Sometimes you take a journey, and other times the journey takes you. My trip to Viet Nam, especially traveling in Hanoi was most definitely in the ‘journey takes you’ category.
I left my unfulfilling desk job and traveled to Vietnam in search of an inspiring story. I set out from New York in a small proper plane and took off as the sun made it descents in the sky.
My first stop in Vietnam was Ho Chi Minh city, where I arrived late in the evening. However, I finished the travel in South Vietnam faster than I anticipated. After spending a total of 4 days and 3 nights seeing all the sites the city has to offer on my own, I did the usual jaunt to Hanoi. The capital city of Vietnam has a different feel to the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City. A calmer one. Life is less hectic in the North. I felt relaxed and was looking forward to my few days of exploration….
On the first day, I had arranged to go on a city tour with HanoiMates. I was feeling a little cynical and expected to be underwhelmed when my colleague said there is a tour where university students take you around Hanoi for free. My response was what’s the big deal. None. Incredibly, it was an amazing tour and one of the best I’ve invested in, not just from my 2 weeks in Vietnam but the whole of South East Asia.
I met a lovely girl named Phuong Anh who tailored the day I wanted and took me around explaining the history of different spots I visited. I was hesitant at first, but then we quickly found that we shared an interest for many things: politic, Donald Trump, and social media. After the first two sites, she took me to a lovely spot for lunch. I did pay for her lunch and gave a donation at the end of the tour to the organization that runs Hanoi Kids, but you are under no obligation to do this.
Phuong Anh is only one of nearly 300 members of HanoiMates club, a student-run organization based in Hanoi that provides free city tours around the city for foreign visitors.
HanoiMates
Founded in 2019 with the aim of providing students with better opportunities to practice English and give visitors from all over the world an insight into Vietnamese culture, tradition and beautiful sights from the perspective of a local youngster. The main task for its members is to voluntarily give city tours in Hanoi without charge and distribute leaflets and posters at hotels and the airport.
Duong Phuong Anh, HanoiMates’ President said: “The beginning is always the toughest and the very first days of HanoiMates went through numerous difficulties in knowledge, communication skills and gaining visitor’s trust. However, after some successful tours, Hanokids started appearing on many social networks and tourism websites.”
The volunteer group consists of students from Hanoi's many universities and colleges, and started out as nothing more than a few young people interested in cultural activities wanting to improve their English language skills through outdoor activities.
“This initiative of HanoiMates whereby young students show around travelers from different countries is truly commendable and a win-win for both as in addition to explaining the significance of some of the landmarks, it provides exposure to the local culture and insider information which would not be available easily otherwise to tourists. At the same time, it is also a great way to expose the local students to different cultures and promote an exchange of ideas.” – said an Indian visitor
If you want to try new things, a HanoiMates tour is the perfect environment for it. There’s something about the Kids that makes your fears disappear. Thanks to Phuong Anh – the HanoiMates tour guide, I am no longer afraid of my biggest fear in Vietnam. Crossing the road. The secret is to just go. If you hesitate, you are finished. Wave after wave of motorbikes scoot around you. Moreover, there’s something about being in a tour of the local students – all doing something you would otherwise never do – that makes you want to join in. You might even try noodle with fried tofu and shrimp paste (Bun dau mam tom) (to be honest, it not’s bad at all). For me, HanoiMates tour is a great opportunity to gain a deeper insight into Hanoi. You’ll have a group of supportive, positive friends around you. The good news is you can always opt out – someone else will always be there to eat your shrimp paste for you. In my opinion, it was absolutely fascinating to visit the city "through the eyes of the locals".
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE
One of my favorite parts making me want to stay in Hanoi Phở-ever is the Temple of Literature. If you are wondering where to set food on during your time in Hanoi, definitely can’t miss the Temple of Literature where you can enjoy the Hanoians’ spirit of study in the past and share an inspiration of classical creativeness while taking a look at the special architectural style of Van Mieu. It’s a long day but full of interesting things to see and amazing views which only costs around 1.5$ for the entry fee.
While visiting Hanoi, one of the places should not be missed is the Temple of Literature.
Located about 2 kilometers west of 1 km lake, this temple is a rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and incidentally it is also featured on the back of the hundred thousand dong banknote. Founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, this inspirational temple is based on the teachings of Confucius and was the first Vietnamese university that educated many great minds over seven-hundred-year period. Initially, entrance was only granted to those of noble birth but after 1440 to a more egalitarian approach was adopted and gifted students from all over the nation headed to Hanoi to study the principles of Confucianism Literature and poetry.
The temple layout consists of five courtyards. In Confucianism, the number five has a special place. There are five essential elements, five basic virtues, five commandments, five sorrows, five cardinal relationships, and five classics.
The various pavilions, halls, statues and stelae of doctors are places where offering ceremonies, study sessions and strict exams of the Dai Viet took place. Today 82 of these pillars still stand but sadly another 34 are missing lost to time and war effect.
Before entering the main gateway, take note of the curious plaque which inscription requests that visitors dismount to their horses as it is said that no man even the monarchy is above education.
Inside, while strolling among one of the five beautiful and serene courtyards, one area that may peek your interest is a large square pond located past the Pavilion which is called the Well of Heavenly Clarity – the name alone is most enticing. Two sides along the lake is two stele garden which store 82 stelae established from 1484 to 1780 in which name, hometown of the doctorate of 82 examinations were sculpted.
Walking among the stone rows, you see that each stele is placed on the back of a stone tortoise, representing longevity. The stones, known as bia tiến sĩ (doctorate stelae), were mostly blank when erected, but over the subsequent 550 years, the names of the successful were recorded for eternity.
Stepping through the door into the Great is the Fourth courtyard named Great House of Ceremonies - Sanctuary which has name of outstanding pupils of Confucius along with other famous culture of Vietnam.
The Northernmost and last courtyard is the site of the former university for mandarins called Imperial Academy (Quoc Tu Giam), established in 1076 by King Ly Nhan Tong within the temple to educate Vietnam’s bureaucrats, nobles, royalty and other members of the elite. The University functioned for more than 700 years during which 2313 doctorates were given. In 1802, the Imperial Academy moved from Hanoi to the new capital. Not so long later, the academy was destroyed by French cannons during the First Indochina War in 1947.
Though having gone through lots of restoration work, the temple still retains its very first original shape, to be a special national monument of Vietnam. Every year, students still come to the site to touch the stone tortoises for good luck on upcoming tests or to pay their respects to this important site when they graduate from college.
The Temple of Literature surprised me. In fact, Hanoi surprised me. No one can explain my feeling about Hanoi better than Barack Obama on his visit to the capital in 2016.
“On this visit, my heart has been touched by the kindness for which the Vietnamese people are known. In the many people who have been lining the streets, smiling and waving, I feel the friendship between our peoples… So I haven’t had to try to cross the street so far, but maybe when I come back and visit you can tell me how.”
Comments