Northern Vietnam
Hanoi
I spent 3 weeks in Vietnam in April 2017 traveling from the north (city of #Hanoi) to the very south of the country (Ho Chi Minh City), visting many extraordinary places. In a first episode I will write about the capital city of Hanoi as it did strike me in many ways and I absolutely loved pretty much everything about this place.
The very first thing I’d like to say to you – if you are planning visiting Vietnam and you are hesitating for some reason – don’t. From my experience this county is very safe and relatively easy to travel. I have never met so many positive and genuinely kind people in one place as I did during my Vietnam travel. Vietnamese people are very traditional but also open to the new, which which is a very interesting combination.
Places that I visited and photographed during my short stay in #Hanoi (as featured in a photo gallery above):
Old Quarter – This district used to be a residential, manufacturing, and commercial center, where each street was specialized in one specific type of manufacturing or commerce. Nowadays, the quarter is an attraction for people interested in the history of Hanoi. It is also a backpackers district. Place where you can organise your trip and meet people.
Temple of Literature – is a Temple of Confucius in Hanoi, northern Vietnam. The temple hosts the Imperial Academy (Quốc Tử Giám, 國子監), Vietnam’s first national university. The temple was built in 1070 at the time of Emperor Lý Thánh Tông. It is one of several temples in Vietnam which is dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars. (Wikipedia)
Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts – is a museum showcasing Vietnam’s fine arts from a range of historical periods. It is the country’s primary art museum. Much of the 20th Century art presented in the museum is concerned with folk narratives of a nation in defence. As a collection it draws on themes of martyrdom, patriotism, military strategy and overcoming enemy incursion. Just opposite of mentioned earlier Temple of Literature. (Wikipedia)
Hoa Lo Prison – was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. Prisoners of War during the Vietnam War. During this later period it was sarcastically known to American POWs as the Hanoi Hilton. The prison was demolished during the 1990s, though the gatehouse remains as a museum. (Wikipedia)
Water Puppet Theatre – a tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. Today’s Vietnamese water puppetry is a unique variation on the ancient Asian puppet tradition. The puppets are made out of wood and then lacquered. The shows are performed in a waist-deep pool. A large bamboo rod supports the puppet under the water and is used by the puppeteers, who are normally hidden behind a screen, to control them. Thus the puppets appear to be moving over the water. When the rice fields would flood, the villagers would entertain each other using this form of puppet play. (Wikipedia)
Hanoi (Vietnamese: Hà Nội), the capital of Vietnam, and also its second largest city, is a fascinating blend of East and West, combining traditional Sino-Vietnamese motifs with French flair. It is largely unscathed from the decades of war, and is now going through a building boom, making it a rapidly developing city in Southeast Asia.
Consistently ranked among the world’s top 10 destinations by TripAdvisor, the city and its surrounding region get more tourists every day.
Source: wikitravel.org/en/Hanoi
Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay (ENG: “Bay of the Descending Dragon”) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a very popular travel destination in Vietnam. I do certainly understand why.
Ha Long Bay has an area of around 1,553 km2, including 1,960–2,000 islets, most of which are limestone. The core of the bay has an area of 334 km2 with a high density of 775 islets.The limestone in this bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments.
Historical research surveys have shown the presence of prehistorical human beings in this area tens of thousands years ago. The successive ancient cultures are the Soi Nhu culture around 18,000–7000 BC, the Cai Beo culture 7000–5000 BC and the Ha Long culture 5,000–3,500 years ago.
Source: Wikipedia.
Mai Chau
Mai Chau region in Northern Vietnam was by far the most relaxing part of my Vietnam travel and I will go back one day and stay for longer to explore more.
Mai Chau offers absolutely amazing views, fantastic (a bit shy but very authentic!) local people, delicious food, fabulous hospitality and a lot of “Happy Water”. Chúc sức khỏe!
If you are looking for accomodation in Mai Chau, look no further. Tan Ha Homestay was really amazing and I would recommended it by heart. There is plenty of various activities available. Trekking, cycling, moped rides, amongst others. You can also go high to the mountains but some moderate trekking required. Some idea if you like adventure, trekking, local people and another fascinating cultures.
Đôn village, Thành Lâm commune, Bá Thước district, Thanh Hóa Province or you can map it here: goo.gl/maps/iSJJ9xa1oeN2
Locals call this mountain Pù Luông, which means Giant Mountain :)
