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Published: April 7th 2011
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Date of travel: 3-7 December, 2007
Duration of travel: 9 days
Main cities visited: Hanoi, Halong Bay
We spent 4 days in Northern Vietnam namely Hanoi. Hanoi is an extremely enchanting city. Not only does it reek of history, its culture, its people and its roads leave such an impression in any traveler's mind. There are many places of historical visit within Hanoi. The few major ones that we covered we the Ho Chin Minh Mausoleum, the Revolutionary Museum, the presidential palace, the 1 pillar pagoda and van mieu (traditional confucius university). I found the revolutionary museum arguably the most interesting clearly because it gave the Vietnamese perspective of the Vietnam War. More often that not, the Vietnam War has been, regrettably, portray through the lens of Western Media, but in the museum, we got a glimpse of the struggles, and spirit that these freedom fighters had which eventually led to their final victory.
The Hanoi Opera House was one of the remaining French colonial structures left within the city that has not yet been demolished or turned into another Sofitel Hotel. Having never been to France, and desperate to see if
the interiors were somewhat like what you see on the Phantom of the Opera, we paid to watch an Italian Opera inside the theater just to get in. And guess what, the opera was truly the most boring play/opera that I have ever watched. I mean the show started with full attendance and by the intersessions 3/4 left. haha. Come to think of it, what was I thinking? But at least we got to see the inside which was quite interesting.
The best part of Hanoi is weaving through the old quarter and not knowing where u are going. Trust me, following the maps only lead to more confusion because the maps don't show the 1001 little small roads in between the main roads. But I guess that was where the fun was as well. Shopping was pretty good. For souvenir suckers like myself, Hanoi had a huge range of relatively cheap souvenirs in all shapes and sizes. I think my best buy was still a communist cap that cost me 1 buck. Oh and yes, how could I forget, the Hanoi Water Puppet Show. This was simply an incredible show. Initially, I really wondered how interesting puppets could
be let alone a show on puppets but this show really changed my perspective. and I dont have words to describe how well it was. But I know it was really good. and the puppets wont creepy so that's a good thing right?
There were 3 particular meals that I absolutely loved in Hanoi. The first was out supper at a road side steam boat store. We have serious communication breakdown with the store owner who could only speak Vietnamese and so all we could do was to point to other tables and left the discretion to him. They served it some red meat which I really couldnt figure whether it was pork, beef, buffalo or what have you. But we just ate. It tasted fine. And so we asked the lady boss what it was and she told us something in Vietnamese which i vaguely tried to remember the pronunciation so I could go back and ask the hotel staff. And it turned out to be dog meat. Wow. so much for eating man's best friend. I seriously hope I got that pronunciation wrong. But anyway, it tasted good. period. The second meal we had was at the
all famous restaurant owned by celebrity chef Bobby Chin. I had salmon steak and boy it is still the best ever salmon ever. Grilled to perfection, the middle of the steak was left raw such that it melts in your mouth. OOoooooo i can still imagine tasting it. Ok enough. The third best meal, and definitely the best was at Ca Ca La Vong. Yes, this place is listed as one of the 1001 things to do and see before you die. We spent hours weaving through the narrow lanes of the old quarter just to find this place and it was absolutely worth it. Grilled fish with peanuts and vegetables is the main. Yummy. Absolute cracker. The price is not cheap considering its Vietnam but it made every taste bud a happy one. Would definitely recommend any traveler to Hanoi to find this place.
A day was spent at Halong Bay as well. Again, this is listed as one of the things to see and do before you die and following religiously to that travel bible, we did. But I honestly think the place is overrated. Ok maybe Im not all a limestone cave person, but really, the
dirty green waters and hazy weather kind of made any boat ride into the valley of limestones just really boring. I guess this place would have been better visited during the summers where people actually kayak and go for a swim. I think the only memorable event at Halong Bay was choosing our seafood from the water markets and watching them cooked with a growling stomach. For a 3hr ride form Hanoi to Halong Bay and another 3 hrs back, I honestly dont think it was very worth it. But if having this placed checked on your checklist of 1001 things to do before you die, then just do it. That was what I did. haha.
So after 4 minus 1 really exciting days in Northern Vietnam, We headed down South to see a more American Vietnam and which will be for another post.
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