I spent a month
volunteering in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2009, and while I was there I tried to fit in as many "must see" tourist hot-spots into my spare time as I could. I've blogged about
Snake Village,
Bia Hoi Corner and my trip to
Sapa already, so here's the edited highlights of the rest...
Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum
"Uncle Ho" as he's affectionately known, is revered in Vietnam - they even renamed their capital city after him. So, when he died, he was preserved in a mausoleum for people to pay their respects. 40 years on, and he's still there - with a little smile and looking like he's asleep - I half expected him to jump up any moment and shout "surprise, I'm alive!" but he didn't of course. People file past in silence, just looking. Not sure if it's how I'd like to spend all eternity after I'm gone, but each to their own.
We also wandered around the grounds, taking in Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House, One Pillar Pagoda and Presidential Palace - well worth a visit.
The Temple of Literature
I spent a happy afternoon walking around here, admiring all of the many buildings and gardens. Oh, and a massive drum and bell. There was also a cultural show from local women, which was fun. Afterwards, I ate lunch at
Koto - a restaurant staffed entirely by former street and disadvantaged youth who have been trained up and employed by Vietnam's answer to Jamie Oliver. Pricier than other local restaurants, but for a good cause and yummy!
Hoan Kiem Lake
The central point of Hanoi centre, and worth a visit across the famous red bridge to the temple and pagoda on the central island. I tied this in with a visit to the nearby "Ambassador's Pagoda" which was also a nice way to pass an hour in the afternoon.
Comments on the "train driver hat" can be kept to yourselves, thank you!
Museums
I visited four - the Museum of Ethnology, the Women's Museum, War Museum and Prison Museum. All worth visiting, but do some reading up before you go... I felt a little like I was looking at things but not really understanding as well as I could sometimes, but the prison and war museums especially are very moving.
I know it's juvenile, but willies on a tomb are funny - end of. That's the Museum of Ethology, t'other pic is the Prison Museum.
In summary, there's a LOT to see and do in Hanoi. It's amazing. Go there.
