#Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

[hsmagazine254]

Unveiling the Charms of Hanoi: A Journey through History, Culture, and Delights

Live Fully in Vietnam: Explore, Relax, Play   Exploring the Vibrant Capital of Vietnam Hanoi, the bustling capital city of Vietnam, beckons adventurers with its rich history, vibrant culture, and delectable cuisine. From ancient temples and colonial architecture to bustling markets and serene lakes, Hanoi offers a captivating blend of tradition and modernity. In this travel guide, we invite you…

[dlyarchitecture]

[suetravelblog]

Hanoi Vietnam 2022

[foundtherightwords]

Come, You Spirits

Pairing: Ralph (Timewasters) x OFC (Thu from "All Our Yesterdays")

Summary: Stuck in the past (again) and bored during the Ghost Festival, Ralph and Thu decide to check out the most haunted building in Hanoi, with unexpected consequences.

Warnings: none, just a brief mention of a murder and some general spooky stuff.

Word count: 4.6k

A/N: This is both my submission for the JQ Spookathon (yes, I've decided to participate after all! Thank you to @palomahasenteredthechat for hosting and all the mods!) and a soft continuation of my Ralph fic, "All Our Yesterdays" (if you haven't read it, that's OK. I tried to make this a standalone.) I've never written horror before, so here's something on the silly side instead. Plus, out of all of Joe's characters (other than Eddie), I feel that Ralph is most suited to a spooky story, and when Ralph is concerned, everything takes a silly turn for me.

As with "All Our Yesterdays", this is based on an actual urban legend of Hanoi and the location is real (see the photo at the end). The title is a quote from "Macbeth" too.

"You want to do what?" Thu asked, thinking she'd misheard Ralph over the flapping of the bamboo fan she was using to dry her hair. There was a power cut, and she was already sweating despite having just showered.

"Check out that haunted building you told me about," Ralph repeated.

Right, so she hadn't misheard him then. "OK... why?"

Ralph shrugged. "It's something to do," he said. "We've eaten at every possible street vendor in the Old Quarter, we've seen every sight there is to see—I know you take pride in Hanoi being traditional, but when it hasn't changed much since sixty years ago, there's not much left to do."

"That still doesn't explain why you want to see a haunted house."

"Isn't it the Ghost Festival today? Shouldn't we do something to celebrate?"

"Our Ghost Festival is not Halloween!"

"You said it was the day all the souls are released from the Underworld to visit Earth. That sounds like Halloween to me."

"Yeah, but we're supposed to be avoiding spirits, not searching for them!"

"Ah, that's no fun," Ralph sighed. He picked up a paper with a listless hand and threw it down again.

"And anyway, we did go to the mausoleum to see Uncle Ho's mummified body," Thu pointed out. "That wasn't macabre enough for you?" The trip to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, a rite of passage for every school kid in Hanoi, had been less of a success than Thu had expected. Ralph had treated it less like a curious relic of Vietnam's past and more like a carnival sideshow. 

"No," now he said. "It was just... weird. It's not even real!"

"Oh, like you'd know!"

"You seriously believe that they can preserve a body that well?"

"Why not? The Soviets did it with Lenin."

"Have you seen that one?"

"... No."

"Well, I bet that's not real either."

Thu could tell they were in for another pointless bickering session, which had been happening with increasing frequency lately. Time traveling tends to do that to you, especially when it is as unpredictable as time traveling with Homeless Pete. No matter how in love you are with one another, it can be stressful when you keep ending up in different times throughout history, without warning. And this particular period hit a little close to home—in 1991 Hanoi, with her birth just six years away, Thu ran the risk of running into her parents and experiencing her own version of Back to the Future. She and Ralph had managed to find a place to stay on the other side of town, away from her parents' university, but the strain was getting to her.

Thu knew she should be thankful they had landed in peacetime—if it had been close to either of the wars, the suspicion on Ralph would make it impossible for them to stay. And they had managed to avoid the worst of the 1980s economic crisis as well—she still remembered too clearly her parents' half-humorous, half-painful stories about standing in line for hours to get their meager rations, the mortal fear of losing one's ration book, the stress of hoarding any product you could get your hands on. At least all of that was behind them now. But on a night like this, it was hard to feel grateful. The August air was muggy, the power was out for the third time that week, and the smoke from the burning of joss paper for the Ghost Festival only made the heat more unbearable. No wonder Ralph was feeling restless.

Still, she wished she hadn't told Ralph about that haunted building. They lived just down the road and had come across it while trudging around searching for Homeless Pete, who had disappeared yet again. Built in the Eastern Bloc style, all gray concrete and sharp corners, it squatted on an intersection like some scowling monstrosity, already exuding an air of inhospitality and menace despite being newly constructed.

"That's going to be the most famous haunted building in Hanoi," Thu said without thinking, pointing at it.

"Going to? What happens?" Ralph asked curiously.

Thu told him about how the building was meant to be the new Bulgarian Embassy, but was never put to use for some reason and was left empty over the next thirty years. "And in Vietnam, whenever a house is abandoned, it is said to be haunted," she said. "They say it was built on top of a cemetery or a hospital morgue, and people often hear strange noises or crying inside. The usual urban legend stuff. And then there was the murder—"

"What murder?" Ralph's eyes opened wide with fascination.

"Some woman stabbed her lover in his car right outside the back gate. In the early 2000s, I think. They say his ghost still lingers around."

"Wizard!"

