Halong Bay , Vietnam

Halong Bay

Halong Bay

With its spectacular islands and caves, Halong Bay-"Bay of Descending Dragons"-is one of Vietnam's top sights. If you've focused your trip on the extraordinary cities and monuments of urban Vietnam, a visit to Halong Bay leaves no doubt that Vietnam also has some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world.

Getting to Know Halong Bay

Halong Bay, a UN World Heritage Site on the coast of northern Vietnam, is dotted with 1,969 islands rising dramatically from the bay's emerald green waters. The islands were formed from limestone sediments deposited at the bottom of an ancient ocean. As the seas rose and fell over millennia, the soft limestone was easily shaped into the towering monoliths--what geologists call karst formations--we see today. The forces of erosion also riddled the islands with caves, more than 20 of which are open to tourists.

Sailing among the limestone islands of Halong Bay is an unforgettable experience

Fishermen ply the shallow waters for 200 species of fish and 450 different kinds of mollusks. Often an island's shape determines its name, such as Voi Islet (elephant), Ga Choi Islet (fighting cock), and Mai Nha Islet (roof). Birds and animals, including antelopes, monkeys, and iguanas, also live on some of the islands. Cat Ba Island is a UN Biosphere Reserve and home to many rare species.

Archeological evidence reveals that humans have settled near Halong Bay since at least 3,000 B.C. Halong Bay is no stranger to conflict. In 1288 General Tran Hung Dao stopped Mongol ships from sailing up the nearby Bach Dang River by placing steel-tipped wooden stakes at high tide, sinking the Mongol fleet. Today General Dao is revered throughout Vietnam. You can visit the Do Go, or Cave of the Sticks, where legend says the sticks that sank the Mongol fleet were stored.

Sculpted by water over millions of years, the islands, tunnels and caves of Halong Bay are a UN World Heritage Site (flickr user kkinjo)

During the Vietnam War, Viet Cong forces used the caves as hideouts. Many of the channels between the islands were heavily mined by the U.S. military, and the mines sometimes pose shipping problems even today.

Halong Bay is ancient, but the name itself, literally translated as "Bay of Descending Dragons," is relatively new. As reported by the French-language Haiphong News, a huge sea snake was sighted by a French captain in 1898, and it wasn't much of a stretch to call it a dragon. Word of the sighting spread and the name stuck.

About Your Visit

Make no mistake: Halong Bay is a major tourist destination, but don't let the crowds discourage you. Peak season is May to October, when visibility is at its best (although it's also the hottest time of year).

The bay is about four hours' drive from Hanoi. Instead of taking slow and sometimes unsafe local buses, rent a car or take a special tourist bus. Most visitors do an overnight stay on a floating junk in the bay or in the town of Cat Ba on Cat Ba Island, but day trips are also possible. Boat tours usually include transportation to and from Hanoi.

Lush green fields line the road on the way to and from Halong Bay (flickr user Foraggio Fotographic)

The service and accommodations on boat tours ranges from bare bones to luxury, but paying more will give you a better experience. See below for more information about boat tours.

Things to See and Do

You can have a delightful visit to Halong Bay even if you never step foot off a tour boat, but you won't want to miss the extraordinary caverns within the islands. Here are some of the better known caves:

Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave): One of the largest and most impressive of the caves, the Surprise Cave was given its name by the astonished French explorers who discovered it in 1901. Fifty steps lead up to the cave entrance. From there you'll proceed through three progressively larger grottoes, each festooned with stalactites and stalagmites that take on different shapes, such as a dragon, tiger and penguin. Once you emerge from the caves you'll be rewarded with a spectacular view over the bay below.

No need for a flashlight in many of the larger caves--the interiors are floodlit in multi-colored hues (flickr user A. www.viajar24h.com)

Do Go (Cave of the Stakes): According to legend, the wooden stakes that General Tran Hung Dao used to stop the Mongol fleet were stored here. The cave consists of three chambers. The first features a massive pillar that appears to be a monk holding a cane. A second, narrow chamber leads to a huge third grotto, with spectacular animal-shaped rock formations. For good reason early French explorers called it "Grotte des merveilles"-the cave of marvels.

