Ps:// I just can’t find myself the time and concentration to complete my postings on my days in Hanoi. It’s coming darn slow and i can’t believe that it took me so long to record it down… patience, patience… 2/3 more post to go… O_o it looks like a book already. I should get it published.

28th January 2008
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It was a mad mad rush on our 4th day. We’ve decided to join the city tour because there were places that we could not reach on foot. The whether was terribly cold and it was drizzling too.

We went rushed to 6 places within 3 hours! Even though most of them were within the Ba Dinh District, it was crazy. We didn’t even have chance to capture proper photos before we were dragged to another destination. That said, i vow never to join any paid tours in the future. -_-”

First stop.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

EatAllYouCanShung standing in front of the entrance

Located beside the West Lake, the pagoda complements the beautiful scenery around the lake. Tran Quoc (National Defence) Pagoda is the oldest of all pagodas in Hanoi. It stands as a symbol of Buddhism in Vietnam.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

There is something like a visitor hall before we enter into the pagoda. I am not sure whether it is the one other people are talking about. I have no idea since our guide was explaining way too fast. I could only guess by the aged photo of the pagoda on the wall.

Clockwise: Visitor’s hall (i think), worshiping shrines, corridor

Within the pagoda vicinity are statues, 10 stone shrines and the belfry. There is also a big bodhi tree in the middle of the yard which i found out later was actually grafted from the holy bodhi tree where Buddha sat and achieved enlightenment (a gift from the Prime Minister of India in 1959). *cool!

Bodhi tree

I found these gold Buddha statues on one of the praying alters fascinating. Don’t ask me why. It just is.

Gold statues on stairs like alter

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is where Uncle Ho read the Declaration of Independence for Vietnam. It is opened for public viewing from everyday from 8am to 11am except for Monday… which is just the day we went -_-”. Yet another traveling tips from me. Always confirm the open
ing hours of every destination you are heading to. Don’t be like us (blind bats).

HCM Mausoleum

The granite building looks somewhat foreboding against the backdrop of gloomy dark sky. Even when it’s closed the building is strictly guarded…like it contains a precious stone. I guess the sentiment is somehow appropriate because in this foreboding granite building is Uncle Ho’s preserved body.

HMC Mausoleum complex is huge!

On normal days locals or foreigners flock the place making the queue unbelievable long. Unfortunately, we did not get the chance to go in. The only thing we can do is observe it from outside in the rain *served us right! However, i must say it was pretty tiring walking across the Square. It’s huge!

Presidential Palace & Ho Chi Minh Wooden Stilt House

HMC Presidential Palace – Yellow brick house!

At the north of HMC Mausoleum is the Presidential Palace. The 4 storied building is a contribution of a French architect which explains the magnificent mustard yellow paint and the beautiful courtyard. For a moment i forgot that i was in Vietnam.

Beautiful courtyard
The building is enclosed by gardens and orchard now known as the Bach Thao Park. It’s really romantic. I could totally imagine living here. *i wish! Mango trees line the path leading towards a wooden stilt house.

Clockwise right:- HMC French-made car, HMC Russian-made car and HMC dining room

While the palace serves as a workplace for Uncle Ho, the wooden stilt house was built as his living quarters. Now, the residence is well preserved (bedroom, study room and meeting table) and open for visitors.

HCM wooden stilt house

One Pillar Pagoda

This is one of the very unique architecture found in Hanoi. Commoners would come here to pray or do offerings in hope of getting a child. So i guess it’s some sort of a fertility symbol or something.

One Pillar Pagoda blosom

One Pillar Pagoda was originally constructed by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong to commemorate the birth of an heir. It is said that the emperor dreamed of the Goddess of Mercy who offered him a child. In the dream the goddess was sitting on a lotus flower.

Standing proud on the pond

The actual One Pillar Pagoda was built using wood and resemble a lotus blossom on the small pond and was named Dien Huu meaning happiness and good fortune. It’s a pity that the French destroyed it before retreating from Hanoi.

The pagoda standing now, is rebuilt based on the original one but using concrete. Wish i could have seen the wooden one… *sigh

Ho Chi Minh Museum

The museum was built in dedication to Ho Chi Minh for his work and deeds towards becoming Vietnam’s first Prime Minister. The building shape is supposed be of a lotus… but i don’t see any resemblance. Within the museum are, historical documents, photographs, memorabilia of that time.

EatAllYouCanShung in front of the museum.
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I’m not much for museums. When i’m in one, i tend to start yawning, get bored, eyes glaze over and can’t wait to get out *wakaka!

Giant halo

However, there were indeed some particular things that caught my attention. For instance, the stairs leading to the central room. It was pretty amazing. From the bottom of the stairs you could already see the golden lights on the ceiling of the room above. It kind of look like a giant halo above Uncle Ho’s statue. Like stairway to heaven *cheesy i know -_-”.

Giant Ho Chi Minh statue

The a golden statue of Uncle Ho greeted us before the entrance to the central room. Very impressive.

Automobile models on the glass murals

Then there was the room with labyrinthine murals. The murals portrays history from the past to the future. It’s very artsy and you could see your reflection everywhere. Much like a mirror house at a carnival but with more class.

Us trying to be artistic

I think i spent the most time in this room walking through the maze of murals.

Weapons! Roar!

The time spent in the museum was quite short coz i’m not really into those historical thingies. *paiseh lar I enjoyed mostly on the architecture and structure of the buildings. Our Museum Negara is like dilapidated ‘rumah papan’ compared to this ‘bungalow’ *wakaka!

Temple Of Literature (Van Mieu)

Located at the west of Ho Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature *yes another temple O_o is a quiet oasis in the heart of the chaotic streets of Hanoi. It is a MUST visit place in Hanoi because of it’s historical and architectural purpose.



Entrance to the temple

Back in those days, the temple dedicated to Confucius used to be Vietnam’s university (first university) to educate the elites. Now, the temple is a well-visited place by tourists and locals who wish to pray for their children to excel in examinations.

Gate to the courtyard

The temple is area is divided into 5 courtyards. Beyond the fourth courtyard is the red and gold sanctuary honoring Confucius and his disciples. The temple is so finely preserved, it’s like stepping back into the past. I could totally see how this tranquil place could produce one of the finest scholars in the country.

Pond within temple’s enclosure



Stone tortoises

Particularly impressive is the collection of 82 stone stelae resting upon large stone tortoises. On it is listed all the names of the 1306 university graduates. I saw someone rubbing the head of the stone tortoise. I guess it kind of brings luck to students or those sitting for exam. :)

Puppets in the craft store within temple’s enclosure

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We have had enough of temples by noon. We were freezing because it’s has been raining the whole morning and we were dead starving. Thank god it was lunch time so we got a break. Our city tour agency brought us to a nice restaurant (APT Restaurant) owned by the agency itself which was located near our hotel in Old Quarters where we had a lovely scrumptious lunch together.

Since the tour will continue to Ngoc Son Temple and Dong Xuan Market after lunch which we had visited the previous day, we left the tour and head out on foot by ourself. *still h
ave to pay for a full day tour even though we went for half only ler…

To be continued at:-
Jalan Jalan Cari Makan in Old Quarter, Hanoi

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Note: All photos are taken with my Panasonic Lumix F8.