HANOI 2005 Part 4

Sorry for the delay of this part. I'm having a bad cold right now. However, welcome to the PART 4 (You might also read part 1, part 2, and part 3)

**THURSDAY, @ LAST, @ THE TEMPLE OF LITERATURE**

As I mentioned in the first part of this series that the LOGO of Hanoi is the temple of literature (or Văn Miếu in Vietnamese) it can reflect how important this place is...

Since we didn't reached the Temple of Literature on Wednesday, we jumped off the hotel instantly when the training was finished and jumped off the bus at the same stop as of yesterday. This time we headed our heads directly to the temple of literature. After walked for 15 minutes, we reached the entrance...

This place is called Temple of Literature because in 1076, Vietnam's first university, was established within the temple to educate Vietnam's bureacrats, royalty and other members of the elite. The university functioned for more than 700 years, from 1076 to 1779. During that time 2,313 doctors graduated. In 1484 emperor Lê Thánh Tông started the tradition of carving the names of the laureates of the university on stone steles, which were placed on top of stone turtles. Of the 116 steles corresponding to the examinations held between 1142 and 1778, only 82 remain. (Credit: Wikipedia)

The temple was built, in my opinion, in the same style as of Chinese Palaces due to several courtyards and the architecture. The building was old but looked very good for a 1000 years old because of good renovation/restoration. Insides, there're many buildings and Steles with names of those successful at the imperial exams. There is a traditional music show inside which I and my colleagues enjoyed to sat, listening and resting our legs. The last hall contains a beautiful buddism architectures and on the left side of the last hall, located a huge drum. To get out of the temple, we need to return to the front gate :(

RECOMMENDED - Spend some of your time to the Temple of Literature when you're in Hanoi. It's one of the grand place to visit, very beautiful and historical. Be careful that the temple is closed at 6 p.m.

The next and last part of this series will be about the great 'Ha Long' Bay...see you soon...

HANOI 2005 Part 3

Hi, everyone!! There're a lot of things in this Hanoi trip. I'm trying to describe them as much as I can. Also, there're funny things along the trip as well...In this part, it's the combination of my Tuesday and Wednesday...

Click here to read part 1 and part 2 of this trip.

**TUESDAY ON THE BUS**

After a fruitful 2 days with Hanoi's Taxi, I and my colleagues found that Taxi fare in Hanoi is vary by the Taxi's company and size of car. At that time we found that small cars of the company named 'VIC' had the cheapest rate. However, finding a VIC taxi wasn't that easy because less than 1 in 100 Taxis are VIC's. Therefore, we all agreed to find the alternative way to travel in Hanoi. Since Hanoi have no Underground/ sky train/ tram, we'd to do the unusual thing...using the bus....Fortunately, our Hanoi map had bus numbers near the Roads' name. We, then, crossed the busy road and found a bus stop. Oh YES! There was a larger Hanoi map there with detailed bus numbers. We're looking for a bus that we can catch to the Hang Kai market (I's not sure with this name. it's the name we called it because of my colleague called it) located near the Hoan Kiem Lake. We checked the map and discussed many things but we couldn't find a bus that took us directly to the lake. So, we selected a bus that went to the Red River's side; the backside of the market.

++I've checked the market name, thanks to TravelWIKI, it's called 'the Old Quarter'. Hang Kai is the name of a Street in that area.++

We waited for approx. 30 minutes for the bus we need because it was just passed us when we're discussing. It's an air-conditioned bus and the fare was 3000 VND per one person (Cheap, right!?).

The bus brought us through the centre of Hanoi. We can see the Temple of Literature and the Flag Tower, including Thai Embassy. I sat patiently until I saw the Red River, then, I knew that it's near our destination.

The bus stopped at a big station and many people went on and off the bus. I's so sure that we'd to goo off now!!

'I think it's this station we need to get off the bus', I said. No one response (- -") 'Err...' I's about to start again. 'If we don't get off now, this bus will bring us to the other side the river and we can't get to the market'

'Don't worry lad, we can take this bus back...we've just got our seat. It's better to rest our legs a while', said Mr. Sombat and the other two nodded his head.

'OH MY GOSH!! Why they agreed with that so easily!! We're going to the market not the other side of the river, aren't we?', I thought. 'But there's useless to argue, let's go wherever you all want!'