Tropical light sneaks into a Halong Bay cave, illuminating a huge chamber and its dimpled roof (flickr user kkinjo)

Hang Trinh Nu (Virgin Cave): A story is told that rather than marry an old king, a beautiful local girl fled to this cave and committed suicide by turning herself into a rock formation within the cave. Virgin Cave tunnels through the island above for more than a mile, with numerous beautiful chambers on either side.

Your tour boat will likely stop near Virgin Cave for the night. It's a good place to see fishermen at work.

Thien Cung Grotto (Heavenly Cave): Climbing steep stairs through thick forest, visitors to the Thien Cung Grotto enter a huge chamber adorned with stalactites and stalagmites of all kinds.

This is a popular cave for day trippers on their way to Cat Ba Island.

Appearing like subterranean icicles, stalactites--which form from the top down--and stalagmites--which form from the bottom up--are striking features of the caves, including Thien Cung (flickr user kkinjo)

Other caves you may want to visit include:

• Luon Cave (Tunnel Cave)
• Trong Cave (Drum Cave)
• Tam Cung Cave (Three Palace Grotto)
• Bo Nau Cave (Pelican Cave)

Floating fishing villages

A community of around 1,600 people lives on Halong Bay in several floating fishing villages. You can see them from boat tours or on your own by kayak.

The residents of the floating fishing communities are intimately connected to the sea throughout their lives

Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba is, at 87 square miles, the largest island in the bay and the main overnight hotel stop on inexpensive package tours.

Approximately half of the island's area is covered by a national park-also a UN Biosphere Reserve--which is home to the highly endangered Cat Ba langur. This golden-headed langur is rarely seen, as fewer than 100 specimens are thought to survive in the wild, although it is the subject of a well-organized conservation program. Other mammals in the park include civet cats and oriental giant squirrels. The park faces the constant challenge of protecting its biodiversity while encouraging tourism.

Although there is much beauty to explore on the island, Cat Ba town itself (pop. 8,000) has less to offer visitors. Many of the tours of Halong Bay include Cat Ba, so getting to the island is easy.

On Cat Ba Island you can take a break from the spelunking and enjoy the beach (flickr user fletchy182)

Boat tours

Halong Bay can be visited in a very long day trip from Hanoi, but instead of squeezing your sightseeing into a single day, consider staying overnight on a boat. There are dozens of boat tours to choose from-we've listed some of the more popular options below. Ask your travel agent for more information or contact these companies directly.

Seeing Halong Bay by boat is a fun, relaxing way of getting close to the islands, the caves and the people who live here. Take time to shop around and get the tour that fits your budget but still gives you a quality experience (flickr user exfordy)

Emeraude: http://www.emeraude-cruises.com

It's not cheap, but sailing the Emeraude offers an elegant introduction to Halong Bay. The Emeraude is a replica of an early 20th century ship, and at 180 feet long it's the largest vessel in the bay. The 2-day, 1-night tour includes fine dining, tai chi, and luxurious cabins. If you've been saving for a splurge, the Emeraude might be the way to go.

Floating food and drink vendors such as this family will keep you well supplied during your cruise on Halong Bay (flickr user Keith Bacongco)

The Jewel of the Bay: http://www.buffalotours.com/Vietnam+Tour/Kayaking/Overnight+Cruise+on+Jewel+of+the+Bay

Limited to just 16 passengers, the tours offered by Buffalo Tours on their boat The Jewel of the Bay are a cheaper but still excellent alternative to the Emeraude. Buffalo Tours includes kayaking as part of the trip.

Handspan: http://www.handspan.com

This company offers a variety of tours of different lengths on different kinds of vessels.

