pot·pour·ri /ˌpoʊpʊˈri, ˈpoʊpʊˌri/ – noun
1. a mixture of dried petals of roses or other flowers with spices, kept in a jar for their fragrance.
2. a musical medley.
3. a collection of miscellaneous literary extracts.
4. any mixture, especially of unrelated objects, subjects, etc.
I like to think of Hanoi as a potpourri or melange of various influences - old vs new, French vs Chinese, communist vs capitalist. Unfortunately, I was there for just a day and it left me thirsting for more.
- Hanoi or Ha Noi (Vietnamese: Hà Nội) is the capital and second-largest city of Vietnam.
- It has been inhabited since 3000 BC. Not many places in the world can claim that!
- From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam.
- Hanoi served as the capital of French Indochina from 1902 to 1954.
- From 1954 to 1976, it was the capital of North Vietnam.
- The city is located on the right bank of the Red River.
- October 2010 officially marked 1000 years since the establishment of the city.
- Currently, it is one of the hippest places to visit.
Some of the things that one must do:
- Visit a Buddhist monastery
- Visit the Cathedral
- Eat some amazing Vietnamese food
- Take a cruise on a junk boat in the HaLong Bay which is a UNESCO world heritage site. I have to do this the next time.
- Explore the colonial quarter
- Watch the world go by whilst sitting on the banks of the lakes - Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Halais Lake and Bay Mau Lake
Yummy food...........
Their version of falooda! Loved it.
Didn't like these desserts!
The communist party HQ
Entrance to a Buddhist Temple
Tiny Oranges everywhere
A temple is never complete without incence sticks
The Cathedral - French influence
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Snake wine!
Turtle Tower in Hoan Kiem lake
The Opera House
Peaceful Oasis!
The Flag Tower
