Hanoi history

The history of Hanoi is a millennial chronicle of the formation of Vietnam's capital, a city with a rich cultural heritage and many names. Its history is inextricably linked with key stages in the development of the Vietnamese state.

Foundation and First Mentions

Although settlements in the area of modern Hanoi have existed since prehistoric times, the official founding date of the city is considered to be 1010. It was then that Emperor Ly Thai To, the founder of the Ly Dynasty, decided to move the capital of the Dai Viet state to this location. According to legend, the Emperor saw a golden dragon ascending into the sky, which was considered a good omen. In honour of this event, the city received its first famous name — Thang Long, which means "Ascending Dragon".

Key Factors of Formation

Several important factors contributed to the city's development:

• Geographical Location: Its location in the very heart of the fertile Red River Delta made the city a strategically important centre. The modern name "Hanoi", given in 1831, translates as "City Between Rivers", which highlights its geography.
• Political Power: Since its foundation, Thang Long has been the country's main political centre and the capital of various Vietnamese dynasties for many centuries. The Imperial Citadel was erected here, becoming a symbol of power.
• Trade and Crafts: The city quickly became a major centre for trade and craftsmanship. The street names in the Old Quarter still recall the occupations of their inhabitants: Silk, Jewellery, Fans.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the very beginning, Thang Long developed not only as an administrative centre but also as a cultural one. In the 11th and 12th centuries, iconic structures were built here, including the Temple of Literature, which became Vietnam's first university, and the famous One Pillar Pagoda. The city was a hub of education, producing many laureates of Confucian examinations. The economy was based on agriculture, developed crafts, and active trade along river routes.

Chronology of Key Events

Hanoi's history spans more than a thousand years. The city has changed its name multiple times and witnessed the most important events in Vietnam's history. Below is a brief chronology of its formation.

• 1010 — Emperor Ly Thai To moves the capital to the Dai La citadel and names the city Thang Long ("Ascending Dragon"), which is considered the official founding date of Hanoi.
• 1070 — The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) is founded, becoming Vietnam's first university and a centre of Confucian education.
• 13th Century — The city successfully repels Mongol invasions three times (in 1258, 1285, and 1288), confirming its status as an impregnable centre.
• 1397 — The capital is temporarily moved, and the city receives a new name, Dong Do ("Eastern Capital").
• 1428 — After victory over the Chinese Ming dynasty, the city becomes the capital once again and is renamed Dong Kinh, from which the European region name "Tonkin" was derived.
• 1831 — By decree of Emperor Minh Mang, the city receives its modern name — Hanoi, which means "City Between Rivers".
• 1888 — Hanoi becomes the administrative centre of French Indochina, leading to a massive restructuring of the city and the emergence of the French Quarter.
• 1945 — On September 2, at Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh proclaims the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam with its capital in Hanoi.
• 1954 — On October 10, following the signing of the Geneva Accords, the Vietnamese army liberates the city, and it officially becomes the capital of North Vietnam.
• 1976 — After the reunification of the country, Hanoi is proclaimed the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
• 2010 — Hanoi celebrates its 1000th anniversary on a grand scale, and the central sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Key Stages of Hanoi's Development

The history of Hanoi is a story of transformation, during which the city has repeatedly changed its appearance while preserving its cultural identity. Below are the main milestones that defined its modern look and status.

Foundation of Thang Long and Establishment as Capital (1010)

Significance for the city: The transfer of the capital of the Dai Viet state in 1010 by Emperor Ly Thai To to the site of future Hanoi became the starting point for its development as a political, military, and cultural centre. It was then that the urban core of the city — the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long — was laid.

Creation of the Temple of Literature (1070)

Significance for the city: The founding of Vietnam's first university — the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) — turned Hanoi into the country's main educational and scientific centre for many centuries. This event secured the city's status as an intellectual capital where science, literature, and art flourished.

French Colonial Period (1888–1954)

Significance for the city: Becoming the capital of French Indochina, Hanoi underwent a massive urban transformation. Wide boulevards, the Opera House, Long Bien Bridge, and an entire French Quarter with elegant villas appeared. This period formed the unique architectural look of the city, where European planning harmoniously combines with Asian flair, and laid the foundations of modern infrastructure.

Hanoi — Capital of Independent Vietnam (1954 and 1976)

Significance for the city: The affirmation of Hanoi as the capital, first of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and then of the reunified country in 1976, finally consolidated its leading political and administrative status. This gave impetus to post-war reconstruction and the development of the city in a new capacity.

"Doi Moi" Policy (since 1986)

Significance for the city: The beginning of economic reforms known as "Renovation" (Doi Moi) launched a process of rapid modernization. Hanoi transformed into a major business and financial centre, attracting foreign investment, which led to a construction boom, the appearance of skyscrapers, new residential districts, and modern transport arteries.

1000th Anniversary and UNESCO Recognition (2010)

Significance for the city: The millennium celebrations were accompanied by large-scale projects for urban improvement and infrastructure development. The inclusion of the central sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in the UNESCO World Heritage List in the same year highlighted Hanoi's global cultural significance and gave a powerful boost to tourism development.

Hanoi's architectural appearance is a multi-layered canvas upon which different eras and cultures have left their mark. The city represents a unique combination of traditional Vietnamese architecture, elegant French colonial buildings, and modern skyscrapers, making it a true open-air museum.

