Hanoi (Vietnamese: H? N?i), is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. It has an estimated population of nearly 6. 5 million (2009), (but only 2. 6 million (2009) in urban areas). From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam. It was eclipsed by Hu? during the Nguy?n 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.