First visit was to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – important to people here as where “uncle Ho” declared independence on 2 September 1945. Quite an imposing guarded structure as Ho Chi Minh’s body preserved here. Can be visited along with the house and gardens where he lived until his death in 1969.
Next stop was Centre of Literature, founded in 11th century as Vietnam’s “first university” – includes Temple of Confuscious. Crowd of graduating students there as traditional place to get photos taken.
Also went to Hoa Lo Prison- aka “Hanoi Hilton” as it became widely known. Established by French Colonials in 1896 for detaining political prisoners – mainly Vietnamese but number of others especially Americans ended up here during war. Only small part has been preserved- rather bleak as these places were.
Lunch at The Green Lotus – great traditional food- very yummy. Huge lunch of 9 courses.
Post lunch was a delightful ride around old Colonial quarter streets by electric car. Oh my. So many places to look, things to see, gasp at. Traffic and people everywhere. Much tooting. Streets are very narrow and cluttered. Traditionally, each type of item was in one street and streets named that way – eg. shoe street, bag street, watch street. Still can see this to large extent though changes can be seen with more of a mix in newer areas. Every imaginable type of goods for sale.
The afternoon’s formal entertainment was at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Interesting to see this ancient form of Vietnamese puppetry and some traditional musical instruments. We had front row seats.
Needed a coffee post all this – found an espresso at a rooftop cafe overlooking lake and temple. Then a bit of street wandering. People very friendly and affable. Riders, drivers, pedestrians very confident so we were too- just have to really keep your wits about you. Unfortunately, we then hit rush hour traffic on way back to hotel – complete opposite to quieter roads of yesterday! Not sure there are any road rules at all but have not seen any actual accidents. Seems to be an unwritten order amongst the incessant tooting, zipping, U turns, zapping etc. Some close calls.
Another grand dinner of 8 courses at an amazing eclectic/rustic restaurant called The Forest. An oasis of calm just down a little bank from madness and traffic at street level. Amazing place, green, lush and tranquil outside, wonderful decor inside and some very clever musicians entertained us as well with traditional music. Very nice indeed. Wanted to say all very cool but it certainly isn’t temperature and humidity wise.
