archaeological Site<\/span>, together with <\/span>many areas in the citadel are still being excavated for more relics<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>rozzet rozzet<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

A noteworthy area of the citadel is the floor of K\u00ednh Thi\u00ean Palace. Built in 1428 under the reign of emperor L\u00ea Th\u00e1i T\u1ed5, right after his victory over the Ming troops, K\u00ednh Thi\u00ean Palace is the venue where the emperors met and discussed national matters with their subordinates every month.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cua
\nC\u1eeda B\u1eafc, the northern gate of the Imperial Citadel as seen from the outside. The holes on the walls are damage caused by cannonballs when the French attacked Hanoi in 1882.<\/span><\/i>
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit: <\/span><\/i>David Stubbins<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

The palace was situated in the center of the citadel and aligned on the same line with the Flag Tower, \u0110oan M\u00f4n, or the southern gate, and C\u1eeda B\u1eafc, or Ch\u00ednh B\u1eafc M\u00f4n (<\/span>\u6b63\u5317\u9580), <\/span>the northern gate. <\/span>However, the whole palace was demolished due to the Franco-Vietnam war in the 1880s.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ho\u00e0ng th\u00e0nh Th\u0103ng Long \/ Th\u0103ng Long Imperial Citadel
\n<\/strong>Address: <\/span><\/strong>19C Ho\u00e0ng Di\u1ec7u Street, Ba \u0110\u00ecnh District, Hanoi
\nOpening hours:<\/strong><\/span> Tue\u2013Sun 8AM – 5PM | Closed Mondays
\nTicket prices<\/strong>:<\/span> VND30,000 (~USD1.31)<\/strong>
\n– 50% off for Vietnamese students aged under 15 years old and the elderly over 60 years of age (student card or ID needed)
\n– Free for children under six years of age
\nTelephone:<\/strong><\/span> 4 373 45427
\nWebsite<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

7. C\u1eeda B\u1eafc Church – Catholic church with an eclectic asymmetrical design<\/h3>\n
\n

\"Cua
\nC\u1eeda B\u1eafc Church today<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Chen Chong Ka<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Opposite the north gate of the Th\u0103ng Long Imperial Citadel is C\u1eeda B\u1eafc Church<\/strong> – a beautiful church with unique architecture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Formally known as the Church of Martyrs’ Lady, it was built in 1932 based on the design of architect Ernest H\u00e9brard. Together with H\u00e0m Long Church and St. Joseph Cathedral, C\u1eeda B\u1eafc Church is a major Catholic institution in Hanoi.<\/p>\n

\"Cua
\nThe interior of the C\u1eeda B\u1eafc Church<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>K<\/span><\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n

Visiting C\u1eeda B\u1eafc Church, you may recognize its eclectic design. With a closer look at the building details, you will see that this church combines western Art Deco style and traditional elements such as Vietnamese roof tiles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike other churches and cathedrals in Hanoi, C\u1eeda B\u1eafc church doesn\u2019t have a symmetrical design. Instead, it has a tall bell tower on one side and a main building on the other. Indeed, you may consider this fascinating architecture as a background for your Instagram pictures.<\/p>\n

C\u1eeda B\u1eafc Church
\n<\/strong>Address: <\/span><\/strong>56 Phan \u00d0\u00ecnh Ph\u00f9ng Street, Qu\u00e1n Th\u00e1nh Ward, Ba \u00d0\u00ecnh District, Hanoi
\nMasses:<\/span>
\n<\/strong>– 7PM on weekdays
\n– 5.30AM and 7PM on Saturdays
\n– 6.30AM; 8.30AM (for children); 10.30AM (in English); 7PM on Sundays<\/p>\n

\n

8. Tr\u00fac B\u1ea1ch and West Lakes – ideal spots to enjoy Hanoi sunsets<\/h3>\n
\n

\"West
\nThe sunset on the West Lake<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Khoa Nguy\u1ec5n V\u0169<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

After visiting the C\u1eeda B\u1eafc Church, you can walk along Nguy\u1ec5n Bi\u1ec3u Street, which in turn leads you to Tr\u00fac B\u1ea1ch Lake<\/strong>, and further to the West Lake<\/strong>, where you can enjoy the magnificent sunset <\/span>on the background of a large body of water.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As the largest lake in Hanoi, the West Lake has a surface area of 5.2 sq km and a circumference of about 15 km. Originally it was part of the Red River before the river <\/span>changed its flow<\/span>, a phenomenon that has happened many times throughout the city\u2019s history. Historical records about the lake traced back to the H\u00f9ng Kings\u2019 period <\/span>with tales about monsters and fantastic creatures passed down till today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Eurasian
\nEurasian coots used to be the symbolic animal <\/span>in the West Lake<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Richard Bartz\/Wikimedia Commons<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In the 11th and 12th centuries, the lake gradually turned into a place where emperors came to relax or hunt. The West Lake used to be home to Eurasian coots, a black duck-like bird species. However, as West Lake has been shrinking, the coots have disappeared since 1994.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Truc
\nNightfall on Tr\u00fac B\u1ea1ch Lake<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Damien Devillion<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

For Tr\u00fac B\u1ea1ch Lake, it was actually a peaceful<\/span> body of water <\/span>on the southeastern side of the West Lake, making it an ideal place for fish, snails, and shrimp to live. In the 16th century, the locals started to build a dyke separating this body of water from the bigger West Lake so that they could catch the fish and shrimps more easily. The Tr\u1ecbnh Lords at this time also supported this idea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The new lake formed was named Tr\u00fac B\u1ea1ch (\u7af9\u5e1b), meaning Bamboo Silk. This is because in the 1730s, Lord Tr\u1ecbnh Giang had a palace called Tr\u00fac L\u00e2m, meaning Bamboo Forest, on the lakeshore to imprison his disobedient concubines. In this palace, the women would then start making intricate silk. That\u2019s why the lake took that name.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Truc
\nThanh Ni\u00ean street separating Tr\u00fac B\u1ea1ch Lake (further) and the West Lake<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Duc Trung Duong<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Today, the dyke separates the Tr\u00fac B\u1ea1ch and the West Lakes still exists as Thanh Ni\u00ean Street – a perfect spot to admire the beauty of both lakes. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Ba \u0110\u00ecnh\u2019s attractions<\/h3>\n
\n

There are still some interesting spots that we\u2019ve left out along the way – from a secret tunnel in the Imperial Palace where the Vietnamese politburo directed important campaigns in the Vietnam War, a spot where John McCain\u2019s plane was shot down in 1967, one of four sacred temples of Hanoi, and a 1500-year-old pagoda built on a small island. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>We might cover them in future articles too, so check back soon!<\/span><\/p>\n

Also check out:<\/span><\/p>\n