Props to Uncle Ho- A visit to the HCM Museum

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Today, we decided join the locals and make a visit one of Hanoi’s most popular Sunday attractions…the tomb of Ho Chi Minh. Well, we decided to catch the tomb itself another day as the line to enter it and view his body was easily over a half mile long. We did, however, pay the 5,000 dong (roughly 33 cents US) to enter the air conditioned HCM Museum. It was quite interesting, if not a bit confusing. There were lots of photos and historic documents about Vietnam’s first president and the space was really quite modern. Some of the displays were a bit difficult to comprehend until you read about the symbolism that was meant to be conveyed (Robert Langden where are you when we need you?!); only then could you scratch your head and say, “Okay, I can sort of see that.” The place was teeming with people, especially young scout groups, recognized by their red kerchiefs or blue hats. I think most of them would be very familiar with a lot of the information that was being portrayed in the displays having learned so much about their beloved leader. After going through the museum you, of course, are funneled through the gift shop and snack bar serving cakes, fruit, soft drinks and yes, Heineken (sorry, I guess he wasn’t a Bud man).

In the same vast compound as the tomb and museum is the famous “Chua Mot Cot” or one pillar pagoda. The original was built by emperor Ly Thai Tong in the 11th century, but the French knocked it down in a sign of poor sportsmanship when the left the country in 1954. Never fear, it was rebuilt shortly after. The pagoda is quite striking and is also a very popular “must see” site for Vietnamese tourists. For the kids, the best part was the number of ice cream vendors in the area. All in all, it was a nice diversion for a Sunday morning. We will come back and visit the tomb itself in the fall on a weekday, when the lines are not as long.

We decided to skip the return trip via motorbike taxi and go by cyclo (pedicab). There about 500 cyclos here in Hanoi according to our driver, but the government seems to be interested in doing away with them, seeing them as a cause of traffic congestion. Our driver was quite adamant that cyclos are better than motorbike taxis because the create noise or air pollution. I’ve become friends with cyclo drivers in the past and can really sympathize with their plight. They have to work very hard to get their jobs done. All of the ones I’ve spoken with this week work 12 hour days driving people, not just tourists, around. As a rule cyclos are a bit more expensive than motorbikes because they do involve some labor, you might pay 15,000 dong ($1 ) for a short trip by cyclo compared to say 5,000 dong for the same trip by motorbike. However, the trip is a chance to relax and watch the rest of the city zip past honking as they go.

I forgot to mention, yesterday we met with a young lady from the university and her brother. They took us to see an apartment/townhouse that would be available in August when we come back. It was nice, but at $650 a month, a bit more than what we had anticipated. I have heard that Hanoi housing is quite expensive relative to the rest of the country, save for HCM City. We ran across a sign advertising housing available for foreigners (people aren’t able to rent to just anybody without permission), and may try to have a look at a second place to have some point of reference before deciding. The first place my actually be a bargain with everything included, but we’ll see tomorrow.

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Photos

HCM-Museum entrance
Jo does her best to give a stern socialist look, the kids in the back seem to be having fun

Museum entrance
Keith chats to some young men before going in.

Young scouts
Two of the many many children visiting the museum and tomb.

Chua Mot Cot- One pillar pagoda
The kids are eager to get to the ice cream...

Cyclo home
Heading home after our visit to the HCM Museum

Comments

[Stacy]

How neat
I would like to ride in one of the cyclos... looks like fun. Hope everyone has started to adjust to things. Is everyone surviving on the food over there.. sick of rice yet????lol I hope it is ok that i print these out for dad to read. He enjoys them I believe... keep them coming..

[Colleen]

What a taxi!
It is like being in a big stroller! I think I would enjoy that! All they need is a soft pillow behind their heads. Looks like a fantastic start to a seven month adventure. Really enjoying the journals.