As I thought, that station was the last stop on this river side. The bus then climbed up the bridge and crossed the Red River (What's Red River?...see my part 1 here). I sat, trying to be impatiently and at last, the bus stopped at a parking lot in front of a train station. It was some minutes past 6 when we reached the desert station, there were only few people there. We got into the station and saw nothing that interest me. After a minute or two, we decided suddenly to get back to the same bus we caught because we didn't know when the new bus will come.

I and my colleagues reached the Fortuna Hotel around 8 o'clock. I slept with a little disappointment because I thought we didn't reached the target we firstly intended.

**WEDNESDAY, @ THE FINE ART MUSEUM**

The yesterday experiment paid its result on the next day. Understanding the public transportation system means we depended less on Taxi. We firstly planned to take the same bus as of yesterday to the famous Temple of Literature.

++ OH, did I show you the picture of FORTUNA hotel? ++

We jumped off the bus when we saw the temple. But I firstly saw an interesting place, located next to the temple. There's only one phrase in English we could find, 'the fine art museum'.

Since I and my colleagues had A LOT OF passion in art, we decided the get in a bit and took some pictures before went southward to the Temple of Literature (WHAT A GREAT PASSION!!! ^_^)

After some pictures were taken, Mr. Sombat went to the guard at the post to see how much for the entrance fee and he found out that there's a board showing the rate; 30.000 VND for 1 person, 100.000 for 1 camera...It's not cheap, I never pay 130.000 for a museum entrance in Hanoi, I thought. At that time, the guard said to Mr. Sombat in an unrecognisable English language;

'!@#$% &*^_+', He said. ++Oh my gosh, I can't catch even one word++ Mr. Sombat hurried back and brought Mr. Aphichai with him. I was behind with Mr. Suteep, cheering. After a while, they came back and dragged us in.... (T_T)

'!@#$% &*^_+', He said. I still couldn't catch a word but I thought that he might ask us to pay the fee if we're about to get in. So, the cut out my annoying and to proved, I picked up my wallet and opened it, looking for the money...

'NO....NO....', said the guard. Oh my Gosh, it's his first word I recognised so far...he crossed his arm when he's talking.

'NO?... Is it already closed?' I replied. 'NO....NO....FREE....FREE....'

That was strange. The word 'FREE' didn't make us feel good, I's starting to aware of the dangers. We looked at each others suspiciously. 'Why is it free?' I continued asking but couldn't caught any of his explanation until he point out his finger to the canvas hanged above our head. Then we understand why...

++It's the museum 30 year ANNIVERSARY. Only on that day at the time after 5 p.m., visitors can enter the museum FREE OF CHARGE!!++

'What a luck!!', I said to my colleagues. We, then, agreed instantly that we should get in first ^0^. The museum was okay. There're many fine arts inside but it wasn't organised well. Many items have no label and many of labels are not in English. By the way, it's worth for a free trip ^o^.

We tried to find the significant interesting art but we found only a few...as I firstly said...it's free...so, GOOD to see those things. We spent too much time inside the museum so we didn't have enough time left for the Temple of Literature visit... So, I and my colleagues decided to postponed it to the next day.

Sorry that this part has not much picture because I couldn't find them...See you in the NEXT PART!!

HANOI 2005 Part 2

Welcome to the another part of my Hanoi 2005 trip. You can also find part 1 here.

**MONDAY WAS FOR WATER PUPPET**

As I firstly told you in my last part, this trip of mine was for training. So, I had free time only after each day's training session. This picture shows the participants, instructor, and kind organisers from Vietnam.

Right after we finished that day's session, we caught a taxi to the Hoan Kiem Lake again but today we jumped off the taxi right at the 'WATER PUPPET THEATRE'. We just need to cross the road. The worse thing is the road is like this all the time....and no one stop for us. We need to hop forward-backward...and pray (+..+")

++NOOO...OH...OOPS...Lemme go PLEASEEEE!!!!++

PHEW....Fortunately, we're all safe in front of the water puppet theatre. We, then, booked 4 first class tickets for the fastest show which will begins in no more than 1 hour. Again, because we didn't wanna waste our time waiting outside the theatre, we started walking around. Took a few pictures.

'I think I must sit here, A, take a photo for me!' it's Mr. Aphichai's.

'Why this place interests you?' I asked, disagreed with him.

