Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Vietnamese memories

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Many of my friends ask me to transfer my Flickr album to IPERNITY - here is done - and I added some pictures more:
Vietnam or Việt Nam is the country of the Viets, the majority ethnic group in Vietnam. "Nam" means "the South", affirming Vietnam's sovereignty from China (usually called "North country" by the Vietnamese).
It was our first visit in March 2003 and honestly spoken out we had a bid of …  (read more)
Inside the Jade Mountain Temple

Inside the Jade Mountain Temple

20 Mar 2003 492
Near the northern shore of the lake lies Jade Island on which the Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain Temple) stands. The temple was erected in the 18th century. It honors the 13-century military leader Tran Hung Dao who distinguished himself in the fight against the Yuan Dynasty, Van Xuong, a scholar, and Nguyen Van Sieu, a Confucian master and famous writer in charge of repairs made to the temple in 1864. Jade Island is connected to the shore by the wooden red-painted Huc Bridge (The Huc, meaning Morning Sunlight Bridge).
Crossing the Huc Bridge over the Hoàn Kiếm Lake

Crossing the Huc Bridge over the Hoàn Kiếm Lake

20 Mar 2003 644
Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, meaning "Lake of the Returned Sword" or "Lake of the Restored Sword", also known as Hồ Gươm - Sword Lake is a lake in the historical center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. The lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life.
St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi

St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi

19 Mar 2003 528
St. Joseph's Cathedral, which anchors one of Hanoi's most touristy streets, offers a glimpse into a bygone era. Speckles of light still dance through stained glass work, leaving a kaleidoscope of color on the towers, which stretch toward the sky. Its doors first swung open in 1886, during the earliest days of colonial rule, and the cathedral still holds mass twice daily. During other hours, visitors can enter through a door on the side of the cathedral.
Busy roads in the Hoàn Kiếm Lake district

Busy roads in the Hoàn Kiếm Lake district

19 Mar 2003 529
The key word here is slowly - don't rush. This way the drivers are aware of you. It may look, and indeed is somewhat chaotic, but if you pay patient and attention when you're crossing any street, large or small, you should feel fine and safe.
Dog meat butcher at a market in Hanoi

Dog meat butcher at a market in Hanoi

19 Mar 2003 1 3768
Dog meat is very common to eat in Vietnam, Laos, China, Thailand northeast, Burma, Indonesia and many other countries in southeast Asia. Close your eyes, try it, eat it and you'll like it if it isn't you own dog.
Along the main road in Hanoi

Along the main road in Hanoi

19 Mar 2003 2 2 634
In the quarter between Hoan Kiem Lake and the Cathedral, you'll find numerous shops with the same selection but of better quality. Vendors know that, so prices are higher than in the Old Quarter. There are two major shopping malls in Hanoi, Trang Tien Plaza and the new-built Vincom City Towers. Both are located in the Hoan Kiem District.
View to the Hong Gai Port

View to the Hong Gai Port

20 Mar 2003 1 376
At the beach in Hạ Long Bay

At the beach in Hạ Long Bay

20 Mar 2003 2 480
Westerners and South Vietnamese now have a chance to visit Ha long. Vinh Ha Long or Bay of the Descending Dragon is often touted by proud Vietnamese as the world's Eighth wonder. One of the main attractions of Ha long is the bay's calm water and the thousands of limestone mountains dotting the seascape. The Bay's water is clear during the spring and early summer. Some of the islands are quite large and there are small alcoves with sandy beaches where swimming is possible. Ha Long bay lies in the northeastern part of Vietnam and is 165 Km from Hanoi.
View out from the hotel room window to the Hạ Long Bay

View out from the hotel room window to the Hạ Long…

20 Mar 2003 1 429
Ha Long literally means descending dragon(s) and according to local myth, the story goes as follows: Long ago when their forefathers were fighting foreign invaders from the north, the gods from heaven sent a family of dragons to help defend their land. This family of dragons descended upon what is now Ha Long bay and began spitting out jewels and jade. Upon hitting the sea, these jewels turned into the various islands and islets dotting the seascape and formed a formidable fortress against the invaders. The locals were able to keep their land safe and formed what is now the country of Vietnam. The Dragon family fell so much in love with this area for its calm water and for the reverence of the people of Vietnam that they decided to remain on earth. Mother dragon lies on what is now Ha Long and where her children lie is Bai Tu Long. The dragon tails formed the area of Bach Long Vi known for the miles of white sandy beaches of Tra Co peninsula.
The port in Hạ Long