Your boat may look something like this, depending on which service you sail with (flickr user kkinjo)

Kayaking: A great way to see the bay is by kayak. You can choose where you want to go, and the bay's waters are smooth and suitable for beginners. Ask locally for places to rent kayaks, if your tour doesn't include kayaking.

For an up-close look at the bay and its communities, the kayak is ideal. It's also great for paddling under low-hanging rocks to discover the tunnels and coves beyond the reach of the tour boats (flickr user globallives)

Glorious sunsets are a common sight at Halong Bay

Source: Wikitravel.org, licensed under the GFDL

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known as Saigon or by the abbreviation HCMC, is the largest city in Vietnam and was the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). As the throbbing commercial heart of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is always in a hurry, and the heat, noise and crowds can be overwhelming. But don't give up: Ho Chi Minh City rewards patient tourists with a fascinating glimpse of Vietnam--as it was, is, and will be.

Ho Chi Minh City's skyline is as busy as the streets below

Getting to Know Ho Chi Minh City

Geography and Climate

Ho Chi Minh City is located in the southeastern region of Vietnam, 1,094 miles south of Hanoi. Just 63 feet above sea level, HCMC has a muggy, tropical climate with an average 75% humidity. Rainy season runs from May to late November, with December to April being the driest, coolest months.

The motorcycle is the preferred mode of transport in and around HCMC (flickr user androog)

History

Ho Chi Minh City began as a small fishing village called Prey Nokor, inhabited by Khmer people originally from what is now Cambodia. Over time, Vietnamese refugees fleeing civil wars elsewhere in Vietnam filled the region. By the end of the 17th century, under the Nguyen dynasty, Vietnam had completely absorbed Prey Nokor, which was by then known as Saigon.

The French arrived in 1859 and conquered Saigon and, later, the rest of Vietnam. With its wide boulevards and French-inspired architecture, Saigon became known as "the Pearl of the Far East" and "Paris in the Orient."

Not only a beautiful example of French colonial architecture, the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral is a place of calm in a busy city (flickr user Foraggio Fotographic)

Resentment against French colonial rule fueled the liberation movements led by Ho Chi Minh and others. In 1954 Ho Chi Minh's communist Viet Minh forces defeated the French at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, causing them to withdraw from Vietnam. Subsequently, Vietnam was partitioned into North and South Vietnam, with the government of the south--the Republic of Vietnam--based in Saigon. It wasn't long before bitter conflict engulfed the country.

On April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese troops captured Saigon, ending the Vietnam War. Following North Vietnam's victory, Vietnam was unified and the capital was moved to Hanoi. Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City to honor "Uncle Ho," the leader who led Vietnam to independence. Many Vietnamese, however, still call the city Saigon.

People

The Vietnamese people are known for their friendliness and hospitality (flickr user EverJean)

With 10 million inhabitants in the greater Ho Chi Minh City area, 7 million in the city itself, HCMC is the largest city in Vietnam and has about 7% of the total population of Vietnam. HCMC, the economic and financial hub of Vietnam, has attracted increasing numbers of immigrants from other Vietnamese provinces in recent years, and as a result its population is growing rapidly--about 200,000 people per year.

About 90% of the population is ethnic Vietnamese. Another 8% of Ho Chi Minh City's residents are Chinese and they make up the largest Chinatown in Vietnam and perhaps the world. The inhabitants of Ho Chi Minh City are known as "Saigonese" in English, "Saigonnais" in French and "dan Sai Gon" in Vietnamese.

About half of Vietnam's population of 87 million was born after the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 (flickr user *etoile)

Most residents of Ho Chi Minh City are Buddhist or practice ancestor worship, but about 13% are Roman Catholic or Protestant--a legacy of French missionary work. Adherents of other faiths such as Islam and Hinduism are found in smaller numbers in Ho Chi Minh City.