Thu didn't share Ralph's enthusiasm. She didn't really believe in ghosts, but like most Vietnamese people, she had a healthy respect for the supernatural and avoided it when she could. Ralph had no such hang-ups, apparently. And now he wanted to check out the place! On Ghost Festival of all night!

"It's not really haunted, you know," she said, hoping to dissuade him. "Those stories are just made up by junkies and criminals, so they have a place to hang out."

"But you said those rumors only started after the building was abandoned," Ralph pointed out, and Thu silently cursed his memory. "So why was it abandoned in the first place?"

"It's probably just due to some bureaucratic crap."

"Where's your sense of adventure?"

"Let me get this straight," she said, rubbing her eyes. "We're stuck thirty years in the past with no IDs, and you want to sneak into an embassy to see if it's haunted, all because you're bored?"

"Yes," Ralph said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"No. We are not doing that."

"Please?" He was practically pouting and batting his eyelashes at her, like freaking Betty Boop.

"Stop making that face. You know I can't resist that face."

"It's history!"

Thu sighed. Their apartment was cramped, and the fried fish that the family next door was having for dinner did not smell so great. Perhaps some fresh air would do them good. This was a time when you could still get fresh air simply by walking outside, without having to worry about pollution or traffic, so she might as well take advantage of it.

"Sometimes I do worry about your sense of self-preservation, you know," she said, getting up to find her shoes.

"Come on, that's what you love about me." Ralph grinned and gave her a kiss as she passed him.

***

They walked. Usually, during a power cut like this, they would meet plenty of people and families with kids all along the street, trying to cool down in the night air. That night, however, the street was deserted. The only person they saw was a scrawny student trying to read a book under a street lamp. Clearly, the night of the Ghost Festival was no time to be outside. And even if anyone had ventured out, the stifling, humid air would offer little relief. They really needed some rain soon.

"I'm afraid this isn't the vibe you're looking for," Thu said. "It's too hot to be spooky."

"That helps though." Ralph, always determined to make the best of every situation, pointed at the fat full moon shining languidly over the darkened street.    

Just a few minutes later, they reached the embassy building. The place was surrounded by a tall iron fence, sharp points piercing the moonlit sky. The wan light of the street lamps gave the concrete blocks a blotchy, moldy look, and when combined with the scraggly bushes around its courtyard and the leftover building material, the building looked old, ruined, abandoned even before it was inhabited. A giant banyan tree by the main entrance spread its twisted branches over the flat rooftop, its roots hanging down like a curtain, dark leaves rustling menacingly although there wasn't a breath of wind.

The sight of that tree gave Thu pause.

"What's wrong?" Ralph asked.

"They should have done something about that tree," she said slowly.

"Why?"

"A banyan tree, especially one this ancient, is usually home to spirits and ghosts," Thu explained, "but cutting it down will anger the spirits, so people often set up some sort of a shrine or an altar on the tree for them. There's no shrine here. Not even some rice and salt for the lonely spirits." She dug in her bag and found a packet of puffed rice, one of many she'd bought earlier that day as offerings for the Ghost Festival, and scattered the grains over the tree root. To do it right, there should be some incense as well, but she was sure the spirits would find the rice just fine.

Ralph gave her a sidelong glance. "I thought you didn't believe in ghosts."

"I don't."

"Then are you trying to frighten me?"

A corner of Thu's mouth lifted up. "Is it working?"

"Not a chance." Ralph walked around the back. "Come on."

The back was more of the same, sinister walkways leading deeper into the building, eerie shadows that seemed to appear just out of the corner of one's eyes, furniture piled up waiting to be moved in, creating all sorts of odd shapes. An empty swimming pool gleamed pale under the moonlight.

"OK, we've checked it out," Thu said. "There is no ghost or spirit to be found here. Are you happy now?"

There was no answer. She looked around, but Ralph was no longer by her side. He was at the back gate, unwinding the chain holding the gate shut. There was no lock. Shit.

"Ralph, stop! Come back here!" she called, trying to keep her voice low, but it was too late. He had slipped through the gate and disappeared into the murky depth of the building.

Shit, shit, shit. Ralph had always been game for anything, and he was right to say it was what she loved most about him—his endless passion, his ever-present optimism. But she was sure that, having spent time in an Indochinese prison, he would be more careful about putting himself at risk of getting arrested again.

Well, there was nothing to it. She slipped through the gate after him. If the lack of a lock was anything to judge by, the place was not very well guarded, being newly built and not yet inhabited. They may be lucky and not get discovered.

She caught up with Ralph, who was strolling down the covered walkway that connected the two wings of the building, looking for all the world like he was taking his constitutional along the Thames, despite his modern-day clothes. Apparently, one can take the boy out of London but cannot take London out of the boy.

"Get out of here before you get us into trouble!" she hissed.

"Relax," Ralph said. "There's nobody here."

"And there's no ghost either," Thu said, with more conviction than she actually felt.

It wasn't simply the fear of getting arrested that made Thu jumpy. She hated to admit it, but being in this building, knowing its history—or rather, future—made her hair stand on end. She didn't believe in ghosts, she told herself. But something about those cold, gray concrete walls, those dark, tunnel-like corridors, and the sheer emptiness of it felt like there was a razor pressed to the back of her neck, making her want to stand with her back against a solid wall. She fought the urge to take Ralph's hand. 

"So you have time-traveled, yet you don't believe in ghosts?" Ralph said.

"That's different," Thu muttered.

"How?"

