More new sights and experiences were had today, our last in Hanoi.

I had walked past this bridge a few times on my morning walks. It is The Huc Bridge, and it links the bank of the lake with the Temple of the Jade Mountain – a temple that is dedicated to Confucian and Taoist philosophers. The bridge was originally constructed in 1865 and has had several upgrades, the last one in 1952 after the bridge collapsed with too many visitors. Yikes.

As I wandered through the streets and around the lake this morning, I tested a theory I had posed to Mick a few days ago. Here in Hanoi, and I am guessing in all of Vietnam, people walk in a counterclockwise direction, when walking or running a circular track.

I started to walk in a clockwise direction in search of information about water puppet shows – famous here in Hanoi. I had spotted a theatre a few days ago near the lake. I was the only person walking in that direction and I was being passed by dozens of people on their morning walk; a little perturbed I was not following an unwritten rule for lake walking. After finding the theatre, I rejoined the crowds and walked in the correct (counterclockwise) direction. I assumed it has something to do with driving on the right hand side of the road (opposite to us in Australia), but found it was more complicated (or simple) than this. Even the Olympic Committee has had a say about the direction for walking, as far back as 1913.

I explored some new areas a few streets back from the lake this morning and was rewarded for my efforts.

This statue is of Lý Thái Tổ, founder of the Ly Dynasty who reigned from 1009 until 1028. The lighting this morning was not the best for this photo – but I’m sure you can get the idea. We had also seen a palace of his during our eco-tour the other day.

How Lý Thái Tổ came to reign is an interesting story if what I read on Wikipedia is anything to go by. All I can say is that it had something to do with the previous king, Lê Long Đĩnh (r. 1005–1009), and hemorrhoids.

Looking back the other way from the large statue of Lý Thái Tổ, I got a great view of the Tortoise Tower (Thap Ruá). Apparently the tower was erected in the 15th Century to provide a nice comfy spot for the then king while he was fishing.

Today was the first time I saw men and women engaged in exercises together. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen – I just hadn’t seen it up until today.

Beautiful music was being played on a loud speaker and these couples were dancing. It was wonderful. They all looked like they were enjoying themselves. Mick and I had seen this before on our trip to China, but it is not common where I come from.

This group of men and women was using sticks as part of their routine, while further along, the pavement had been professionally painted to allow for badminton. I have also seen people playing a game with a shuttlecock but only using their feet.

A few more minutes along I came across the Hanoi Opera House – a grand building exhibiting definite French influences. It was built in the early 1900’s and is one of three opera houses built by the French in the then Indochina.

Walking the streets near our hotel we noticed that some shops were packing away their goods.

We had spotted many shops like this selling all sorts of gear for Halloween. Obviously Halloween is a big festival here in Vietnam. Mick wondered what the little shop would now sell. We did not need to wait too long before we found out; a few metres further along we saw these!

During the afternoon we attended a performance at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. To be honest, Mick wasn’t keen, but I twisted his arm. This is a ‘must-see’ in Hanoi. Apparently! Tickets for the best seats in the house were 200,000 VND each (or ~$13 AUD), for a 50 minute show.

While we were waiting for the very first show for the day, at 16.10, we were surprised to see that there was a group of people exiting the theatre. There was no show before us, so what was going on? Most of the people were men, dressed in suits, and looking very elegant. Then we noticed the fancy cars waiting to collect this special group.

Of course I went to take a closer look and guess who I spotted??

I am a sticky beak, so I waited to see who else might be there. And I was rewarded by seeing these women and a camera man. I cannot tell you who they are, but I am guessing they are important.

I was lucky enough to get us front row seats to this show, and I told Mick that he was probably sitting in THE very seat Prince Frederik had just occupied. The front row seats were covered in special white covers, and we’d noticed that the balustrades were adorned with fresh flowers. This was obviously not normal.

I have borrowed some photos from the website to share here, as they are much better than mine (this next one). The show was amazing, and even Mick was glad he went.

Water puppetry is a tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. Today’s Vietnamese water puppetry is a unique variation on the ancient Asian puppet tradition. When the rice fields would flood, the villagers would entertain each other using this form of puppet play. Vietnamese culture carries the roots and identity of an agricultural production, mainly wet rice cultivation.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

The puppets are made out of wood and then painted in lacquer. The shows are performed in a waist-deep pool. A large bamboo rod supports the puppet under the water and is used by the puppeteers, who are normally hidden behind a screen, to control them. Thus the puppets appear to be moving over the water.

At the end of the performance, the puppeteers came out and took a bow. They were brilliant. (This photo is mine.)

Warning – slightly random photos following.

I loved these lights in our hotel (Babylon Premium Hotel & Spa); taken from the 6th floor, and I wanted a record of them.

Our flight to Sydney did not leave until 11.30pm, so we occupied ourselves happily until 8.00pm when we were collected by our airport transfer. There was definitely time after the puppet show to visit the New Gentry.

We have visited here a few time, however, this was the first time we had come across men smoking inside. Must be almost time to go home.

Thank you for joining us on our trip. This will be my last post for Vietnam. Our next trip is in December to Western Australia where wine tasting will be on the agenda (again).

Postscript

When Mick and I arrived at the shop we were greeted like long lost friends. I declined the offer to try it on, as there is a lot of elastic involved and I felt confident it looked exactly as I’d hoped.

Now for EXHIBIT B

I’m no model – but I’m very pleased with the final product.