Officially a socialist country, capitalism thrives in Vietnam, even amidst heavy traffic (flickr user Whitney Kidder-Alvarez)

Things to See in Ho Chi Minh City

• Reunification Palace, built between 1962 and 1966, is a frozen-in-time look at the home of the president of South Vietnam at the time Saigon fell to the North on April 30, 1975. A replica of tank #843, which crashed through the gates of the palace that day, now rests on the lawn outside. Be sure to check out the impressively kitschy recreation room, featuring a circular sofa, and the eerie basement, full of vintage 1960s phones, radios and office equipment, supposedly left exactly as they were found when the North took over. A film about the North's victory--heavy on the propaganda--runs continuously in various languages. Tours are available and free, but are not necessary. There is a nice café on the grounds outside the palace.



Virtually unchanged since the day Saigon fell to North Vietnam, Reunification Palace is interesting both for its role in the war and as an example of 1960s architecture (flickr user foraggio)



Looking away from Reunification Palace, toward the famous gates through which tanks from the North Vietnamese army advanced on April 30, 1975 (flickr user banggigay)

• War Remnants Museum: Formerly known as the Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes, the museum was opened just five months after the fall of the South. The original name of the museum gives an indication of its intent, so don't expect an evenhanded accounting of war crimes committed by both sides, but the museum also makes a strong call for peace. Outside, there are helicopters, jets, tanks and other bits of armament. Inside, the exhibitions, informative but sometimes graphic, will leave no doubt as to the human cost of war.



A tank like this one helped secure the fall of Saigon and the reunification of Vietnam (flickr user SqueakyMarmot)

• City Hall: Built between 1902 and 1908 as the Hôtel de Ville, this striking cream and yellow French colonial building, now formally known as the People's Committee Hall, is beautifully floodlit at night.



The City Hall building is an unmissable legacy of France's decades-long presence in Vietnam

• Notre Dame Cathedral: This neo-Romanesque edifice, a towering reminder of French rule, was built between 1877 and 1883 with imported bricks and stained glass from France. Note that it's open only on Sundays for services, which are in English and Vietnamese.



Notre Dame Cathedral is another beautful addition to HCMC's architectural heritage (flickr user banggigay)

• Museum of Vietnamese History: The museum has a fine collection of Vietnamese antiquities, including the country's best collection of ceramics. There are also exhibits about ethnic groups in the south, as well as prehistoric artifacts. Rare for museums in Vietnam, some descriptions are in English. Outside, the Botanical Gardens are very nice and a good place for a cheap lunch away from the crowds. The zoo, unfortunately, is not worth visiting.
• Ho Chi Minh Museum: This museum, housed in a French colonial-era building on the Saigon River, tells the life story of the father of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh. The site is important as well for being the place where the young Ho Chi Minh first set sail for Europe in the early 20th century.
• Cholon ("Chinatown"): Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown is perhaps the largest of its kind in the world. Take a few hours to stroll around the area, soaking in the atmosphere and noticing the details of this culture within a culture. Some of the temples found in this area are listed below.

Chinese Temples

You'll be surrounded by pungent incense at any of HCMC's Chinese temples (flickr user foraggio)

• Jade Emperor Temple: Its colorful woodwork bathed in incense smoke, the Jade Emperor Temple is a standout among Chinese temples in Vietnam. The temple, built in 1909 by Cantonese Chinese, honors the Emperor of Jade, the "god of the heavens" in Taoist belief.
• Giac Lam Temple: North of Cholon, Giac Lam is the oldest Chinese temple in Ho Chi Minh City, built in 1744. The temple is an active pilgrimage site for the old and sick: pilgrims ring a large bronze bell to aid their petitions to the gods. Monks will, for a small fee, pray for loved ones as well. Don't miss the prayer sessions, held four times a day, featuring a mix of chanting, bells, gongs and drums.
• Chua Quan Am Temple: Another atmospheric Chinese temple, Quan Am was founded in 1816. The heavily gilded woodwork is beautifully carved, with some extraordinary roof decorations and gold-and-lacquer panels. No museum piece, Quan Am attracts a steady stream of worshippers, catered to by a team of monks. For a donation, the saffron-robed monks will show you around the temple.
• Thien Hau Temple ("The Lady Temple"): Built and rebuilt many times since its first construction in 940 A.D., the current incarnation of Thien Hau dates from 1900. The temple is dedicated to Lady Thien Hau, the sea goddess, who left two giant stone turtles to keep an eye on the temple in her absence. A festival is held in her honor on the 23rd day of the March lunar month. The elaborate gilded carvings and the beautiful incense coils hanging above the courtyard will be a highlight of your visit.



