The neon signs that light up the maze of streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter gives way to young faces racing on their motorbikes around Hoan Kiem Lake, the core and heartbeat of the city. In the skyline, luxurious high-rises are emerging at a fast pace.
This is the new Hanoi today, eager to come out and show its colours and embrace the modern world. Yet, I get smitten by the old Hanoi, still standing graceful, with its tree-shaded boulevards, numerous lakes and historical monuments that have stood the test of time. Vietnam’s capital is struggling to find a balance between tradition and modernity.
Hanoi is a city for strolling. As I walk down the streets, I can’t help but marvel at the architecture, an ensemble of Hanoi’s tumultuous history, from Chinese-influenced temples to French colonial villas to Soviet-era structures to the present modern buildings. On the northern side of the Hoan Kiem Lake is the Old Quarter with its narrow streets named for the major commodity produced in the street.
Hang Non (Conical Hat street) was the home for makers of the palm-leaf hat, a symbol of Vietnam.
Hang Thiec means Tin Goods street. To the south of the lake is the old French Quarter with its sumptuous early 20th century white villas. Willowy shady trees form a protective shading around Hoan Kiem lake, creating a welcome oasis from the incessant buzz and motorbike honking roaring around town.
According to a legend, it was in this lake that the 15th century emperor, Le Loi, received a magic sword from Heaven which he used to fight off the Chinese occupiers. Hoan Kiem means Restored Sword referring to the moment when a golden turtle rose up and took the sword to return it to its rightful owner. Today, giant turtles still live in the lake and I happened to spot one on the day of my visit.
Besides being a spot to relax, Hoan Kiem lake is place where local Hanoians exercise at the crack of dawn. I did catch Vietnamese people in their pyjamas walking around the lake, bending, twisting, flexing their torsos, kicking in the air. It is an amazing sight to see such activity early in the morning. By 7am, the sun is shining brightly and the morning athletes are off to eat their bowl of beef noodle soup and get ready to do their daily tasks.
This is the new Hanoi today, eager to come out and show its colours and embrace the modern world. Yet, I get smitten by the old Hanoi, still standing graceful, with its tree-shaded boulevards, numerous lakes and historical monuments that have stood the test of time. Vietnam’s capital is struggling to find a balance between tradition and modernity.
Hanoi is a city for strolling. As I walk down the streets, I can’t help but marvel at the architecture, an ensemble of Hanoi’s tumultuous history, from Chinese-influenced temples to French colonial villas to Soviet-era structures to the present modern buildings. On the northern side of the Hoan Kiem Lake is the Old Quarter with its narrow streets named for the major commodity produced in the street.
Hang Non (Conical Hat street) was the home for makers of the palm-leaf hat, a symbol of Vietnam.
Hang Thiec means Tin Goods street. To the south of the lake is the old French Quarter with its sumptuous early 20th century white villas. Willowy shady trees form a protective shading around Hoan Kiem lake, creating a welcome oasis from the incessant buzz and motorbike honking roaring around town.
According to a legend, it was in this lake that the 15th century emperor, Le Loi, received a magic sword from Heaven which he used to fight off the Chinese occupiers. Hoan Kiem means Restored Sword referring to the moment when a golden turtle rose up and took the sword to return it to its rightful owner. Today, giant turtles still live in the lake and I happened to spot one on the day of my visit.
Besides being a spot to relax, Hoan Kiem lake is place where local Hanoians exercise at the crack of dawn. I did catch Vietnamese people in their pyjamas walking around the lake, bending, twisting, flexing their torsos, kicking in the air. It is an amazing sight to see such activity early in the morning. By 7am, the sun is shining brightly and the morning athletes are off to eat their bowl of beef noodle soup and get ready to do their daily tasks.
