Mind you, June and July aren't the best months to visit Hanoi. The temperature can go up to 45 degrees C. Fortunately I am going between one air-con building and another, so don't have to bear the full brunt of the heat. Can really get "chau tah", man!
On 10th Oct 2010, the city (Thang Long-Hanoi) will be celebrating its 1000th year as the key capital. It was founded in 1010 as a city called Thang Long (Flying Dragon). In fact, throughout its dramatic history, Hanoi has borne many names: Giao Chi (Remote Land), Tong Binh (Proper Home), An Nam (Peaceful South), Dai La (Great Belt, as in the dyke surrounding the city), Dong Do and Dong Quan (both meaning Capital), Dong Kinh (Eastern Capital) - which the French priests later interpreted as Tongkin. The name Hanoi, or more strictly Ha Noi, only appeared after the Nguyen Dynasty attained power in 1802, shifted the capital to Hue and renamed the city in 1831. Ha Noi literally translates to City in the River, City Surrounded by Rivers, City in the Bend of the River, or more romantically City in the Embrace of the Rivers. Despite the name change, even well into the 20th century, people still like to call the city Thang Long.
Sunset scene on Hoan Kiem lake in the centre of Hanoi
The Opera House, Hanoi
Want a "Mona Lisa" or "Sunflowers" painting in your living room? Want yourself standing next to the Mona Lisa? All can be done through the talents of these copy artists in the streets of Hanoi.
A candid shot into an alley way
Outside a souvenir shop near the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
A street in the Old Quarters
This photo by Jemima Yong (jemimayong@hotmail.com) captures the spirit of community living in the Old Quarters of Hanoi. If you look carefully at the individual characters, you can almost make up a story of what's happening.
A roadside fruit seller arranges her ware
The unique art form of Water Puppetry in Hanoi
Ok, more photos on Hanoi later. I now have a plane to catch ...
NEW ADDITIONS
For those who are asking for pictures of the Vietnamese lasses, this is for you ...
Sorry guys, I can't help it if they're shy lah!
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Posts
Are we going to visit Hanoi, Vietnam in the near future?
ReplyDeleteGet Nick Lau to be our tour guide, don't think he would mind.
These scenes should be familiar to Mr Nicholas Lau ...
ReplyDeleteWhy no graceful Vietnamese girls in traditional dress, WJ?
ReplyDeleteThe artist photo looks fascinating. Endless possibilities.
ReplyDeleteThere's an incredible amount of artistic talent in Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo of sunset scene on the lake, WJ.
ReplyDeleteHi James .The photos sure bring back fresh memory . The best time to visit Hanoi is Oct -Nov period when the weather is air -con cool. This year from Oct , Hanoi celebrates its 1000th anniversary and should be a good time to visit given that many events are likely to be lined up for the big celebration ! But can expect general pricing of services to notch up a bit as the timing coincides with the peak tourist season . Hanoi given its strong French influence ( 100 years ) has a lot more character than the South ( HCM ) and is a must visit destination to those who love to travel. WJ once commented that he liked the place and does not mind to be based in Hanoi . Hmmm wonder what is the main pull factor! hahahaha . ( joking )
ReplyDeleteNo Ah Loot there so no pretty Vietnamese girls in traditional dress to see loh.
ReplyDeleteAh Loot HAS to be there.......
Hanoi has great croissants !!! Must be the century of French influence.
ReplyDeleteNick, it's definitely for the pho :-)
ReplyDeleteHey, WJ has added photo of Vietnamese gals!
ReplyDeleteWalau! Nice VN lasses in traditional dress!
ReplyDeleteWOW!
ReplyDeleteAiyoo...the obsession with pretty lasses is apparently still afflicting some of you who I believe should be happily married after all these years! Kesian la you punya bini...
ReplyDeleteAs a pseudo-marriage counsellor, I suggest you always carry in your wallet a picture of your better half taken when you were head over heels
smitten by her some 10 or 20 long years ago to constantly remain you of her beauty, charm or whatever aspect of hers that made you single her out from the rest of womankind to be your wife.
Hope this will rekindle your passion for your
once-upon-a-time Cinderella and make you forget about all the nubile and pretty maidens who will only corrupt your fertile imagination.
WJ, next time in your travel, please add some photos of young guys too to remind us of our younger days. Thanks.
Pseudo-MC, please reveal your identity lah, so we can all assess whether you are following your own advice. Hehehe.
ReplyDeleteHehehe...Bro Straight shooter, me talk C only lah, just for laughs. As long as we "hiau chui" only, I think it's ok lah. If you assess me, I'll surely get "spana".
ReplyDeleteBTW, why you called yourself Straight shooter?
I'm going to buy the bike plate number, 9207 tomorrow and if I do strike big enough, I'll
ReplyDeletedrag WJ to Hanoi for a week of cultural escapade. All on me, of course.
I'm sure Mrs WJ won't mind me borrowing her hubby
for such a short period of time. Or will she?
Hehehe...
WJ, how do you say "Hanoi, here we come" in French?
Good luck, Magnum Guy. I look forward to my free holiday!
ReplyDeleteThe picture of ao dai dressed Vietnamese girls on bicycles, so often portrayed in souvenirs and postcards, is fast disappearing :-(
ReplyDeleteCLASS TRIP TO HANOI IN SEPTEMBER, ANYONE??????
ReplyDelete'cos I shoot straight! Do you?
ReplyDeleteHey Magnum Guy, what about the 30F2? Since F is the sixth letter, you should also buy 3062 in addition to your 9072.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you win, remember me also ha?
Do they still speak French in Hanoi?
ReplyDeleteHi Numerologist, actually I was waiting for someone to suggest that number ( 3062 ) also and there you are! Must be another "Kiau Kui" like yours truly! Ooopps... soli. But then again, not an old hand 'cos you simply changed my number 9207 to 9072!!! Look at the plate number of the bike again lah! Now WJ, if 9072
ReplyDeletecomes out instead of 9207, the blame is on Mr Numerologist. Chey!!!
WJ, please don't get too excited lah. The one week holidays are meant for purely innocent activities only like visiting the opera house,museum and theatre; fishing in the lake
and dining in some decent restaurants.
And Mr Straight shooter, what do you usually shoot at? My aiming is always assisted by a pair of hands now, unlike a decade ago when it could function independently and accurately.
Oi! didn't you all not see other numbers ON THE WALL meh? Don't think you all that blind leh.
ReplyDeleteThere's 6 digit numbers to buy too. Now if I hit any of the 6d, I would bring WJ round the world.
Got strike or not? Got strike or not?
ReplyDeleteWah, that's a lot of numbers to buy leh!
ReplyDeleteSTRIKE??? EAT GREEN LAH; bought 9207 10mbox and 10 straight.Ist prize is 7667 tonight.
ReplyDeleteNever mind WJ, can try again. Next time, please
attach photos with numbers on them for eg.Karaoke
GROs, Spa girls, etc. hehehe...Which country is on your next itinerary?
Bangkok has been voted best city to visit this year, 2010. So, shall we proceed there one of these days? Sawadeekap!
ReplyDelete