The incense coils at Thien Hau

Shopping

Traditional Vietnamese arts and crafts, or replicas thereof, are sold by dozens of shops around the central tourist district. The best and most expensive items can be mostly found in the Dong Khoi neighborhood; the goods tend to get progressively cheaper as you move west toward the Ben Thanh Central Market. A few shops have authentic woven silk textiles from indigenous tribes in the Sapa region in northern Vietnam. Lacquered paintings, plates, bowls and other handicrafts are quite striking and unique to Vietnam.

Markets

• Ben Thanh Market is the largest old-style market in the central district, with several hundred small stalls stuffed with goods on almost impassably narrow aisles. As a result of its popularity with tourists, the market is now divided about half and half between tourist goods (jeans, T-shirts, smaller souvenirs) and the stuff of regular life (fruit and vegetables, rice, kitchen wares, flowers, meat, fast food, and local-style pickled fruits and candies). Most items are not price-marked, and vendors always quote a 50-100% higher price to tourists vs. locals, so to save some money prepare to haggle!



Teeming with buyers and sellers, Ben Thanh market is well worth a visit for the cultural experience alone (flickr user sridgway)

• Night Market: Just outside Ben Thanh Market, the Night Market starts up when the Ben Thanh market closes at 5 p.m., with similar merchandise and food for sale.
• The War Surplus Market in Chinatown is sometimes called the American Market. Merchants sell old American military gear of indeterminate authenticity, cheap t-shirts, and electrical supplies.

Things to See Near Ho Chi Minh City

• Cu Chi Tunnels: About 40 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels are an elaborate underground community made up of over 200 miles of tunnels and chambers below the city. The tunnels were dug with simple tools and bare hands in the 1940s, during the French occupation, and further expanded during the Vietnam War in the 1960s as a base for guerrilla operations against the Americans and South Vietnamese. Despite intensive American bombardments in the area, the people of Cu Chi were able to continue their lives beneath the soil, where they slept, ate, planned attacks, healed their sick, and taught their young. Some even wed and gave birth underground. Multiple agencies in Ho Chi Minh City offer tours to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Be prepared to get dirty if you want to crawl through the tunnels yourself!



The ingenious tunnels at Cu Chi are an engineering marvel and make for a fascinating visit (flickr user zongo69)

• Mekong Delta: The Mekong Delta, known in Vietnamese as the "Nine Dragon River Delta," is the primary waterway of southern Vietnam and the center of the country's rice production. If you're seeking one of the iconic images of Vietnam-women in their conical hats tending emerald green rice paddies-you'll find it here. Boat tours are available with an almost infinite variety of itineraries: afternoon cruises, overnight trips, or 2-3 days tours, which can be particularly rewarding. It's even possible to sail to Phnom Penh in Cambodia.



A woman from the Mekong Delta wearing a traditional "non la" hat (flickr user Maurice Koop)

• Vung Tau: With its beautiful beaches, fresh air and proximity to Saigon, Vung Tau is a very popular weekend destination. Vung Tau was also the site of one of the first battles between the Vietnamese and invading French in 1859, and later served as an in-country R&R destination for American soldiers during the Vietnam War.



Vietnamese families, not just foreign tourists, enjoy the beach at Vung Tau (flickr user *etoile)

• Mui Ne: Until 15 years ago a barely inhabited fishing village, Mui Ne is now a thriving resort community with some spectacular sand dunes and beaches.



