Vietnam Report(English)
I retired from the head of our self-governing body existed in the responsibility for four
years at the end of March this year (2011) at last. Having free time to make a trip was one
of my retirement reasons. The plan of traveling to Vietnam was brought by my youngest
brother at our brother association held in October this year and after then we, all our four
brothers , came to consent to travel together to Vietnam, including one friend of my
yougest brother. Therefore we, five members could visited to Hanoi City, North of Vietnam
from 20th to 23th of November. I woud like to report my impressions for traveling in Hanoi,
Vietnam.
years at the end of March this year (2011) at last. Having free time to make a trip was one
of my retirement reasons. The plan of traveling to Vietnam was brought by my youngest
brother at our brother association held in October this year and after then we, all our four
brothers , came to consent to travel together to Vietnam, including one friend of my
yougest brother. Therefore we, five members could visited to Hanoi City, North of Vietnam
from 20th to 23th of November. I woud like to report my impressions for traveling in Hanoi,
Vietnam.
1. Summary of Vietnam
According to my guide book, Vietnam has the area about 329,000 square kms equaling to
Japan except Kyushu. The book says that the population is about 86 million people, and the
Socialist Republic was established in 1976, next year of the Vietnam war conclusion, and
official language is Vietnamese. The city of Ho Chi Minh which is said to be the economical
and commercial center of Vietnam is situated in the southern part. Vietnam has a miserable
history confronted the invasion such as China, France, Japan, and the U.S including
repeating a lot of wars such as domestic wars for long times. In such situation, Vietnam war
(1964-1975) is too miserable. Diplomatic normalization with U.S was executed in 1995 and
Vietnam joined World Trade Organization (WTO) formally in 2007. Hanoi is the capital city of
Vietnam and the place where Ho Chi Minh spended times later years, and his remains are
enshrined.
Japan except Kyushu. The book says that the population is about 86 million people, and the
Socialist Republic was established in 1976, next year of the Vietnam war conclusion, and
official language is Vietnamese. The city of Ho Chi Minh which is said to be the economical
and commercial center of Vietnam is situated in the southern part. Vietnam has a miserable
history confronted the invasion such as China, France, Japan, and the U.S including
repeating a lot of wars such as domestic wars for long times. In such situation, Vietnam war
(1964-1975) is too miserable. Diplomatic normalization with U.S was executed in 1995 and
Vietnam joined World Trade Organization (WTO) formally in 2007. Hanoi is the capital city of
Vietnam and the place where Ho Chi Minh spended times later years, and his remains are
enshrined.
2. Happenings of two-hour delay
We four brothers met togather in the second terminal of New Tokyo International Airport
at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday, 20th of November, 2011. The eldest brother
seemed to be serious to come to Tokyo because he lives in Uonuma City of Niigata
prefecture. We had an unexpected happening when waiting at departure lounge. Narita area
was attacked by a sudden thunder and any airplane couldn't take off before taking
permission from the control tower. We were irritated in waiting so much because our
departure time already passed 6 o'clock, so sleeping time tonight in Vietnam might be
shorter than expected. We were allowed to go on our flight JL751 and two hours later we
finaly began to move and took off into the sky at 8 o'clock. Our traveling to Vietnam started
in two-hour delay happenings at last.
We four brothers met togather in the second terminal of New Tokyo International Airport
at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday, 20th of November, 2011. The eldest brother
seemed to be serious to come to Tokyo because he lives in Uonuma City of Niigata
prefecture. We had an unexpected happening when waiting at departure lounge. Narita area
was attacked by a sudden thunder and any airplane couldn't take off before taking
permission from the control tower. We were irritated in waiting so much because our
departure time already passed 6 o'clock, so sleeping time tonight in Vietnam might be
shorter than expected. We were allowed to go on our flight JL751 and two hours later we
finaly began to move and took off into the sky at 8 o'clock. Our traveling to Vietnam started
in two-hour delay happenings at last.
