Soggy Moose Travels : Hanoi to Laos Kinda Day

2/2 A Bit more of Hanoi and then to Laos

After breakfast we boarded our bus and went to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square is one of the most visited attractions 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 here in a glass case at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in central Hanoi (albeit against his wishes). For visitors, a trip to Uncle Ho’s final resting place can be an extraordinary experience as it is not just an average attraction; it’s a part of a unique history.

Started in 1973, the construction of the mausoleum was modeled on Lenin's mausoleum in Russia and was first open to the public in 1975. The granite building meant a great deal for many locals as it ensures that their beloved leader ‘lives on forever’. Security is tight and visitors should dress with respect (no shorts, sleeveless shirts and miniskirts) and everyone has to deposit their bags and cameras before getting in. Visitors are not allowed to stop and hold the constant queue up as the place is constantly busy. Uncle Ho’s remains are sent yearly to Russia for maintenance therefore the mausoleum is closed usually from October onwards. It’s best to recheck with your hotel tour desk before visiting.

After visiting the Mausoleum, we made our way to the Grounds of the Presidential Palace.

The house where Ho Chi Minh lived

The Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh had at his disposal the Presidential Palace, luxurious French colonial style building. Ho Chi Minh, however claimed that he could not live in such Palace taking into account the situation of its people, Vietnam. Therefore, Ho Chi Minh ordered to have built a small and modest wooden house on the other side of the presidential Park Lake.

One must give Ho Chi Minh credit for living a modest life. I must say the grounds are very well maintained and a pleasure to stroll about.

One feature of this are I wanted to see was the One Pillar Pagoda.

Rising from one pillar in the centre of an elegantly square shaped lotus pond, The One Pillar Pagoda is said to represent a lotus flower growing up out of the water. Built between the years of 1028 and1054 during the reign of Emperor Ly Thai Tong of the Ly Dynasty, the One Pillar Pagoda is one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples.

The little temple is constructed from wood based on a single stone pillar crafted into the shape of a lotus blossom and has been rebuilt several times, most recently in 1955 when the base was destroyed during the French evacuation. The pagoda is often used as a symbol for Hanoi and remains one of the city’s most revered sights in a beautifully tranquil garden setting with benches provided for comfortable contemplation. The shrine inside the pagoda is dedicated to the Vietnamese Buddhist deity Quan Am with her effigy nestled inside the tiny three square meters temple.

One Pillar Pagoda Legend claims that The One Pillar Pagoda was built following a dream by the fatherless emperor in which the enlightened being Avalokiteshvara gave him a baby son resting on a lotus flower. Emperor Ly Thai Tong commissioned the pagoda to be created in resemblance of this lotus flower which is also the Buddhist symbol of enlightenment. The Emperor remained in gratitude to the bodhisattva and subsequently to to Quan Am, the Goddess of Mercy following the birth of his son. Inside the temple a richly gilded statue of Quan Am takes centre place at the main altar. After the temple was completed loyal followers flocked daily to give thanks and support to the emperor, praying to Quan Am for a long and successful sovereignty. Today, the concrete pillar that supports the tiny wooden pagoda is a replacement for the original one which was blown up by the departing French, it remains unclear how much of the wooden temple is the original one. Another point of interest is a bo tree that grows behind the pagoda which legend state is an offshoot of the one under which Buddha became enlightened - the tree was given as a gift from India in 1958. Before you leave the pagoda also take time to visit the Dien Huu Pagoda which is located close by in a courtyard full of exquisite bonsai trees.

We then made our way to the airport for our flight to Laos. The flight was late and we had time to enjoy a lounge with some of our fellow travelers.

John McCain Memorial on the shore of the lake where he crashed.

Not a good year of the pig for this guy

I must say ABD is good about making our flight arrangements and visa forms pre-filled out.

We landed in Luang Prabang, Laos and boarded several vans to be transported to lunch.

After a filling late lunch we were off on a walk about the town so as to visit a couple Buddhist Temples.

Sunset on the Mekong

Next we were whisked off to our hotel to get quickly settled in so we could return to town so as to visit the night market. We were given 40,000 Kip (Laos Currency) to make a purchase for a White Elephant exchange. We also picked up some local cash at an ATM, and headed into the market.