Traditional Vietnamese Architecture (until the late 19th century)

This period is characterized by structures harmoniously integrated into the natural landscape. The main materials used were wood and stone. Typical features of this style include curved tiled roofs, carved wooden elements, and an orientation towards creating cosy spaces scaled to the human size. Bright examples are the religious structures preserved to this day.

• Iconic Sites: The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), founded in 1070, and the city's oldest Tran Quoc Pagoda, erected in the 6th century.
• Urban Development: A unique feature of urban planning from this period is the Old Quarter with its narrow "tube houses" — long and narrow buildings that served simultaneously as a home, a workshop, and a shop.

French Colonial Era (late 19th – mid 20th century)

From 1888, when Hanoi became the capital of French Indochina, a period of massive city replanning began. French architects introduced European styles, creating an entire district known today as the French Quarter. It is characterized by wide green boulevards, villas, and monumental public buildings.

• Main Styles: Buildings in Neo-Gothic, Neoclassical, and later Art Deco styles appeared in the city. French engineers also actively used materials new to the region, such as cement and steel.
• Iconic Sites: The gems of this period are considered to be the Hanoi Opera House, modelled after the Palais Garnier in Paris, St. Joseph's Cathedral in Neo-Gothic style, and the former residence of the Governor-General, now the Presidential Palace.

Socialist Period (1954–1986)

After gaining independence, Hanoi's architecture was influenced by Soviet functionalism. This style was aimed at solving practical tasks of post-war reconstruction. It is characterized by monumentality, strict geometric forms, and mass construction.

• Iconic Sites: The main symbol of the era is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Ba Dinh Square. Also built during this time with the participation of Soviet specialists was the Friendship Cultural Palace, a gift to Vietnam. Standard residential micro-districts, such as Kim Lien, appeared in the city.

Modern Architecture (from 1986 to present)

With the beginning of the "Doi Moi" economic reforms, Hanoi entered an era of rapid modernization. The cityscape began to change actively due to the appearance of high-rise buildings, modern business centres, and new residential complexes. Today's Hanoi demonstrates a contrast between ancient temples, colonial mansions, and glistening skyscrapers such as the Keangnam Landmark Tower and Lotte Center Hanoi. This architectural dialogue of times creates the unique atmosphere of the Vietnamese capital.

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, has been the centre of the country's political, cultural, and intellectual life throughout its millennial history. The city has nurtured and inspired many outstanding figures whose legacy defined the development not only of the capital but of the entire state.

Ly Thai To (Lý Thái Tổ, 974–1028)

Role: Emperor, founder of the Later Ly Dynasty and the city of Hanoi.

Significance: In 1010, he issued a historic decree to move the capital from Hoa Lu to the Dai La citadel and renamed it Thang Long ("Ascending Dragon"). This step laid the foundation for Hanoi's development as Vietnam's main political and cultural centre for many centuries. His decision was dictated by the strategically advantageous location in the centre of the Red River Delta.

Chu Van An (Chu Văn An, 1292–1370)

Role: Prominent Confucian scholar, educator, and rector of the first Vietnamese university.

Significance: Chu Van An was one of the most respected teachers at the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) — the country's first university. He educated several generations of talented students and became a symbol of dedication to education and high moral principles. His contribution to the development of enlightenment in Vietnam is still honoured, and he is considered one of the key figures in the history of Vietnamese pedagogy.

Ho Chi Minh (Hồ Chí Minh, 1890–1969)

Role: Revolutionary, first President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Significance: Although Ho Chi Minh was not born in Hanoi, his life and work are inextricably linked to the capital. It was here, at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945, that he proclaimed the independence of Vietnam. Hanoi became the centre for key political decision-making under his leadership. Today, his mausoleum on Ba Dinh Square is one of the country's main memorial complexes.

Vo Nguyen Giap (Võ Nguyên Giáp, 1911–2013)

Role: General, Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People's Army.

Significance: One of the most outstanding military commanders of the 20th century, whose name is associated with Vietnam's key military victories. He was a comrade-in-arms of Ho Chi Minh and the first commander-in-chief of the army, rising from a small partisan unit to powerful armed forces. His strategic genius played a decisive role in the struggle for the country's independence.

Bui Xuan Phai (Bùi Xuân Phái, 1920–1988)

Role: Artist, one of the most famous Vietnamese painters of the 20th century.

Significance: Bui Xuan Phai became famous for his lyrical and slightly melancholic canvases depicting the streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter. He created a unique style, and his works became so recognizable that the term "Phai Streets" emerged. The artist is considered the soul of old Hanoi, having managed to capture its unique atmosphere in his paintings.

Nguyen Tuan (Nguyễn Tuân, 1910–1987)

Role: Writer, essayist, one of the classics of modern Vietnamese literature.

Significance: Born in Hanoi, he dedicated many of his works to the city. Nguyen Tuan is known for his exquisite style and deep knowledge of Vietnamese culture. In his essays and stories, he masterfully described the beauty of Hanoi, its culinary traditions, and the customs of its inhabitants, creating a vivid and multifaceted image of the capital.

Van Cao (Văn Cao, 1923–1995)

Role: Composer, poet, and painter.

Significance: Van Cao is the author of the music and lyrics of the national anthem of Vietnam — "Marching Song". Although he was born in Haiphong, his creative life was closely connected with Hanoi, where he lived and worked for many years. Besides the anthem, he created many popular patriotic and lyrical songs that have entered the golden fund of Vietnamese music.