SIMPLY (t)RAVELLING

Good Morning, Vietnam!

26 Oct 2011.

We found ourselves meandering through the LCCT departure hall on the wee hours of Diwali. Half asleep, the only way to force our eyes open was by watching the repetitious CNN news on Bangkok recent flooding. The FA’s call to the gate saved the day, and a few hours later we were already airborne above the Red River Delta.

 

It took 3 hours flying from KL to the north of Vietnam. Not a very long journey, but early morning flight means getting yourself comfy for a quick nap. Our fellow flightmates showed us that there are actually many ways to accomplish that in a confined AA seat.

 

The morning streaks of sun rays over the land of the Viets.

 

Ready to land. Comes November, the weather was a bit cold and gloomy.

 

Smooth landing at Noi Bai International Airport at approximately 8.35pm local time, 5 minutes behind schedule. By now you should have guessed where we were. Yup, we were at Hanoi, and local time is an hour late than Kuala Lumpur.

 

Passed the immigration nitty gritty, we got a few USD changed into Vietnamese Dong (you could have the currency change at the many banks’ BDC outlets at the airport’s lobby) and then straight ahead outside the complex where many taxi touts were waiting. Ignoring the spacious and comfy taxi flashing at USD10 – USD15 per ride, being budget conscious we opted the tightly crammed and stuffy minivan to the city at a mere USD2 per pax.

 

Good morning, Vietnam!

 

Along the way, DH spotted something bizarre and pointed it out to me.

 

On closer look, I was caught with a big ‘O’ at my mouth. Despite having read it before (we did a bit homework), but to see it with your naked eyes was totally something else. Roasted duck dogs, anyone?

 

We arrived at the Old Quarter one hour later. Using Hoan Kiem lake as focal navigation, finding our guest house at Hang Hanh street was painless.

 

The Old Quarter, near Hoan Kiem lake, has the original street layout and architecture of old Hanoi. At the beginning of the 20th century the city consisted of only about 36 streets, most of which are now part of the old quarter. Each street then had merchants and households specialized in a particular trade, such as silk traders, jewellery, etc. The street names nowadays still reflect these specializations, although few of them remain exclusively in their original commerce. (Source: Wikipedia)

Nice motorbike parked in front of our guest house. Arriving a bit early, our room was yet to be ready. Nevertheless, we had a warm welcome by the front person, Mr. Binh. In fact he has been very helpful prior from the start of our journey. While waiting for our room, we were served with Vietnamese coffee. Our virgin taste of the authentic, strong concoction was such a real ‘eye opener’ !

 

The only meal we had was the cold, in-flight chicken rice combo, and the brief walk in the chilly air from the Vietnamese Airlines office (minivan drop off point) at Quang Trung Street to our guest house simply made us hungry again. As halal food is scarce, a pot of hot instant noodles suddenly became more delicious than ever.

 

After a short rest and a simple meal, we were fully re-energized for the day jaunt. The initial plan was to visit Uncle Ho, but since the place was already closed (HCM Mausoleum is only opened from 9.00am – 11.00am), we took a cab to Văn Miếu instead. It is advisable to ask the guest house to call for the cab instead of flagging yourself. The taxis here prone to overcharge by tempering the meter. The most reliable and trustworthy is the white and green Ma Linh cab.

 

The path leading to the temple’s second courtyard. Văn Miếu, widely known as the Temple of Literature is a shrine dedicated to the teachings of Confucius. It also house the Imperial Academy, the first national university of Vietnam, dated as old as the year 1076 and functioned for more than 700 years. It served to educate Vietnam’s bureaucrats, nobles, royalty and other members of the elite at that point of time.

 

Our way to the third courtyard was blocked by these beautiful Viet ladies wearing the traditional and curvylicious Ao-dai. A group photo at the symbolic institution to commemorate their graduation day, I guessed.

 

My favorite is standing, second from right.

 

At the third courtyard, we spotted rows of turtle steles bearing the names of the scholars that passed the royal exams with flying colors.

 

The forth courtyard, houses the altars where Confucius and his four disciples are being worshiped.

 

 But we were distracted by the demure smile of the lady in red.

 

A walk behind the temple of Confucius we were brought to the fifth courtyard, the ground of the Imperial Academy.

 

And house the altar to the founder King Lý Nhân Tông.

 

But I was more attracted to the architecture.

 

And Vietnamese lady charming beauty.

 

Being close to China border, assimilation to Chinese culture is omnipresent.

 

 I just love the way the light enters the room.

 

Two scholars playing the Chinese Chess could be spotted in the garden. A symbolic replica of Hanoi real life pastime favorites. Especially among the elders.

 

Climbing the main complex to the second floor, we saw Uncle Ho scattered all over the rooftop beneath us. An offerings to the temple I presume. I think that it would be good if they are properly collected, which could be put to good use by the temple. Rather than leave its fate on the roof; the wind might blow it away.

 

Found nothing interesting, we descended and stumbled into this man doing some restoration work.

 

Nearby, a trinkets shop swarmed with tourists (including us!). I bought a postcard and a stamp, and some snapshot of the dragons. Dragon, is one of the country holy creatures other than the turtle. In fact, Hanoi was used to be known as Thăng Long , the city of the raising dragon.

 

As Indonesia is proud with their wayang golek, Hanoi is pleased with their famous water puppets. Of which we were seeing at night.

 

There were so many things to see with so many photographic values, but unfortunately our time was short. We only have a few hours left before our next spot is close for the day. With heavy heart, we walked back to the main entrance, crossing one courtyard to another until we arrived at the third courtyard. The place is adorned with the Well of Heavenly Clarity in front of the red pavilion.

 

The close up of constellation of the Red Pavilion.

 

>> Next: Hanoi Hilton, Hoan Kiem Lake and Water Puppet.