On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Auntie Anne
Our last day of the tour started with a trip to Chuong Village, which is famous for producing ‘Non La,’ or conical hats. In feudal times, the conical hat was worn by royal queens and princesses; today they are used to protect folks from sunlight and rain, or as a fashionable accessory of Vietnamese women.
Once we returned from Chuong, we visited Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. It’s near the Old Quarter and a pleasant and easy outing for families on Sundays.
Conical hats are made in three layers – the first is palm leaves, the second dried banana leaves, and the third is either more palm or silk.
The skill is passed through families. The grandmother in this picture (seated) is 75, and has been making hats since she was six. She taught her daughter (woman standing in black), who in turn taught her daughters (not pictured).
Each village has a community house, which contains a shrine to the village ancestors, as well as a space for community discussions and decisions (pictured).
The village Buddhist temple was built in the 15th century. It contains two statues that remind children of the way to behave – evil acts are portrayed by this statue with the red face, and good acts are portrayed by the statue with the white face (below).
It was market day in the village, and my attention was caught by this chicken vendor. For the equivalent of $20, she would slaughter your chicken in front of you, so you could be sure it was fresh.
We returned to Hanoi to visit Hoàn Kiếm Lake, meaning “Lake of the Returned Sword” or “Lake of the Restored Sword”), also known as Sword Lake. This is a fresh water lake, in the center of Hanoi, and a popular place for Sunday family outings.
This picture was taken of an area where children ride motorized cars and scooters – it was obviously taken from a distance so I would not be obtrusive. The kids were so cute, and loved zooming around!
According to the legend, after defeating Ming China, Emperor Lê Lợi was boating on the lake when a Golden Turtle God (Kim Qui) surfaced and asked for his magic sword, Heaven’s Will. Lợi concluded that Kim Qui had come to reclaim the sword that its master, a local God, the Dragon King had given Lợi sometime earlier to defeat Ming China. Later, the Emperor gave the sword back to the turtle after he finished fighting off the Chinese. Emperor Lợi renamed the lake to commemorate this event from its former name Lục Thủy meaning “Green Water”. The Turtle Tower standing on a small island near the center of the lake is linked to the legend.
This is a hidden coffeehouse in the Old Quarter, reached only by doing through a shop of women’s clothing near the lake. You go through the shop into this lovely space.
A landmark on the lake, which we all agreed expressed our feelings about Hanoi well.
Ramalama
Lovely.
Jerry
This whole series was so great! Thank you, Auntie Anne, for sharing and to WaterGirl for serving this up to us.
UncleEbeneezer
Really enjoyed this series too, even though I haven’t commented much. The “hidden” coffee house is not a very well kept secret as it seems like every travel blogger or YouTube person we follow highlights it when they visit Hanoi. But it sure looks cool and I bet the coffee is amazing. Hope you got a chance to try a Vietnamese egg-coffee while you were over there. They are spectacular!
WaterGirl
One thing that has struck me about this whole series is … so much color! Everywhere.
Torrey
Such a great series of pictures and an excellent commentary. Thank you!
Chat Noir
I have always loved the conical hats!
Auntie Anne
@UncleEbeneezer: unfortunately, I am not a coffee drinker. My travel buddy is, and she reported that the egg coffees are terrific!
OGJerry
First time poster but long time lurker. I spent a year in Saigon from Fall of 68 to 69 as the “Offshore” Training advisor to ARVN. My job was to send about a thousand ARVN soldiers to US Army training courses in skills from armorer, engine mechanic, platoon leader, ranger training and up to a PhD for Vietnamese Military Academy professor. When I say “send”, I assured they had the required english language skill, security clearance, cut their travel orders, provided airline tickets and then briefed them before they left for training. I was given a Korea War era Willis jeep with ARVN markings which I drove by myself all over the city getting my job done. In 2014 I told my wife that I wanted to go to Southeast Asia to be the visitor that I wasn’t able to be when I was there. I had commanded C Trp, 4th Sqdn 7th Cavalry, stationed on the Korean DMZ in 66 – 67 so we spent a week there also. We spent eight days in Cambodia, took a fast boat down the Mekong River to the Delta of VN (seeing the North VN flag and military border guard in that dark green uniform was a punch in the gut for me). She and I spent four weeks traveling from South to North on our self planned trip using every mode transportation imaginable, but most was in a modern SUV with guide and driver. I was often asked if I had been there during “The American War” but was always treated with dignity and respect. The Vietnamese people revere their elders so at age 76 Amy and I were assisted by young people who would take our hand and help crossing streets and climbing up hills. I could write a book but I’ll stop here. Thank you Auntie Anne for your story and photos. Everyone able to travel should go visit VN. Best food, great sights and most friendly wonderful people in the world.