03 September 2007

Hanoi, Hanoi ..



Recently, I visited Vietnam again, and while I didn't have any time to take in the sights in Ho Chi Minh City, I did rekindle my liking for Hanoi ... I've visited Hanoi previously in December 2006 on holiday, and a few times since on business.

I really didn't have any time to do any touristy thing, this being a business trip, but I did find a couple of hours of time to stretch the legs a little bit, walking around the spiritual heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarters.

As usual, I'm letting the photos do the talking ...

The beautiful Turtle Tower is situated on a small island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. In the mornings and the evenings, you'll see masses of Hanoi residents congregating around the lake, either relaxing, or doing workouts.

When in Hanoi, you must Hang Gai (Jalan Jalan in Cantonese). In the Old Quarters, streets are named after the merchandise sold on that street in the past. Hang Gai now is the main touristy thoroughfare selling silk and souvenirs, and home to many a tailors, but in the past, it sold Hemp (Gai). So, Hang Gai means Hemp Goods.

Relaxing at Hoan Kiem after work ...

The hauntingly beautiful Opera House, conveniently situated next to my hotel =)

My verdict for Hanoi is clear ... =) ... if you sit near the front of the plane, look out the window before takeoff ... the ground crew has to remove some pin from the aircraft, and give the all clear signal ... which is what I've photographed ..

8 comments:

rainbow angeles said...

Very postcard like! Nxt time can print your own postcard liao, no nid buy ;)

Winn said...

speaking of postcard. thanks for ur sydney postcard. liucas says thank you too! sk also.
haaaaa.......

i wanna go hanoi also..cheap cheap Air Asia!! :P hmmmm.....but my pocket got hole oredi...nx time nx time.

i love viet food!! their food a lot of veggie and not oily. no wonder the gals there all to petite..we are giant dinosaurs here. ok la jus me:P

Anonymous said...

Psst! If Winn is like a giant dinosaur.. then I must be like errr.. errr.. I am HUGE in comparison. :p

Love the pix. If I ever make a trip there, I will get all the tips from you first. ;)

may said...

I love the Hang Gai photo. a still behind movement! brilliant!

btw... guess what? my brother gave me his Nikon D50... woo-hoo! I don't have to buy a new DSLR liao! *kakakakakaka*

Anonymous said...

Pictures perfect.

I'm worry if I go to Hanoi I might be disappointed. Coz I heard they eat dogs! right?

Steve said...

I'd love to go back to Hanoi again. There was so much we didn't get to see when we were there in January.

moz monster said...

angel: Really ? Want to be partners in my postcard business then ?

winn: You are not a dinosaur lah ... and happy to hear the postcard reached you safe and sound ... I was so afraid the postman who sent it would be a big liucas fan who would steal it for himself !

jems: If winn is a dinosaur ... and you are huge ... then I'm the continent of Asia !

Yes, please talk to me before you go to Hanoi .. I'll share my notes with you !

may: Wah !!!! D50 !!!!! Wah !!!! It's a great camera ! Congrats ! Now you have to go and buy some lens ...

che-cheh: Er ... yes they do ... but you have to go to special restaurants for that ... all of the restaurants I've been to don't serve dog meat ... camel got lah ...

steve: Welcome back, Steve ! No matter how much I've seen in Hanoi, there seems to be more to see when I'm there ... I think you'll agree it's a very "retro" kind of city, and it's quite unique ...

inevitable said...

bro, as you know, i am going there end of the year. the halong bay cruise damn expensive. almost 100usd per head. anyway i hope all ends well. hanoi, halong bay, perfume temple, Hoan Kiem, old quarter... here i come!