The meaning of Cat Ba is women’s island.  Legend has it that 3 women were killed during ancient time and their bodies floated to this island.  The fishermen found the bodies.  Later the locals built one temple for each of the women.  Like many of these legends, it is quite difficult to verify it through historical records.  These are Vietnamese legends and stories.  But that is how the name Cat Ba came about.  As tourists, it is nice to know some historical background as this usually helps us to appreciate the place better.

It lies about 30km (19 miles) and a 3 1/2 hour boat ride east of Haiphong, this large inhabited island covers an area of 354km (137 sq miles) and about half of it is protected as a national park.  Characterized by spectacular 300m (985ft) limestone cliffs, the island was once a pirate haunt but is now noted for its surprising range of natural habitats — tropical evergreen forest, freshwater, lake, mangrove, sandy shore and coral reef – supporting a rich variety of wildlife including monkeys, deer, gibbons, wild boar and hornbills.

The landscape is an attractive mix of forested hills, waterfalls and caves, as well as beaches.  And this island has become one of the very popular tourists spots for foreigners and  local Vietnamese alike.

Historically, the city is best known for a tragic incident that sparked the First Indochina War.  In 1946, when tension was running high between France and Vietnam, the French bombarded Haiphong and inflicted huge casualties on the civilian population. A few weeks later war broke out.  The city suffered further bombing during the Second Indochina war.  In the few years there has been much rebuilding and create new industrial expansion.

Places of Interest Haiphong

Haiphong was probably never a pretty place and its development has done nothing to improve its looks.  A certain amount of colonial architecture survives, and the ports tend to have a fascination all of their own, but for most visitors a half day sightseeing is sufficient.

The 300 year old Du Hang Pagoda is a notable example of traditional Vietnamese architecture and the Hang Kenh Communal House has a remarkable collection of 500 wood carvings.

Halfway up elephant Mount, a rocky hill on the outskirts of Haiphong, the Chi Lai Communal House has been converted into a museum displaying Neolithic bronzes.  The caves on the mount were used as a guerrilla base during the war with the French.  In the war with the USA there was an anti-aircraft battery where female gunners reputedly downed US fighter planes.

Located on a long hilly promontory some 20km (12 miles) southeast of Haiphong, Do Son is a beach resort first developed by the French and still very popular.

If you are not pressed for time, you can actually spend one or two nights in Haiphong.  You can wonder and mingle with the locals and tastes some of the local Vietnamese food and cuisines.  This is something that will make your trip special.

One of the special feature about this place is its karst formations which has made Halong Bay into a world famous tourists’ destination. Sometimes you can find in travel posters promoting this place with some weirdly shaped monoliths rising from a clear blue sea.  Do not be put off.  When you are there, the real thing is just “out of the world” and you will start to appreciate why all Northern Vietnamese travel packages promoted it as a destination.

It belongs to the coastal province of Quang Ninh, covering about 1500km (579 sq miles). Ha Long Bay is an archipelago of some 3000 islands, both huge and tiny.  The scene is reminiscent of Phang Nga Bay in southern Thailand, although on a larger scale.  One of the main attractions here is the huge Dau Go Cave which is also named as the Grotto of Wonders or Grotte Des Merveilles in French.  Basically when you reach there, a boat will bring you to this cave.  If you have not seen one of these caves in other parts of the world (there are many in China), this could be an experience.  However, you are not seeing it raw because they have installed many colored lighting to help beautify the cave.

There are many things you can do in Halong Bay.  It depends on your budget and how much time you have:

• If you have the time, you must stay overnight on the boat.  If you don’t do that, you will miss quite a lot because the bay offers you different sceneries at different time.  It is just an amazing experience.  There is just this peace and calmness all over.
• You can arrange an option to visit a small beach resort of Bai Chay, and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere there.
• Also you can hire a motorized sampan and this will add to your adventure there.
• Other activities include things like sea canoeing.

Tourism is heavy here.  The Vietnamese government realizes it and is wise enough to start having policies to protect its environment.  The sheer number of people visiting it on a daily basis is actually spoiling its natural beauty very quickly.  Without these environmental policies in place, Ha Long Bay will not survive.  We as tourists must also be thoughtful and play our part in protecting this incredible place.

The several buildings on the island — in typical chunky, four square Chinese pagoda style —  create a romantic impression.  The temple along with Tortoise Tower in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, are without doubt the most frequently portrayed symbols of Hanoi.  Today, the shores of the lake provide a tranquil oasis amid modern city bustle, where residents perform tai chi exercises or go jogging in the early morning.

There is a turtle tower in the center of the lake.  And this is linked to this legend.  This lake is worth a look if you have time.  It all centers around the turtle legend and the locals have a saying that, if you are lucky, you will be able to have a glimpse of the turtle.  And this is very auspicious.

North of the lake is the old artisans’ and merchants’ quarter, an area of crowded, narrow streets and tiny, huddled 19th century shop houses of the kind immortalized in popular contemporary paintings.  Here the visitor can wander and wonder at the traditional urban scene — one that most surely will vanish.  South of Hoan Kiem lake is the former French quarter where the landscape changes to one of broad, leafy boulevards and ochre Paris style villas, and the best now occupied by embassies.

