Viet Nam: Hanoi After Dark Part 2

Introduction

After the Water Puppet show and night market, I thought why not have KFC? It was Valentine's day and KFC Hoan Kiem wasn't that full tonight.

The two piece meal was good. The mashed potatoes didn't come from pre-pack plastic cups like you get in Singapore or Malaysia. The staff actually hand make them using potato powder. It tasted a little powdery. The coleslaw as what I could recall was prepared in the restaurant.

Overall, it was a good meal but Malaysia KFC still ranks number one in my list.
If you like to try it, the KFC is located just near to water puppet theater, north Hoan Kiem lake.

While enjoying the Viet Nam KFC for the first time, I was wondering what else I can do on my last night in Hanoi. It was still much too early to go to bed. Without a map, I decide to start my "short" walk to the famous Hanoi train station.

So before this starts sounding like foodie blog, this is Part 2 of Hanoi After Dark.




Ly Thai To and Con Coc Park

I walked about 1 km southeast from KFC heading straight to park nearby. I was in luck as wandered into what seems to be a popular park among the locals.

Ly Thai To Park (red arrow)
Con Coc Park (yellow arrow)

Ly Thai To is the founder of the Annam empire around the late 900 AD. In the local lingo, his name means supreme forefather. The park has a wonderfully erected bronze statue of him.

You probably missed these parks in every travel blog to Hanoi or you probably see some photos of what Hanoi residents do during the day. Here is what they do at night. Some dance, some sing, some roller blade and while some just like to gather with friends to talk.

Roller bladers

More bladers

Folks dancing the salsa

There are a few French style buildings which have been turned to government offices.
Unfortunately, not being able to speak Viet Namese, I couldn't tell what government offices they were.

Government offices are usually painted in yellow

However, in Con Coc park there is this one structure, which looks like old water fountain or monument that continues to draw my attention. I googled for more information, but there isn't much information on it. If you do know something about this building, please do leave a comment below.

Mystery structure

Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel and Hanoi Opera House

Just further down south is the Hanoi Opera House. They have regular performances but tickets have to be booked way in advance. It was closed tonight.

The Hanoi Opera house was based on the famous Palais Garnier, Paris. Like most buildings in Hanoi, they based on a French colonial architecture.

You likely to miss the opera house and notice the beautiful Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel next door. There is a reason why it isn't called Hanoi Hilton. If you missed my blog on the notorious Hoa Lo Prison, check out it here in this link.

http://hg2me.blogspot.sg/2016/07/viet-nam-hanoi-part-3.html

It was here that I realized my GPS was a little screwed up and I been walking in the wrong direction. The Hanoi train station is on the other side of the Hoan Kiem lake. The night keeps getting colder by the minute.



















Uptown Hanoi



Having lost my way and walking in an unfamiliar city is not how I like to spend my night.


But sometimes, you have to lose your way before finding it again.

The urban hiker in me quickly retraced my steps back and I was back on my path to the Hanoi train station.

Here was a very peculiar sight. I seen the old Hanoi quarter mainly made of old shops and stores.

However, here I found the new Hanoi very uptown and very classy. This Uptown Hanoi. In reality, I call it Uptown Hanoi due to lack of a better name.

Hanoi Train Station

After 2 plus kilometers of walking in the cold, which seemed endless I finally arrived the Hanoi Train Station. I wish there was more to say about the station but I arrived late and it was closed.
I saw a few backpackers sitting on the steps of the station waiting for the morning train. Other than there were road side hawkers selling hot noodles. They invited me to eat but it was really late and cold. All I really want now is a warm shower and a good night sleep.
























However, the night is not over yet for me. I still had to walk back to the hotel in the old quarters.
Here are some pictures I took while I made my way back to the hotel.

Cleaners start work late at night instead of first thing in the morning.

The road is blocked to allow a freight train to cross.

Railway track

Hawkers still open late at night

Other hawkers decide to call it a night

Old buildings, means my hotel is close by

Thang Long Song Music and Dance Theater

Adventure rarely calls us on the time of our choosing. I was about to reach my hotel when I found this landmark on the tour guide map.

I wish there was more to tell about this old grand dame but it looked pretty run down. Locals have used the front door as a motorcycle parking lot. I couldn't find more information about this building besides it being renovated.

I reached the hotel somewhere near to midnight, freezing, sore feet and feeling great to have taken off beaten path.

Viet Nam: Hanoi After Dark Part 1

Introduction

This isn't the finale, if you are wondering.
But we are close. The next part of the journey is all about the night.

I can't really say I found exciting nightlife in Hanoi but it was rather colorful to see what everyday Hanoi-an do at night.

This is part one my two part special of Hanoi after dark.


St Joseph Cathedral




St Joseph Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral located west of Hoan Kiem Lake.


Built during the French occupation and completed on the eve of Christmas 1886.


There is little more darker religious history related to the cathedral, so I will not dwell in on that.


If you are passing by take picture in front of the cathedral.

The photo here isn't really after dark but it was close as I made my way to Hoan Kiem Lake.








Hoàn Kiếm Lake

The next place will remind you of an English myth

Hoàn Kiếm Lake or Lake of the Returned Sword is located smack right in the middle of Hanoi.
Legend has it, that in 1428, an emperor met a golden turtle to return a magical sword. After fighting off Chinese invaders, the emperor returned the sword and a single tower was built on the lake to commemorate this legend.

Now, tell me this doesn't remind you of King Arthur, Lady of the Lake and Excalibur.

The single tower on the lake at night

Single tower during the day

I visited the lake during the day and night. So if you had to choose, just come during the night there is more to see and there is a lot more happening.

There is a bridge that connects to the tower, which is opened during the day. If you have visited the tower do tell me your experience in the comment section below.

