We had a long list of things to do when arrived in Hanoi but the 95 degree temperature (115 with the heat index) slowed us down. Sunshine was also a little under the weather—she got a small rash on her neck while in Siem Reap. Generally this is not a concern but after three days her lymph node got swollen and she was super tired. Google did not help since all searches said to call the doctor immediately. She cooled the rash with a cold compress and heated the lymph node with a warm compress. As we write this it still has not fully healed but it is getting better each day. We explored the city in the mornings to “avoid the heat” and to find a breakfast spot. It did not take long for the streets to get busy.
We walked around Hoan Kiem Lake and visited Ngoc Son Pagoda. Ngoc Son or the “Temple of the Jade Mountain” is Hanoi’s most visited temple and sits on a small island in the lake. Legend says an emperor defeated the Chinese Ming Dynasty with a magical sword. This victory brought the return of the Golden Turtle god to the lake. Today, it is considered good luck to see one of the turtles in the lake. Good thing we saw one!
Saint Joesph’s Cathedral seemed out of place in the busy streets of Hanoi. It was completed in 1886. The Neo-Gothic revival Roman Catholic Church was completed in 1886 and is representative of the French colonial architecture.
We ate several meals at Uu Dam Chay – a vegetarian restaurant named after the Sanskrit term meaning “sacred flower descending to earth from heaven.” It lived up to its name and we returned the following day to try their hot pot. We wanted to return a third time but they were fully booked.
The Opera House was a few blocks from our hotel and Lang Toi (My Village) was being performed during our stay. The unique portrayal of Vietnamese village life blended storytelling with acrobatics, dance and music. The use of bamboo was brilliant and the show was entertaining.
The Temple of Literature was built as a university in 1070 dedicated to Confucius. In the beginning, students were aristocrats and members of the royal family. Eventually the school accepted “commoners.” All successful graduates had their names engraved on a stone stele.
The Vietnamese Women’s Museum was a comprehensive tribute to the women of Vietnam. The audio tour included narratives of women from the rice paddy fields, service jobs, street venders, business leaders, academics and mothers. Information was about everyday life, marriage, birth, fashion, farming and rituals. There was a floor dedicated to the role of women during wartime.