The port in Hạ Long

21 Mar 2003 446
Hạ Long, also known as Hong Gai, is the city at the Hạ Long Bay. The city mainly lies on Bai Tu Long Bay, which is part of the Hạ Long Bay.
Hong Gai

Hong Gai

21 Mar 2003 1 532
Main port city in northeastern Vietnam. Hong Gai lies along Ha Long Bay of the Gulf of Tonkin, about 40 km northeast of Haiphong. It is an export centre for coal mined at nearby Quang Yen, the site of anthracite deposits that are the largest in Southeast Asia and is the starting point for our tour in the Ha Long Bay.
A myth about Hạ Long Bay

A myth about Hạ Long Bay

21 Mar 2003 1 529
This myth is in line with the Vietnamese myth of their origin Con Rong Chau Tien. This myth describes the union between a king (representing the dragon) and his bride (representing a goddess) giving birth to 100 children which are the ancestors of the Vietnamese people. The Ha Long myth illustrate the Vietnamese belief of their origin and the fact that throughout their history, they are aided by their ancestors, the dragon and the gods, in the defense of their land.
The lime stones at Hạ Long Bay

The lime stones at Hạ Long Bay

21 Mar 2003 2 3 724
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Quảng Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes.
Inside a cave on an iceland at Hạ Long Bay

Inside a cave on an iceland at Hạ Long Bay

21 Mar 2003 438
Sung Sot Cave, which means Cave of Surprises, is the biggest and finest cave in Halong Bay. It actually got its name from the French, who called it grotte des surprises, or grotto of surprises. It is located on Bo Hon Island, near the centre of Halong Bay, within the vicinity of other sights such as Titov Island, Bo Nau Grotto, Me Cung Cave and Luun Grotto. There is a small pier where boats dock to allow visitors down. From the pier, a flight of 50 stone steps takes one to the entrance of the cave. The inside of Sung Sot Cave is simply cavernous. At many places the ceiling is low, and takes on a wavy appearance. A profusion of stalactites and stalagmites cover the walls.
Thiên Cung grotto

Thiên Cung grotto

21 Mar 2003 457
Getting in the cave we are astonished by the very animated and splendid beauty which is made from stalactite. On the east wall of the grotto, there is a grandiose and imposing picture with characters of heroic tales. The colorful lighting in the cave reminds very much to an American christmas tree.
Problems in the Hạ Long Bay

Problems in the Hạ Long Bay

21 Mar 2003 453
With an increasing tourist trade, mangroves and seagrass beds have had to be cleared and jetties and wharves have been built for tourist boats. Fuel and oil, along with tourist litter, have created pollution problems, which impact on both the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem of the islands. Human waste from portable toilets erected for tourists, finds its way into the soil and water surrounding the islands, once more altering the ecosystem functioning through increased nutrient flow. The delicate limestone cave ecosystems are diminishing as tourists visiting the caves break off stalagmites and stalactites. Litter, including wine bottles, is dropped into cave streams and visitors exhale carbon dioxide, which has a deleterious affect on the caves. The mouths of some caves have been widened to allow tourist access. This increase in light has lead to an imbalance in the delicate links between the flora and fauna, and a decrease in the humidity of the caves.
Fishing farm in Hạ Long Bay

Fishing farm in Hạ Long Bay

21 Mar 2003 350
Game fishing, often near coral reefs are threatening many endangered species of fish. Often the fish is not consumed locally but exported to other markets around the region.
Lime stones at the Hạ Long Bay

Lime stones at the Hạ Long Bay

21 Mar 2003 3 2 593
Despite what geologists may claim, the bay was actually created when an immense dragon plunged to Earth here before recorded history. Its mighty tail carved the great stone seabed violently before the creature flew away to the place where legends are born. This fable does not seem so far fetched as you sail among thousands of limestone outcroppings, which look like so many blades thrust deep into the mist from below the sea. Many are barren, weathered and rocky. Others are cloaked in vegetation so dense that it is impossible to see the stone beneath. At dusk, they all take on mysterious shades of gray, mauve and olive.
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