Vietnam's colonial history makes for an interesting blend of Chinese and French culture, that is still uniquely Vietnamese. This is especially evident in the chaotic, bustling Old Quarter, which in many ways looked and felt more like the Bangkok I had imagined before I moved there.
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| Old Quarter |
Really, most of my time in Hanoi was spent in the Old Quarter. There's not much to see in the newer, more built-up parts of town. I spent some time in the French Quarter, but that's still within walking distance.
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| Che desserts |
The Temple of Literature, also known as the Imperial Academy, is a Confucian temple and Vietnam's oldest university. It was established in 1071 AD by the Chinese for the education of mandarins, imperial civil servants. Although it doesn't look much like what we consider to be a university, it was Vietnam's first institution of higher learning.
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| Temple of Literature est. 1071 |
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| Vietnam's first university |
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| main hall at the Temple of Literature |
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| also a Confucian Temple |
Vietnamese Water Puppetry (Múa rối nước) is an ancient tradition dating back to eleventh-century rice farmers who would stage performances to entertain one another while working in the fields. Water puppetry is especially famous in Hanoi at the National Water Puppet Theater. D100,000 (about $5) will get you a front-row seat at the National Theater if you get your ticket early enough, and it's definitely not something to miss when you're in town.
I got a ticket for an evening show, and certainly wasn't disappointed. The "stage" is a large rectangular pool of waist-deep water divided by a screen. The performers stand hidden behind the screen and work heavy wooden puppets on long poles. Although it's an ancient art form complete with traditional musicians and singers on the sides of the stage, the show now uses a few modern special effects, such as a Chinese fire-breathing dragon that shot out real flame and made the water smoke.
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| fire-breathing dragon |
The show was divided into six short acts that depicted everything from nature scenes to workers planting and harvesting rice in the fields. The main act of the show depicted the legend of Hoan Kiem Lake (remember the story of the king and the magic turtle?). You can see the "Turtle Tower" in the scene below as the king returns the sword to the lake.
At the end of the show the performers come forward from behind the screen. I wish I could have had a closer look at the puppets. I imagine they are really heavy, and it would be interesting to see exactly how they work on the long poles!
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| the water puppeteers |
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| Hanoi Water Puppet Theater |
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