They were now inside the main hall. The building must have its own generator—there was a naked light bulb on the ceiling, shedding its yellow light over a reception desk of cheap plywood and a floor that still hadn't been completely cleared of sand and mortar. They climbed the staircase leading to the first floor, where another bare bulb swung from the ceiling, bringing more shadows than light.

"Time travel is—is—science," Thu said lamely.

"Is that so? How does it work then?"

"It works by—by—I don't know, some wibbly wobbly, timey wimey stuff!"

Ralph looked blank. "What?"

Thu bit back a teasing smile. "You're probably the only Brit alive that doesn't know Doctor Who. If—when we get back to the present, we really need to sit down and watch it."

"To be fair, I was born ninety years ago—"

A heavy, drawn-out sigh echoed down the corridor, cutting him off. It was ringing clear, as though the person was standing right by them.

Ralph gripped Thu's wrist. "Did you hear that?"

"Oh, for Heaven's sake!" She shook Ralph's hand free and strode forward with long, decisive steps. "It's probably just the wind or something—"

She rounded a corner, and her heart stopped.

A figure wavered in the gloom at the end of the corridor.

Then the figure moved into the light, and Thu realized it was much, much worse than a ghost.

It was a middle-aged man, dressed like a security guard, wearing the green pith helmet of the Vietnamese army, with a baton in his hand and a startled expression on his face.

"Excuse me!" he exclaimed in Vietnamese. "Who the hell are you?"

Thu didn't know where she found the clarity of mind to stick out an arm and block Ralph, who was still hidden from view behind the corner. But block him she did, and she could hear him duck into an empty room, much to her relief.

"This is private property! It belongs to the government of Bulgaria!" the guard shouted, limping toward her. "What the hell do you think you're doing here?!"

"I'm so sorry, sir," Thu said, running up to the guard to prevent him from going further down the corridor and discovering Ralph. She decided the best course was to tell the truth—or a version of the truth anyway. "The gate was open, and I—my friends and I heard that the place is haunted, and they dared me to go inside..."

"Haunted?" The guard frowned. He had the yellow teeth and yellow fingertips of a chain smoker, and, as he got close enough to her, the breath to match as well. "I've worked here since they started constructing, never heard of no haunting."

"It's just what people say—isn't this place built on an old temple? Or was it a cemetery—"

The guard narrowed his eyes at her. "Aren't you a bit old to get up to such shenanigans?" he asked.

Thu was ready to get offended, but then she remembered that thirty years in the past, someone in her mid-twenties could very well be married and having kids already—her own parents were. "You're absolutely right, sir," she said. "I'm so sorry. I'm leaving now."

She turned to leave, but the guard put his baton up. "Hold on," he said. "Let me see your ID."

Thu's heart dropped. "I—I don't have it with me."

"Where do you live?"

"Just... down the street."

"Right, I'll go with you to get your ID then."

"No!" she exclaimed. Realizing she would not be helping her case by panicking, she tried to soften her voice. "Please. You'll get me in trouble with my parents. Please, sir. I haven't done anything. I just walked around—"

Her plea fell on deaf ears. The guard grabbed Thu's arm with vice-like fingers. "So you just admitted to trespassing. Come with me."

"Hey, you can't do this!" She tried to pull away, but his hold was too strong, despite his limp. "Do you even have the authority to detain me?"

"Ooh, like to use fancy words, don't we?" The guard's craggy face took on a harsh, unyielding look. "You're right. This is a police matter. I'm only detaining you until I can fetch them." Ignoring her protests, he dragged her down the corridor and threw her into a room at the very end. "And for your information, young lady, my authority is absolute here!" he said, before snapping shut the padlock at the door with a cruel click.

"Shit!" Thu said out loud. How could she have been so stupid? She should have dragged Ralph bodily out of here—no, she shouldn't have let him through the gate—no, she should never have agreed to come here in the first place!

When she first time-traveled, she had lived for six months in 1929 without any ID whatsoever, but things in 1991 were very different, and with the police getting involved, how was she going to explain herself? She could only pray that Ralph was smart enough to get out while the guard was preoccupied. She may be able to come up with some crazy story to the police to explain her lack of ID, but explaining the presence of a young Englishman who was actually born in 1904 was too much for her. She could see the headlines—"Mad Woman Claims to Come from the Future". "Mad Foreigner Claims to Come from the Past". Or worse, there would be no headlines at all. They would just get thrown into jail or a mental hospital and forgotten.

Thu looked over her jail cell, trying to figure out what to do. She was in a bathroom, lit by a bare light bulb as the rest of the building. The door was of sturdy wood, and the only window was a tiny square high up on the wall. Even if somehow she managed to wriggle through it, it was still a two-floor drop to the ground. No wind came through that window, and the room was boiling. Sticky sweat poured down her back.

A shadow passed by and stopped just outside the room, blocking out the narrow strip of light underneath the door. It was gone in an instant, followed by several more, rather like a group of children crowding each other to peer into a room. Thu pressed her ears to the door but heard nothing, no footsteps or even a rustling of clothes.

"Hello?" she whispered in Vietnamese. Receiving no answer, she switched to English. "Ralph? That you?" Still no answer, but there came that long, heavy sigh again, and the light went out.

The sweat on Thu's back turned to ice. She staggered away from the door, heart hammering, spine crawling, until she hit the wall with her back. The solid wall made her feel slightly better, though the tiles chilled her. She missed Ralph's warm arms.

She sat down on the toilet, trying to gather her wits. Some shadows, a noise, and a power cut were nothing to be so shaken up about. It was just Ralph's overactive imagination and those damned stories getting to her, that was all...

