Vietnam: The country of bravery, beauty and myths

Visiting Vietnam is a very unique experience for anyone who wants to be educated about culture, history and myths, and enjoy the beauty of nature at the same time. Vietnam is a country that is known for its resistance and strength of its people who went through a lot of loss, pain and courage. The minute you land in Hanoi, you will be dazzled by the rice fields and spacious landscapes. This country stood fiercely and won the war against the US because they were armed with myths and legends of their ancestors that talk about resistance, hope and magic. I had the privilege to visit north and south Vietnam along with a Kuwaiti media delegation, invited by Emirates airlines. It was an exceptional journey in two unique entities in the same country. In the north, you can sense that people are still living in the past, cherishing their ancestors and preserving the heritage. In the south, due to its growing economy and expensive shopping centers, people - especially the youth - tend to look to a more futuristic future.

Till this day, you can see the French influence, especially in the old buildings in Hanoi in the north of Vietnam that stand as witness of the French colonization in 1887. In the south, you can sense the American influence in terms of military, economy and expanding cities.

Vietnam is a very rich country when it comes to agriculture. It is one of the world’s richest agricultural regions and is the second largest (after Thailand) exporter worldwide and the world’s seventh largest consumer of rice. With a history of planting tea for over 2,000 years, Vietnam is one of the largest and oldest tea-producing countries in the world. As for coffee, its production has been a major source of income since the early 20th century. It is the second largest coffee producer in the world after Brazil, with robusta coffee accounting for 97 percent of Vietnam’s total output.

I have been travelling for business trips with Emirates for a long time now, and my motto for this airline is and will always be: “If you want to be spoiled, travel with Emirates airlines”. Our visit from Kuwait to Hanoi wouldn’t have been as perfect and comfortable if it wasn’t for this exceptional airline. This is not a surprise, because according to the 2019 list of the world’s best airlines, Emirates won the in-flight entertainment award for the second time. The flight from Dubai to Hanoi is approximately six hours. When visiting Vietnam, you will have an incredible and unforgettable experience with its endless attractions and touristic sites, cultural landmarks and inexplicable yet delicious cuisine.

Here are some places that I strongly recommend if you are planning to visit Vietnam.

North Vietnam Hanoi

The Old Quarter

Hanoi, located on the banks of the Red River and the capital of Vietnam, is considered to be one of the most ancient capitals in the world. If you are the kind of person who enjoys street-cheap shopping such as shoes, souvenirs and handicrafts, the Old Quarter is the place to be. It is preferable to reach there on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Hanoi weekend night markets usually start from around 7:00 am onwards and stretch from Hang Dao Street to the north to the edge of Dong Xuan Market.

Hanoi weekend night markets are full of life, music, roadside stalls, local food vendors, street artists and children playing games and enjoying their childhood away from the Internet and technology. It is very vibrant, colorful and illuminated with decorative lights, which make it easier for tourists to take pictures of the sites within the area. The Old Quarter’s markets are like a never ending carnival during the weekends.

Forty percent of Vietnamese people work in the government sector, while 60 percent have their own businesses. They are very good in selling things and bargaining. So most probably during your shopping there, the most enjoyable new skill that you will gain is bargaining technique - it is a way of life over there. In the evening, if you are tired from all the shopping, bargaining and the excitement, you can take a cyclo ride tour - famous threewheeled carriers that take you around the Old Quarter to explore the exciting local daily life of Hanoians and get you back to your hotel.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake or Sword Lake as the legend says is considered to be the center of Hanoi, not only physically but also symbolically. The lake is full of tortoises, and because the tortoise is considered a sacred animal in Vietnam’s culture (along with the dragon, phoenix and unicorn), Hoan Kiem Lake has become a holy place that nurtures tortoises. The lake also surrounds Ngoc Son Temple, a pagoda sitting in the center of a small island. The lake and temple are probably the most famous places in Hanoi to rest and enjoy the view, especially since they offer plenty of trees and shaded spots and are a great place to sit back and watch the locals.

‘Standing newspaper’

After a leisurely walk in the early morning around the lake, don’t forget to stop at the corners to see locals reading the “Standing Newspaper”. The aim of the standing newspaper is to serve the people and not for private benefit. Every morning at 6:00 am before going to work, people simply stand and read the paper on the stands, or they can listen to the news through speakers in the streets while they are drinking their famous coffee or tea.

The Temple of Literature

With the special beauty and the harmony of architectural works with historical value, the Temple of Literature is one of the most favorite attractions in Hanoi. Founded in 1076, Quoc Tu Giam was established within a temple to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years, and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

You can get there in around 10 minutes by taxi from Hoan Kiem Lake and one hour if walking. It is Vietnam’s oldest imperial academy under the feudal courts and the first national university. The temple was built in dedication to Confucian philosophy and still holds a spiritual significance for each generation of students and educators in Vietnam at present. The temple has been chosen as Hanoi’s symbol of wisdom, talent and study. One cannot explore the depth of Hanoi if skipping a visit to the very symbol of this old city.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square is also considered an important touristic attraction in Hanoi. It is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the most iconic and popular leader of Vietnam, known to his people as ‘Uncle Ho’. His body is preserved in a glass case at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in central Hanoi.