3. Night view from the sky
I was fortunately given a window side seat so I could enjoy seeing the night view all the
way to Hanoi Noibai airport. Our airplane took a course toward the southwest of the Japan
Islands flying over Kyushu, and came to over China continent. It could be confirmed by the
TV display in front of my seat that we had been flying over from Shanghai to Kosyu area. I
took a small type of wine bottle and was about to fall into a doze. Then our plane had
already come to the area over Noibai airport of Hanoi. After turned greatly, it kept a landing
position and soon touched down on the runway which was not seen so clear. I clapped to
the captain in my heart because he escorted us without trouble for five and a half hour
night flight. We took a bus to our hotel and arrived at "Sunny hotel"around 1:00AM (local
time). As soon as taking a shower, we went to bed. Through this five and a half hour night
view, I could know the followings. Japan is the most prosperious because every corner of
Japan Islands was shining brightly. Shanghai was also shining brightly in wide area. After
passing there, a wave of light appeared again when flying over Kosyu in China. This was
possible for me to conjecture the development grade of each city from these night views.
I was fortunately given a window side seat so I could enjoy seeing the night view all the
way to Hanoi Noibai airport. Our airplane took a course toward the southwest of the Japan
Islands flying over Kyushu, and came to over China continent. It could be confirmed by the
TV display in front of my seat that we had been flying over from Shanghai to Kosyu area. I
took a small type of wine bottle and was about to fall into a doze. Then our plane had
already come to the area over Noibai airport of Hanoi. After turned greatly, it kept a landing
position and soon touched down on the runway which was not seen so clear. I clapped to
the captain in my heart because he escorted us without trouble for five and a half hour
night flight. We took a bus to our hotel and arrived at "Sunny hotel"around 1:00AM (local
time). As soon as taking a shower, we went to bed. Through this five and a half hour night
view, I could know the followings. Japan is the most prosperious because every corner of
Japan Islands was shining brightly. Shanghai was also shining brightly in wide area. After
passing there, a wave of light appeared again when flying over Kosyu in China. This was
possible for me to conjecture the development grade of each city from these night views.
4. Big noise and lots of motorcycles on the streets
I could have a sound sleep because of two hours time difference from Japan. We shared
one room for three brothers like our childhood in our home village. When opened the window
of our room in the morning, I saw a road beyond the window and was surprised at the big
noise with a roaring sound from motorcycles and construction sites. There was a yellow
Chinese style building seemed to be Police Training School in front of our hotel. We had a
Vietnam style breakfast in a dining room of the 11th floor. I could confirm lots of
construction sites by seeing from the terrace. We went for a stroll to the nearby road
before leaving our hotel. The street was dusty without traffic signals and was surged by lots
of motorcycles on the road. People drove motorcycles including cars rudely without traffic
rule and rushed even to a narrow space by sounding loudly the horn at random. This
condition was seen not only in the morning but also all day long. I was surprised at seeing
the motorcycle driver carrying three people. In addition, to my big surprise, I saw a man
carrying a large-scale architectural material or a normal size bicycle on his motorcycle as if
he were an acrobat. I had guessed that traffic accidents might be caused often here but I
didn't see actually it anywhere during my stay in Hanoi. I heard the traffic rule was not
existed clearly in this country and people could drive even drinking a beer. However I was
impressed in a lady wearing a miniskirt on a motorcycle with a helmet and dashing forward
throught a large congestion.
I could have a sound sleep because of two hours time difference from Japan. We shared
one room for three brothers like our childhood in our home village. When opened the window
of our room in the morning, I saw a road beyond the window and was surprised at the big
noise with a roaring sound from motorcycles and construction sites. There was a yellow
Chinese style building seemed to be Police Training School in front of our hotel. We had a
Vietnam style breakfast in a dining room of the 11th floor. I could confirm lots of
construction sites by seeing from the terrace. We went for a stroll to the nearby road
before leaving our hotel. The street was dusty without traffic signals and was surged by lots
of motorcycles on the road. People drove motorcycles including cars rudely without traffic
rule and rushed even to a narrow space by sounding loudly the horn at random. This
condition was seen not only in the morning but also all day long. I was surprised at seeing
the motorcycle driver carrying three people. In addition, to my big surprise, I saw a man
carrying a large-scale architectural material or a normal size bicycle on his motorcycle as if
he were an acrobat. I had guessed that traffic accidents might be caused often here but I
didn't see actually it anywhere during my stay in Hanoi. I heard the traffic rule was not
existed clearly in this country and people could drive even drinking a beer. However I was
impressed in a lady wearing a miniskirt on a motorcycle with a helmet and dashing forward
throught a large congestion.
