A Journey To Vietnam (Finale)

One of the things I learned when I was the admin officer of the Boracay Chamber of Commerce was the importance of tourism. It aims to make local businesses successful while supporting, promoting, and protecting their interests. That’s exactly what I observed during our city tour in Hanoi Vietnam. Their tourism industry works hard, and it’s no wonder Vietnam has become one of the top tourist destinations in Asia today.

Since Cherry May and I are interested in history and literature, our City Tour was the perfect opportunity to explore both.

 The Trấn Quốc Pagoda

Our first destination was a pagoda. From our tour guide, I learned the difference between a pagoda and a temple. I had always thought they were the same, but they are not. A pagoda is a Buddhist place of worship, whereas a temple is used to honor gods, ancestors, or cultural heroes. 

The historic Trấn Quốc Pagoda is the oldest pagoda in the city. Although it is not primarily a cemetery, some pagodas contain tombs or memorials for revered monks.  At one of the shelters, we saw a statue of a monk that he had reportedly sculpted himself before he died.  The reason? He feared that no one would create it for him after his death.  This story was just relayed to us, so I’m not sure if it’s true, perhaps it’s merely hearsay. 

On its serene grounds stands a Bodhi tree, grown from a cutting of the original tree in Bodh Gaya, India, the very tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.  This remarkable gift was given in 1959 to commemorate the visit of Indian President Rajendra Prasad, adding an international touch to the site.  Interestingly, most of the tourists we were with were Indians. 

At the main shrine, the visitors are given incense to be burned which I never did but only took a picture of it.  I didn’t touch anything in that place as far as I can remember but instead, I just intercede. 

The President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

 On the bus, we were informed that before entering the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, we had to leave our large backpacks behind for security reasons, and only small bags were allowed. Cameras and phones could also be inspected, and photography inside the mausoleum is strictly prohibited. I wondered about the strict security measures, but it is because the mausoleum is considered a sacred site in Vietnam. 

We went through the security check and then lined up. One member of the Indian group received a phone call on the way to the mausoleum, and the tour guide immediately told him to end it to avoid any trouble. I’m not sure how long we walked from the entrance to the mausoleum, but the experience thrilled me because it felt familiar. 

I was awed as the guards stood about two or three arm’s lengths apart from each other, from the entrance all the way inside. I was shocked to see the preserved body of President Ho Chi Minh displayed in a glass coffin.  It was exactly like a scene I had dreamed about, though I can’t recall if the dream happened months or years before my trip to Vietnam.  I’m not certain.  I had wondered about this scene, and now I had finally seen it in reality. The guards stood silently on both sides as we walked slowly and quietly past. Some tourists and visitors even made a gesture of bowing when they reached the center of the coffin area. The disciplined rotation of the guards was truly impressive. 

We were able to take pictures at the back portion of the mausoleum, the designated area where photography was allowed. We took a few quick shots, as the place is huge and we had other sites to visit.

 The Presidential Palace 

The Presidential Palace is not open to the public. It is a three-story mustard-yellow building with impressive architecture. Although it was intended to be the official residence of the late President Ho Chi Minh, he preferred to live in a traditional Vietnamese stilt house on the grounds because he believed that luxury was inappropriate for a leader of a people who had suffered greatly.  

As you walk around Hanoi, you’ll notice many mustard-yellow colonial-style buildings—most of them date back to the French period, giving the city a unique blend of history and charm.  In Vietnamese culture, yellow is associated with royalty, prosperity, and power. 

 

Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House

 

Visiting Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House in Hanoi is a lesson in simplicity.  Tucked within the Presidential Palace grounds, this humble wooden home on stilts, surrounded by gardens and fish ponds, shows how the leader of a nation lived modestly.  Inside, basic furnishings and personal items reflect his frugal lifestyle, a striking contrast to the grand palace nearby. 

The One Pilar Pagoda 

The One Pillar Pagoda is a tiny temple with a big story. Perched on a single stone pillar above a lotus pond, it seems to float in midair.  According to legend, Emperor Lý Thái Tông once dreamed that he would be blessed with a son.  Overjoyed and grateful, he built the One Pillar Pagoda as a token of thanks.  This small temple rises gracefully from the lotus pond, symbolizing hope, faith, and new beginnings.

 Hanoi Beer In Broad Daylight

The crazy thing we did after the tour was to drink Hanoi beer in broad daylight. After a long walk, we decided to refresh ourselves and grabbed a couple of cold beers while resting before continuing our stroll.  Passersby looked at us with curious expressions.  Some were sipping cold water, while we were happily enjoying our beers as if it were the most normal thing in the world.  It felt like our tiny rebellion against the heat and exhaustion, and we couldn’t help giggling at how hilarious we must have looked to everyone else. Who does that in broad daylight?  Us, apparently!   

