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Hanoi

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Hanoi is the capital and second-most populous municipality of Vietnam.

Old and French quarters hanoi
Old and French quarters hanoi

It serves as a major political, cultural, and economic hub for the nation. As of 2025, the city has a population of 8,807,523 people. It is a significant economic center, producing a gross regional domestic product of US$48 billion in 2023. This figure was the second-highest among all Vietnamese provinces and municipalities, trailing only Ho Chi Minh City. The city hosts 78 foreign embassies and serves as the headquarters for the Vietnam People's Army.

Ngân hàng Nhà nước - 2022-09-02 01
Ngân hàng Nhà nước - 2022-09-02 01

The city's landscape is a mix of many different architectural styles. Visitors can see French colonial architecture and brutalist apartments.

Hanoï - Théâtre rue Paul Bert
Hanoï - Théâtre rue Paul Bert

The urban area also contains disorganized alleys and tube houses. These structures reflect the city's rapid growth during the 20th century. Important landmarks include the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

One Pillar Pagoda Hanoi
One Pillar Pagoda Hanoi

Natural sites like Hoàn Kiếm Lake, West Lake, and the nearby Ba Vì National Park are also central to the region. In 2022, the city welcomed 18.7 million domestic and international visitors.

Human history in this region stretches back to the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic ages. Archaeologists discovered carved pebbles belonging to the Sơn Vi Culture in Ba Vì and Đông Anh.

Temple of Literature - main gate
Temple of Literature - main gate

These relics date back between 10,000 and 20,000 years. Geological data shows that the area was completely underwater during the Holocene transgression. Between 10,000 and 4,000 years ago, rising sea levels inundated the low-lying land. Continuous human habitation began approximately 4,000 years ago. In the third century BC, the fortified citadel of Cổ Loa was constructed. This site served as the first political center for the Vietnamese civilization in the pre-Sinitic era.

Hanoi has undergone many name changes throughout its long history. In 1010, King Lý Thái Tổ established the capital of the imperial nation Đại Việt. He named the site Thăng Long, which means "ascending dragon."

Hanoi, Vietnam (12036416576)
Hanoi, Vietnam (12036416576)

In 1428, King Lê Lợi renamed the city Đông Kinh, meaning "eastern capital." The city was later known by names like Long Biên, Tống Bình, and Long Đỗ. In 1831, the Nguyễn dynasty renamed the city Hanoi. The city also served as the capital of French Indochina from 1902 to 1945. After the August Revolution, it became the capital of the newly independent Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

The climate of Hanoi is classified as a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate.

Cat Linh station with train
Cat Linh station with train

The city experiences four distinct seasons. Summer lasts from May to September and is hot and humid with high rainfall. Fall occurs in October and November, bringing mild and warm weather. Winter spans from December to February and is characterized by cool, dry conditions from the northeast monsoon. Spring lasts from March to April and often features drizzle and less sunshine. The southeast monsoon brings moisture from the sea during this period. The average annual temperature is 23.5°C, with a mean relative humidity exceeding 80%.

Environmental challenges are a significant part of modern Hanoi. The city sometimes ranks among the most polluted cities in the world. In 2018, the Global Air Quality Report found fine dust concentrations were four times the WHO limit. Specifically, the concentration was 40.8 μg/m³ compared to the recommended 10 μg/m³. According to Vietnam's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Hanoi is the most air-polluted city in the country. Water pollution is also a major concern for the local rivers and lakes. Approximately 78% of Hanoi's wastewater is discharged into these bodies without treatment. This includes the Nhuệ, Tô Lịch, Kim Ngưu, Lừ, and Sét rivers.

Today, Hanoi is a city where ancient traditions meet modern infrastructure.

Panorama view of Line 3, Hanoi Metro, passing over Xuan Thuy road
Panorama view of Line 3, Hanoi Metro, passing over Xuan Thuy road

Modern developments like the Hanoi Metro and large shopping centers show its growth.

Newone - Vincom Mega Mall Times City
Newone - Vincom Mega Mall Times City

The city remains a vital center for government and international diplomacy. Its history of changing names and rulers reflects the complex political shifts of Southeast Asia. From the ancient Sơn Vi Culture to the modern Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Hanoi continues to evolve. It remains a central pillar of Vietnamese identity and economic strength.

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🖼️ Images & Media (18)
File:HA 52-140 R5 Foule assistant à la cérémonie de présentation du nouveau gouvernement d'Union nationale à Hanoï.jpg
HA 52-140 R5 Foule assistant à la...
File:HA 53-8 R28 Le portique d'entrée de la pagode Ly Trieu Quoc Su le jour des élections municipales d'Hanoï.jpg
HA 53-8 R28 Le portique d'entrée de la...
File:Police station Hoan Kiem.jpg
Police station Hoan Kiem.jpg
File:Ngân hàng Nhà nước - 2022-09-02 01.jpg
Ngân hàng Nhà nước - 2022-09-02 01.jpg
File:Newone - Vincom Mega Mall Times City.jpg
Newone - Vincom Mega Mall Times City.jpg
File:Hanoi Stock Exchange (18780216822).jpg
Hanoi Stock Exchange (18780216822).jpg
File:One Pillar Pagoda Hanoi.jpg
One Pillar Pagoda Hanoi.jpg
File:Old Quarter, Hanoi (12) (38496654951).jpg
Old Quarter, Hanoi (12) (38496654951).jpg
File:Temple of Literature - main gate.jpg
Temple of Literature - main gate.jpg
File:Hanoi, Vietnam (12036416576).jpg
Hanoi, Vietnam (12036416576).jpg
File:Hanoï - Théâtre rue Paul Bert.jpg
Hanoï - Théâtre rue Paul Bert.jpg
File:Old and French quarters hanoi.png
Old and French quarters hanoi.png

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