5. Market and hygiene on the road
We went to see the market nearby our hotel in the morning. We saw a lot of fruits, fish,
vegetables and clothes being laid directly at random on the road. Some people came to buy
them to stop their motorcycles and a woman was selling meats while dismantling animals
such as pigs at a street corner. I also saw a woman grinding big swamp crabs for selling as
something to eat. This smelled bad like rotten fish. The hygiene circumstances here was as
bad as Nigeria, because the infrastructure such as electricity, water service, and the gas
etc., was not still developed in the city, so used water or garbages were scattered on the
road. Briquets used often in old times in Japan, was still being used here for cooking foods.
The garbage collecting system was not worked well because I saw a lot of garbage scattered
on the road here and there. In addition, electric wires were being hanged up and down
disorderly in front of shops and high power cables also seemed to run in a considerably low
position level compared to Japan. Anyway, I thought that this country should be developed
the infrastructure first and then improved the life environment.
vegetables and clothes being laid directly at random on the road. Some people came to buy
them to stop their motorcycles and a woman was selling meats while dismantling animals
such as pigs at a street corner. I also saw a woman grinding big swamp crabs for selling as
something to eat. This smelled bad like rotten fish. The hygiene circumstances here was as
bad as Nigeria, because the infrastructure such as electricity, water service, and the gas
etc., was not still developed in the city, so used water or garbages were scattered on the
road. Briquets used often in old times in Japan, was still being used here for cooking foods.
The garbage collecting system was not worked well because I saw a lot of garbage scattered
on the road here and there. In addition, electric wires were being hanged up and down
disorderly in front of shops and high power cables also seemed to run in a considerably low
position level compared to Japan. Anyway, I thought that this country should be developed
the infrastructure first and then improved the life environment.
6. Way of crossing the road
To my surprise, I saw a salesman who was calmly crossing the road while carrying a pole
on his shoulder through cars and motorcycles. When crossing the road, we had to walk
bravely because of no signal. I realized that people were walking slowly when crossing the
road. According to Mr.Nam, our guide, the knack of crossing the road was to walk slowly so
that drivers could find easily pedestrians and avoid colliding with them. If walked faster,
drivers wouldn't be able to find the pedesrians. Every people here drived very well while
sounding horns without hitting each other. This seemed to be very dangerous for us to
cross the road. When I tried actually to cross the road as advised by our guide, it was very
difficult for me to walk slowly and I felt dangerous so much. Aparting from the main topic, I
heard the bribe wasn't criminal in this country because policemen received money openly
even from the violated drivers. What a serious country it is! Therefore such occupation as
policeman or national staff ranks at high popularity in this country, I heard.
To my surprise, I saw a salesman who was calmly crossing the road while carrying a pole
on his shoulder through cars and motorcycles. When crossing the road, we had to walk
bravely because of no signal. I realized that people were walking slowly when crossing the
road. According to Mr.Nam, our guide, the knack of crossing the road was to walk slowly so
that drivers could find easily pedestrians and avoid colliding with them. If walked faster,
drivers wouldn't be able to find the pedesrians. Every people here drived very well while
sounding horns without hitting each other. This seemed to be very dangerous for us to
cross the road. When I tried actually to cross the road as advised by our guide, it was very
difficult for me to walk slowly and I felt dangerous so much. Aparting from the main topic, I
heard the bribe wasn't criminal in this country because policemen received money openly
even from the violated drivers. What a serious country it is! Therefore such occupation as
policeman or national staff ranks at high popularity in this country, I heard.
7. Heading toward Hallon Bay
The same bus as yesterday had come to our hotel around 8:30 a.m. accompanied by Mr.
