WanderLex

Category: Vietnam

  • Dong Xuan Market and Long Bien Bridge

    Dong Xuan Market and Long Bien Bridge

    After the insightful trip at Vietnam Military History Museum, we made our way to Dong Xuan Market, or Cho Dong Xuan. Being the oldest and largest market in Hanoi, it practically sells anything and everything with piles of goods on display. From dried food, fruits, vegetables, meats, clothes, shoes, souvenirs to home appliances. And I am sure there are so many more that I missed out.

    I didn’t come here to buy stuff but merely to experience a Vietnamese market. There’re lots going on in the market, plenty of activities and it was really crowded. Be prepare to sweat…a lot…there’s no aircon which it can get a little uncomfortable after a while at Dong Xuan Market.

    Dong Xuan Market

    Dong Xuan Market

    Dong Xuan Market

    Dong Xuan Market

    Looking at it, the market seems to operate more like a wholesale market where most of the buying was in bulk.

    Buying in bulk

    I spotted one interesting dried food shop near the market with very interesting stuff on display. Just look at these!!

    Dried food shop near Dong Xuan Market

    Dried food shop near Dong Xuan

    Long Bien Bridge

    Not far away from the market is Long Bien Bridge or Cau Long Bien as the locals call it. A good old-fashioned iron girder bridge which spans the Red River built during the period of French rule. And the bridge designer was none other than Gustave Eiffel. Yes, the same fellow who built the renowned Eiffel Tower.

    About half of Long Bien Bridge was actually destroyed during Vietnam War but was restored to what we see today. I can’t really link both Eiffel Tower and the bridge together though…especially with the rugged rusty look.

    Long Bien Bridge

    Cau Long Bien

    A single railway track runs in the middle, other traffic on the bridge consists of motorcycles and bicycles but no cars. There’s a sidewalk for human traffic too but it’s not very well maintained and rather narrow.

    Long Bien sidewalk

    Under Long Bien

    Passengers heading to Northern parts of Vietnam will board their trains from here.

    Ga Long Bien Station

    Tracks of Ga Long Bien Station

    Cha Ca La Vong

    Dinner was at the well-known Cha Ca La Vong which I came across during my trip research. Somehow, the eating place has a bag of mixed reviews but leaning towards the negative zone, decided to be my own judge to find out. Its external looks very unassuming and signage can be improved. Upon entering, we were given a card that reads “Only one dish in our restaurant. Grilled fish. Price: 170,000 VND/ person (not including drink)”, it’s really a one-dish-wonder restaurant.

    Cha Ca La Vong

    So here’s my take – the marinated fish is not bad but nothing to shout home about and the portion per person is really small. There were 4 of us and we requested for more fish, at additional cost. Not bad for an experience but for that portion at S$10, I ain’t coming back.

    Cha Ca La Vong Grilled Fish

    The rest of the evening was spent wandering around the streets near to our hotel and more beer of course! :D

    Hanoi night market

    Hanoi streets at night

    Hoan Kiem Lake at night

    Hoan Kiem Lake night

    Hanoi at night

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    What are your thoughts about Dong Xuan Market & Long Bien Bridge? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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  • Ho Chi Minh Museum and Vietnam Military History Museum

    Ho Chi Minh Museum and Vietnam Military History Museum

    We started the next day early in order to be on our way to Tran Quoc Pagoda at West Lake. From what I see, the morning in Vietnam starts very early too. The streets around the hotel were already lively and busy. There’re plenty of locals going around with their morning routines. Exercising, heading to the markets, having breakfast or enjoying the fragrant cups of coffee. It’s one great experience to soak in the sights, smells and sounds during the early hours. Good morning Hanoi!!

    One morning in Hanoi streets 1

    One morning in Hanoi streets 2

    One morning in Hanoi streets 3

    One morning in Hanoi streets 4

    One morning in Hanoi streets 5

    One morning in Hanoi streets 6

    Took a taxi from May De Ville Old Quarter Hotel, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a 10-15 minutes ride away depending on the traffic. Similar to Ngoc Son Temple at Hoan Kiem Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda resides on a small island at West Lake but seems way more crowded. This is, after all, the most ancient and famous pagoda in Hanoi.

    The Buddhist site was built during the 6th century on the bank of Red River before relocated here during the 17th century, which means it’s approximately 1,500 years old! Wow!!

