north

The North of Viet Nam

On this page, you will see photos taken around the Tet (Lunar New Year) Holiday, 2007. I spent a relaxing two weeks in the North visiting the capitol Ha Noi, venturing to the tranquil beauty of Ha Long Bay, making a pilgrimage to the Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong) and finally celebrating Tet with a farming family in Nam Dinh Province. Here are several photos from those travels.

In Central Ha Noi, Lake Hoan Kiem (Ho Hoan Kiem) is a place for coffee shops, restaurants, and sacred places. This photos taken at dusk reflects the new and old of Ha Noi.

Chua Mot Cot (One Pillar Pagoda) stands silently in a quiet pond in Ha Noi and is a special place for many Vietnamese.

The remains of President Ho Chi Minh lie in state inside this magnificent mausoleum. Visitors are allowed inside to pay respects to "Bac Ho" (Uncle Ho), as he was known to the people.

Ancient limestone karsts rise out of the water in Ha Long Bay. The term Ha Long Bay means "Bay of the Descending Dragons." Legends recall that a family of dragons descended upon the bay to help repel the Chinese. The rock in the center is featured on the 200,000 VND denomination currency. Everyday, boats and junks ply the waters with tourists on day cruises and overnight stays. I slept on an overnighter and the silence of Ha Long Bay is soothing. The quiet hush of water gently slapping against the hull, the soothing air and the gentle rocking as the boats swings in the slow current provides for a sound sleep.

To get to the Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong), one must hire an oarsman to go upriver. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes. The color of the water seemed to change a couple of times during the trip. Once at the debarkation point, it's another 45 minute walk up the mountain to the cavernous pagoda. An alternative is the electric cable car that provides breathtaking views.

(left) One of many altars inside Chua Huong (Perfume Pagoda). The altars are attended to by Buddhist monks who live nearby on the mountain. On the right is the entrance into the large cavern with is the Pagoda, itself. The haze is from the incense that burns in the cavern, thus giving the name "Perfume Pagoda."

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