Imagine a melting pot of east and west, amazing culinary cuisine and lovely people and that too affordable price and Vietnam is your go to destination. After 2 years of pandemic and no travel my feet were wriggling to experience the wanderlust once again. And I zeroed in on Vietnam, Visa was hassle free but since it was a last-minute travel plan I booked the low cost VietJet airlines. I landed straight at Hanoi from Delhi in the early morning hours. From there boarded a local bus from the airport to my hotel. Accommodation was also quite affordable, but language will be an issue so better rely on Google Translate.
After checking in and freshening up, I headed to the lake which is of walkable distance from hotel. In local language it means -Lake of Returned Sword as per legends it was here that then Emperor after defeating the Ming Chinese was boating on this lake when he was asked by a Turtle to return his sword which was given by the Dragon Emperor to defeat the Chinese. There is also an wooden bridge adjoining a temple dedicated to Confucious and Taoist philosophers and national hero, Trần Hưng Đạo. There is lot of Chinese Influence in Vietnam which is evident in its architecture and culture
After having a local lunch of Pho Ga, which is basically a heavy stew cooked with noodles and chicken I went off strolling to the Don Xuan market. Nestled in downtown Hanoi, this is the largest wholesale market in the North with an area of 6,500 m2, as well as the gathering place of a multitude of business items to serve the life of the capital's netizens and supply sources for traders. After some shopping and retiring for the day, the next day I took a day trip to the famed made famous by the movie King Kong. Ha Long" means "Bay of Descending Dragons", We took a cruise and had a lunch on it of local Vietnamese cuisine. There are a series of dotting islands on Halong Bay and is home to a series of limestone mountains. After getting down from the jetty we went exploring the limestone mounatins. Normal limestone mountains are usually found on the ground, however, the the Bay's limestones are raised from above the water. I also took a boat ride to Luon Cave which is a clear waterway, there are also options of Kayak and banana boat to go there. After the much needed cave exploration and coming back late to the hotel my next day was a trip planned to the famed Imperial Citadel.
The Imperial Citadel is a complex of historic imperial buildings located in the centre of Hanoi, Vietnam. It was first constructed in 1011 under the reign of Emperor Lý Thái Tổ of Lý dynasty. It was the seat of power until the capital was moved to Hue. The royal palaces and edifices were largely destroyed in the late 19th century. The few remaining structures within the royal compound are the Doan Mon gate, marking the southern entrance to the royal palace, the Flag Tower, the steps of Kinh Thiên Palace and the Hậu Lâu (Princess' Palace). There is also an adjoining museum containing artifacts and relics of the dynasties that ruled Vietnam.
From the Citadel my next stop was the Temple of Literature. An important landmark The Temple of Literature made me reminiscent about our Nalanda University. The temple has Imperial Academy where royal members studied in the past. This is also considered as the first national university of Vietnam. The doctors' steles in the area are a valuable historical resource for the study of culture, education and sculpture in Vietnam. 82 stelae remain. They depict the names and birthplaces of 1307 graduates of 82 triennial royal exams.
One thing which you must not miss is Hanoi Café culture. Fast-paced on the surface, the true rhythm of Hanoi life is far from hurried and is reflected well in its leisurely coffee hours. Alongside traditional coffee houses, an ever-growing band of unique cafes serve new brews in cool caffeine dens. I had my lunch and lazed around in one of the bistro. Hanoi also has a bustling nightlife in the old quarter and the best part is that it is quite safe
My last day in Hanoi I visited the one pillar pagoda. The One Pillar Pagoda formally belongs to an architecture complex which means Extend Bless pagoda. The pagoda is a historic Buddhist temple in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The most famous part of this architecture complex is a temple with special structure: a building laid on one pillar. The original pagoda was built in 1049, had some additions and was perfected in 1105. It is regarded alongside the Perfume Temple, as one of Vietnam's two most iconic temples.
The next day I took a connecting flight to Danang as I wished to explore Central Vietnam. Danang is basically a beach town but I didn't stop there and took a bus to HUE which is more famous as the Lantern City. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is recognized as an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. You can explore the city by foot itself. A myriad land of lanterns hanging around it comes to life during the night which is a sight to behold. An entrance fee is required, with each ticket valid for 10 days and covers entrance to Hoi An Ancient Town, 6 points of interest, and street entertainment (folk dancing, singing, and traditional games).
I walked amidst the old temples to the famed Japanese Bridge. During the 16th century, Japanese merchants began to establish residence in the port city of Hoi An and established their own enclave. In 1593, one group of merchants began building a covered bridge to cross a neighborhood canal hence the name.
Hoi AN is also the home of old world charm with many of its heritage homes still being retained. One such home is Tan Ky Old House in Hoi An. It was built in 1741 as the residence of a 7 generation family, especially, it was the trading place of the local merchants as well as the foreign traders in the 18th and 19th centuries. Tan Ky ancient house was built by famous artisans in Kim Bong carpentry village. The motifs and patterns of the structure of the house are all meticulously made and carry the breath of oriental philosophy. The style of this old house is the combination of three different cultures: Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese. You can also chat with the current residents of the ancient house and hear their stories.
But the main joy of exploring Hoi An is by dressing up as a local in the traditional Aao Dai. I too brought one and after doing my oriental makeup next day went off visiting the local cafes. Not to forget the famous Vietnamese Coffee which is a must! Next, I made a stop at Van Duc Pagoda. Which dates back to the late 17th century and is where locals honour Buddhist deities such as Amitabha Buddha, Dia Tang Bodhisattva, and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. Hailed as one of Hoi An's oldest Buddhist temples, the yellow-hued establishment features 3 worship halls, intricate animal sculptures, paintings of deities, potted plants, and plenty of trees offering ample shade. Its peaceful surroundings draw numerous visitors looking to pay their respects, get fortunes told, or simply marvel at the well-preserved architecture.
I made my way to the Phuoc Kien Temple. This place is a historical relic left by all three communities of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese. You will see a large garden with a sophisticated dragon-carved fountain with giant statues. But the main life of Hoi An is its nightlife, you can make a wish by the river with a floating candle and taste amazing snacks of sea food and veg crispies. My heart didn't wish to leave this wonderful city but as my tour of 8 days was coming to an end I had to leave with a heavy heart. If you really wish to witness and relive old world oriental charm Take a slow step by step and enjoy the frescoes of the history of the region!
Hi everyone, I am Priyanka, a budding traveller. I love exploring new places including its cuisine and culture. I have started solo travelling recently and hence wish to share my experiences with other female travellers who have been addicted with the travel bug. Hope we can connect and learn from each other View all posts by girlsliketotravel
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