BANG!

She nearly jumped out of her skin, before realizing it was just a window on the ground floor. Probably just the wind. She took a deep breath—

BANG! BANG! BANG!

This time they came right above her, one after another, sounding too fast and uniformed to be caused by the wind. A quick glance out the window told her that the night was as still and muggy as ever.

The guard's voice came from somewhere in the bowels of the building, "Who goes there?" Thu heard a high, clear giggle, but it could be her imagination, or it could simply be from a kid playing in the street outside. This was followed by a long moment of silence, then a scream—more like a yelp, thin and far away, then silence again, ringing in her ears, endless, unbearable.

The silence was broken by running footsteps outside the corridor. Her heart in her throat, Thu cast wildly about for a weapon. She settled for the heavy porcelain cover of the toilet's water tank, though what good it would do against a ghost, she had no idea. But then again, ghosts wouldn't have footsteps, would they?

"Thu?" came Ralph's familiar voice, and the band squeezing her heart loosened, almost making her drop the cover on her foot. She scrambled to the door.

"Ralph! What happened?"

"The guard fell into the pool."

Shit. "What did you do?!"

"I didn't do anything!"

This was no time for more bickering. "He must have the keys on him," she told Ralph. "Find them and get me out of here!"

"OK. Hang on."

His footsteps receded. After what must be the longest five minutes of her life, he came back, the door was opened, and the next thing she knew, Ralph was pulling her into his arms. "Are you all right?" he asked. "I'm sorry, this was all my fault—"

Thu was so relieved she wasn't even angry with him anymore. After all, she had followed him into the building of her own volition.

"No time for apologies. Let's just get the hell out of here," she said.

Grabbing each other's hand, they ran down the corridor, down the stairs, and toward the back gate. As they passed the empty swimming pool, Thu glimpsed the dark shape of the guard lying in a heap at the bottom.

"Is he dead?" she asked, horrified.

"No. Just knocked out, I think," Ralph said. Seeing Thu slow down, he paused as well. "What are you thinking?"

Thu weighed the bunch of keys in her hand. "I have an idea," she said, motioning for Ralph to climb down into the pool with her.

They put the keys back into the guard's pocket and carried him into the bathroom where he'd locked Thu up. This way, Thu reasoned, when he woke up, the confusion would be enough to throw doubt over his story, and they would be off the hook.

"Are you still angry with me?" Ralph said as they made their way back to the apartment. "I won't do anything like that ever again, I promise."

"You better keep that promise," she grumbled, but when he tentatively reached for her hand, she didn't push him away.

***

For a few days afterward, Thu avoided going past the embassy, just in case the guard still remembered her face. One evening, she and Ralph were going to dinner when they found their path was taking them past the building again. There was a great bustle as workers went in and out, carrying furniture and cleaning up the leftover building material. Seeing a woman struggling with a heavy chair, Thu came over to help.

"Are the Bulgarians finally moving in?" she asked in Vietnamese.

"No," the woman replied shortly. "They're moving out."

It was then that Thu noticed the furniture was being loaded on carts and taken away. Did this have anything to do with their misadventure the other night?

"Why?" she asked the woman. 

"No one wants to work here," the woman said. "The locals say it's haunted."

Startled, Thu looked back at Ralph, whose eyes were open so wide they threatened to pop out of his face. He hadn't learned much Vietnamese, but he had certainly caught the word "haunted" and understood what it meant. Có ma. Inhabited by ghosts.

"What happened?" Thu asked the woman, trying to sound casually interested.

The woman cast a look around, before dropping her voice. "On Ghost Festival, a security guard was working there alone. He said some woman showed up, telling him the place is haunted. He thought she was a trespasser and locked her up to wait for the police. Did everything by the book, right? Only she vanished! And the guard found himself locked up instead! What do you make of that?"

Thankfully, Thu didn't have to answer that, because another worker was calling to the woman irritably, "Hey, move it! Some of us want to get out of here before it gets dark, you know!"

As the woman scurried back to her work, Thu gave Ralph a brief summary of what the woman had told her.

"I guess we were the ones that started that whole haunted rumor," she said ruefully.

"Well, at least now we know why it was abandoned," Ralph replied, cheerful as ever.

Thu shook her head at him, half exasperated, half affectionate. She should really stop letting him draw her into these harebrained adventures, but it was hard to say no to those puppy eyes.

"So tell me," she said, slipping her arm through Ralph's as they continued on their way, "what did you do to that poor security guard, exactly? How did you know where the breaker was?"

"The what?"

"The electricity. You turned it off to scare the guard, didn't you?"

"I thought that was another power cut?"

She slowed her steps, puzzled. "But you did slam the shutters, right?"

"Yes, the one on the ground floor. I thought it might make a good diversion."

"And the ones on the second floor too."

"No, I didn't go on the second floor."

"But I clearly heard three slams, right above me."

"I heard those too. I thought that was you!"

Did he think she was that gullible? "Come on, Ralph. You're messing with me."

"You're messing with me! How could I have gotten from the ground floor to the second floor so quickly?"

"Right, and next you're going to tell me you didn't make the guard fall into the pool either."

"I told you I didn't! He was already there when I found him!"

Thu finally stopped and looked straight at Ralph. "What are you saying?"

"I am telling you the truth," Ralph said slowly. "All I did was slam the shutters to draw the guard away. Then I hid. I didn't see anything. I only heard giggling and panting, and the guard's scream. When I found him, he was unconscious in the pool."

