Turning 1000 - Hanoi's Moment of Pride

  •   Sat, Oct 16 2010
  •   By T S Thomas

Oct 17, 2010

Hanoi - a city of joy, victory and smiles all around! The illuminated lights, tempting lakes with charming water parks, crowded streets, and hospitable people - no doubt, Hanoi is the world’s most preferred destination specially in October, when the city celebrates the 1000th anniversary of its establishment.

As a Daijiworld reader and reporter, I had a unique opportunity to visit this beautiful land that boasts of its victory against America in the long history of Vietnam War. A communist country with single party rule, Vietnam boasts of a peaceful atmosphere with very minimal crime rate, where men and women enjoy equal status, rich and poor live with dignity and people believe and venerate their ancestors as gods.

With no specific religious background to claim, people believe in each other, respect the rights of others and nurture a culture of peaceful co-existence with a simple principle of 'live and let live.' During my week-long stay in Hanoi, I could not see any sad looking people in the streets, no gloomy faces, no big arguments; everyone looked happy and literally in a festive mood. In the crowded city of over 7 million people, I could hardly see any police, either at traffic points or in busy streets. Everything moves according to law and order, as though life is pre-programmed and controlled by some unseen power!

The most unforgettable time in Hanoi was the visit to the Ha Long Bay, world natural heritage with an area of 434 sq km, spread over 775 small islands. It is in the north eastern part of Vietnam. The area where many stone islands comprising world famous caves concentrate is simply spectacular. It forms the centre of Ha Long Bay natural heritage with a very unique natural beauty which no other country in the world can claim to possess. A five-hour travel through this bay in the houseboat resembles the back water safari in Kerala, but with more spectacular, inomparable wonders of the nature.

Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam in 1010. Since then, it has been the socio-cultural centre of the country and one of the most captivating cities insouth east Asia. The lovely landscape of lakes, shaded avenues, crowded public parks, and the French colonial architecture make Hanoi a unique experience. Though the country does not profess any religion, it has a tolerant culture with many ancient Buddhist temples, a few churches and one or two mosques. Asked about their faith in God, they said they believe in their ancestors. “They are our gods and because of them, we exist and we are happy.”



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By T S Thomas
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Comment on this article

  • mollykutty, pala

    Mon, Mar 10 2014

    Fantastic.thanks for sharing.

  • Francis moothedan, Kerala

    Tue, Oct 19 2010

    Kudose to T.S. Thomas for bringing out such a captivating Hanoi.Great work

  • joseph joe, mangalore

    Tue, Oct 19 2010

    Fantastic thomas ji. marvelous snaps.

  • Robert Fernandes, Udyavar / Dubai

    Mon, Oct 18 2010

    Nice write-up on Hanoi with beatiful pictures. Thanks for sharing thru Daijiworld. I remember having read that Vietnam is a fastest growing economy next only to China. Vietnam's economic growth during last decade is very astounding.

  • A.S.Mathew, U.S.A.

    Sun, Oct 17 2010

    Great artilce with panoramic pictures
    of a beautiful country and people.

    Perhaps, the past generation of
    Vietnam went through greater
    pain and hardships, but this
    generation is determined to go
    forward to make a difference.

    They are a group of people with
    greater mental power and hard work,
    challenged the French colonialism,
    then the American war, through the
    support of China and Russia.

    Now, they are opening the country
    for all powers a lot of American
    companies are investing capital in
    Vietnam.

    It seems like the world is changing
    to a new chapter, political ideologies have less validity,
    but people are concerned with
    leading a better life by forgetting
    the past mistakes of life.

    We can learn some great lessons
    from the people of Vietnam.


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