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Full of history, culture and temples here are some of the places
tourists should consider visiting when in Hanoi:
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
 Located
in the Cau Giay District, about 7km form the city center, the museum
features an astounding collection of art and everyday objects from
Vietnam, with maps, videos and dioramas supplementing the collection.
From the making of conical hats to the ritual of a Tay shamanic
ceremony, the museum covers the depth of Vietnam’s cultural diversity.
Displays are labeled in Vietnamese, French and English. Even the grounds
outside are home to more exhibits; there’s even a center for research
and conservation based here.
The trip is 30 minutes by bicycle from the city center. A xe om ride
costs around 20,000 or 50,000 return (including waiting time).
Other Museums
The Women’s Museum includes the expected tribute to women soldiers,
balanced by some wonderful exhibits from the international women’s
movement protesting the American War. On the 4th floor you can see
different costumes worn by the ethnic-minority groups in Vietnam.
Exhibits have Vietnamese, French and English explanations.
 Ironically
nicknamed the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ by US POWs (Prisoners of War) during
the American War, the Hoa Lo Prison Museum is all that remains of
the former Hoa Lo Prison. The bulk of exhibits focus on the Vietnamese
struggle for independence from France. Notable tools or torture on
display include an ominous French guillotine used to behead Vietnamese
revolutionaries during the colonial period; some displays have
interpretative labels in English and French.
Exhibiting an elegant blend of Chinese and French architectural styles,
the History Museum is a grand building. Located one block east of
the Opera House, this building, completed in 1932, remains one of
Hanoi’s most stunning structures. Exhibits include artifacts spanning
Vietnam’s long and turbulent history, beginning with the Paleolithic
period.
For those interested in war history or aircraft, don’t miss visiting the
Air Museum. On display outside are Soviet-built MiG fighters,
reconnaissance planes, helicopters and anti-air craft equipment. Inside,
you’ll find weaponry, war memorabilia and partially truncated MiG with a
ladder. Visitors are allowed to climb into the cockpit and have a tour
photo taken.
Temple of literature
 Dedicated
to Confucius (KhongTu) in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, Hanoi’s
beautiful Temple of Literature was later established as a university for
the education of mandarins. A must-visit, it is a well-preserved jewel
of traditional Vietnamese architecture.
Five courtyards are enclosed within the grounds. The front gate is
inscribed with a request that visitors dismount from their horses before
entering. There’s a peaceful reflecting pool in the front courtyard, and
the Khue Van Pavilion at the back of the second courtyard.
In 1484, Emperor Le Thang Tong ordered the establishment of stelae
honoring the men who received doctorates in the triennial examinations
dating back to 1442. Each of the 82 stelae that stand here is set on a
stone tortoise. The Temple of Literature is located 2km west of Hoan
Kiem Lake.
Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum Complex
In the tradition of Lenin, Stalin and Mao, the final resting-place of Ho
Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of a monumental
edifice. As interesting as the man himself are the pilgrims coming to
pay their respects.
Built despite the fact that his will requested cremation, the Ho Chi
Minh Mausoleum Complex was constructed between 1973 and 1975, of native
materials gathered from all over Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed corpse
gets a three-month holiday to Russia for yearly maintenance, so the
mausoleum is closed from September through early December.
Since photography is absolutely prohibited inside the building, all
visitors must register and leave their bags and cameras at a reception
hall (a free service); a brochure costing 4000d is optional.
Visitors will be refused admission to the mausoleum if they’re wearing
‘indecent’ clothing. This includes wearing shorts, tank tops and the
like. Hats must be taken off inside the mausoleum building, and
respectful demeanor must be maintained at all times.
After exiting the mausoleum, travelers can check out the following
sights:
The Presidential Palace
The Presidential Palace was constructed in 1906 as the palace of the
governor general of Indochina. Admission to the palace costs 5000d. It
is open from 8-11am & 2-4pm from Saturday to Thursday.
Ho Chi Minh’s Stilts House
This was Ho’s residence on and off, between 1958 and 1969.