They stared at each other, neither uttering a word, minds running wild with all sorts of possibilities, while a strange, oppressive feeling—not quite fear, but a vague unease—clutched at their hearts. Thu could feel the razor on the nape of her neck again. As one, she and Ralph turned to look at the building. The workers had finished and left, and the building was deserted once more, looming gray and silent in the last rays of the sun.

"Perhaps the ghosts were helping us because you gave them some puffed rice," eventually Ralph said.

"I don't believe in ghosts," Thu snapped.

"Maybe you should," Ralph said. "They believe in you."

Thu looked over her shoulder again. It could be her imagination, or it could be a trick of the dying light, but the banyan tree looked like it was winking at them.

Definitely her imagination. Maybe.

"Don't say things like that," she said, trying to shake off the crawling sensation on her back. "It sounds so creepy!"

"Sorry."

She glared at Ralph. His eyes were full of earnest concern, with no hint of the twinkle he usually had when he was teasing her.

"You're lucky you're cute, you know that?" she said.

Face brightening up, he grinned back at her. "I know."

For all her bravado, Thu's grip on Ralph's hand was tighter than usual as they walked home in the gathering dusk. Then again, perhaps that was what he was aiming for, the cheeky tosser.

[mukul02]

Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

Situated in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is renowned for its opulent cultural legacy and breathtaking landscapes. Drawing travelers from across the globe, this nation boasts a tropical climate catering to diverse interests. Whether you’re a fan of history, a culinary enthusiast, a beach lover, or an adventure seeker, Vietnam tour packages extend a warm welcome with experiences tailored to every preference. So, let’s discover some of the top places to visit in Vietnam with your family and friends.

TOP AND BEST PLACES TO EXPLORE IN VIETNAM

HANOI

Source: hotels.com

Start your journey in Vietnam with the capital city, Hanoi. Steeped in history, Hanoi reflects the country’s resilience and charm. The Old Quarter is a maze of small streets where you can witness the city’s vibrant street life, taste local delicacies, and shop for traditional crafts.

Additionally, don’t miss the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the serene Hoan Kiem Lake, surrounded by historical temples.

HA LONG BAY

It is another must-visit destination in Vietnam. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to around 1,600 limestone islands and islets rising from emerald waters. Exploring this picturesque bay is best done by a traditional junk boat, readily available for rental.

Moreover, Kayaking is another popular and excellent way to get up close and personal with the bay’s natural beauty.

PHONG NHA-KE BANG NATIONAL PARK

Source: lonelyplanet.com

For nature lovers, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a true paradise waiting to be discovered. It is home to the world’s biggest cave systems, including Son Doong, the park is a UNESCO-listed site filled with lush landscapes, underground rivers, and captivating limestone formations. Take a guided tour to visit the impressive caves and soak in the pristine beauty of this natural wonder.

SAPA

Nestled in the northern reaches of Vietnam, Sapa is a charming town celebrated for its breathtaking mountain vistas, intricate rice terraces, and vibrant ethnic hill tribes. Serving as the portal to Fansipan, Vietnam’s loftiest peak, Sapa offers myriad exploration options, whether by foot or through a scenic cable car journey.

A distinctive aspect of the Sapa experience lies in the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. Delve into the traditions of diverse ethnic groups, such as the Red Dzao, Hmong, and Dao, by opting to stay with a welcoming local family, fostering a rich understanding of their unique heritage.

HALONG BAY

Halong Bay is one of the beautiful bays near the Chinese border in the Gulf of Tonkin. The bay is famous for its towering limestone cliffs, emerald-green waters, and romantic cruise tours. You can explore the bay’s many islands, caves, and beaches on a traditional junk boat, kayaking, or swimming in the cool water. Halong Bay is also great for rock climbing, hiking, and fishing.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Vietnam is a captivating nation, offering diverse experiences catering to every traveler’s taste. The country has various destinations to explore, from vibrant urban hubs to serene rural landscapes, from unspoiled beaches to awe-inspiring mountains. The ones mentioned above are merely a snapshot of Vietnam culture. So, if you are planning to visit Vietnam, prepare your luggage, secure your tickets, and brace yourself for an unforgettable expedition across the enchanting landscapes with Vietnam tour packages.

[gabriellademonaco]

Crown Princess Mary’s Official Engagements in November 2022:

01/11: Visit to Vietnam - Visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

01/11: Visit to Vietnam - Official Welcome

01/11: Visit to Vietnam - Danish-Vietnamese Business Conference "Creating a Greener Future Together", Energy Efficiency Conference 

01/11: Visit to Vietnam - Official Lunch with Vice President

01/11: Visit to Vietnam - Visit to the Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Turtle Tower

01/11: Visit to Vietnam - Grand Dinner & Performance of the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations at the Hanoi Opera

02/11: Visit to Vietnam - Visit to the Cement Factory Xuan Thanh Cement Factory

02/11: Visit to Vietnam - Meeting with Representatives from Hà Nam's People's Committee

02/11: Visit to Vietnam - Visit to LEGO Workshop for Children

02/11: Visit to Vietnam - Visit to the Tam Chúc Pagoda Complex

05/11: St. Bendt's Church

05/11: Crown Prince Couple’s Awards 2022

06/11: Hubertus Hunt

09/11: Visit to Tanzania - Reproductive Health Clinic

09/11: Visit to Tanzania - CUBE Innovation Hub

10/11: Visit to Tanzania - Launch of the Nairbo Status Report

10/11: Visit to Tanzania - ICPD+25 High Level Commission Meeting

12/11: Margrethe 50 Jubilee - Reception and Official Lunch at Copenhagen City Hall

17/11: WWF Conference ”Biodiversity Is Good Business”

22/11: Visit to Herlev Hospital

23/11: World Hour Live 2022

26/11: The Nutcracker in Tivoli Concert Hall

28/11: Meeting with Queen Camilla of UK

29/11: Violence Against Women and Girls Reception at Buckingham Palace

[spudkid]

January 18th -

We gathered at 8:30 AM for our Hanoi city tour. Our guide had noticed that there was a long queue at the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum so he elected to start us off at the temple of literature. It was founded in the 11th century as Vietnam’s first university and includes an open air temple complex. Today it was filled with children of all ages as it is custom that traditions be passed on at a very young age.

