I went on a Hanoi City Tour today. Below are some pictures.
Front of Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum
Had to queue to enter Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh is regarded as the man who brought “freedom” to Vietnam. As I was standing in the line, a soldier came over telling me to not put my hands in my pockets, stand straight in the line, and face forward. What “freedom” fighter? Even in his death, he seemed able to use the army to deny me my freedom!
Ho Chi Minh's stone house
Ho Chi Minh's wooden house
I discovered today what is the difference between a “pagoda” and a “temple”. A pagoda is a worshipping place in which there are statues of Buddha(s). But a temple, although it is also a worshipping place, only has statues of noble people and holy men, not Buddhas. I visited the Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake, and several temples including the Temple of Literature, which was the first university in Vietnam.
Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake
Buddha at Tran Quoc Pagoda
One of the courtyards in the Temple of Literature
A row of turtle stellaes inside the compound of the Temple of Literature. The stone slabs has the names of the university's graduates.
Statue of Confucius in the Temple of Literature. No Buddha statue here!
If you are looking for Vietnamese handicrafts, I would really recommend the Hong Ngoc social enterprise. They employ people with disability, many of whom are children of war victims. The key thing is, these people are working hard to earn a living. they are proud of what they do. And they do not want to be reliant on welfare support from anybody, let alone the state! Not to mention that their products are really of good quality.
Visiting the Hong Ngoc social enterprise which employs people with disability.
Hanoi really is crowded with motorbikes. Crossing the streets is death-defying. Basically, the traditional “look to both sides and cros when there is nothing coming your way” does not work here. You will be waiting until tomorrow if you do that. The trick is, walk slowly towards any motorbikes coming your way, and they will slow down to let you pass. But if you see a car or a bus, then pray hard. They do not stop!
Crowded with motorbikes!
See how that guy tells the motorbikes to stop when he wants to cross?
My tour guide. For around USD30, you get one for the whole day.
Dinner! They grill the fish and mix / cook the food in front of you.
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amik gambar pakai camera baru kah?
amboi amboi..