Nam, our guide when returned from strolling about through the street in the morning. Main
schedule today was to go cruising on the Hallon Bay. It would take about 4 hours by bus in
running for the distance of 170Km. Looking out from the bus, I saw a lot of slim buildings
with a narrow width, as well as our hotel. I heard the reason of narrow building seemed to
come from taxing system that was decided in proportion to the front width of the building.
As a result, people had constructed the buildings as slim and tall as possible. However I
thought it terrible if earthquake will be occured in future. Fashionable houses in French style
were seen on the way but they had only the front side decorated in French style with rich
colors but no windows and no color on the both sides of them. It seemed strange to me and
there might be some reasons. Our bus had gone out the central city and come into the
suburbs. I could see the place looking like a lake in a pastoral landscape spreadig in front of
us. I heard a lot of young people lived in farm villages different from Japan and their
average age was almost 17 years old. Hearing this, I thought this coutry would have a
prosperous future in the field of agriculture.
Nam, our guide when returned from strolling about through the street in the morning. Main
schedule today was to go cruising on the Hallon Bay. It would take about 4 hours by bus in
running for the distance of 170Km. Looking out from the bus, I saw a lot of slim buildings
with a narrow width, as well as our hotel. I heard the reason of narrow building seemed to
come from taxing system that was decided in proportion to the front width of the building.
As a result, people had constructed the buildings as slim and tall as possible. However I
thought it terrible if earthquake will be occured in future. Fashionable houses in French style
were seen on the way but they had only the front side decorated in French style with rich
colors but no windows and no color on the both sides of them. It seemed strange to me and
there might be some reasons. Our bus had gone out the central city and come into the
suburbs. I could see the place looking like a lake in a pastoral landscape spreadig in front of
us. I heard a lot of young people lived in farm villages different from Japan and their
average age was almost 17 years old. Hearing this, I thought this coutry would have a
prosperous future in the field of agriculture.
8. My great failure at folkcraft shop
We had toilet breaks twice on the way to Hallon Bay and first we stopped by a marble
atelier where we saw a lot of European, American and other contry's tourists because of
including this atelier as a major tourist shopping course. Secondly we were conducted to a
national folkcraft shop for our toilet break, where a lot of souvenirs such as embroidery and
Aodai clothes were displayed here and there. An embroidery classroom to help the war
orphan was being held and they were demonstrating to embroider in front of the tourist.
Completed embroidery products were sold on the spot, so I went into the shop to look
round the folkcrafts. Then I was closely followed by one salesgirl and was persistently
recommended so as buying souvenirs this or that. To my knowledge, usually the price
overseas could be decided depending on our negotiation. Anyway after negotiation I decided
to buy one embroidery picture and followed the girl to the casher for my payment. However
the moment I was about to make a payment while checking my purse in the back pocket, I
found nothing in the pocket. I checked carefully in my shoulder bag, too but I could see
nothing. I immediately asked Mr.Nam for helping me in a panic. Naturally I suspected of the
girl as a criminal and told her "You closely followed me all the way, so very suspicious." I
was advised previously "Be aware of pickpockets in this country." I had no idea in this case
and got back anyway to our bus disappointedly. When I approached my seat, my two youger
brothers on neighboring seat pointed together at something black on my seat. What's
happened? Fortunately that was just my purse itself. I felt relieved at the moment. I
immediately reported to Mr.Nam and apologized to her in mind. It might be considered that
my purse was pushed out by my frequent movement to the right and left on my seat. I am
really sorry to the girl for my mistake and I would like to apologize from my heart..
We had toilet breaks twice on the way to Hallon Bay and first we stopped by a marble
atelier where we saw a lot of European, American and other contry's tourists because of
including this atelier as a major tourist shopping course. Secondly we were conducted to a
national folkcraft shop for our toilet break, where a lot of souvenirs such as embroidery and
Aodai clothes were displayed here and there. An embroidery classroom to help the war
orphan was being held and they were demonstrating to embroider in front of the tourist.