Vietnam isn't all lush jungle and rice paddies: Mui Ne delights visitors with Sahara-like sand dunes as well as some beautiful beaches (flickr user Abulic Monkey)

Source: Wikitravel.org, licensed under the GFDL

All flickr photos are licensed under the Creative Commons

Holiday in Hanoi , Vietnam

Hanoi

Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a fascinating blend of East and West, with a mix of Chinese and French influences enriching the vibrant Vietnamese culture. Largely unspoiled by modern development, Hanoi is a rising star in Southeast Asia and has much to offer the tourist.

Crossing busy Hanoi streets with this degree of calm takes years of practice (flickr user welsh boy)

Getting to Know Hanoi

Geography and Weather

Hanoi is located in northern Vietnam on the right bank of the Red River, about 1,100 miles north of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Summers are hot, humid and often rainy, while winters are relatively cool and dry. Temperatures in winter can dip to the low forties, not including wind chill, while summer can get as hot as 100-104°F.

People

Hanoi's population of about 3.4 million is constantly growing (about 3.5% per year), a reflection of the fact that the city is both the economic heart of northern Vietnam and also the country's political center. Long-time residents of Hanoi are increasingly rare, even in the Old Quarter, where merchant families have lived for generations. Now, established merchants are just as likely to rent their storefront space and live elsewhere.

There's an abundance of smiles in Vietnam (flickr user welsh boy)

Vietnam is still a socialist country, but you'll find that Hanoians, like many Vietnamese, have embraced capitalism with gusto.

History

Hanoi has been capital of Vietnam for nearly a thousand years, during which the city has endured numerous invasions, occupations, restorations and name changes. The Chinese ruled Hanoi and much of Vietnam off and on for centuries, until a Vietnamese general named Le Loi finally secured the nation's independence in 1428. It wasn't until 1831 that the Nguyen Dynasty renamed the city Ha Noi, which can be translated as Between Rivers or River Interior.

A woman wearing the traditional conical hat, called a "non la," or leaf hat (flickr user flydime)

Vietnam's independence ended in the mid-1800s, when the country was colonized by the French. Hanoi became capital of French Indochina in 1887. The French administration imposed significant political and cultural changes on Vietnamese society. A Western-style system of modern education was developed, and Christianity was introduced into Vietnamese society. Developing a plantation economy to promote the exports of tobacco, indigo, tea and coffee, the French largely ignored increasing calls for self-government and civil rights. A nationalist political movement soon emerged, with leaders such as Phan Boi Chau, Phan Chu Trinh, Emperor Ham Nghi and Ho Chi Minh calling for independence.

From 1940 to 1945 the Japanese occupied Hanoi and the rest of Vietnam, exploiting the country for its natural resources. With the end of World War II, the French resumed control of their colony. In response, Ho Chi Minh launched a liberation movement that led to eight bloody years of war with France. The French finally withdrew in 1954, leaving Vietnam divided in half at the 17th parallel, with Ho Chi Minh's communist Democratic Republic of Vietnam based in the north, and the Republic of Vietnam in the south. The stage was set for the bitter Vietnam War, which effectively ended in 1975 when North Vietnamese forces captured the Republic of Vietnam's capital, Saigon. Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam when North and South Vietnam were formally reunited on July 2, 1976.

Colonial buildings like this one are a reminder of French influence in Vietnam

Things to See in Hanoi

As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is the cultural center of Vietnam. Despite the battles that have raged around it, Hanoi retains much of its historic charm. Hanoi boasts more cultural sites than any city in Vietnam, including over 600 pagodas and temples and some delightful French colonial buildings.

