Welcome in Hanoi

In the north of Vietnam

It was my second time traveling first to Hanoi and to the Halong Bay, then my first time to Sa Pa and Vietnamese highest point the Fansipan peak. As we walked along the street in Hanoi, we found that many local people start talking to us. It is a cultural norm there to make conversation with strangers. They might ask you where we're from and other general questions. It took a while to get used to …  (read more)
Welcome in Hanoi

Welcome in Hanoi

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Young visitors welcomed us in Van Mieu the Temple of Literature.
Rest in the park beside the Ho Tay lake

Rest in the park beside the Ho Tay lake

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The west lake in Hanoi citycenter is called Ho Tay in Vietnam language. Along the lakeside local youth meeting for a talk enjoy eating and drinking fresh coconut.
Students in Hanoi

Students in Hanoi

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Student group in Van Mieu the Temple of Literature. The girls wearing the traditionell Áo Dài a Vietnamese national costume.
Temple of Literature second courtyard

Temple of Literature second courtyard

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Originally built as a university in 1070 dedicated to Confucius, scholars and sages, the building is extremely well preserved and is a superb example of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture.The layout of the temple is based upon the birthplace of Confucius with a magnificent main entrance and a path, once reserved solely for the king, running through the centre. The immaculate gardens are rich in ancient trees and are considered a serene place in which students can relax.
Gate to Quán Thánh Temple in Hanoi

Gate to Quán Thánh Temple in Hanoi

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One of the main destination for every tourist visiting Hanoi city. During its long history, Quán Thánh Temple has been renovated several times, most recently in 1893 when the principal gate and the shrine were redone, so the architecture is a mixture of the many different styles of the imperial era.
Báo Khánh Hàng Trong junction

Báo Khánh Hàng Trong junction

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In a rapidly growing city like Hanoi, with very little in the way of public transportation, the motorbike plays an important role in keeping traffic flowing. Compared with shiny new cars though, the motorbike is increasingly seen as old-fashioned, dirty and dangerous, and the streets of Hanoi seem destined to become a nightmare of traffic jams.
Hàng Trong, Hoàn Hoan Kiem intersection

Hàng Trong, Hoàn Hoan Kiem intersection

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Nearby the picturesque Ho Hoan Kiem lake downtown Hanoi city. The center of many bars, discos and sophisticated restaurants and the point of entertainments at all.
Balloon seller at Hàng Trong, Hoàn Kiém crossroad

Balloon seller at Hàng Trong, Hoàn Kiém crossroad

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... carrying too many helium gas filled balloons, being afraid that he will lift off soon.
Motorbike traffic in Hang Trong Av.

Motorbike traffic in Hang Trong Av.

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7.588 million inhabitants living in Hanoi. But we were told that about 10 million motorcycles are licensed in the city. Of course, some would say that Hanoi is already a traffic nightmare. Anyone who has traveled to the Vietnamese capital knows that the seemingly chaotic sea of motorbikes can be quite a challenge, particularly if you try making your way around town on foot.
Gemma, a young Catholic worshipper

Gemma, a young Catholic worshipper

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The young girl is following the group of young worshippers to celebrate a mass in the holy St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi. Gemma is a jewel of a name and an Italian classic.
Mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral Hanoi

Mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral Hanoi

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Hanoi's people celebrate the Catholic Mass each day at St. Joseph's Cathedral. The Sacrifice of the Mass is the source and summit of the Roman Catholic faith, and is the center of Catholic mission. People reflect on the daily homily, and worship the only God in the Eucharist.
Worshippers follow the procession

Worshippers follow the procession

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Many worshippers, most the youth, follow the hundreds of people in the parade. By 2004, Archdiocese of Hanoi had about 282,886 Catholic believers, its 5.3 % of the population and most of the believers are young children educated into the Catholic religion.
Catholic priests in the procession

Catholic priests in the procession

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The Catholic religion isn't free in Vietnam but liberalized more and more. Before Catholic churches around Hanoi, priests had read a statement at every Sunday Mass, asking the government "not to use any sort of violence against the Catholic faithful to settle the dispute," and pleaded with the state-run media "not to distort the truth and falsely accuse Catholic priests and faithful." By the way I was told: The holy Catholic incense powder comes from Oman an Islamic country.
Musicians in Catholic parade

Musicians in Catholic parade

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A music group following the parade of the Catholic procession in direction the the main gat of the holy St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi.
St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hanoi

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hanoi

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Its one of first destination during all sightseeing tour through the city Hanoi. Construction began in 1886, with the architectural style described as resembling Notre Dame de Paris. The church was one of the first structures built by the French colonial government in Indochina when it opened in December 1886. It is the oldest church in Hanoi. We were lucky to join a mass procession during our visit.
Tourguide Phuong

Tourguide Phuong

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The meaning of her name "Phuong" is "direction" or "the way", very close to her profession as the guide.
Playing the Dàn tranh zither

Playing the Dàn tranh zither

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The lady behind is playing the Dàn tranh an instrument similar to the Chinese Guzheng. Inside the temple of the last courtyard in the Literatur Park often can listen to traditionell North-Vietnamese music groups or musicians.
In the Temple of Literature

In the Temple of Literature

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Altar to Chu Van An, the rector of the imperial academy inside the temple of the last courtyard in the amazing garden.
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