Exploring Hanoi from Different Angles

Touching down in Hanoi brought me down to memory lane where I was being surrounded by aging buildings, erected on both sides of the road, with marks and scars left during the war period and motorcycles moving fast around the bustling city. I still remember the only things I saw before landing were big pieces of green lands. Padi fields and greeneries covered near the entire city of Hanoi. (Well, at least, the area around the airport was!)

Hanoi is a place rich with heritage and culture. Let’s explore the different angles of Hanoi!

Buildings
As an ex-French colonial, buildings here carry much French-influenced touches. For instance, you can see churches around which look quite similar to those in France. However, there are some other architectures which feature Chinese-influenced imprints and highlights on them as well. Temples are surrounded by dragons and phoenixes sculptures which highlighted the refined traditional Chinese touches! Also, you will see tall but thin houses scattered around the padi field area. These are houses of the farmers. I was told the taller they are, the richer the farmer.

French-influenced architecture - St. Joseph Church

A lion statue in a temple

Food
Food here is very much down-to-earth. It’s not hard to find fancy western food or Japanese food but the local delicacies here are very much cheaper and special. You can’t find them elsewhere. Don’t worry, it’s not hard to find fast food chain here too. I find that they are very good in preparing seafood dishes! Food here are quite similar to Chinese cooking. Maybe that’s why I find it easier to accept the food here. For dessert lovers, there are a lot of small bakery shops which sell delicious cakes and other types of bread. Small stalls which sell numerous kinds of snacks mushroom around upon sunset. Go ahead and try some tempting local savoury and delicacies. No regrets!

Vietnamese popiah - mixed vege and chicken meat wrapped in a thin slice of crepe

Sweet dessert soup with loads of mixed ingredients - louts seeds, longan, herbs and etc!

Fried crab

Artwork
It’s like a haven of artwork in Hanoi. You can simply pick one shop and you’ll be amazed by the defined and refined artistic display on the walls. I love their wood carving and my heart got captured by their paintings and fine thread art. There are even shops which feature their artists in the hall, working on their masterpieces on the spot. It’s like watching Picasso painting in real life! The ever famous water puppet dolls are also on popular demand. The cute little human-like dolls, made of wood, are very symbolic to Hanoi. Most tourists like to get one for themselves as souvenir. Why not?!

Beautiful dolls in traditional Vietnamese costumes

Potteries

Water Puppets

Souvenirs anyone?!

Hanoi, so calm and peaceful, it is definitely a place for relaxation. PYO Travel has it all for you. Enjoy the beautiful sight of Hanoi with PYO Travel’s meticulous packages.

Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine Years Old HANOI

In October 2009, Hanoi would be celebrating her auspicious birthday numbering nine hundred and ninety-nine years old.

Nine hundred and ninety nine years of establishment has not been an easy feat. After undergoing a renaming process from being Tong Binh, Long Do (the Dragon’s Belly), Dai La, Thang Long (Ascending Dragon) and many other names, Vietnam finally settled with the name Hanoi in year 1831.

Crazy traffic in Hanoi

Hanoi had witnessed several dynasties reigning over her. Besides the Chinese, Japan had also left Hanoi its mark from the year 1940-1945. But it is the French who came and went and left behind Hanoi city its stylistic architectural design.

In such an ancient capital city, Hanoi is no doubt the country’s cultural centre and guarantees any traveler a rich cultural and historical exploration. There is no better place to untangle the paradox of Hanoi’s ancient history and colonial legacy in detail at the museums in Hanoi.

Indochina architectural design during the French colonial period

As you escape the non-stop bustling city swamped with honking motorbikes and scooters, the earthly terra cotta Indochina architectural style of National Museum of Vietnamese History brings you a sense of peace and serenity. Opened in 1910, this museum was once a French research institute for Far-East history during the French colonial rule. Now as you step into its interior, it brings you through a sequential journey through the ruling period of every dynasty and foreign rulers in Vietnam. The only way to truly understand a nation’s heartbeat is through its people and history.

After a history lesson on the kings and rulers of Vietnam, learn about the 54 colourful official ethnic groups in Vietnam. This is definitely a museum to visit if you want to check out the diversified group of people in Vietnam. Though all Vietnamese may look the same to us, each ethnic tribe actually has their own language, lifestyle, and cultural heritage. You will see unique funny carvings of little men and women, beautiful handicrafts with distinct patterns of different ethnic groups, and the types of music they play.