The kids seemed to enjoy it as much as we did. High fives everywhere! Then off to see the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum…heavy security…no cameras!

Then his presidential palace including a bulletproof limo from Russia!

[southeastasiadiary]

Day 3: Ethnology and War

The first two days were mere warm-ups. Today the real “program” began. I started the day by meeting Trung (“Tony”) Nguyen who, for the next three days in Hanoi will be my “personal guide, translator, and photographer” (his words, not mine). Tony’s 37 but he barely looks 18. He says I don’t look my age either, but I think he’s just being polite.

Our first visit was to the Tran Quoc pagoda, Hanoi's oldest pagoda, which is located on a small island in West Lake. Unlike Japanese pagodas, which typically have five levels, Vietnamese pagodas can be of any size whatsoever. The Tran Quoc pagoda has eleven levels, each with its own statue of the Buddha.

Next, we headed to the Vietnam Ethnology Museum, which seeks to preserve the culture of all 54 different ethnic groups that are found in Vietnam. The Kinh or Viets are by far the largest group, accounting for roughly 85 percent of the population. But the others all have their own dialects, styles of dress, traditions, and forms of housing. Behind the ethnology museum is a large park where many examples of these houses appear. Some of them are stilt houses, the raised platforms providing protection from floods and, when necessary, wild animals.

After lunch, we went to the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, the nation's founder who’s routinely and affectionately referred to as “Uncle Ho”. The complex includes Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, modeled on Lenin’s tomb,

the Presidential Palace,

the small stilt house where Ho actually lived,

and the One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 of wood attached to a single stone pillar, creating the shape of a lotus blossom.

The day concluded with a tour of the Vietnam Military History Museum, documenting the almost continuous warfare experienced by the Vietnamese since 179 B.C. when the country was first invaded by China. Many of the individual battles fought against the French and the Americans are presented in lavish detail, with rows of lights indicating troop movements and skirmishes. The outdoor area is filled with tanks, helicopters, airplanes, and various large weapons.

Tired as I was by the end of the day, I climbed the Flag Tower of Hanoi which is also on the museum’s grounds and serves as one of the symbols of the capital city. For example, it appears on the 1985 series of Vietnamese currency, ranging from notes of 5 hao to ten đồng. (The lao is no longer issued, and the currency now in use was first issued in 2003.)

[babyharriet]

On dad’s shoulders at Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum

[xin-chao-asia]

Tuesday, March 14

I went on my own to Hoa Lo Prison, or the "Hanoi Hilton" as it was called by the Americans during the Vietnamese War. It does a good job of explaining the history of the people's resistance during the French occupation. It was shocking to me that it was such recent history (1946 - 1954) and that the treatment of the political prisoners was so barbaric.

Prisoners who disobeyed prison rules we're placed in this isolated area. They were shackled 24 hours a day on a cement floor that was slanted down. They had to press up with their hands to sit and when they lay down, the blood went to their heads. They were fed rice and salt and not moved to eliminate. Just horrifying.

Aaron opted to skip the tour and did some shopping instead. He found the store we saw that carries hand made items by the ethnic minority women in the northern regions. He bought a beautiful, hemp wall hanging!

Had another wonderful meal with the group. We're really starting to gel.

Grilled eggplant dish

Spring rolls with catfish

This moment commemorates the place where John McCain was captured after he parachuted into the lake. When he died, local people placed flowers and incense at the stone. For some, McCain's capture and imprisonment are shameful. He is viewed as a hero to many for what he has done for the country with reconciliation.

There are 100 million people in Vietnam. Only 5 million are members of the Communist party. This is an insightful statistic.

Took a trip to the mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh is interred. The order and respect that is required to visit and the heavy presence of military guards was eye opening. Excellent to have a guide to explain the nuances.

Bamboo is very important. It symbolizes life and the flexibility of the Vietnamese people.

Children LOVE to say hello, shake our hands and give us high fives. I was surrounded in the women's room by 30 or so 11 year old girls, so happy to interact and ask questions. Just lovely.

These roots of the cypress tree are just beautiful. They are called Goddess of Mercy, a reference to the Buddhist Bodhisattva Avolakitesvera.

[vietnammotorbiketourexpert]

Explore Vietnam's Top Destinations on a Motorbike: A Backpacker's Guide to an Unforgettable Adventure

If an unforgettable adventure is what you seek, then exploring Vietnam's breathtaking and diverse landscapes on a motorbike is an excellent choice. As a backpacker, you will have the chance to feel the thrill of starting up your engines and embarking on an epic journey through Vietnam's top destinations. With the winding roads of the northern mountains, the picturesque beaches of the central coast, and the bustling cities of the south, Vietnam offers a plethora of unforgettable experiences for motorbike enthusiasts.