 One
Pillar Pagoda
Also known as Chua Mot Cot, the One Pillar Pagoda was built by Emperor
Ly Thai Tong (ruled 1028-54). It was designed to represent a lotus
blossom, a symbol of purity, rising out of a sea of sorrow.
Dien Huu Pagoda
Despite its small size, this pagoda is considered to be one of the most
delightful in Hanoi.
Ho Chi Minh Museum
The displays at the Ho Chi Minh Museum are very modern and all have a
message, such as ‘peace’, ‘happiness’ or ‘freedom’. It’s suggested to
take along an English-speaking guide, because some of the symbolism is
hard to figure out.
One of the unusual and at the same time popular exhibits here is a 1958
Ford Edsel bursting through the wall – a US commercial failure meant to
symbolize its military failure.
Photography is not allowed in the museum so visitors will have to check
in bags and cameras upon entry. Admission costs 5000d. The museum is
open from 8-11am and from 1.30-4.30pm every Saturday to Thursday.
Old Quarter
 The
heart of the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, is an orienting
landmark you can’t miss. In winter, it seems to hibernate underneath a
layer of mist; in summer, it is popular with couples strolling its edge.
Legend has it that in the mid 15th century, heaven gave Emperor Ly Thai
To (le Loi) a magical sword that he used to drive the Chinese out of
Vietnam. One day after the war, while out boating, he came upon a giant
golden tortoise swimming on the surface of the water; the creature
grabbed the sword and disappeared into the depths of the lake. Since
that time, the lake has been known as Ho Hoan Kiem (Lake of the Restored
Sword) because the tortoise returned the sword to its divine owners.
The Ngoc Son Temple
Also known as the Jade Mountain Temple, the Ngoc Son Temple was founded
in the 18th century on an island in the northern part of Hoan Kiem Lake.
It’s a meditative spot to relax, but also worth checking out for the
embalmed remains of a gigantic tortoise of the species said to still
live in the lake.
Thap Rua
The tiny Thap Rua (Tortoise Tower), on an islet in the southern part of
the Lake, is often used as an emblem of hanoi. Admission here is 2000d.
It is open from 8am-7pm.
Memorial House
Thoughtfully restored, this traditional Chinese–style dwelling gives you
an excellent idea of how local merchants used to live in the Old
Quarter. It is definitely worth stopping to see. Admission costs 5000d.
It is open from 9:00-11.30am and 2:00-5:00pm.
Dong Xuan Market
 This
is a giant marketplace. The three-storey building was rebuilt after it
burned down in 1994. Explore the sprawling vegetable market out back,
which is best visited in the morning. The market is most active from
6am-10pm.
Bach Ma Temple
This is the oldest temple in Hanoi and resides in a shred of Chinatown
in the Old Quarter. Legend has it that King Ly Thai To prayed at this
temple for assistance in building the city walls because they
persistently collapsed, no matter how many times he rebuilt them. His
prayers were finally answered when white horse appeared out of the
temple and guided him to the site where he eventually built his walls.
Inside the pagoda is a statue of the honored white horse, as well as a
beautiful red-lacquered funeral palanquin. Admission is free, but you
might drop a few thousand dong in the box as a donation for maintenance
and preservation. The temple is open from 8:00-11:30am and from
2:30-5:30pm.
St. Joseph Cathedral
 Just
stepping inside the St. Joseph Cathedral is like being instantly
transported to medieval Europe. The Catholic cathedral (inaugurated in
1886) is noteworthy for its square towers, elaborate altar and stained
glass windows. The first Catholic mission in Hanoi was founded in 1679.
The main gate is open when mass is held. It’s lovely to see worshippers
leaving mass on a Sunday morning, sometimes gathering around the statue
of Mary in front of the cathedral to sing a hymn together before going
their separate ways. The Cathedral is open from 5:00-7:00 am and from
5:00-7:00pm.
Visit beautiful Vietnam today! |
