We had booked a 'walking tour' of Hanoi, run by University students who expected no payment - just the chance to improve their English conversation skills.
First stop was the 'Temple of Literature' which was established in 1070 and was the first university in Hanoi (indeed the first university in Vietnam). It was strongly Confucian in its philosophy and style.
The Vietnam flag of red with a gold star is quite distinctive. The other flag with the coloured squares was the Vietnamese Festival flag which had five colours to do with elements relating to ancient Confucian, Chinese philosophy.
Turtles are very prominent in the culture. These are memorials or shrines where names of graduates of the University were inscribed on the stone. Names are not visible now.
The courtyards were extensive and school excursions were clearly popular. Also, obviously used for 'photo-ops' for wedding groups .
There were shrines or temples (I'm using the terms interchangeably - not sure of the difference) made famous by previous kings and other notables having visited and prayed here in earlier times.
Confucius is very prominent in the older culture of Vietnam.
Bonsai again - but not as manicured as other places.
A very large barrel looked promising. Perhaps aging wine or whisky? Alas, no! it's a large drum, used to assemble the students.
Under a matching cover on the other side was a large bell. This one was used for the teachers or anyone else who was 'above' the level of student.
The roof lines were complex but attractive.
The gateway out was rather small.
We headed for the old jail, walking past the many buildings painted in 'imperial yellow'. There is some dispute about reasons for the yellow paint. Some claim this is the French influence from their period of colonisation. Undoubtedly this is so with building styles etc - but the imperial yellow colour was also traditionally associated with royalty in Vietnam, China and Korea. Either way, yellow buildings were everywhere!!
The old jail was rather hard to find. No signage that we could see, but locals directed our 'guides' and we found it eventually.
The history of the jail is well documented, having been established by the French colonials and located on the site of a thriving, local pottery industry. The jail was used to imprison and punish those rebels opposed to colonisation and involved in the developing nationalist, independence movement.
There were graphic, life-size reconstructions of aspects of prison life and the harsh conditions were obvious.
However, the rebels continued the education of their own and others from within and outside the walls about the importance of independence and self-rule.
These devices were quite stark, chilling and numbing to see 'up-close'.
The walls were also used for artwork to record the history.
The prison was used extensively during the 'American Invasion', which we recall as the Vietnam War. Many USA servicemen were kept here as POWs. They referred to it as the 'Hanoi Hilton'. The museum highlights the humane treatment of the POWs and their release at the end of the war.
Then onwards to the lake, and the variety and style of retail remains fascinating.
An urgent stop for coffee proved interesting for our Guides, who probably don't have 'disposable income' for what they would view as a luxury - while we see it as a necessity.
The yellow buildings with green shutters continued.
The pedestrian crossings can be a challenge!
... but the lake was a pleasant, peaceful refuge in the midst of chaos.
Lunch was at a small shopfront eatery...
... where the cooking was done on the footpath. This was OK because the heat in the cooking process was obvious - but one wondered about the 'washing up' which happened also on the footpath.
The large Catholic Church was a mini-replica of Notre Dame, and apparently built on the ruins of a Buddhist temple. A bit harsh!!
We continued around the lake until we got to the SE corner of the lake. There we were in the old French Quarter and what would have been the 'better part of town'.
The residual affluence was obvious, but the square in front of the 'real' Hanoi Hilton ...
... and the Opera House was the square where many important historical events occurred. It was the scene of Ho Ch Minh declaring the 'August Revolution' in 1945 when the Independence movement took the opportunity to claim independence from the invading Japanese when the Japanese surrendered at the end of WW2. The depleted French colonials wanted to re-assert their sovereignty over Vietnam. Of course, this is where the British got involved followed by the Americans and the whole thing went 'pear-shaped'. Anyway, the Opera House square was an important site.
Looking onto the same square is the Hanoi Stock Exchange. I did like the large cast of a raging bull in the front lobby. Significance? Bull markets??
We took a leisurely stroll through the Metropole Hotel, which is the premier up-market hotel in Hanoi. We tried hard to look like we belong, ... but I think we missed the mark!
The courtyard of the Metropole.
... and the swimming pool.
Onwards! The garden and large bronze statue below are a tribute to Ly Thai To, the emperor way back in late 900s AD who decided to shift the capital of Vietnam from Hue to Hanoi. Indeed the 1000 year anniversary was celebrated in 2010.
Walking back through Old Town Hanoi, it was surprising to see the shops grouped together according to what they sell. Many shoe shops were in a row.
There was a series of shops and small factories making and selling sheet metal and metal products.
Another street of shops specialised in timber products or construction of kitchen units and benches
A great day! Finished superbly by dinner at a 'Cha-Ca' restaurant.
Cha Ca is 'small fish fillets marinated in turmeric and galangal, sauteed with dill'. The dish is finished over a cooker at your table and sertved with fine rice noodles, some greens and lovely sauces. The restaurant does ONLY this dish, so if you don't like it - go elsewhere. Superb!!
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