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Public Transportation
Hanoi is an incredible busy and
traffic packed city. There are 3.5
million people in Hanoi and 2
million of them own motorbikes. You
will be shocked by families up to 5
including babies riding on a 100cc
motorbike. Women often ride
side-saddle. Sidewalks are not for
walking but are used for parking
bikes, cars, bicycles. Additionally,
many motorbikes are parked in
peoples homes.
When you first arrive in Hanoi you
will feel a great culture shock. The
first thing you should do is hire a
cyclo (the drivers will ask you
non-stop if you would like a ride,
so they are not hard to find). A
cyclo is a small 2 person
(preferably 1 person) rickshaw that
is pushed by a pedal bike. You can
get an hour ride for approximately
50,000 dong ($3). This mode of
transportation takes you around the
old section of town and starts to
provide you an ease with the
overwelming traffic and congestion
of people. However, you must ensure
you make it very clear what the
price is going to be as these cyclo
or rickshaw riders have a habit of
asking for more after the trip with
excuses that it has actually taken
more time, that it is actually quite
far, etc. Make sure you have to
correct change to avoid this as they
may attempt to give you back less.
Also, when sitting in this mode of
transportation please ensure that
your bags or camera, etc are
securely strapped as otherwise, you
could make an easy target for snatch
thieves on motorcyles.
Each street focuses on one task
(i.e. silk, metal, travel, cds,
etc.). Traffic at intersections is
like weaving a needle. All traffics
merge and pedestrians walk right
through the middle. Once
accomplished you will find yourself
at home in Hanoi. Do not run nor
stop - the traffic is watching you
at your pace. This is truly scary.
Taxis are very inexpensive, but
always, always agree on the price
upfront. Taxis do not stop at
intersections nor do they have any
regard for motorcycles - they honk
their horn and stick right on the
motorcyles bumper until they move.
Vietnamese are not fased by this -
they simply take it in stride. Big
taxis operated by 'Hanoi Taxi' would
be a safer bet compared to the more
gung-ho smaller taxis that have a
reputation of meters being 'fixed'.
A fabulous, culture rich city. Once
you start living with the non-stop
honking (24/7), the aggressive
driving and the pedestrians and
street-vendors mixing all together,
you will love your experiences here.
 Ha Noi
is the capital of Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Ha Noi lies in Red
River Delta and is situated in a tropical area having a strong monsoon
influence. The name of Ha Noi (Interior side of a river) has been
derived from an ancient language which is literally known as a land area
located in the inner side of Red River. It does not mean that the city
is inside the river, but it is embraced by about 100 km of the Red River
dykes. Ha Noi has nine inner precincts (Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Hai Ba
Trung, Dong Da, Cau Giay, Tay Ho, Thanh Xuan, Long Bien, Hoang Mai) and
five suburban districts (Tu Liem, Thanh Tri, Gia Lam, Dong Anh and Soc
Son).
One- Pillar Pagoda
Chua mot cot (One-pillar
Pagoda) : Its original name was Dien Huu (long-lasting happiness and
good luck). Legend has it that King Lý Thai Tong was very old and had no
son of his own. Therefore, he often went to pagodas to pray for Buddha's
blessing so that he might have a son. One night, he had a dream that he
was granted a private audience with Buddha with a male baby in his
hands. Buddha, sitting on a lotus flower in a square-shaped lotus pond
in the western side of Thang Long Citadel, gave the king the baby.
Months later, the queen got pregnant and gave birth to a male child*. To
repay gift from Buddha, the king ordered the construction of a pagoda
which was supported by only one pillar resembling a lotus seat on which
Buddha had been seated. The pagoda was dedicated to Buddha.
Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of
Literature) was built in 1070 as a dedication to the founder of
Confucianism. Six years later, Quoc Tu Giam - the first university of
Vietnam - was built in the premises of Van Mieu. Quoc Tu Giam was the
first school for princes and children of royal family members. In 1482,
King Le Thanh Tong ordered the erection of steles with inscription of
all the names, birth dates and birth places of doctors and other
excellent graduates who took part in examinations since 1442. Each stela
is placed on the back of a turtle representing the nation's longevity.
During Nha Nguyen (Nguyen Dynasty), Temple of Literature was moved to
Phu Xuan (Hue Royal City).
Golden Lotus Pagoda
(Kim Lien Pagoga).
* Chua Kim Lien (Kim Lien
Pagoda) : Legend has it that in the 12th century, Princess Tu Hoa,
daughter of King Lý Than Ton , led her ladies-in-waiting to this area.
They cultivated mulberry and silkworms to make silk. Later, a pagoda was
built right on the site and by 1771, it was named Kim Lien (Golden
Lotus).
Quan Su Pagoda
*Chua Quan Su (Quan Su
Pagoda) was built in the 17th century. It is located in the street of
the same name. Since 1958, Vietnam Buddhism Association has used this
pagoda as its head office.
Quan Thanh Temple
* Den Quan Thanh (Quan Thanh
Temple) : The three ancient Chinese characters which are still seen
today on the top of the entrance to the temple mean Tran Vu Quan.
