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Major Tourist Attractions in Vietnam
Images
Ha Noi
| Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
This architectural structure honoring the late President is
appropriately located at the center of Ba Dinh square on the spot where Ho
Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence in 1945. The former
president's body is laid to rest inside in a dimly lit room. |
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| Ho Chi Minh Museum
This museum, dedicated to the life and deeds of Ho Chi Minh
(broadly defined), was built with the aid of the USSR. Though modern in
architectural style, its shape alludes to the lotus, symbolically
associated in Buddhist mythology with perfect understanding. |
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| Ho Chi Minh's Vestige In The Presidential Palace Area
(This house on stilts, where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked
from 1958 to 1969, illustrates the importance of simplicity and modesty to
this Vietnamese revolutionary. (Contrast, for example, the nearby
Presidential Palace, a colonial building, erected for the General Governor
of Indochina.) Still, the building is elegantly crafted with lacquered and
polished wood, following the model of a traditional communal house on
stilts. |
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www.bluffton.edu/.../
hanoi/hcm/mausoleum.html
| One-Pillar Pagoda.
The One Pillar Pagoda stands in the park behind the Ho Chi
Minh museum. It rises on a one pillar (concrete in its rebuilt form) from
the middle of a square lotus pond. The small square structure has a tile
roof that curves up elegantly. Legend has it that Ly Thai Tong had a dream
vision of Quan Am sitting on a lotus flower and promising him a male
child. Thus, he had this pagoda built, itself sitting on a pond like a
giant flower on its tall stem. |
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| Fine Arts Museum (Bảo Tàng Mỹ Thuật), 66
Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. |
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| Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu)
dedicated to Confucius, was founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly
Thanh Tong. In 1076, Vietnam's first university was established here to
educate Vietnam's administrative and warriors class. Parts of the
university date from this earlier time period although the large complex
has undergone many changes over the centuries. But recent archaeological
study indicates that the architecture of this site belongs primarily to
the Ly (1010-1225) and Tran (1225-1400) Dynasties. The complex is in a
tranquil park-like site in the heart of central Hanoi. The progression is
essentially axial from the entrance gate to the central temple sanctuary |
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| Army Museum
(Bảo Tàng Quân Đội), Dien
Bien Phu Street. Vietnam's military history extends back some two millennia,
and this museum covers it. On display outside are the ubiquitous MiG-21 jet
fighter and T-54 tank. |
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| Hoan Kiem Lake
or the Lake of the Restored Sword, is located in the heart
of Hanoi, just south of the District of the 36 Guilds. The lake takes its
name from a legend involving the Emperor Le Loi who celebrated his defeat
of the Chinese by a nautical gala. He appeared at the helm of his ship,
holding the magic sword which had given him the victory when a giant
tortoise grabbed the sword. Since the sword had done its duty--freeing the
Vietnamese from the Chinese, the Emperor named the lake after this event.
Today this beautiful lake is surrounded by a lush park--the site for
badminton, exercises, and jogging. Ngoc Son Temple (admission 2,000 dong) extends out into the
lake, with small but attractive grounds, displays on Vietnamese history
and, more memorably, displays on the giant turtles, including a
mummified specimen. |
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| Ho Tay, or "West Lake", is northwest of the city, and has
become a popular site for gaudy villas owned by the well-to-do. |
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Saigon
| City Hall, end of Nguyen Hue Street. Originally called the Hôtel
de Ville and now formally re-branded the People's Committee Hall,
it's a striking cream and yellow French colonial building beautifully
floodlit at night. No entry, but the statue of Uncle Ho in front is a
very popular place for photos. |
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| Museum
of Vietnamese History, at the
intersection of Le Duan Street and Nguyen Binh Khiem (just
inside the zoo gates). The museum has a fine collection of Vietnamese
antiquities, but unfortunately they are accompanied by signage which is both
in poor English and full of risible Marxist distortions. Read up on
Vietnamese history first or you'll have no idea what you're looking at.
Outside, the Botanical Gardens are very nice and a good place for a cheap
lunch away from the crowds. If you care about animal welfare, avoid the zoo. |
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| Notre
Dame Cathedral, Han Thuyen Street,
The late 19th century cathedral has a neo-Romanesque facade with twin
towers. A statue of the Virgin is located in the center front. |
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| Thien Hau
Pagoda, Dedicated to Lady Thien Hau, the sea goddess, who left two giant turtles to
keep an eye on things in her absence. A festival is held in her honor on the
23rd day of the March lunar month. Don't miss the gorgeous sculptures in the
walls of the courtyard outside the temple. Entry free. |
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| Quan Am
Pagoda, 12 Lao Tu, Cholon (Just
off Hung Vuong, close to Thien Hau Pagoda). Open
8:00am-4:30pm. The oldest pagoda in town, home of a lot of incense
and a cheerful puppy. Entry free. |
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| Phung
Son Tu Pagoda, 408 3 Thang 2 Blvd
(On the outskirts of Cholon). Dedicated to the god
of happiness and virtue. The pagoda itself is dusty and dwarfed by
high-rises under construction nearby, but the small, sculpted grounds are a
good place for a rest from the hectic city. |
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Other
Interesting Destinations in Vietnam
Cu
Chi, site of the Cu Chi Tunnels
Cuc
Phuong National Park - in Ninh Binh Province
Dien
Bien Phu / Điện Biên Phủ
The
DMZ
Ha
Long Bay / Vịnh Hạ Long
Mui
Ne / Mũi Né / and other beach resorts
Phu
Quoc / Phú Quốc - an island adjacent to the border with
Cambodia
Sapa
Tam
Coc / Near Ninh Binh south to Hanoi with Ha Long-bay-like
sceneries on rice paddies
The Perfume Pagoda is a Buddhist pilgrimage site about 60 km
southwest of Hanoi. A full-day excursion involves a boat trip, hiking
up a mountain, and visiting various temples and grottoes.
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