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Ho Chi Minh 

 

The capital Hanoi has not forgotten its leader Ho Chi Minh who led it to victory against the French in Dien Bien Phu first and against the Americans then. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex which includes the Mausoleum, Museum, and Presidential Palace is a tourist attraction that is never forgotten by local guides.

 

The One Pillar Pagoda 

 

The One Pillar Pagoda is a replica of a very old pagoda erected, according to legend, by Emperor Ly Thy Tong to thank the Goddess of Mercy for giving him a son during his reign in the 11th century. 

This pagoda was rebuilt in the 13th century and survived without much damage until 1954, when it was partially destroyed by French forces. 

The current version is the one rebuilt by Ho Chi Minh in 1959. 

Women come to pray there to ask for fertility. 

The Temple of Literature

 

This Confucian temple is also named Sanctuary of the Prince Propagator of Letters.

Founded in 1070, this temple was a place of education for the sons of the upper classes, those of the reigning dynasty and those of the mandarins. A teaching based on the principles of Confucius was provided there from 1076 to 1915.

The temple never had a strictly religious character.

The temple has undergone many transformations during its long history. Restoration work was undertaken by the French colonizer between 1920 and 1947 but was heavily damaged by the Indochina war. A new reconstruction took place in 1956. The last restoration works date back to 2000.

The set consists of 5 courses. In one of these courtyards are stelae placed on turtle shells and which bear the names of the laureates of the very difficult competitions of this Confucian academy between 1442 and 1779.

Another courtyard is the true heart of the temple with the Temple of Confucius containing a statue of master and 4 of his most deserving disciples.

The last courtyard contains the actual classrooms.

The Temple of Literature now houses part of the University of Hanoi. 

In the city 

 

What is striking in the shopping streets of old Hanoi is the grouping of stalls around the product they sell. In fact, all the stores on the same street sell the same thing. Thus, there is the street of grilled fish, that of blacksmiths, that of sweets or that of rush mats. It is likely that these traditions of craftsmen and traders can be traced back to the founding of the city, which arose out of a merger of villages of craftsmen exercising the same trade. 

The Red Bridge

 

The Red Bridge, also known as the Huc Bridge, is a beautiful wooden footbridge that spans the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake in the historic center of Hanoi.

The Red Bridge was first built in the 18th century by a Vietnamese architect named Nguyen Van Sieu. It was originally called the Cau The Huc, which means "the bridge of the rising sun," and was painted a bright red color, which is the color of good fortune in Vietnamese culture.

The Red Bridge is famous for its striking red color, its intricate design, and its beautiful location, surrounded by the serene waters of Hoan Kiem Lake. The bridge is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, who come to admire the views, take photos, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

At the end of the Red Bridge is a small pagoda called the Ngoc Son Temple, which is dedicated to the Vietnamese national hero, Tran Hung Dao. The temple is one of the most important and beautiful temples in Hanoi, and it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to those who visit it.

Overall, the Red Bridge is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Hanoi, and it is a symbol of the rich history and culture of Vietnam. 

the Jade Mountain temple 

 

The temple of Jade Mountain is located on an islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. This small temple, dedicated to Confucian and Taoist philosophers, was rebuilt more than once and enlarged in 1865. 

A red walkway spans the lake to allow visitors to go to the temple. 

The water puppet theater. 

 

The Water Puppet Theater is a popular attraction in Hanoi. The stories told by these outstanding puppeteers very often revolve around legends set in the countryside. The culture of rice and its hazards are often the subject of these shows combining the dexterity of puppeteers with the subtle art of musicians and storytellers.

Spoken comments in the film: 

The history of Vietnam is a long series of tragic events, the most recent of which is the Vietnam War between the Vietnamese Communists and the United States. No wonder their capital has monuments to commemorate this painful history. 

One of these monuments is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It is certainly not a monument that shines with its aesthetics, but it is there to commemorate a recent past.

 

And at some distance from there, rises its museum. The Presidential Palace is also close by.

 

Very close to the Presidential Palace is a very old Buddhist pagoda, the One Pillar Pagoda. Partially destroyed during the Indochina War by French troops, Ho Chi Minh ordered its reconstruction in 1959.

 

The Temple of Literature is the most important Confucius mausoleum in Vietnam. Dedicated to the teaching of the elite for more than 1000 years, this temple, which is not a strictly speaking religious temple, contains relics of Confucius. It now houses part of the University of Hanoi.