Hanoi

Paul on the The Huc Bridge of Hoan Kiem Lake

at Den Ngoc Son (Jade Mountain Temple)

 Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, has been known by many names since the area was first inhabited in around 3000 BC. It recently, 2010, celebrated its official 1000th birthday. The name Ha Noi, meaning the city at the river's bend, was given by the Nguyen emperor, Minh Mang in 1831. It is the second largest city in Vietnam, after Ho Chi Minh City, with a population of about 7 million. It has a warm, humid, subtropical climate with four seasons, even though the fall and spring seasons only last 1 month each! When we visited Hanoi in February (winter), the temperature fell between 20 and 24 degrees C, which the Vietnamese consider cool.

Inside Den Ngoc Son

park near former French Quarter

Hanoi has survived many invasions and wars. The French made it the capital of colonial IndoChina in the the late 1800's and began a vigorous campaign of building and infrastructure construction. Hanoi was occupied briefly by the Japanese in 1940, but was reoccupied by the French in 1946. After 9 years of fighting between the French and the Viet Minh (Ho Chi Minh's communist party), Hanoi became the capital of an independent North Vietnam in 1954 and, after the end of the American War, it was proclaimed capital of a reunified Vietnam in 1976.

We stayed at the Hanoi Essence hotel, a marvellous hotel
right in the heart of the old quarter.

Hanoi is definitely a place to visit in Vietnam. With its Chinese influence and legacy of French colonial style: huge mansions, grand boulevards, parks and lakes, it was exciting and attractive. Even after American bombs and Russian influenced planning (after WWII), it still represents a good example of a French inspired colonial city.

Old quarter, during Tet

The old quarter is the oldest commercial district in Hanoi. Most of the narrow streets are named after the trade guilds they once represented, for example, Hang Tre (Bamboo Street), Hang Bac (Silver Street). While today the shops offer more than what their name suggests, it is a unique and interesting glimpse into history.

Van Mieu Gate, Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is the oldest architectural complex in Hanoi. It was founded in 1070 in honour of the Chinese philosopher, Confucius. It is divided into 5 courtyards separated by walls and gateways and connected by a central pathway which divides the complex into symmetrical halves.

Well of Heavenly Clarity

One Pillar Pagoda

The One Pillar Pagoda is an icon in Hanoi. It was built by Emporer Ly Thai Tong in AD 1049 and sits on a single stone pillar which stands in a lotus pond. It was built to represent a lotus flower in gratitude for the birth of the Emporer's son. Over the centuries, the pagoda has been damaged and reconstructed many times. It was burned by the French in 1954, presumably in retaliation for the battle of Dien Bien Phu.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) is situated in the centre of Hanoi. Legend tells of golden turtle living in the lake which presented a magical sword to General Le Loi. With the help of the sword, the general was able to expel the occupying Chinese from the city and establish himself as Emporer. Some time later, when he was sailing on the lake, the turtle rose to the surface and reclaimed the sword.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Located next to the Mausoleum, the Ho Chi Minh Museum was built in 1990 to chronicle and celebrate the life of 'Uncle Ho'. The exhibits are housed on 3 floors of the 107000 sq. ft. Soviet inspired, whitewashed building. Ho's life story is told in flashy, propaganda style, that is I'm told, lacking in substance. We did not go in but I liked the stark, clean appearance of the building.