Hong Ngoc Fine Art

 What an awesome place! I was a bit overwhelmed by the wide variety of traditional and decorative crafts, especially the embroidery, which I love. My curiosity was filled with happiness.  I only knew simple hand embroidery, so I was overjoyed to see how they create such detailed work. What amazed me even more was that, the workers are disabled.  Their disabilities do not define their talent.  God bless the work of their hands.  The finished products were superb and beautiful.

 

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology 

Our last destination before lunch was the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. The weather was really hot, but it was okay because we were inside a museum.  I’d rather stay there than in a mall.

 

To be candid, I didn’t listen carefully to our tour guide.  I explored the place and from time to time, I felt that something was off, but I didn’t mind. I simply observed quietly while enjoying the scenery. 

This museum was dedicated to the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam, showcasing their history, culture, traditions and daily life.  They have indoor exhibits with traditional clothing, tools, musical instruments, handicrafts and cultural artifacts.  

After our indoor tour and the explanation of the tour guide which I didn’t listen carefully (ssshhh), we had our outdoor tour featuring life-size traditional houses from different ethnic groups.  

For the afternoon city tour, some participants joined or left because a few needed to rest after a lot of walking, and others had only paid for a half-day tour. As a result, we had different groups in the morning and in the afternoon.

 Temple of Literature

If you’re not into history and culture, you might get bored on this tour because, at first glance, the architecture of the temples and other buildings can seem very similar. I mean, nothing looks entirely new, but each temple we visited has its own unique stories. 

This Temple of Literature is one of Hanoi’s most famous historical and cultural landmarks, as it was home to Vietnam’s first university. Originally, it was a Confucian temple dedicated to Confucius, sages, and scholars. 

The grand entrance sets the tone for the temple complex, and each courtyard has a specific purpose, beautifully landscaped with ponds, gardens, and stone pathways. The stone tablets mounted on turtle statues honor the scholars who passed the royal examinations. There are also pavilions and shrines dedicated to Confucius, other sages, and notable Vietnamese scholars. 

I didn’t do much exploring because the sun was so hot and I was kind of exhausted. We just waited for the others to finish their tour before heading to our last stop of the day.

 Hỏa Lò Prison

 Since it was our last stop on the city tour, we got to chat with a few Indian youngsters.  They told us they were from Amritsar, India, and part of the Singh community.  We shared that we had visited Amritsar in 2023 for a wedding, which seemed to excite them. 

I can’t really put into words how it felt, but walking through the narrow cells of Hỏa Lò Prison was definitely sobering.  Seeing the exhibits, I could really sense the harsh conditions prisoners endured, from Vietnamese patriots under French rule to American POWs during the Vietnam War.  The artifacts, photos, and documents brought history to life, showing both their suffering and incredible resilience.  It was a powerful reminder of Vietnam’s complex past and the strength of the human spirit. 

To be honest, I could feel the pain and suffering they went through, especially when I saw the mannequins in chains, showing how prisoners slept and lived.  It seemed like I could hear their screams and cries most especially when I was in the “Cachot” dungeon, with its dark, extremely confined, poorly ventilated, and isolated cells that were used for solitary confinement and punishment.  I wasn’t able to focus on what our tour guide was saying because I was busy taking pictures in the artifacts and personal items.  Parts of the original walls, guard towers, and iron gates have been preserved.  There was also a tropical almond tree planted by communist soldiers, under which prisoners gathered to exchange messages. 

I couldn’t help but wonder how the younger generations of the French and Americans, or even the Vietnamese would feel if they saw all of this in person. Would there be hatred? Sympathy?  I don’t know.  If they came and explored the prison, could they truly grasp the suffering that took place?  It broke my heart actually.  The deeds of their ancestors were undeniably cruel, and I can’t help but wonder how they would process that reality.  I just uttered a prayer for the inner healing of emotions, memories and relationships.  Have mercy Lord. 

Our city tour came to an end, leaving me with a deep appreciation for Hanoi’s rich history and culture.  From the peaceful Trấn Quốc Pagoda to the solemn Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the cultural richness of the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and the serene courtyards of the Temple of Literature to the sobering halls of Hỏa Lò Prison, each site told a story of resilience, tradition, and the complexities of Vietnam’s past. 

The third day of our tour felt like a journey through time, filled with lessons, reflections, and unforgettable memories that I know will stay with me long after we leave the city.