Soaking in the Grand Celebration of Life at Hanoi, Vietnam’s Capital City!

I stayed in Hanoi for 4 days. I stayed in the old quarter of Hanoi. You already know about that. I took a few days’ retreats to Sa Pa and Ninh Binh from the bustling city but came back to the calmness of Hoan Kiem Lake again, for the city is blissfully beautiful. Here are few snapshots from Hanoi which will (hopefully) inspire you to take a take there and soak in the glory of days of yore.

The President's palace Hanoi
The President’s palace at Hanoi. Note the distinctive yellow hue on the wall. Note the hammer and shackle of Communist regime in Vietnam. 
Hanoi Royal guest house room
An old school telephone show cased at the royal suite of the Hanoi Royal Guest house where we stayed!

Also read, spend 4 days in Hanoi and indulge in these activities!

what to buy in Hanoi as a travel souvenier?
Old Propaganda pictures on sale at the streets of Hanoi Old Quarter
What to do in Hanoi for 4 days: visit a traditional Vietnamese House
The Ma May House, old quarter, Hanoi: A visit to the traditional Vietnamese house is a must 
Young people performing at the streets of Hanoi on a weekend night!
Young people performing at the streets of Hanoi on a weekend night!

Also read: Complete guide to visit Sa Pa in 3 days!

temple of literature, old Buddhist places of Hanoi
The entrance of the temple of Literature, one of the iconic landmarks of Hanoi. Note the pagoda style of architecture. It is one of the oldest universities in Asia and produced as many as 90 doctorate scholars thousand years ago!
Dragons are one of the four revered creatures from Vietnamese folklore
Dragons are one of the four revered creatures from Vietnamese folklore
The Mausoleum of Vietnam’s revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh. His body is kept inside and can be accessed by the visitors during afternoon. 

Want to feast of the great cuisine of Hanoi? Read this article.

A wooden fish spotted at one of the old shops at the alleys of Hanoi Old Quarter
A wooden fish spotted at one of the old shops at the alleys of Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi Flower Market
Early morning Scene in Hanoi. The Calmness is profound. ANd what a beautiful moving Flower Market!

Planning a trip to Vietnam? Check out my tried and tasted two weeks itinerary to Vietnam! 

Hanoi during Fall
Fall in Hanoi. Early March. The North of the country gets really cold.
Red chilies Hanoi Local Market
The red chilies spotted at a local market in Hanoi!
Hanoi Cigarette Packet
Reminder to Abstain
The very famous snake wine found in abundance at the Hanoi Streets!

And, I shall end the post with a poem dedicated to Hanoi by Alison Jesson.

~

Balcony in Hanoi

Whether it is the slap-slap of sandalled feet
of women who bear baskets of dragon fruit,

or the creak of bicycles carrying bundles
of greens and limes to market,

the road outside my window never sleeps.
Pale apricot sun diffuses morning mist

as motor cycles weave through blaring horns,
laden with chickens or pigs, dried fish or fridges.

Rickshaw-drivers lounge, waiting to pedal
tourists down other dusty streets.

In noon heat, a dog pants in the shadows
and laughing schoolgirls ride past like slender storks.

At dusk, families gather round pavement cook pots,
share noodle soup, and talk

of dollars, Hondas, mobile phones,
farmers who sell paddy fields for factories.

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