'Oh, this spot shows the real Vietnamese life. Here's where they find and how they eat seafood, don't they?' He reassured. I still amazed...but just 'do it for him' is better, I thought. 'OK, OK, you sit there...1...2...3' (-*-)

Let's look at the picture, he was almost laugh but the Vietnameses were laughing and everyone, even a Westerners, was looking to us (-*-).

After that, I and my colleagues went back to the theatre. It was just before the show. I forgot to tell you that the price was 100,000VND per 1 person and please buy the first class ticket because it was not too expensive and the second class seats were too far away. The show was good, both music and puppets at their best performance. This show is the 'CAN'T BE MISSED' for your Hanoi trip!!!

Err...The last picture was the puppeteers. They had to stay in the water during the show and that's about 1 hour, 2-3 rounds a day...they're really tough.

After the show, we're starved to death and decided to eat something local. We directed to a street restaurant we found before the show which we think that the food was clean. It was a very nice experience eating like the locals and the taste was not so different than in Thailand (not spicy at all but still very okay). See it in pictures below, we paid only about 30,000VND for this meal!!!

RECOMMENDED - Many street restaurants in Hanoi serve a lot of good food with cheap price. However, local Vietnamese prefers to sit in a small chair but I don't like it. If you're like me, choose a restaurant with taller chairs, if possible.

I would like to stop this part here...ei ei...see you in part 3.

HANOI 2005 Part 1

There're many things that disturb my mind lately. However, sharing with you my trips is always my pleasure. Today I'd like to recover my first trip to Hanoi, the capitol of Vietnam. Follow me...

**About Hanoi**

It's my preference to introduce you the place I visited before taking you along with me. If you already know Hanoi, just skip this part.

(Credit: WIKIPEDIA)

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam. It's the very old city located on the right bank of the Red River. The logo of Hanoi is the logo of the Temple of Literature. I'll tell you more about it in the content ^_^

(Credit: WIKIPEDIA)

"The Red River flows pass the Vietnamese capital Hanoi before emptying into the Gulf of Tonkin. Tonkin is former name of the northern provinces of Vietnam and thus the eponymous body of water receiving the main river of "Tonkin". The reddish-brown heavily silt-laden water gives the river its name. The Red River is notorious for its violent floods with its seasonally wide volume fluctuations. The delta is a major agricultural area of Vietnam with vast area devoted to rice. The land is protected by an elaborate network of dykes and levees. In the 19th century, the river was thought to be a lucrative trade route to China. It was the forced opening of the Red River to European commerce that prompted the wars between France and the Vietnamese court (1883-1886), culminating in the conquest of Vietnam."

(Credit: WIKIPEDIA)

"The area around modern Hanoi has been inhabited since at least 3000 BC. One of the first known permanent settlements is the Co Loa citadel founded around 200 BC.Hanoi has had many names throughout history, all of them of Sino-Vietnamese origin. The city was occupied by the Japanese in 1940, and liberated in 1945, when it became the seat of Vietnam's government. From 1946 to 1954, it was the scene of heavy fighting between the French and Viet Minh forces. At that point, the city became the capital of an independent North Vietnam. During the Vietnam War Hanoi's transportation facilities were disrupted by the bombing of bridges and railways, which were, however, promptly repaired. Following the end of the war, Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam when North and South Vietnam were reunited on July 2, 1976." (Quoted from: WIKIPEDIA)

**Money in Vietnam**

The đồng (VND, IPA: dɔŋ, ISO 4217 Code VND) is the currency of Vietnam since May 3, 1978. 1 USD = 16,066 VND (from Yahoo! Finance: 9 November 2007)

I recommend travellers to carry US or Euro dollars and exchange to VND when you arrive Hanoi. The exchange rate in Hanoi is quite stable, thanks to the strictly control of Vietnamese government.

(Credit: WIKIPEDIA)

**The free first day**

As same as at Jakarta and Singapore, I was sent there for GMP training. It was my luck to be one of the eight people who were granted 4-country-campaign training sponsorship from the EC-ASEAN programme in 2005. The training was established in Jakarta, Hanoi, Manila, and Bangkok.

I arrived Hanoi at Noi Bai International Airport, many kilometres from Hanoi, together with the same group of colleagues as of the Jakarta trip; Mr. Aphichai, Mr. Suteep, and Mr. Sombat (Hey! I reveal them since the first part this time), on Sunday, May 15. We stayed at the 'FORTUNA' Hotel, an upper-class hotel which located opposite to the US embassy. After having a good lunch, I and my colleagues catched a taxi to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum.

