I visited Hanoi, Vietnam early this month during one of the wettest and hottest months of the year. Even in the early hours of the morning, the city was draped in humid heat and abuzz with life. I stayed in a medium-cost hotel located in the Old Quarter, a neighborhood with more than 1000 years of history imbued in its structures, and a warren of backstreet...
Brief Info:-Population : 4.1 million
Politics : Socialist Republic
Currency : Viet Dong (VND) & US Dollar(USD)
Practices dual-currency system
Time difference: (-) 1 hour MY time
Aerial view of Hanoi.
The colorful clusters are basically paddy fields.
ShophousesThe building structure are tall and narrow. This is due to the influence of the fuedal system where tax are based on the land area occupied. It's warren backstreets are lined with shops selling specific type of merchandise; one street row different from the other. You'll find a street row full of silk shops, the other of hardware store or funerary plaques, and anything else one could imagine.
Traffic in Hanoi
Crossing the road is a challenging task. So the trick is to boldly step forward like a suicidal maniac and have faith on the drivers around to avoid you :)
Hanoi’s streets are full of women who put soul into the nation’s food chain.
Default Food
Finding halal food wasn't easy. So we resorted to chewy baguette-like bread.
Exquisite Handwork
Vietnam's specialty aren't only their hard woven silk. They are also famous for their fine handwork masterpiece of beads and embroidery. On the left is a picture of a lady carefully embroidering a painting-like landscape picture.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Located right in the center of Hanoi, this lake is also known
as Lake of the Restored Sword. The name came from a
legend that is fairly long to tell..:P
as Lake of the Restored Sword. The name came from a
legend that is fairly long to tell..:P
Ho Chi Minh MausoleumBuilt in 1975 by the Soviet as a gift to the Viets. This is where Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body is kept and displayed, despite of his wish to be cremated. It is said that in his will, Ho Chi Minh wished for his ashes to be buried in the hills of the north, center and south of Vietnam.
The people loves him too much that they have unintentionally violated his wish..
Presidential Palace
The people loves him too much that they have unintentionally violated his wish..
Presidential Palace
Built in 1900 by the French Governor General of Indochina. When Vietnam achieved independence in 1954, it was presented to Ho Chi Minh as his residence by the Viets. Opting to live in a smaller house, this place was used to receive state guests until today.
Ho Chi Minh's Study
This is where Ho Chi Minh spent most of his time, in the smaller house.
One Pillar PagodaThis temple is built of wood on a single stone pillar resembling a lotus blossom in a muddy pond. It was built by Emperor Ly Thai Thong in gratitude for being blessed with a son after the vision received in his dream. This is however a remake of the original pagoda built in year 1049 that was destroyed by the French before retreating from Vietnam in 1954.
Temple of Literature
Founded in 1070 as a Confucian Temple. It is also Vietnam's first university that functioned more than 700 years and produced 2,313 doctors.
"Off-Horse" Sign
This sign is located in front of the Temple of Literature to signify that scholars and practitioners are all equal despite of their ranks, status and wealth. So basically, those riding horses would have to leave their horses at the post and walk inside like the rest.
St. Joseph Cathedral
Was 1st opened X'mas 1886 under. It was built on a former site on an ancient Vietnamese capital under the Ly Dynasty in the 11th and 12th century.
Tran Quoc Pagoda
One of the oldest pagoda in Vietnam and a cultural symbol pf Vietnamese Buddhism.
Hao-Lo Prison
Opened in 1896 by the French. It held Vietnamese revolutionaries under French rule (1901-1954), & American POWs during the Vietnam war (1964- 1973). Also sarcastically nicknamed as "Hanoi Hilton" by US PoWs incarcerated here during the American-Vietnam war.
Political Prisoners
The common cell that was used to hold the Vietnamese who were fighting for independence that were often subjected to torture and execution.
On the left is the actual picture of political prisoners held here chained to wooden bunks.
The Guillotine
The prisoners didn't just succumb to scabies, dysentery & torture but became the sacrificial offering to this guillotine imported from France for public execution.
Beheaded
Those who have met their
death at the guillotine.
Ha Long Bay
Proclaimed as The World Heritage by UNESCO, this was also the place where the Viets defeated the Mongolian army in a naval battle.
Steel-tipped stakes were strategically planted during low-tide, making the stakes non visible during high-tide. As the Mongolian fleet advanced towards the bay, the steel tip damaged the ships and sinking the fleet.
Water Village
Cluster of floating houses that moves around nomad-like within the Ha Long Bay, especially during the monsoon season.
Almost..we saw this boat moving around collecting rubbish floating around.
Founded in 1070 as a Confucian Temple. It is also Vietnam's first university that functioned more than 700 years and produced 2,313 doctors.
"Off-Horse" Sign
This sign is located in front of the Temple of Literature to signify that scholars and practitioners are all equal despite of their ranks, status and wealth. So basically, those riding horses would have to leave their horses at the post and walk inside like the rest.
St. Joseph Cathedral
Was 1st opened X'mas 1886 under. It was built on a former site on an ancient Vietnamese capital under the Ly Dynasty in the 11th and 12th century.
Tran Quoc Pagoda
One of the oldest pagoda in Vietnam and a cultural symbol pf Vietnamese Buddhism.
Hao-Lo Prison
Opened in 1896 by the French. It held Vietnamese revolutionaries under French rule (1901-1954), & American POWs during the Vietnam war (1964- 1973). Also sarcastically nicknamed as "Hanoi Hilton" by US PoWs incarcerated here during the American-Vietnam war.
The common cell that was used to hold the Vietnamese who were fighting for independence that were often subjected to torture and execution.
On the left is the actual picture of political prisoners held here chained to wooden bunks.
The Guillotine
The prisoners didn't just succumb to scabies, dysentery & torture but became the sacrificial offering to this guillotine imported from France for public execution.
Beheaded
Those who have met their
death at the guillotine.
Ha Long Bay
Proclaimed as The World Heritage by UNESCO, this was also the place where the Viets defeated the Mongolian army in a naval battle.
Steel-tipped stakes were strategically planted during low-tide, making the stakes non visible during high-tide. As the Mongolian fleet advanced towards the bay, the steel tip damaged the ships and sinking the fleet.
Water VillageCluster of floating houses that moves around nomad-like within the Ha Long Bay, especially during the monsoon season.
DBKL??
Almost..we saw this boat moving around collecting rubbish floating around.
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