• The Old Quarter, near Hoan Kiem Lake, is a thriving, chaotic tangle of streets dating to the 13th century. Each street was originally home to merchants specializing in a particular trade, such as jewelry, silver, baskets, and silks, and the street names today reflect these industries, even if the same products are no longer offered there. The Old Quarter is still famous for its artisans and merchants. Look for the guild houses dotting the area, whose tranquil courtyards and temples offer a nice break from the busy streets. The Dong Xuan market, the city's largest, is found in the heart of the district and is open for business every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening, with a huge variety of clothing, souvenirs and food for sale.

  The Old Quarter is most enjoyable when you put away your map and simply wander the maze of lanes, soaking up the cultural essence of Hanoi.



The red roofs of Hanoi's Old Quarter make for a charming skyline

• Lakes: Hanoi has many scenic lakes and is sometimes called "City of Lakes," the most famous of which are Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Halais Lake, and Bay Mau Lake. At Hoan Kiem Lake you can join in on a martial arts session, do some tai chi exercises, or simply stroll. West Lake, the largest lake in Hanoi, is the city's Beverly Hills, with many trendy restaurants and clubs in the area. It's also home to Vietnam's oldest pagoda, Tran Quoc, which was built in the 6th century on an island in the middle of the lake. A boddhi tree seeded from the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment grows in the courtyard.



The imposing pagoda of Tran Quoc

• French colonial architecture: Hanoi was the capital of French Indonchina from 1887 to 1954, and the city retains some beautiful colonial buildings from that period. Good examples include the Grand Opera House, the State Bank of Vietnam (formerly the Bank of Indochina), the Presidential Palace (formerly the palace of the governor-general of French Indochina), the Cathédrale St-Joseph, and historic hotel Sofitel Metropole.



The Presidential Palace, built between 1901 and 1906, was the home of the French governor-general of Indochina. For symbolic reasons, Ho Chi Minh refused to live in it (flickr user callmeack).

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: Ho Chi Minh City in the south may have his name, but only Hanoi has the man himself, embalmed and dressed in distinctly Lenin-esque fashion. No talking, short pants, or other signs of disrespect are allowed while viewing; photos of the large concrete-and-granite structure are permitted only from outside, in the grand Ba Dinh Square.



Reminiscent of Lenin's tomb in Red Square, Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum reflects his venerated status in Vietnam

• Ho Chi Minh Museum: Right around the corner from the mausoleum, this gleaming white museum and its gloriously ham-handed iconography are the perfect chaser to the solemnity of the mausoleum. The museum displays personal items and photos from Ho Chi Minh's life, housed in a building, completed in 1990, which is intended to evoke a white lotus.
• Ho Chi Minh's residence: Rather than occupy the spectacular Presidential Palace, former home of the French colonial governor, Ho instead chose to live nearby in a traditional Vietnamese house on stilts, overlooking a small pond. He was resident here from 1958 to his death in 1969.



Ho Chi Minh's presence is felt everywhere in Hanoi. Today, he's revered less for his socialist ideals and more for his leadership in unifying and liberating Vietnam (flickr user Ianz).

• One-Pillar Pagoda: First built in 1049, the One-Pillar Pagoda honors Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the goddess of mercy.



It can be mobbed by tourists, but One-Pillar Pagoda is well worth a visit (flickr user thalling55)

• The Temple of Literature, an excellent example of Chinese and Vietnamese architecture, was founded in 1070 to honor the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It was established as the country's first university six years later. The courtyard features 82 stone tablets, each mounted on the back of a carved tortoise, with the names of graduates from the years 1484 to 1780.



The Temple of Literature is not only an interesting sight but a great place to take a break from the hectic city (flickr user satbir)

• Hoa Lo Prison ("The Hanoi Hilton"): Built by the French at the turn of the 20th century, this is where the French imprisoned and executed many Vietnamese during the war for independence. Later, the prison was used to hold U.S. prisoners of war, including U.S Senator John McCain. The prison is now a museum highlighting the struggle of the Vietnamese people against imperialism.
• Army Museum: This museum celebrates the role of the Vietnamese Army in the country's battles for independence. In addition to historic photos, there are numerous bombs, aircraft, guns and tanks on display, including one of the tanks that charged through the gates of the presidential palace in Saigon on April 30, 1975, an event which marked the end of the Vietnam War.



