Written/Compiled and Reported by MOOK Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin | Source/MOOK Editorial Department
Hanoi is not only the capital of Vietnam but also a hub of culture, politics, and economy. Its history spanning over a thousand years is evident in the city's rich cultural relics and historic sites. The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi stands gracefully in the French Quarter of Hanoi. Its whitewashed exterior is adorned with delicate carvings, green rectangular shutters, and a rooftop that complements the elegant wrought-iron railings. Inside, the high ceilings span across wooden beams, and an isolated courtyard filled with verdant greenery quietly tells the modern history of the intertwined love and conflict between Vietnam and France.
The bright white exterior and green roof harmonize perfectly with the hotel’s lush green landscaping. (Photo provided by MOOK Editorial Department)
In the 1930s, this was a favorite spot for European high society. In 1916, the first film screening in Vietnam took place in the hotel’s cinema room, and silent film star Charlie Chaplin and his secretly wed wife chose to spend their honeymoon here. After Vietnam gained independence from French rule in the 1950s, the government used it as a state guesthouse for VIPs. During the Vietnam War and the years of Viet Cong rule, it became a base for foreign journalists and diplomats.
The warm and bright dining environment allows guests to relax and enjoy delicious meals. (Photo provided by MOOK Editorial Department)
Numerous distinguished guests have stayed at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, including presidents of the United States, France, and Switzerland, as well as prime ministers from Australia, Japan, Singapore, Canada, and Norway—let alone celebrities like Catherine Deneuve and Oliver Stone. British author Graham Greene even spent time here, during which he completed his novel *The Quiet American*. His favorite drink, absinthe, has become the signature cocktail at the hotel’s Le Club: the Graham Greene Martini.
The spacious space paired with wooden flooring creates a comfortable, elegant, and tranquil atmosphere. (Photo provided by MOOK Editorial Department)
Le Beaulieu, a restaurant as old as the hotel itself, has built a solid reputation in Hanoi over the past century. Especially delightful is enjoying a rich buffet breakfast here every morning, basking in the sunlight filtering through the old trees on the street, with the flow of people and traffic visible through the window—this uniquely Vietnamese feeling easily fills the air.
A swimming pool in a corner of the hotel helps cool down the afternoon heat and weariness. (Photo provided by MOOK Editorial Department)
【Travel Information】
Phone: +84-04-826-6919
Address: 15 Ngo Quyen
Website: www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-1555-sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi/index.shtml
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