It opens six days in a week.  This is  arguably Hanoi’s most fascinating pagoda, notable for its historical importance, architectural interest and not least, meditative atmosphere.  Located in an extensive compound south of the Citadel, between Nguyen Thai Hoc and Quoc Tu Giam streets, the Temple of Literature was founded in 1070 by Emperor Le Thanh Tong dedicated to Confucius.  Six years later it was adjoined by the national university (Quoc Tu Giam), established to teach children of the aristocracy and mandarins.  The long, narrow temple compound, pleasantly  painted with banyan and frangipani, is divided into five walled courtyards and despite repeated renovations, the various halls and pavilions remain fine examples of traditional architecture.

The main entrance is on the south side (Quoc Tu Giam St), and beyond the first courtyard is Khue Van Cac (Pavilion Dedicated to the Constellation of Literature).  In the next compound is the Well of Heavenly Clarity- Thien Quang Tinh, and flanking this large pool is the temple’s most famous sight — 82 stone stelae resting on the backs of stones tortoises and inscribed with the names and places of birth of successful candidates in the doctorial examinations held here between 1442 and 1780.  Another gate leads to the Great House of Ceremonies, where Confucius is honored.

All in all we had an enjoyable time there.  Also many people (including the Vietnamese) nowadays like to go there to take pictures.  We were especially lucky because we met many undergraduates students who were there that day to take their graduation photos.  We joined in!

Two streets east of One pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is the large walled rectangular area of the citadel. This was once the site of the forbidden city, the imperial palace of the later Le dynasty, which was mostly destroyed in the 17th century.  Later fortifications built on the same site have similarly vanished save for the hexagonal Flag Tower (Cot Co), on Dien Bien Phu Street, built in 1812 and now a Hanoi landmark.

As most people will pay a visit to the Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, I would suggest that you do that first and then proceed to visit this Pagoda.  One interesting thing about this is actually the Bodhi Tree which is often taken for granted.  This is a deep historical and spiritual value associated with this tree.  Since it was a gift from India, it tells us that there was already a connection between India and Vietnam in the early days.  Lord Buddha got enlightened under the Bodhi Tree and it is always a blessing to be able to get a glimpse of this tree.

Going here and there for a tour is actually nice.  It will be better when we have a deep understanding of the things we see.  Then we can feel and appreciate its significance and understand Vietnam and its people better to promote global peace and harmony.

One of the Hanoi’s oldest temples, Tran Quoc pagoda was originally built on the banks of the Red River but moved in the 17th century to its present site by the causeway on West Lake’s southeastern shore.  You will find a  stele dated 1639 records the temple’s history.

At the southern end of the causeway, Quan Thanh is a typically fussily ornate temple honoring Tran Vo, the guardian spirit of the north. Noted for its large bronze bell, cast in 1677, and its towering bronze statue of Tran Vo, the temple originally dates from the 11th or 12th century, during the Le dynasty, although it has subsequently been twice reconstructed.

This is a historical part of the city with much mythical significance attached to it (the creation of Ho Tay is credited variously to a golden buffalo or a dragon-king), although the palaces that once stood on the lake shores have now vanished.

When you arrived at Hanoi and start walking around, you will sure notice the lakes.  And they are so beautiful, calm and peaceful.  Note that Hanoi has a nickname and it is called the City of Lakes.  Many Vietnamese people like to stroll on the side of the lakes.  It is also a common scene to see them chit chatting in groups, eating, singing and just enjoying life.  If you are sensitive in your observation, you will notice that:

• Vietnamese has a strong community culture.  You see this everywhere.  They can sit on the road side, eat, drink and just talk.
• In Hanoi, they love lakes especially West Lake where they will gather, basically to enjoy one another company.  This community friendliness is the unique culture of the Vietnamese people.

If you have time, I strongly recommend you to visit the West Lake in the morning, afternoon, evening and at night to feel the different atmosphere it offers.  You will fall in love with it.

In spite of temporarily losing capital status to Hoe during the 19th century Nguyen dynasty, Hanoi is Vietnam’s premier city.  The French made it the administrative center of their Indochinese possessions, leaving behind a significant architectural legacy in the city’s many beautiful colonial villas.  North Vietnam was governed from here, and so is the unified country today.  Saigon might be bigger, brighter and brasher, but there is a beguiling spirit of place about Hanoi, myths, legends and geomancy having dictated much of the city’s early planning.

There are many places of interests in Hanoi and you must not miss:

• The Old Quarter where you will get to feel the ancient atmosphere in Hanoi and the many shops for you to buy till your heart’s content.
• Lakes in Ha Noi and they include the very famous Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake (Ho Tay).  Hanoi has a nickname and it is the City of Lakes!
• French colonial architecture.  For instance, the Grand Opera House.
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his residence.  Here you will start to understand (after your visit) why Vietnamese have such high respect for uncle Ho.
• The Temple of Literature
• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Center Hanoi is divided into four administrative districts:

• Ba Dinh, in the north, site of the ancient citadel
• Hoan Kiem, the heart of the city in the northeast quadrant.
• Hai Ba Trung,  stretching along the river bank south of Hoan Kiem
• Dung Da in the southwest quadrant.

Most sightseeing is concentrated in the first two districts.  If time is not a constraint, we can take the opportunity to stay for a longer time in Hanoi and visit many other not so famous places.  These are the places that will give you the real feel of the people and culture in Vietnam.