Unfortunately, we can't go inside because they're preparing for some kind of big celebration (I couldn't communicate with the guard, of course!!). But only the beauty from the front of the mausoleum is quite impressive. The sunlight and the wind was so strong.

Near the mausoleum, you'll find the Ho Chi Minh Museum. The museum is great and is under the continuous development. It shows the history of Vietnam, especially Vietnam war and the glory of Northern Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Min (he died 6 years before the war ended). In Vietnam, Ho Chi Min is called 'Uncle Ho' by the new generation. I think this is the good kind of thing for children to think of their war hero in the kind way.

On the side of the Museum, there is the 'One Pillar Pagoda', another famous place of interest. As you can see in the picture, it's the pagoda on a big pillar located in the large pool and you can get up there by stairs. It might be great but I think it's too normal to be a good place of interest because there're a lot more better than this in my home country.

RECOMMEND: These three places are the package that you can't miss when you visit Hanoi. I've heard from my friends who enter the Ho Chi Min mausoleum that it's worth to get inside.

After visiting that package of three places of interest, we still have time before it's dark. We looked at the map and decided to walk (again...this group really love walking!!!) to the Flag Tower of Vietnam. I and my colleagues walk there through a Road which has enormous trees on its both sides.

We decided not to find the way in but to continued our walking to Hoan Kiem Lake which located not far from there. I and my colleagues reached the Hoan Kiem Lake at about 6 p.m...phew...I's so tired...Even the spectacular scene of the lake couldn't refresh me much... We took a short rest and (Oh, my GOSH, no...not again... T.T) started walking around the lake bank.

The lake is bigger than we expected. Our (not only me...I'm so sure...) stamina depleted just before completing half of the bank, so, we decided to stop at the first coffee shop we met. Finally, thank god, we found one on the bank!!!

We did a sharp turn (especially, P' Sombat ^_^) right into the shop. Even the price of the coffee didn't change our mind 'cause we're so tired.

++Arrr....I can't regret that on the moment I's going to place myself on the chair, would be the most happiest time on my life++

We ordered coffee and soft drinks and we drinks our beverages as slow as possible to rest our legs a bit more because we knew that we've another half to go.

After half-hour resting, we started to feel hungry but we didn't know where to eat. We, then, took a deep breath and continued our walk. The second half of the lake bank was more interesting. We found the place where the famous 'WATER PUPPET' show is and that place lifted up my mind a bit. I and my colleagues crossed the road and started looking for information. It's too late for the show that evening but I didn't regret it because I's not in the mood of seeing the easy show. My legs and feet was hurt and I think my colleagues felt the same because we agreed to come back tomorrow for this famous show.

We crossed back to the river bank. When I and my colleagues had been finding a taxi, I saw a Vietnamese woman walking to Mr. Sombat. She carry a basket with many CDs inside it in one of her hand

'CHEX-CHEE?...CHEX-CHEE?', she said, touching Mr. Sombat by one of her CD.

At that moment I, and the other 2 colleagues instantly stopped and looked at each other face and then Mr. Sombat's face who continued walking, trying not to hear that woman. To be frank, I ALMOST LAUGH OUT LOUD *0*

'CHEX-CHEE....very cheap!!', she continued selling her sexy CD (X-rate CD, I'm so sure). Mr. Sombat waved his hand and said, 'No..No..'. He continued walking while I stopped, watching him and praying for him, 'please bring her far away my dear P' Sombat I don't wanna face the same situation', that's what I've prayed ^o^

He walked round and round, said 'no' and 'no' and that took more than 10 minutes before the woman leave him. We, then, tacked him as quickly as possible, catched the first taxi to the hotel and forgot our dinner until we reached our hotel.

My dinner today was an original Vietnamese noodle called 'PHO' in the local shop nearby. We almost can't order because they didn't understand even a basic English. We tried everything, using fingers, body languages and the chicken sound (-"-) The taste of the original PHO was completely different from what I'd eaten in my country. It's no taste...my country called this taste of noodle as the 'failed noodle maker'. However, it's my personal preference that I prefer spicy food. You may feel it in a different way.

Sorry again for the late update...there're many details in this part...and...do you think why the CD seller choose only Mr. Sombat????

The next part will be updated soon...