Photos are taken on northeast of the Hoan Kiem Lake.
It is located close to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater.

Google Map of  Hoan Kiem Lake.
There are many sights around the lake.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater

During of my walk, I notice a water puppet theater just to the northeast of the lake. The theater I visited here was the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater.























However, there is another water puppet theater called the Lotus Water Puppet Theater to west of the lake. I was only able to snap a photo the ticket signboard.

Ticketing to Lotus Water Puppet

I have to say that water puppet theater was truly a delight.

Water puppets have its root back to the 11th century and I heard was also available in Ho Chin Minh city. I read up more on the background and it is traditionally Vietnamese. If you have heard of water puppet shows outside of Viet Nam, it maybe because the troupe does overseas performances.

Once you are in the hall, you get a feel of the basics of theater.
Traditional music, check!
Lights, check!
3 feet of water on stage, check!

I recall the performance was about Viet Nam folk tales but you sort of get lost in all the fun.

The tickets costs 60k to 100k dong and show lasts about 1 hour. Tickets are snapped up really fast so get your tickets early. If you want to bring a camera in, there is an additional fee for that.

Just be warned the seats don't have a lot of leg room and it is a tight fit.

Tight fit and no leg room

Here are more photos of the theater hall and showcase area after the show.

Theater hall

Showcase after the show

Hanoi Night Market

Night markets are a common thing in South East Asia. Go anywhere from Viet Nam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia you are sure to find one.

In Hanoi, it is located north of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Take a short stroll further north from Thang Long Water Puppet Theater carefully dodging the night traffic in Hanoi and you will find the night market.

Crazy traffic at Hanoi

The night market comprises of make shift stalls (hawkers) along blocked off roads. Hawkers usually sell anything from electronics, toys, clothing, food and drinks. A wonderful variety of things and great place to stop by if you are looking for souvenirs.

The night market starts off from Hang Dao street is available on Friday to Sunday. It starts from 6
PM and winds down around 11 PM.

Night market starts here

Portrait drawing, food and souvenirs

More food, clothes and even watches

To be continued in Hanoi After Dark Part 2.

Viet Nam: Hanoi Part 3

Introduction

This is Part 3 of my Viet Nam, Hanoi series.
If you haven't checked out Part 1 and 2, these are the links. They are as exciting as Part 3.

Viet Nam: Hanoi Part 1
http://hg2me.blogspot.sg/2016/06/viet-nam-hanoi-part-1.html

Viet Nam: Hanoi Part 2
http://hg2me.blogspot.sg/2016/07/viet-nam-hanoi-part-2.html

If you have checked them out, then let's proceed with the walking tour.
If you recall, we last visited the Presidential Palace.

One Pillar Pagoda

There is definitely more than one temple in Hanoi. In fact, when I asked the tour guide, he said it is impossible to visit them all. One of the famous ones is called the One Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot).

This Buddhist temple is just an one pagoda over a pond.

The temple was built in the early 10th century, which makes it over 1000 years old. The One Pillar Pagoda was built by the emperor after getting a son. The significant part was temple design came to him in a dream.

There isn't much else, so enjoy the pictures.

Temple of Literature


This temple was a little further away from the One Pillar Pagoda and Ba Dien Square. The tour guide took us in a cab to this location.

I think it is possible to walk or use a two wheeler to get here. The distance according to Google Map is over 1.1 - 1.4 km (about 15 minutes walk).

This temple is originally referred to as The Temple of Confucius.

It was also built during the 10th century and was Viet Nam's first national university.

The temple has very a Chinese architecture. It has 5 main courtyards.

I didn't realize much of the courtyard significance until I had time to review the photos later on.

Second Courtyard Gate

Bronze bell to signal VIP entering the temple grounds

Some in the second and third courtyard, it houses the Stelae of Doctors. The only time I seen such huge stelae when I visited China. These steles indicate the name of persons who passed examinations.

Notice the turtle heads under the steles. Turtles represent longevity.

It is the fifth courtyard, which will attract most visitors. The beautiful wooden hall houses the statue of Chu Van An, the rector of the imperial academy.

Statue of Chu Van An

Beautiful upper deck of the wooden hall

Other exhibits with English explanations of antiques is also kept in the upper deck.

The temple opens at 8AM to 5PM (and 7.30AM to 6PM on different parts of the year). I think it is good enough reference on the timing. You may spend 30 to 45 minutes as there isn't a lot to see.
Note it is closed on Mondays. Entrance is 10,000 VND.


Hoa Lo Prison

There was not much daylight and the tour guide suggested to visit the Hoa Lo Prison Museum.
Hoa Lo was 15 minutes away on foot (approximately 1.2 km)

The significance of its name is different according to the era, which it was used.

The prison was originally built by French colonist to hold Vietnamese revolutionist, just before the turn of 19th century.

Although the front gate says Maison Centrale (French for Central Prison), it was often regarded as Fiery Furnace (Hoa Lo in Vietnamese)

Later, communist of the North Viet Nam used it to hold American POW (prisoner of war) during the Viet Nam era war. It was nicknamed "Hanoi Hilton".

In the 1990's the prison was demolished to make way for modern real-estate development. However, the locals wanted to preserve the significance of the prison's history. So, a small part of the prison was kept as a museum.






The museum-prison today holds numerous exhibits. This includes in no specific order.

Almond Tree

Prisoner used it for medicinal purpose and discussion revolutionary ideology.

Life of incarcerated prisoners.

There are other exhibits include prison uniform, communist propaganda during Viet Nam war and records of revolutionary prisoners, who were held here.

Ho Loa costs 30,000 VND  to enter per person and opens between 8AM to 5PM.
You may want to spend about 1 hour here.


... to be continued in Part 4