Vietnam Tour - Hanoi

Johnson Zhang

On 30th September 2023, I travelled to Hanoi. Stepping into Hanoi feels like stepping through a portal where a thousand years of history hums alongside the buzz of modern life. Nestled in the Red River Delta, this capital city: once known as Thang Long, or "Soaring Dragon", is a tapestry of contrasts: ancient pagodas stand beside French colonial boulevards, street food carts fragrant with phở line lanes leading to sleek skybars, and the quiet serenity of Hoan Kiem Lake balances the chaos of motorbike-filled intersections. It's a city that doesn't just welcome you; it wraps you in its layers, inviting you to linger, taste, and discover. In Hanoi, the first scenic spot that I experienced was Vietnam Military History Museum. In the heart of Hanoi, where ancient pagodas and colonial boulevards weave together the city's past, the Vietnam Military History Museum stands as a powerful testament to the nation's fight for independence. More than just a collection of weapons and artifacts, it's a living narrative: one that breathes life into the stories of soldiers, civilians, and the resilience of a people who defended their homeland against colonial powers and war.
Whether you're a history buff or simply curious about Vietnam's journey, this museum offers an unflinching, immersive look into a pivotal chapter of its identity. Not only is this museum one of the seven national museums but also it acts as the headquarter of the army museum system. The museum exhibitions present the Vietnamese military history from the first period of founding the country to the Ho Chi Minh era. One of the well-known ancient monuments on the grounds of the museum in Hanoi flag Tower, classified as a national historic cultural monument. The construction of the Tower started in 1805 and was completed in 1812, with a height of nearly 31m and a circumstance of 180m. After few hours of strolling around Vietnam Military History Museum, I went to Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, together with the archaeological relic at No. 18 Hoang Dieu Street, are typical heritage and cultural complexes, reflecting the historical progress of Vietnam during the 13 centuries (from the 11th century to the 11th century). Through many ups and downs, the ancient Thang Long citadel no longer has massive fortresses or vermilion towers, but the vestiges and traces left over have contained great historical and cultural value. These are proofs of the history of building and defending the country of an independent Vietnam over the years. In December 2002, experts excavated on a total area of 19,000 square meters at Ba Dinh District, the political center of Hanoi. This was the largest archaeological excavation in not only Vietnam's national scale but also Southeast Asian region scale. It was this excavation that revealed traces of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in a historical process spanning 13 centuries with stacked monuments and cultural layers. This is the Presidential Palace. This building was designed and supervised by a German architect for the French Indochina Governor. At that time, this was the most luxurious construction with more than 30 rooms and took approximately 6 years to complete. This place had been supposed to be the working and living place of President Ho Chi Minh. However, Uncle Ho refused to do that as he said it would be unsuitable for him to live in such a luxury huge building while the other residents were poor and starving. Instead, he lived in a small house in the garden (House No. 54). The Presidential Palace was merely used for meeting important delegations as well as for Vietnamese young children to come and visit their beloved Uncle Ho.
In Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, I experienced few spots. One of them is Ba Dinh Square. Back to the past over one century, when the French colonial government came to Hanoi, this area was quickly chosen as the political center of Tonkin/the North, and then Indochinese Federation. Therefore, in these days, people can still see a number of large buildings constructed in French architecture there, which used to be the leading colonial offices of the French government.
After few hours of strolling around Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, I went to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum.
Not only with the embalming process but the Soviet Union also helped Vietnamese with building Uncle Ho Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was inspired by Lenin's Tomb in Moscow, but the architecture was redesigned to match Vietnamese traditional culture and lifestyle.
What makes this Mausoleum standing out is that its materials (even various plants for decoration) were from different parts of Vietnam. At that time, in order to show the whole country's respect for President Ho Chi Minh, each province of Vietnam decided to contribute one signature material to build the Mausoleum. This action not only expresses the country's love for the Great Father but also indicates Vietnam's national unity. The Mausoleum, which is surrounded by a number of marble columns, is divided into five parts. This five-part structure is to model the Vietnamese traditional house in the countryside, in which President Ho was born and brought up. On the facade of the Mausoleum, there are the words "President Ho Chi Minh" made of red plum marble, of which characters represent Uncle Ho's lofty and morality. The other spot in Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum is Ho Chi Minh's Museum. Located within Ho Chi Minh Complex, this special museum took people nearly 5 years to complete and was constructed to celebrate Ho Chi Minh's 100 years of birth. Ho Chi Minh Museum was made in the shape of a huge white flower, 20 meters in height and has 3 floors. The ground floor is a hall with 400 seats, which is usually used to host Vietnam's national as well as international meetings. On the second floor, a tremendous exhibition has been displayed, which contains more than 2000 priceless historical documents and showpieces, systematically reflecting Uncle Ho's Working Life and Vietnam's Revolutionary Stages.
After few hours of strolling around Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, I went to the last scenic spot in Hanoi and that is 36th Street. 36th Street is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Hanoi. It is a well-preserved ancient street with a strong traditional Vietnamese architectural style. There are various handicraft shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, and other shops available here, with affordable prices and excellent quality. Here, you can taste Vietnamese specialties such as meat dumplings, beef noodles, fried Spring rolls, and buy Vietnamese souvenirs such as silk scarves, wood carvings, and ceramics. At 36th Street, you can gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam's history and culture. Many buildings here have a long history, such as the Jade Emperor Temple built in 1887 and the Zhenwu Temple built in 1902. In addition, there are many museums and historical sites here, such as the Vietnam National Museum of History and the Ho Chi Minh Museum, which can provide you with a deeper understanding of Vietnam's history and culture.
In addition to food, culture, and history, 36th Street is also a shopping paradise. There are many shopping and commercial centers here, such as Mango Square and Gia Long Palace, offering a variety of products at affordable prices and of high quality. Here, you can purchase your favorite handicrafts, jewelry, branded clothing, and other products. During the trip, you can also enjoy Vietnam's unique entertainment activities. If you go to traditional markets in Vietnam to experience the local lifestyle or go to music halls in Vietnam to enjoy local music and dance performances. In addition, you can also participate in traditional festivals and activities in Vietnam, such as the Vietnam Bullfighting Festival and the Vietnam Food Festival. In short, the 36th Street in Vietnam is a paradise for tourism, where you can fully enjoy food, culture, history, and shopping fun. If you want to learn more about Vietnam, you can join a local tourism group or consult the local tourism bureau to obtain more tourism information and advice. It is also important to pay attention to personal and property safety, maintain a happy mood, and maintain a civilized and polite attitude during the game. As I pack my bag for the final time in Hanoi, there's a quiet sense of completion: this city, with its layered charm, has offered a full dose of culture, flavor, and daily adventure, and it's time to head onward. I glance out the window one last time. Hanoi fades into the distance, but the memories of its streets, flavors, and quiet energy will stick around. Until next time, it's adieu: and thanks for the solid, unforgettable experience.