Wolfgang's photos with the keyword: Hà Nội,

St. Joseph's Cathedral, which anchors one of Hanoi's most touristy streets, offers a glimpse into a bygone era. Speckles of light still dance through stained glass work, leaving a kaleidoscope of color on the towers, which stretch toward the sky. Its doors first swung open in 1886, during the earliest days of colonial rule, and the cathedral still holds mass twice daily. During other hours, visitors can enter through a door on the side of the cathedral.

In the quarter between Hoan Kiem Lake and the Cathedral, you'll find numerous shops with the same selection but of better quality. Vendors know that, so prices are higher than in the Old Quarter. There are two major shopping malls in Hanoi, Trang Tien Plaza and the new-built Vincom City Towers. Both are located in the Hoan Kiem District.

The key word here is slowly - don't rush. This way the drivers are aware of you. It may look, and indeed is somewhat chaotic, but if you pay patient and attention when you're crossing any street, large or small, you should feel fine and safe.

A crowd waiting to see Uncle Ho. Despite Ho Chi Minh's request to be cremated, like communist leaders before him, he was embalmed and put on display. A visit to the mausoleum is a somber experience in the spiritual center of Vietnamese independence. The guards are not terribly friendly and Uncle Ho looks a little yellow, but the quiet line that forms to view his body is a vision of respect and may even feature a few tears. Ho's mausoleum is open only in the mornings, every day except Monday and Friday. The mausoleum sits in front of Ho's stilt house.

This French colonial building was originally the living and working headquarters for the Governor General of Indochina. After Vietnam's defeat of the French in 1954, Ho Chi Minh refused to live here, preferring instead the modest cottage on the Palace's grounds (from 1954 to 1958). In 1958, he moved into the house on stils. At the present the palace often is used as the This French colonial building was originally the living and working headquarters for the Governor General of Indochina. After Vietnam's defeat of the French in 1954, Ho Chi Minh refused to live here, preferring instead the modest cottage on the Palace's grounds (from 1954 to 1958). In 1958, he moved into the house on stils. At the present the palace often is used as the residence for state guests.

There is a queue line of many people visiting uncle Ho's house. Their behaving is very disciplined and they beg the foreign visitors to pass the line.

Although there are only a few rooms, they are all filled with wind and fragrance from the surrounding garden. The two upstairs rooms are a study and bedroom while the ground floor level contains a meeting table. The carp pond provided opportunities for fishing. Uncle Ho was living there like an hermit.

Ho Chi Minh was the founder and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Although he had the look of a very respectful humble man, he was a great leader. Uncle Ho perfected the art of guerilla and liberated his country form the French. He also defeated the Americans, and united his country. But the cost of this war was overwhelming; more than 3 million North and South Vietnamese soldiers and civilians died during the Vietnam-American War. 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.

After two years of construction, the mausoleum of uncle Ho Chi Minh was officially inaugurated on 29th August 1975. The facade of the mausoleum faces the historic Ba Dinh Square. there is planted a beautiful park behind the monument.

Sandwiched between the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Ho Chi Minh Museum is the small yet elegant One Pillar Pagoda. The Pagoda was originally built by Emperor Ly Thai Thong around 1049. It was destroyed by the French just before they quit Hanoi in 1954. The structure you can see today is a reconstruction. The legend goes that the Emperor built the pagoda in gratitude to the Goddess of Mercy after he had a dream of her seated on a lotus and presenting him with a baby boy. The once childless Emperor met and married a peasant girl who bore him a son soon after. Hence the pagoda is built in the shape of a lotus flower. The wooden pagoda sits on a single stone pillar that rises out of a pond, symbolizing a sea of sorrow. Inside the pagoda, a gilded statue of the Goddess sits on an alter surrounded by flowers and offerings.

The main entrance, walkway and gate was reserved for the use of the Emperor. Mandarins and students entered the temple through the gates on the left and right. In the autumn of the year Canh Tuat, the second year of Than Vu (1070), in the 8th lunar month, during the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong, the Temple of Literature was built. The statues of Confucius, his four best disciples: Yan Hui (Nhan Uyên), Zengzi (Tăng Sâm), Zisi (Tử Tư), and Mencius (Mạnh Tử), as well as the Duke of Zhou (Chu Công), were carved and 72 other statues of Confucian scholars were painted. Ceremonies were dedicated to them in each of the four seasons. The Crown Princess studied here.

The Temple of Literature (or Van Mieu) is one of Hanoi's highlights. The temple, an example of ancient Vietnamese architecture, was originally built in 1070 to honor scholars and literacy men. Soon after it became the country's first University. The names of its graduates were engraved on stone steles. Some of the tablets were lost. Those remaining are mounted on the back of stone turtles and enclosed on one side of the complex.

Entrance to the third courtyard is through the dominating Khuê Văn Các (constellation of literature), a large pavilion built in 1802. Central to this courtyard is the Thien Quang Tinh ("Well Of Heavenly Clarity"), either side of which stand two great halls which house the true treasures of the temple. These are 82 stones steles. Another 34 are believed to have been lost over the years. They sit upon stone turtles and are inscribed with the names and birth places of 1306 men who were awarded doctorates from the triennial examinations held here at the Quốc Tử Giám ("Imperial Academy") between 1484 and 1780, after which the capital was moved to Hue.

The second courtyard, looking towards the Khue Van pavilion, which allows entry to the third courtyard.

Many Vietnamese students come here to pray for success in their studies, especially before their big exams. It is a masterpiece of temple architecture honoring knowledge and those who pursue the rigorous path of learning.

Souvenir Water Puppets from Hanoi's Famous Water Puppet Theater on Sale in the Courtyard of the Temple of Literature.

A track I recorded an posted in this album. Please turn on your speakers and listen to this nice traditional music.