Hanoi history day

(Usual waiver applies to grammar, typos,spelling as I'm posting via  a small phone screen on the hoof 🤭, click on the pics to zoom in)

Today is a day for learning  about Hanoi's incredible history. It was drizzling when we set out so we had a driver take us to our first stop and then it was on foot the rest of the day. The sun came out , well you could feel the heat but you couldn't see any blue sky for smog 😬.

The Trấn Quốc Pagoda is the oldest pagoda in the city, it's been a sanctuary of calm for over 1,500 years. It's on a little island linked by a causeway. 

The pagoda holds the important monk's ashes.

 Most of the pagodas were made in the 17th century. Monks still live there today. 

Visitors to the shrine  give offerings like food or small amounts of money as a present for the gods to give themselves good luck. Incense is burned to send wishes to the gods.

As we left the little causeway it was interesting to see the lake being cleaned. 

Next stop was the Ho Chi Min Mausoleum. 

The entry system was run with military precision. Ladies wearing  traditional Aoi Dai we're very clear with their instructions 'single file! One line!  The system  worked and before we knew it we were in front of the mausoleum in time to see changing of the guard. 

Guards were in white military uniforms, no smiling or photos. Very serious guard change and sombre atmosphere befitting the resting place of the father of their nation. The guards looked so young. The mausoleum was built despite Ho Chi Minh’s wish for cremation. It's said to be inspired by  Lenin's Tomb but designed with Vietnamese features. In complete contrast is the Presidential Palace next door. 

There were big school and kindergarten groups visiting and they were so lovely, keen to practice their English skills😁

Wasn't expecting to see a statue of Lenin in Hanoi. Lenin and Ho Chi Minh met in 1922. Ho Chi Minh, was inspired by  Lenin's ideals. 

 This bronze beauty was a gift from the Soviet Union in the 1980s, and not surprisingly its the only statue of Lenin in Southeast Asia.

The Flag Tower of Hanoi was tower built in 1805 and unlike many other structures it was not destroyed during the French invasion (1896-1897).

We literally stumbled upon the famous Train Street where you can sit almost on the edge of the rails and have a coffee as the train passes by. Today a young gal got her scooter stuck. We also saw our first small scooter crash and the guy picked himself up, revved the scooter and went on about his business. 

Hoa Lo Prison  was our next stop. It was a prison originally used by the  French  colonists for political prisoners  and later by  North Vietnam for US prisoners during the Vietnam War. American POWs called it the Hanoi Hilton. Senator John McCain was one of the US pilots imprisoned here. 

It's a deeply confronting museum and record of terrible cruelty and suffering. A guillotine from the French is still in place . The  photo boards with Vietnam freedom fighters stories was heartbreaking, so many  young, men and woman.

The American POW black and white photos are equally moving.

The shrine of offerings is so peaceful and a good spot to let it all sink in.

A full on day of history and learning for us.