HANOI,VIETNAM, DAY-3

TRAVEL DATE - SEP 2012

STAY  @ Hanoi Style Hotel ($26)35-37 Ma May Street, Hanoi, Vietnam We had full day to explore before our departure.We planed to visit museum and other attraction.  Vietnam National Museum of History This museum tells the story of history of Vietnam and helped us to understand Vietnam. It is well maintained and have extensive collection. There are less explanation and translation  in English, so it is difficult to understand many items. Vietnam National Museum of History Main entrance Inside the musuem Sanskrit inscription One pillar pagoda One pillar pagoda It a historical pagoda, standing on single concrete pillar.We took some pictures here, nothing much to explore. One pillar pagoda Ho chi Minh mausoleum It is a memorial where the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh is preserved. It was closed on the day we arrived .We watched the parade of soldier in front of it. ho chi minh mausoleum lady soldiers Presidential palace It is beautiful building  and design  is influence by french architecture.Visitors are not allowed inside.  There is stilt house nearby  that housed Ho Chi Minh from 1958 to his death in 1969. Ho chi minh  museum Every city in Vietnam has one. We decide not to explore as we  already been in other cities. ho chi minh  museum OPera house It is located in central Hanoi and buily by french in 1910.

HANOI, VIETNAM, DAY-1

TRAVEL DATE - SEP 2012

STAY  @ Hanoi Style Hotel ($26)35-37 Ma May Street, Hanoi, Vietnam We arrived in morning from Hanoi for 3 days of stay including one day for halong bay tour.Our hotel was inside Old quarter. Old quarter is like labyrinth and it is very easy to get lost, We lost two times in three days. Traffic is chaotic and street is very busy with stalls  selling food, souvenirs, handicrafts and cloths. The best  way to explore old quarter is rickshaw. We had to do a hard bargain for rickshaw. He took us around the old quarter  on the way to  hoa lo prison. Rickshaw Streets of old quarter The Hỏa Lò Prison It was a prison used by the French colonists and later by North Vietnam for  Prisoners of war. It has two floor, ground floor is having the prison cell, guillotine  and an open memorial. Mannequins are placed in many prison cell and it  reflects the sad condition of prisoners. First floor mainly consist of picture gallery, mac cain suite and name of inmates. Cell for prisoners awaiting execution Tiny cells American president candidate John McCain  suite is displayed along with other  suites and accessories of captured prisoners. Guillotine Memorial Name of inmates Hoan Kiem Lake It is a beautiful small lake in the middle of hanoi. According to the legend, emperor Lê Lợi was  boating on the lake when his magic sword was grabbed by a turtle who quickly disappeared into the lake. Now turtles are extremely rare to see and some believe there are only few left in the lake. There is a old Turtle Tower in the middle  of lake. Turtle tower KFC near The lake Old structures on the pavement surrounding the lake  Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre This theater is just adjacent to lake. I have seen many puppet shows in India but this was unique. Beautiful representation of sound and light along with cute puppets made it unforgettable. In fact first time in life I saw a pool on the stage. The puppet show them was mainly on Vietnamese history. Music was very soothing and played by a beautiful lady on the side of stage. Good combination of singing ,music and lighting Performers behind the stage Continue Reading day-3