HANOI, VIETNAM

Hanoi in Vietnam has an estimated population of about 7 million and is the capital and second-largest city of Vietnam. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam. Hanoi served as the capital of French Indochina from 1902 to 1954. From 1954 to 1976, it was the capital of North Vietnam. The city is located on the right bank of the Red River. Hanoi is located at 1,760 km north of Ho Chi Minh City. October 2010 officially marked 1000 years since the establishment of the city. On this occasion, Hanoi was named by Frommer’s travel guide as one of the world’s “Top Destinations 2010”.

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

2014: MY YEAR IN REVIEW IN IMAGES

Today's post is a review of some of my photos from 2014. Each of the twelve photos represents a post of mine for each of the twelve months.

This post is part of the Nature Footsteps Floral Macros meme,
and also part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

JANUARY: Sunset in Melbourne, Australia

FEBRUARY: Geranium in our garden

MARCH: Hanoi, Vietnam

APRIL: Sunrise in Melbourne, Australia

MAY: Temple of Hephaestus in Athens, Greece

JUNE: Carpet maker in India

JULY: War Memorial in Canberra, Australia 

AUGUST: Reminiscing in Melbourne, Australia

SEPTEMBER: Tulip festival in the Dandenongs, Melbourne, Australia 

OCTOBER: Skyscrapers in Perth, Australia

NOVEMBER: Castel Sant' Angelo in Rome, Italy

DECEMBER: Rock church in Cappadocia, Turkey

VIEWS OF HANOI, VIETNAM

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam. It was eclipsed by Huế during the Nguyen dynasty as the capital of Vietnam, but Hanoi served as the capital of French Indochina from 1902 to 1954. From 1954 to 1976, it was the capital of North Vietnam. The city is located on the right bank of the Red River. Hanoi is located at 1,760 km north of Ho Chi Minh City. October 2010 officially marked 1000 years since the establishment of the city.

Numerous lakes and waterways are dotted throughout the city and the locals make the most of the proximity of the water for and play.

This post is part of the Waterworld Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Outdoor Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme.

TRAN QUOC PAGODA, HANOI, VIETNAM

The original Tran Quoc pagoda was built in the 6th century and is considered the oldest in Vietnam. It was founded on the bank of the Red River by King Ly Nam De who named it Khai Quoc (National Founder). Much later, it was moved to its present site beside Hanoi’s Ho Tay (West) Lake during the reign of King Le Kinh Tong (1600-1618) and renamed Tran Quoc (National Defence). The current building is the result of major renovations in 1815.

The term "pagoda" is from Portuguese "pagode", perhaps based on Persian "butkada" - ‘temple of idols,’ influenced by Prakrit "bhagodī" - ‘divine’. This temple is a popular place of pilgrimage and devotions, with many faithful coming to pray and lay dedications close to the altar within the temple.

This post is part of the Scenic Weekends meme,
and also part of the inSPIREd Sunday meme.

HUC BRIDGE, HANOI, VIETNAM

The Huc Bridge on Sword Lake ("Hồ Hoàn Kiếm"), one of the major scenic spots in Hanoi, serving as a focal point for its public life. The Huc Bridge (meaning Morning Sunlight Bridge) leads to Jade Island on which the Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain Temple) stands. The temple was erected in the 18th century. It honours the 13-century military leader Tran Hung Dao who distinguished himself in the fight against the Yuan Dynasty, Van Xuong, a scholar, and Nguyen Van Sieu, a Confucian master and famous writer in charge of repairs made to the temple in 1864.

This post is part of Louis' Sunday Bridges meme,

and also part of Scenic Sunday meme.

HANOI, VIETNAM

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam. It was eclipsed by Huế during the Nguyen dynasty as the capital of Vietnam, but Hanoi served as the capital of French Indochina from 1902 to 1954. From 1954 to 1976, it was the capital of North Vietnam. The city is located on the right bank of the Red River. Hanoi is located at 1,760 km north of Ho Chi Minh City. October 2010 officially marked 1000 years since the establishment of the city.

This post is part of the Challenge Walk In The Street meme.

More of my photos from Hanoi can be found here and here, and from Ha Long Bay here.