One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi

One of the most recognisable icon in Vietman, the One Pillar Pagoda was built in 1049 during the Ly Dynasty.  From far, it looks like a lotus flower in a pond.

Write-up is shown below:

The pagoda does not occupy a big area.

Next to it is a temple, nothing of interest in terms of sightseeing.










You can combine the visit to the One Pillar Pagoda with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in the morning.

Visit Vietnam/ Hanoi travels for more blog entries

Essence Hanoi Hotel

I have read good reviews of Essence Hanoi Hotel at 22 Ta Hien Street so after one false start, I managed to check into this place.  Upon arrival, the receptionist was efficient in checking me in, and swiftly updated me with the surrounding and also providing me with basic tourist information. A welcome drink was provided and at the same time, my luggage was already being sent to the room.  Good first impression.

For the price range (around US$50), the room is value for money.  There was complimentary fruit basket and best of all, a laptop was provided (though a website hacked into the web on my laptop - a minor distraction).  Cannot complain about the room.  My room was located away from the street so it was quiet throughout my stay.







The service rendered by the staff was of high standard.  They could remember my name during my stay and would even bring me personally to some points of interests (like food).  You definitely feel the warmth of the staff.

I did not take the breakfast at the cafe as I don't need a heavy breakfast.  I did not have the opportunity to dine at the restaurant.  By looking at the menu, I think it suits non-Asians more.

This is a highly recommended place to stay.

Essence Hanoi Hotel is located at the Old Quarters, and there are many good eating places around.

Nans Cafe: From hotel, turn right and walk towards the junction Hang Bac, turn left and walk 50m on the left hand side)
http://www.clumsycompass.blogspot.sg/2012/06/sipping-traditional-coffee-at-nans-cafe.html

For breakfast:
http://clumsycompass.blogspot.sg/2012/06/breakfast-in-hanoi.html

Little Hanoi Restaurant:
http://clumsycompass.blogspot.sg/2012/06/having-banh-da-at-little-hanoi.html


Outside Old Quarters:
Vegetarian Restaurant: Com Chay Nang Cam Vegetarian Restaurant
http://clumsycompass.blogspot.sg/2012/06/com-chay-nang-cam-vegetarian-restaurant.html

Things to do around the Old Quarters:

Water Puppets:
http://clumsycompass.blogspot.sg/2012/06/vietnam-water-puppets-again-and-again.html


Visit Vietnam/ Hanoi travels for more blog entries

Com Chay Nang Cam Vegetarian Restaurant, Hanoi, Vietnam

I chanced upon Com Chay Nang Cam Vegetarian Restaurant while looking for another eatery, and I decided to give it a try.  The address is 79A Tran Hung Dao, next to it is a Levi's shop. 

Walk straight in, made a few turns and you would see the restaurant.  It is packed for a weekday lunch.


There are few set menues, ranging from minimum 50,000d (US$2.50). 










I chose the 60,000d menu:

Vietnam Water Puppets.. again and again

This is my third time catching the Water Puppets.  The first was in the 90s in Singapore, the second occassion was in 2005 and now, 2012.  I enjoyed this art form and since I had some time to kill before my next appointment, I forked out 100,000d (US$5) for the 5 pm performance.  The troupe stages 3 performances a day and cheaper ticket prices are available.  It was a small auditorium and you had a good view even if you purchased the cheaper tickets.

The art form is believed to be more than 1000 years old and originated from the paddy fields.

Having Banh Da at Little Hanoi Restaurant

It started to rain while I was waiting for someone for dinner.

It got worse...



and I knew the dinner appointment may not happen...

Sipping traditional coffee at Nang Cafe, Hanoi

A common sight in Hanoi is seeing the Vietnamese people enjoying their coffee or other drinks along the streets.  During the day, they just go with a drink.  In the evenings, they will have it with peanuts or tid pits.

Based on recommendation of my hotel staff, I went to this Vietnamese traditional coffee shop located at Hang Bac Street of the Old Quarters.  If you like your coffee with condense milk, or just black coffee, this is the place.

You order from the lady at the counter or from the wait staff.  A coffee costs 15,000 (around US$0.75).  There is an upper floor where you could watch Hanoi life goes by through the balcony...

You can choose to sit on the small plastic stools outside the cafe, or have better seats inside the cafe, where you have wooden stools and small tables.  It is a good way to experience the Vietnamese way of life.  Hopefully, I could find more such cafes when I next visit.

Visit Vietnam/ Hanoi travels for more blog entries

Breakfast in Hanoi

A good way to start the day is to have a bowl of good pho bo (beef noodles).

At a side lane off Dinh Liet Street called Trung Yen, (1 or 2 streets parallel to Hang Bac), the stall serves delicious pho bo and it is not salty!  A bowl of noodles costs 30,000 to 35,000d (about US$1.50 - 1.70).

It is a busy place but the wait for food is short.  When I went on a week day, 2 young men were in charge. On a Saturday, 2 senior persons were at the stove (see picture).  This stall was recommended by my hotel staff and I was told it has been around for many years.

On another morning, I walked past Ta Hien and saw this stall full of customers. People were either eating on the spot or had take-away.

Having eel at Luon Nghe An

Slightly out of Hanoi old quarters, along the route to the airport, lies a restaurant serving eel-inspired dishes.   Luon Nghe An is located at 246 Nghi Tam Street.

The restaurant is on your right when you head from Hanoi old quarters.  If you are taking a cab, you need to get off the vehicle quickly as you are on the highway.  I would recommend coming in the afternoon as it was a hussle getting taxi late in the evening.















This restaurant serves eel cooked in a various ways. 



Grilled and wrapped in herbs

Stir-fry, crispy like

Salt-based

Cooked in bamboo



Stewed

 I liked all dishes.  If pressed for the least favourite, it would be the stewed eel.

You could also order some side dishes like the salads.

This is definitely a restaurant worth recommending.  It is good to go in a big group so that you could order more dishes.
 


Visit Vietnam/ Hanoi travels for more blog entries

Tennis Centre opened by Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovis is trying to achieve his glam slam dream by winning the French Open 2012 tomorrow.  It reminds me of my trip to Belgrade 2 years back.  I chanced upon a tennis training centre and the staff told me that it was opened by Novak Djokovic (though he does not run it).  He wasn't No 1 then.  

That day, a lot of youngsters were practicing at the tennis courts.  Maybe one of them would be a big star in a few years time.

Singapore Arts Festival 2012: Lear Dreaming and Vertical Road

Well, the Singapore Arts Festival will take a hiatus for a year.  So this year's Festival would be the last of the old format.  I am taking this opportunity to remember my last 2 performances for this edition.

Lear Dreaming by TheatreWorks (Singapore).  My favourite of the 3 productions seen this year.   I prefer this strip down version of the 1997 production, although I don't think it managed to "entering one man's mind".  The lone actor was supported by the wonderful traditional Korean court music vocalist Kang Kwon Soon, Minang music specialist Piterman, Gamelan music composer Rahayu Supanggah and his ensemble (their piece on stage was great), and pipa player Wu Man (what's that with the costume?).

Interesting work from TheatreWorks.

Akran Khan Company, a frequent visitor to Singapore, performed Vertical Road on the last 2 nights of the Festival.  

This piece, as the programme note says, "a meditation on the journey from gravity to grace".   The show started powerfully and with intensity.  It however lost steam during the second half.

Nonetheless, it was a good attempt by the company.












We won't have a Festival next year, but maybe it is a good thing......