    Causeway to Tran Quoc Pagoda

    Across from Tran Quoc Pagoda

    Around Tran Quoc Pagoda

    Smalll Pagodas at Tran Quoc Pagoda

    Jiang Tai Gong at Tran Quoc Pagoda

    Tran Quoc Pagoda

    Worshippers at Tran Quoc Pagoda

    Worshipping at Tran Quoc Pagoda

    And the tall Pagoda, which has 11 levels and 6 arch windows on each level. Inside every arch window sits a Buddha statue made of precious stones.

    Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi

    Buddha in the Pagoda

    Didn’t stay here for long, was soon on our way to the next destination and came across many locals who were fishing along the lake. That’s when I took notice of West Lake, which is several times larger than Hoan Kiem Lake.

    Fishing at West Lake Hanoi

    Fishing at West Lake Hanoi 2

    Fishing at West Lake Hanoi 3

    The rubbish bin with smiley faces.

    Rubbish bin in Hanoi

    From Tran Quoc Pagoda, we proceed to the Ho Chi Minh Museum and Vietnam Military History Museum on foot. The museum showcases the country’s turmoil past during the wars, making it a good place to learn more about Vietnamese history. And it’s nice to see the story from the other side of the coin. Since most historical books tend to be a little bias against Communism.

    The walk brought us to the imposing Presidential Palace which it’s a nice looking colonial building but its interior décors aren’t meant for the public eyes.

    Presidential Palace in Hanoi

    We also passed by Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a large memorial where the embalmed body of Uncle Ho is kept. In order to preserve his remains, the body undergoes preventive maintenance in Russia from October to November annually. And that’s actually opposite from his will. The former president had wished to be cremated and his ashes scattered across this country. Why like that?

    Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi

    Also, the guards here meant business, do as what’s written on the signs around the memorial.

    Sign at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

    Ho Chi Minh Museum

    The nearby Ho Chi Minh Museum is another site dedicated to the late Vietnamese leader. It showcases his life through photographs and documents that are exhibited. I have new found respect for this man adored by the Vietnamese, who did so much for his country during his lifetime. Who knows how Vietnam might turn out today without his drive and vision?

    Ho Chi Minh Museum

    Around HoChiMinh Museum

    Exhibit in HoChiMinh Museum

    Exhibits in HoChiMinh Museum

    On the second level is a welcoming statue of Uncle Ho.

    Ho Chi Minh Statue in Museum

    Vietnam Military History Museum

    The next museum highlights Vietnam’s military history in depth which makes it one great place for war history buff. There are different sections representing different era like French colonisation period and American War.

    Vietnam Military History Museum

    Nice wall in Vietnam Military Museum

    On displays inside Vietnam Military History Museum are plenty of weapons and military manoeuvre maps.

    Exhibits in Vietnam Military Museum

    Exhibits in Vietnam Military Museum

    Exhibits in Vietnam Military Museum

    Exhibits in Vietnam Military Museum

    Tank Exhibit in Vietnam Military Museum

    Car Exhibit in Vietnam Military Museum

    But the more impressive stuff is outside the buildings where Hanoi Flag Tower stands. The hexagonal stone tower is the centrepiece of Vietnam Military History Museum and a symbol of Hanoi.

    Around Flag Tower

    Hanoi Flag Tower

    I took the ‘potentially-knee-killer’ spiral staircases to the viewing room at the tower’s top.

    Stairs of Flag Tower

    View from Hanoi Flag Tower

    I get the overview of the main attractions here which are the ‘war souvenirs’. They consist of American planes, helicopters, tanks and wrecks at its courtyard area.

    War souvenirs at Vietnam Military Museum

    A closer look at the souvenirs…

    War souvenirs at Vietnam Military Museum

    War souvenirs at Vietnam Military Museum

    War souvenirs at Vietnam Military Museum

    The one which caught my attention was this ‘sculpture’ made up of wrecked B-52 bomber remnants and the picture of that female soldier dragging the wreckage. I am not entirely sure about the meaning behind this propaganda. But I do know B-52 bomber was the symbol of American Air Force’s might during that era.

    What do you think?

    Sculpture of B-52 bomber remnants

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    What are your thoughts about Ho Chi Minh Museum and Vietnam Military History Museum? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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