Military history buffs especially will enjoy the Army Museum (flickr user Ianz)

• Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts: For visitors with an interest in the arts, this museum, housed in a beautiful colonial building, is a must-see. There's a nice mix of Vietnamese traditional crafts such as lacquerware and silk painting, as well as some impressive historic artifacts. One highlight is an 11th century statue of the goddess of mercy, Kouan Yin, with a thousand arms and eyes. There are explanations in English.
• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: Vietnam is home to 53 ethnic minorities, and this museum sheds light on their history and culture. In back of the museum are re-constructions of traditional village homes.

Although auto traffic is growing in Hanoi, many residents still get around as these women do: on two wheels (flickr user Ruud!)

Things to See Near Hanoi

If you have more time, or you're just eager to escape the city crowds, there are some interesting sights near Hanoi that will make your trip to Vietnam even more memorable:

• The Perfume Pagoda is a Buddhist pilgrimage site about 40 miles southwest of Hanoi. A full-day excursion involves a boat trip, hiking up a mountain, and visiting various temples and grottoes.
• Bat Trang is a village world-famous for its pottery, five miles southeast of Hanoi.
• Cuc Phuong National Park is the largest national park in Vietnam, with a great diversity of flora and fauna. It's an easy day-trip from Hanoi.
• Ha Long Bay: Staying overnight on a boat on the breathtaking Ha Long Bay (or in a hotel on Cat Ba Island) is a great way to experience this scenic area, the most popular side trip from Hanoi.
• Sapa: The northern village of Sapa, home to ethnic minorities, gorgeous mountain scenery, and trekking paths connecting many tiny mountain villages, is also a popular two or three day trip. The trekking paths have no signs, so a hiring a guide is well-advised.

If you have time you should consider a visit to nearby Ha Long Bay, with its unforgettable rock formations (flickr user pellaea)

Eating

Food sits at the very epicenter of Vietnamese culture: in every significant holiday on the Vietnamese cultural calendar, all the important milestones in a Vietnamese person's life, and indeed, most of the important day-to-day social events and interactions, food plays a central role. Special dishes are prepared and served with great care for every birth, marriage and death, and the anniversaries of ancestors' deaths. More business deals are struck over dinner tables than over boardroom tables, and when friends get together, they eat together. Preparing food and eating together remains the focus of family life.

The most famous example of Vietnamese cuisine is pho--pho ga (chicken noodle soup) or pho bo (beef noodle soup). In Hanoi you'll find various other dishes which include chicken, beef, fish and seafood.

Pho bo--beef noodle soup--is a very popular, delicious meal (flickr user panduh)

Coffee, baguettes, and pastries were originally introduced by the French colonials, but all three have been localized and remain popular contemporary aspects of Vietnamese cuisine. Bánh mì Hanoi are freshly-baked white bread baguettes filled with grilled meats or liver or pork pâté, plus fresh herbs and vegetables. Most pastry shops also serve a variety of sweets and quick foods.

A typical Vietnamese meal in the Old Quarter might look like this--notice the refreshing hot towel in the plastic wrapper (flickr user hermmermferm)

A local delicacy in the Hanoi area is dog meat, which is especially popular in the winter. There are a number of restaurants along the Red River that specialize in it. Another exotic regional taste is ca cuong, an extract from the belostomatid, or giant water bug. Just a few drops are added to noodles for the unique aroma.

There are thousands of restaurants in Hanoi catering to everyone's taste. Go easy on the really exotic foods until your digestive system has had some time to adjust.

Little vegetable stalls like this one abound in Hanoi, so if the exotic meats aren't to your taste you're never far from fresh fruits and vegetables

Source: Wikitravel.org, licensed under the GFDL

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