Study Abroad in Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi has stood for more thousand years- through more than a few invasions, occupations, restorations, and name changes. Once the medieval capital of “the Soaring Dragon,”it later became the center of French Indochina. Today, because of this eccentric mix of faded colonial avenues and traditional Vietnamese architecture, as well as a recent explosion of designer boutiques and hip restaurants, Hanoi is a city where the medieval and modern co-exist and evolve into something entirely different; a concoction of “Parisian grace and Asian pace.”
Despite the relentless noise as a population of over six million zips by on motorbikes, Hanoi has an intimate (if urban) feel. Students who study abroad in Hanoi will discover the perfect city to sit back, sip coffee and watch life (and plenty of tourists) rush by.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake, or Sword Lake, is the historical and cultural center of Hanoi (and is linked to the legend of a magic sword!). The Old Quarter sits on its banks, showing off the original streets and architecture of old Hanoi. Although the area is popular with backpackers and peppered with cheap hotels, artisan workshops, cheap beer and souvenirs, the area still retains its Hanoian inhabitants. The area doesn’t suffer from the frequent floods that plague other districts, so the population of the Old Quarter can boast that their families have lived in the same spot for generations. The best shops, tourist sites (such as The Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 with stone tablets listing centuries of graduates mounted on the back of a tortoises; One Pillar Pagoda and Flag Tower of Hanoi) and many traditional restaurants are located here.
Tay Ho
The neighborhood of Tay Ho is mostly home to wealthy Vietnamese and expats, and it’s in this upscale area that you’ll find the better restaurants, big villas, the largest mall in Vietnam and coffee that’s approximately seven times more expensive than the rest of the city. It’s generally a quieter neighborhood, but it still attracts young, hip couples.
Ba Dinh
Ba Dinh is the political center of the city and is also home to the French quarter. Stroll along tree-lined boulevards and admire the many examples of mixed French and traditional Vietnamese architectural styles, such as the National Museum of Vietnamese Historyand the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts. Here you’ll also find the dignified Grand Opera House, State Bank of Vietnam, Presidential Palace, Saint Joseph Cathedral, and the historic Hotel Metropole.
Here are some funding opportunities that'll help you get to Hanoi:
- The Freeman Awards offers funds to students studying in Southeast Asia.
- More Study Abroad Grants and Scholarships
