Sunday, April 17, 2011

Hanoi - a potpourri of many influences

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

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