Ha Noi

Commencing your expedition in Vietnam's capital city of Hanoi, you will discover a fusion of modern and traditional elements, where ancient temples and pagodas coexist with lively streets brimming with motorbikes. You can embark on a journey to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, stroll through the Old Quarter, or savor a cup of egg coffee at one of the numerous cafes. Furthermore, Hanoi serves as an excellent departure point for a visit to Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam's most legendary natural marvels.

Hoi An

Moving forward on your excursion, you can make a stop in Hoi An, a delightful town located on the central coast of Vietnam. Famed for its impeccably preserved Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, you can amble through the narrow lanes, pay a visit to age-old temples and pagodas, or enroll in a lantern-making class. Moreover, Hoi An is situated near stunning beaches, making it a perfect spot to unwind and bask in the sun.

Sapa

Next up is Sapa, a mesmerizing mountain town that is popular among backpackers. Set amidst rice terraces, the town itself is a perfect location to discover the local culture and cuisine. You can engage in cultural activities such as homestays and cooking classes or venture on trekking expeditions in the neighboring mountains.

Hue

Continuing your journey southward along the coast, you can delve into the history and culture of Hue, a city with a remarkable past. The Imperial City, once the hub of political and cultural life during the Nguyen dynasty, is an essential destination to visit. In addition, you can explore numerous temples and pagodas throughout the city and indulge in its mouth-watering cuisine, including the renowned beef noodle soup.

Da Lat

Journeying to the central highlands of Vietnam, you can discover Da Lat, a captivating town renowned for its refreshing climate and breathtaking landscapes. The town's French colonial architecture and stunning gardens and parks are a treat to explore. You can also engage in outdoor pursuits such as hiking and cycling or venture to nearby waterfalls and lakes.

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[katelyn-scstudyabroad]

Weekly Update

I’m currently in the midst of a three-week vacation off of class for the Lunar New Year. I spent the first few days sightseeing in Hanoi since I won’t have as much free time to explore the city once classes actually start. I hit a lot of the main spots, including the Old Quarter, St Joseph Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, and the Presidential Palace.

I did want to use this time off to travel around, so I went ahead and flew down to Singapore! Here they also celebrate the Lunar New Year, however a lot more things are staying open compared to Vietnam, which I’ve heard basically shuts down.

I arrived today but I have already seen a huge contrast between Singapore and Vietnam. To begin with, it was cold and the skies were gray when I left Hanoi but here in Singapore it has so far been mostly sunny and 85+ degrees. I don’t even have to label my pictures below as Hanoi vs Singapore because the sky does it for me. The city design is also very different. While motorbikes rule Hanoi, Singapore is very car dependent, comparable to the US. Singapore has had very nice walkability though. There are sidewalks and paths everywhere that are very clear and clean. Some even have coverings to protect from the elements. While Hanoi has sidewalks everywhere, they are not used for walking. Instead they are used for parking, eating, selling, sports, driving, literally any activity but walking! Singapore also has way more high rise buildings. My driver from the airport said that everyday he sees small buildings torn down to be replaced with high rises. There is some of that in Hanoi but not nearly as much, Hanoi has what I would consider a cozier feel.

Stay tuned for more from Singapore! I have friends from USC who are studying here so hopefully they will help me see more of the city. There will also be a lot of New Year’s festivities around that I hope to experience.

[bindannmalweg]

Ich hab in Hanoi 3 Tage wirklich versucht mich so gut es geht auszuruhen. Jonas hat sich derweil alleine auf die Reise gemacht: Ich bin zu Fuß bisschen durch die Stadt gelaufen. Schaute mir das Mausoleum von Ho Chi Minh an und die Zitadelle von Hanoi, der Verkehr in Hanoi ist aber so verrückt das man so schnell es geht wieder davon weg will, also so ging es mir überall fahren Menschen mit ihren Rollern rum und hupen was das Zeug geht, ist mir definitiv zu viel Lärm. Ansonsten gibt es in Hanoi auch nicht so viel zu sehen, weshalb wir sobalds Nati besser ging weiter nach Ha Giang gefahren sind.

[grevosan]

Unterwegs mit Nico (Argentinier) in den Straßen von Hanoi

Train street

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Tran Quoc-Pagode

[ireceived-p8250000]

April 20-26, 2014

It’s Easter, so there wasn’t much going on. We stayed at home practically the whole time. Mom and I made dumplings. I told Roxanne to apologize to Dad. She did, but Dad wasn’t happy with it.

My driving lessons resumed for two days only, until Tuesday. Then I had my teeth cleaned and my hair waxed by a professional.

Dad and Roxanne were really not getting along.

I was now welcome at Mansoor’s home, so I went there. His parents were out for work, so we were just in his bedroom. We were exploring some websites and watched a movie. Then we found ourselves kissing again. He started touching my breasts again. We got heated and was almost naked. Just with my bra and jeans.

Friday was my flight to Hanoi. So Thursday morning, I set out to travel to Pasay.

I traveled and arrived at 8 PM. I had to ride an express bus to the airport. By 9 PM, I checked in and all I had to do was wait.

On Friday, I boarded the flight at 1 AM. The flight was only 4 hours. I arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, but I had to find my hostel. The main transportation options were taxi or motorcycle.

I went to sleep ahead. I woke up and went to explore the city.

Saturday, I went around for the last time before taking a sleeper train to Ho Chi Minh City.

April 25-26, 2014: Exploring Hanoi

After arriving at Noi Bai International Airport early Friday morning, I quickly found a taxi to my hostel in Hanoi. Despite the early hour, the city was already buzzing with activity. After checking in, I took a quick nap to recharge before setting out to explore.