Ba Dinh Square in front of the mausoleum is noteworthy as the site where President Ho declared the independence of Vietnam on September 2, 1945. The square is composed of 240 patches of grass divided by intersecting concrete pathways - make sure not to walk on the grass. The spacious and clean square is an excellent place to go jogging, do yoga or simply enjoy walking in a peaceful environment.

The puppet show

You can know and feel the essence of a country through its arts and culture. You cannot visit Vietnam without watching the famous puppet show or the traditional water puppet. In fact, the Vietnamese call themselves the water civilization because of the water puppet shows that they have created. It is a famous Vietnamese art with over 800 years of history. The tradition of water puppet theatre stems from a time when rice paddy fields were flooded and villagers would entertain people by standing in waist-deep water with the puppets performing over the water.

Using large rods to support the puppets, it appears as if they are moving across the water with the puppeteers hidden behind a screen. Performances are accompanied by a Vietnamese orchestra playing traditional music using drums, wooden bells, horns, bamboo flutes and cymbals. There are also authentic Vietnamese operatic songs telling the story being acted out by the puppets. Seeing puppets come to life performing traditional folklore, legends and historical tales is an act that gives you a glimpse of ancient history.

Halong Bay

No doubts Vietnam is an interesting country filled with myths and legends, which makes it a unique place. If you want to travel back in time where dragons and brave men fought using magic and fire, then a cruise trip to Halong Bay is the answer.

In ancient Vietnamese, Halong literally means “descending dragon” and originates from a legend of this ancient land. The legend says that during the old time when the country was newly formed, Vietnamese had to fight against fierce invaders coming from the north through the sea. Feeling sorry for the country, the Jade Emperor sent Mother Dragon and her children to earth to help ancient Vietnamese people defend the country.

While the mighty enemies were attacking the mainland, the Mother Dragon and her children suddenly appeared and incinerated the enemies with their divine fire and giant emeralds. The emeralds from the dragon’s mouth were scattered around the battlefield on the sea and formed an invincible defensive wall that left the enemy battleship fleet sinking. Thanks to the dragons, the northern invaders were finally swept away and peace finally came back the Southeast Asian country once again. After thousands of years, the wall of emerald turned into islands and islets of different sizes and shapes.

After the battle, the Mother Dragon and her children didn’t go back to the heavens, but stayed in the mortal world and turned into human form and help people in planting, cropping, raising cattle, reclaiming and expanding the country.

To remember the help of Mother Dragon and her children, the people named the bay where the Mother Dragon descended “Ha Long or Halong”, and the bay where her children descended “Bai Tu Long”, which means “Thanks to the Dragon’s children”. This legend is also a part of the general belief that Vietnamese people have dragon origins. (Taken fromwww.halongbay.info/news/the-legend-of ha long-bay. ht ml)

You can discover one of Vietnam’s most spectacular northern jewels with a private Halong Bay day cruise. If you are staying in the center of Hanoi, you can depart from the buzzing streets of Hanoi in the early morning, leaving the city buildings behind in exchange for the beauty of the Red River Delta. On your way, you will pass by smaller towns and farmlands, enjoying views of the typical Vietnamese countryside.

After reaching, you can board a private junk-style boat, cast off and cruise across the emerald green waters of UNESCO-listed Halong Bay. You can enjoy sitting in the dining area or in the open-air top deck to admire the scenery and the refreshing sea breeze. You will be navigating around the bay’s 1,500 limestone islands, providing an opportunity to see these remarkable, geologic wonders from up-close and afar.

There are several caves you can discover there, but the one I saw was Thien Cung Cave (Heaven Cave), which is located in the north of Dau Go Cave. The cave has numerous stalactites and stalagmites with special and strange shapes such as dragon, phoenix and four pillars. Entering the cave is like entering a portal to another time and era.

After enjoying this phenomenal experience, you can enjoy lunch that will be served on board. Personalized service by the ship’s crew will be offered while feasting on delicious, fresh seafood and a selection of Vietnamese dishes. After dining, the ship will begin circling back to port, and you can end this incredible day by relaxing on the open-air top deck while enjoying more breathtaking views and the refreshing salty sea air.

Pearl farm

If you are a pearl lover, then you have come to the right place. Before going to the Halong Bay cruise, make sure to tell your tour guide to make a stop at the Legend Pearl Halong Bay showroom. Vietnam is a producer of Akoya cultured pearls. Many pearl farms are located in region around Halong Bay. Before entering the showroom, you will see the pearl harvesting and preparation process that goes into making the shiny pearl jewelry you wear. The prices are not as cheap as you think but slightly cheaper due to the cheap labor.

South Vietnam

Your journey will not be complete without visiting south Vietnam. It will take you approximately two hours by air from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. South Vietnam has another flavor than the north. You can feel it in the air, the weather is slightly cooler and the people are different.