Literally, the temple is dedicated to Saint Tran Vu. Temples are places
for worshipping saints while pagodas are dedicated to Buddha and
faithful disciplines. Saint Tran Vu was a legendary figure which was a
combination between a legendary character in Vietnam's legend and a
mystic character derived from China's legend. In Vietnam's legend, he
was a saint who had earned the merits of assisting Thuc Phan (future
King An Duong Vuong) in getting rid of ghost spirit during the
construction of CoLoa Citadel. An Duong Vuong Temple in CoLoa Citadel
(Dong Anh district) is also named Thuong Temple. Inside it, there are An
Duong Vuong's bronze statue (cast in 1897) and a big arbalest
symbolizing the magic arbalest in the old days. In China's legend, Saint
Tran Vu was a saint who had made many contributions in safeguarding the
northern border. Quan Th¸nh Temple was built during the reign of King
LýThai To (1010-1028). Special attention should be paid to the black
bronze statue of Saint Tran Vu. Another object of no less significance
is a smaller black bronze statue of Old Trong, a chief artisan of the
bronze casting team who had made the giant statue of Saint Tran Vu and
the great bell on top of the entrance.
 Ngoc Son Temple
* Den Ngoc Son (Ngoc Son
Temple) : Initially, the temple was called Ngoc Son Pagoda. Later, it
was renamed as Ngoc Son Temple, because it was dedicated to the saints.
Saint Van Xuong was a person considered the brightest star in Vietnam's
literature and intellectual circles. Tran Hung Dao was worshipped
because he was the national hero who led the Vietnamese people to a
resounding victory over the Mongol aggression. The temple as it is seen
today was attributable to the restoration efforts of Nguyen Van Sieu, a
great Hanoian writer. He had a large pen-shaped tower (Thap But) built
at the entrance to the temple
On the upper section of Thap
But, there are three Chinese characters Ta Thanh Thien which mean
literally that to write on the blue sky is to imply the height of a
genuine and righteous person's determination and will. Behind Thap But
is Dai Nghien (Ink Stand). The Ink Stand is carved from stone resembling
a peach, which is placed on the back of three frogs on top of the gate
to the temple. Passing through Dai Nghien, visitors will tread on the
wooden bridge called The Huc. The Huc is literally understood as the
place where beams of morning sunshine are touching.
Besides, Ha Noi has such
attractions as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, History
Museum, Revolution Museum, Army Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Palace of
Friendship....
Festival Hai Ba Trung
Den Hai Ba Trung (Hai Ba
Trung Temple) is also called Dong Nhan Temple, because it is located in
Dong Nhan village, Hai Ba Trung precinct. Built in 1142 under the reign
of King Lý Anh Ton, it is dedicated to the two Vietnamese heroines Trung
Trac and Trung Nhi. On the 5th and 6th days of the lunar second month ,
there is a grand festival at this temple to commemorate the two national
heroines.
West Lake
HoTay (West Lake) &Duong
Thanh Nien (Youth Road) : Youth Road can be compared to a beautiful
bridge spanning across the two large bodies of water - West Lake to the
northwest and Truc Bach Lake to the southeast. Covering an area of
nearly 500 hectares, Ho Tay was also called Dam Dam (Misty Pond), Lang
Bac (White Waves)...
.Oral tradition has it that
HoTay derived from a low-lying area upturned by a golden buffalo, so the
stream derived from Ho Tay was named Song Kim Nguu (Golden Buffalo
River). As for Truc Bach Lake, legend has it that in the old days, Truc
Bach Lake was where lived the abandoned ladies-in-waiting who were
forced to weave silk. Therefore, beautiful silk was called Truc Bach
(Silk of the Truc village). As the biggest lake in the city, HoTay is
surrounded by many areas reputed for their traditional occupations :Yen
Phu and Nghi Tam (silkworm-breeding and silk-weaving villages in the
past), Quang Ba, Nhat Tan (peach-growing village), Buoi (paper-making
village). In Tay Son times, Nguyen Huy Luong wrote Tông Tay Ho Phó
(Eulogy for West Lake) so as to highlight the landscapes of the West
Lake and Nguyen Hue (future Quang Trung)'s glorious merits. Now,
Ho Tay has been earmarked for the city's major tourism development
center.
 Hoan Kiem Lake
* Ho Hoan Kiem (Lake of
Restored Sword) : The name of this lake is derived from a legend having
it that a fisherman named LeThan caught a sword blade when drawing the
fish-net. Than decided to offer it to his commanding general Le Loi
(future Le Thai To). Afterwards, LeLoi found a hilt fitting that blade
very well. This sword had always been on his side during 10 years of
resistance against Ming aggressors. After winning over the foreign
aggression, King Le Thai To returned to Thang Long Citadel .One day,
aboard a royal boat, he took a cruise in the Luc Thuy lake. Suddenly, a
giant turtle emerged and came towards him. The king withdrew his sword,
and pinpointed with the sword the direction of the coming turtle for his
soldiers' attention.
All of a sudden, the turtle
caught the sword between its teeth from the king's hand and submerged.
The king thought that during the resistance against Ming aggressors, the
genius had offered him this sword to help him defeat the enemy. At that
time, the peace was returning, and the genius appeared to take back the
sword. Consequently, King Le Thai To decided to name the Luc Thuy lake
Ho Hoan Kiem (Lake of Restored Sword). In the middle of the lake is Thap
Rua (Turtle Tower). The lake abounds in big turtles aged five or six
hundred. When there are the changes in weather, they often emerge or
expose themselves at the foot of the Turtle Temple.
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