By mid-morning, I was ready to immerse myself in the sights and sounds of Hanoi. I started my day with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a must-see landmark. The imposing structure was a testament to Vietnam's history, and the surrounding gardens provided a peaceful escape from the bustling city streets.

From there, I walked to the One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam's most iconic temples. Its unique architecture and serene surroundings made for a calming experience. I continued my journey with a stop at the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university. The beautiful courtyards and ancient buildings were a perfect backdrop for some quiet reflection.

Lunch was a delightful bowl of pho at a local street vendor. The flavors were incredible, and I could see why this dish is so beloved. With a full stomach, I headed to the Old Quarter, the heart of Hanoi. The narrow streets were filled with vendors selling everything from souvenirs to delicious street food. I couldn't resist buying a few trinkets to bring back home.

In the afternoon, I visited the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn more about the country's diverse cultures. The exhibits were fascinating, and I spent several hours exploring the museum. As the sun began to set, I made my way to Hoan Kiem Lake. The lake was beautiful at dusk, and the Ngoc Son Temple in the middle added to the picturesque scene.

For dinner, I treated myself to a meal at a small restaurant recommended by locals. The bun cha was delicious, and I enjoyed every bite. After dinner, I strolled around the lake again, this time enjoying the lively night market that had sprung up. The vibrant atmosphere was a perfect end to my first day in Hanoi.

Saturday morning, I decided to visit the Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the "Hanoi Hilton." The museum offered a sobering glimpse into the country's history, and it was a poignant reminder of Vietnam's turbulent past.

Next, I visited the Hanoi Opera House, an architectural gem that showcased the city's French colonial influence. I couldn't resist snapping a few photos before heading to my next destination: the bustling Dong Xuan Market. The market was a sensory overload, with vendors shouting and the smell of fresh produce and spices filling the air. I picked up a few snacks for my upcoming journey.

In the afternoon, I took a cyclo ride around the French Quarter, marveling at the elegant buildings and tree-lined boulevards. The ride ended at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, where I watched a traditional water puppet show. The performance was captivating, and it was a wonderful way to experience Vietnamese culture.

As the day came to a close, I headed back to my hostel to pack up my things. I grabbed a quick dinner at a nearby eatery, savoring my last meal in Hanoi. With my bags in hand, I made my way to the train station, ready for the next leg of my journey.

Boarding the sleeper train to Ho Chi Minh City, I settled into my berth and reflected on my time in Hanoi. The city had been a whirlwind of activity, culture, and history, and I couldn't wait to see what adventures awaited me in the south. As the train pulled out of the station, I fell asleep to the gentle rocking of the carriage, dreaming of the days ahead.

[go4exploretravelagency]

Exploring Vietnam: A Journey Through Timeless Beauty and Rich Culture

Vietnam, a land of stunning natural landscapes and vibrant cultural heritage, offers travelers an unforgettable experience. From the bustling streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to the serene waters of Ha Long Bay and the terraced rice fields of Sapa, Vietnam presents a diverse array of attractions that cater to all types of travelers.

Natural Wonders

Vietnam’s natural beauty is breathtaking and varied. Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its emerald waters and thousands of limestone islands topped with rainforests. A cruise through this bay is a must, offering a chance to explore hidden caves and enjoy water activities. The terraced fields of Sapa, located in the northern highlands, offer stunning vistas and a glimpse into the rural life of ethnic minorities. In central Vietnam, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, another UNESCO site, boasts some of the world's most impressive caves and underground rivers.

Cultural Riches

Vietnam is steeped in history and culture. In the capital city of Hanoi, visitors can explore the Old Quarter, where narrow streets buzz with activity and centuries-old architecture stands proudly. The Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum are key cultural landmarks. Hue, the former imperial capital, is home to the majestic Imperial City and ancient tombs of the Nguyen emperors, offering a deep dive into Vietnam’s royal past. Hoi An, a charming town with well-preserved ancient architecture, colorful lanterns, and a mix of Chinese, Japanese, and European influences, is a cultural jewel on the central coast.

Culinary Delights

Vietnamese cuisine is renowned worldwide for its fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors. Street food is an integral part of the culinary experience, with dishes like pho (noodle soup), banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich), and fresh spring rolls being favorites. Each region has its own specialties: the north is known for its subtle flavors, the central region for its spiciness, and the south for its sweetness. Cooking classes and food tours are popular activities that allow visitors to engage with local culinary traditions.

Adventure and Relaxation

For adventure seekers, Vietnam offers a range of activities from trekking in the mountains of the north to exploring the Mekong Delta by boat in the south. The country’s long coastline also provides ample opportunities for beach lovers, with destinations like Nha Trang, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc offering pristine beaches and luxury resorts. The Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City offer a fascinating insight into the ingenuity and resilience of the Vietnamese people during the Vietnam War.

Warm Hospitality

Vietnamese people are known for their warmth and hospitality. Interacting with locals, whether it’s through homestays in rural areas or simply chatting with street vendors, enhances the travel experience and provides a deeper understanding of the country’s culture and way of life.

Conclusion

A tour of Vietnam is a journey through a land of contrasts and surprises. From bustling urban centers to tranquil rural landscapes, from ancient temples to modern skyscrapers, Vietnam seamlessly blends the old and the new. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature enthusiast, a foodie, or an adventure seeker, Vietnam promises a rich and rewarding travel experience that will leave you with lasting memories.