Metropole (Sofitel Legends)

Imperial Suite, Charlie Chaplin, Graham Greene, Somerset Maugham,

Hanoi – for a thousand years the royal capital of Vietnam, for over 60 years the centre of French Indo-China and since 1954 the capital of independent Vietnam. The name Hanoi describes the situation of the city; ‘in the bend of a river’. The main part of the capital of Vietnam lies in the Red River Delta. The Red River – indeed red due to its contents of alluvium, a natural fertiliser – rises on the Nguy Son mountain (1,776 m) in the Yunnan province of China. The length of the river is 1,160 km, almost exactly half of it (556 km) on Vietnamese territory.
Floods are usually caused by two tributaries of the Red River, the Da and Lo Rivers. The flood season lasts from June to October. Dykes of 14 metres have protected the city from floods since 1108. The highest level of alarm No 3 is 11.5 m.
Hanoi borders six provinces, Thai Nguyen to the North, Bac Ninh to the North East, Hung Yen to the East, Vinh Phuc to the North West and Ha Tay to the South West. It covers a total area of 913,8 sq km and reaches a maximum North–South length of 50 km, East –West 30 km. In the 1989 census the population of Hanoi was 3,056,146.
Hanoi’s latitude is 20°53’–21°23’ North, its longitude 105°44’–106°02’ East. Metropolitan Hanoi covers an area of 2146 sq km. The city is divided into nine administrative sectors: Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Hai Ba Trung, Tay Ho, Cau Giay and Thanh Xuan, Long Bien and Hoang Mai.
Hoan Kiem, the oldest and most densely populated sector, is located on the banks of the Red River. This area is characterised by French colonial-style buildings and wide boulevards. Picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake (the Lake of the Restored Sword) is located here, named after the legendary tale of the 15th century. The famous Ngoc Son (Jade Hill) Pagoda stands on a small island connected to the shore by The Huc (Sunbeam) Bridge. North of the lake stretches the Old City with an area called the 36 streets, representing the 36 guilds in the 15th century. These are narrow streets, each one named after the product it sells, lined by typical nha ong (tube houses).
Northwest of Hoan Kiem is the Ba Dinh sector with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The National Assembly and Party Headquarters buildings and Tran Quoc Pagoda, are also located there.
Its highest point is Chan Chim Hill 462 m, the lowest point is Gia Thuy Commune at 12 m below sea level, the average elevation of the city is 5 m above sea level, gradually decreasing from the North to the South and from the West to the East, following the natural course of the river towards the Gulf of Vietnam.
The average humidity is about 80%. The temperature undergoes seasonal changes, from hot during July and August to the chilly winds from the lake Baical in Siberia in November and to a final drop of temperature in January to as low as 12°C. Spring and autumn are considered the best times to visit Hanoi.

Le Beaulieu (French)
Spices Garden (Vietnamese)
Bamboo Bar
Angelina (Italian steakhouse and bar)
Le Club -
Bar Met's Club

Le Beaulieu

There are a few sensations at this hotel that sets it apart from all the rest.
Hospitality is one thing (and outstanding in every respect!). But this hotel has also an original American (Vietnam) War bomb shelter, where Jane Fonda and Joan Baez once sought refuge. You visit it during a guided tour through the so called PATH OF HISTORY, an inspiring 45 minutes tour in the corridors of the shopping arcade, for hotel residents only and of course free of charge.

The vintage Citroen car is a hit. When it comes to accommodation, we prefer the classic rooms in the colonial wing. Stay at Graham Greene Suite or Charlie Chaplin Suite.

famoushotels.org is responsibel for the historical photographs you see there or in the Somerset Maugham Suite. Walk the historic staircase, enjoy the lovely pool and dine on Vietnamese fare and at some point you might remember that the Metropole was once the centre of the action, as Graham Greene wrote in his memoirs Ways of Escape: 'The Metropole Hotel where I used to stay was in the hands of the International Commission. Vieth Minh sentries stood outside the building where de Lattre had made his promise; 'I leave you my wife as a symbol that France will never, never ...' That was, of course, in 1955.

Swimming in the large pool Workout at the gym Sunbathing and relaxing A visit to Hanoi: Walk down to the lake or the opera house. Why not rent the vintage Citroen and drive around? Ask the concierge for some good restaurants, but only once you've tried all the hotel has to offer.

Garden and Swimming Pool

Meeting Room