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Published: February 25th 2011
Monks on the march
Buddhist monks striving towards the Ho Chi Minh MausoleumArrived in Hanoi at 4.30am after a bumpy night's ride on the Green Train from Lao Cai. Feeling sleep deprived we had an early check in at our hotel and spent most of the morning recovering before preparing ourselves for an afternoon of sightseeing around the city. Our first stop was Hoa Lo Prison Museum which in the French colonial days served as a detention centre for political opponents of the administration. Lots of pictures of those who suffered and some were even executed by guillotine, which is amongst the exhibits. The prison's claim to fame came about during the Vietnam War as it was the detention centre for those USA pilots shot down. The Americans named it the Hanoi Hilton!!! Lots of pictures of the captured pilots being cared for alongside photographs of the terrific damage caused by the bombing.
As a complete contrast we next visited the Temple of Literature which was established over 1000 years ago and for all intents and purposes has been a university with a religious slant for mandarins. At the heart of the complex is the Temple of Confucius which is still a place of worship especially for students prior to their exams.
The university connection is still apparent with lots of students coming to the Temple to have their photograph taken with their fellow students as well as to worship.
On our second day we joined the queue to file past the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, the president of North Vietnam during the War. Uncle Ho, as he is fondly referred to by the Vietnamese, is laid to rest in a large stone mausoleum which is an important pilgrimage site for many. Inside the mood is somber and decidedly respectful and the guard of honour, dressed in white, make sure the line of observers do not loiter as they pass the glass case containing the body.
Close to the mausoleum are the modest houses that Uncle Ho lived in whilst he was president. He refused to live in the grand mansion that had been occupied by the French governor as he claimed it had the stench of colonialism.
Our final sightseeing tour with our guide was around the Fine Arts Museum which is housed in a fine old colonial building. There is an impressive collection of lacquer paintings, paintings on silk and works by Vietnamese artists showing
scenes of the country during the War.
On our final day we strolled round the Hoan Kiem Lake situated in the heart of Hanoi and visited St Joseph's Cathedral which provides a focal point for the city's Catholics and is usually packed to capacity on days of worship.Our final jaunt was on a battery powered buggy round the Old Quarter which is the oldest and most lively commercial district in Hanoi. The narrow streets are packed with with hundreds of small shops, restaurants and ancient houses and with its hustle and bustle retains its historic charm
Tomorrow we fly back to the UK after having a wonderful 4 weeks travelling around Bangkok, Cambodia and Vietnam. The people have been so friendly and welcoming and all of our guides have given us a better understanding of the history and traditions of the towns and cities we have visited.
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Sally
non-member comment
great trip
Hello Lynne and John...I think the past 4 weeks must have just flown by for you as you travelled around that part of the world. I think the people, as well as being friendly and welcoming, must be small in stature from some of the pics you've featured in your blogs. Can't help commenting about the shoes on display at the market!! I'd be in shoe heaven!! I'm sure there will be a welcome back in Devon for you. x Sally