Traditional Ao Dai clothing of the Kinh ethnic

Next is the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts. Though it is not as grand like how some Western museums are; this museum of fine arts showcase a fine display of Vietnamese art of the 20th century until the 1970s. It is eccentric in its own manner with arrangement of colourful detailed lacquer and silk painting gracing a number of walls in the old colonial building. You can seek to understand the various techniques of how the woodblocks and statuaries are done. Just in case you want to try it at home. The folk arts are simply delightful in a simplicity that you can only find a silent peace by looking at them. With Buddhism strongly rooted in Vietnam, you’ll find the fourth floor of the museum dedicated to prehistoric artifacts and Buddhist sculptures. Remember to see the infamous 11th century Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) too while you are there.

Vietnamese Silk Painting

Visiting these museums is like finding the quiet heartbeat of Vietnam. The museums seat quietly as they wait for travelers to withdraw from the chaotic city pacing to have a moment of silence, finding out all the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of the this ancient city.

As you book your trip to indulge in a cultural walk through these museums, let’s remember to make a toast to Hanoi, Happy 999th Birthday!

A Beautiful Place Called Hanoi

Located by the Red River bank, Hanoi is the capital and the second largest city of Vietnam. Ever wonder what can you expect from this city? Well, if you want to know more, read on. And don’t forget to explore PYO Travel.com for exciting tour packages details, which can bring you to explore the beautiful Hanoi.

People have been wondering why I like Hanoi so much. Well, I find that the lifestyle there is very relaxing, peaceful and calm. When I was there, I could really keep my mind at ease and not thinking about all the hustle and bustle of my life in KL City... (at least for awhile!)

Here’s a list of what I liked about Hanoi :

1. One Pillar Pagoda

Being one of the most iconic temples in Vietnam, One Pillar Pagoda stands proudly on its pillar (as suggested by its name) in the heart of a lotus pond. The interesting part of this Buddhist temple is the story behind it. Once upon a time, the Emperor dreamt of receiving a son from bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara while seated on a lotus flower. Not long later, he married a peasant girl and was gifted a son. The Emperor then constructed this temple to be built. I would not know if this story (or legend) is real or not but it was really beautiful and the meaning behind it is so touching.

2. Temple of Literature Think Temple of Literature, think Confucius! Don’t be surprised if someone tells you that this Confucian temple is the first university in Vietnam. You can find names of scholars being crafted on the stone walls on top of big stone turtles being displayed there. I guess the turtles represent longevity.

3. Old Quarters

Haven for motorcyclists...

This is one of my favourite spots in Hanoi. Do include this in your "must-visit" list. This is where you can find various exciting things here; food, drinks, clothes, art pieces, handicrafts, souvenirs, traditional medicine, toys, bags, watches and the list goes on… You would be surprised with all sorts of things here every minute! And also don't leave your calculators at home... the best tool for bargaining!!!

4. Halong Bay & Sung Sot Cave

Cock Fighting Islet...

You will see a lot of this "floating convenient stores" around...

This is my favourite place of all! Halong Bay is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Frankly speaking, I have never been surrounded by so many beautiful rocks and isles in the middle of the sea before. Staying overnight in the middle of the sea gave me a new experience which I would never want to forget. Imagine lying down on the top deck of the junk, looking up to the sky with the bright moon glowing in the dark, sipping a glass of chilled red wine… Oh, what a great way to enjoy life!

When we were in Halong Bay, we also explored Sung Sot Cave and managed to see so many stalactites and stalagmites naturally formed into various shapes and sizes. By the end of our journey in the cave, upon reaching the exit of the cave, we saw the best view of Halong Bay ever!

5. Super Sweet Pineapples
There were so many mobile stalls moving about along every roads of Hanoi. If you happen to see one selling pineapples, wait no more! Stop them and buy some from them. The mini pineapples are super sweet that you would never regret munching the whole fruit in the public!

Couldn’t wait longer for my next trip there. Have you been to Hanoi before? Don’t hesitate to share your experience there with me. For those who have never been to Hanoi, click PYO Travel.com to start your wonderful journey to a beautiful place called Hanoi.