Completed embroidery products were sold on the spot, so I went into the shop to look
round the folkcrafts. Then I was closely followed by one salesgirl and was persistently
recommended so as buying souvenirs this or that. To my knowledge, usually the price
overseas could be decided depending on our negotiation. Anyway after negotiation I decided
to buy one embroidery picture and followed the girl to the casher for my payment. However
the moment I was about to make a payment while checking my purse in the back pocket, I
found nothing in the pocket. I checked carefully in my shoulder bag, too but I could see
nothing. I immediately asked Mr.Nam for helping me in a panic. Naturally I suspected of the
girl as a criminal and told her "You closely followed me all the way, so very suspicious." I
was advised previously "Be aware of pickpockets in this country." I had no idea in this case
and got back anyway to our bus disappointedly. When I approached my seat, my two youger
brothers on neighboring seat pointed together at something black on my seat. What's
happened? Fortunately that was just my purse itself. I felt relieved at the moment. I
immediately reported to Mr.Nam and apologized to her in mind. It might be considered that
my purse was pushed out by my frequent movement to the right and left on my seat. I am
really sorry to the girl for my mistake and I would like to apologize from my heart..
9.Cruising on Halon Bay
If my purse was not discovered, this trip would be ruined. However fortunately we could
continue our trip as before. After passing by the power station, coal town and village, we
could see rocky mountains in front. The bus arrived at Baichai port by the Halon Bay when
the noon time was already passed. A lot of cruising ships (junk ship) were congested floating
on the sea and we had to take our cruising ship, to where we were transported by a small
ship. I felt dangerous while being in the small ship that was rolled by wave and catching
water. The cruising ship was chartered only for 27 Japanese tourists. We sat in the table
prepared only for us and enjoyed eating seafoods such as fish,lobsters and crabs, and
drinking beer and wine. Looking out of the window, lots of huge limestone walls showed up
mountainously one after another on the blue sea. We went out immediately to the deck and
took a picture each other. This area was registered for World Heritage in 1994, so I was
overwhelmed by the magnificent spectacle from the beginning to the end. There were
water villages including schools and banks too, on the sea. Furthermore we could see the
curious two rocks called as "Cockfighting rock" (or Love island) seeming to fighting or
whispering love each other when we gained an offing.
If my purse was not discovered, this trip would be ruined. However fortunately we could
continue our trip as before. After passing by the power station, coal town and village, we
could see rocky mountains in front. The bus arrived at Baichai port by the Halon Bay when
the noon time was already passed. A lot of cruising ships (junk ship) were congested floating
on the sea and we had to take our cruising ship, to where we were transported by a small
ship. I felt dangerous while being in the small ship that was rolled by wave and catching
water. The cruising ship was chartered only for 27 Japanese tourists. We sat in the table
prepared only for us and enjoyed eating seafoods such as fish,lobsters and crabs, and
drinking beer and wine. Looking out of the window, lots of huge limestone walls showed up
mountainously one after another on the blue sea. We went out immediately to the deck and
took a picture each other. This area was registered for World Heritage in 1994, so I was
overwhelmed by the magnificent spectacle from the beginning to the end. There were
water villages including schools and banks too, on the sea. Furthermore we could see the
curious two rocks called as "Cockfighting rock" (or Love island) seeming to fighting or
whispering love each other when we gained an offing.
10. Visiting Tian-Kun limestone cave
We transferred to a small ship again, and landed on the island to see the limestone cave
called as an art of nature on the way to this course. It was very humid and sultry in the
cave when we mounted the steep staircases and went into the inside where a fantastic
atmosphere was being drifted by means of the illumination. Hearing that these stalactite
grotto had been formed in long years of tens of thousands of years, I got mysterious and
could'nt imagine such long times and years. We were escorted by Mr.Nam so as to walk
smoothly on the stairs. We could see the gigantic limestones looking a shape of dragon and
lady's breasts etc. There was a large space with 50m or more in height where natural light
was streaming in the cave from outside. I felt mysterious and fantastic more and more.
After walking around inside and mounting the stairs, we were able to be out. Then I felt cool
there by getting a breeze and there were mangrove trees growing thick in the seaside near
the pier. After returned to our cruising ship, we were transported to the Baichai port in
about 30 minutes. We got off there and took our bus to return to the city of Hanoi. It was
around 7:30 p.m when we got to the central city of Hanoi, we took a dinner at a restaurant
of Vietnamese foods and we arrived at our hotel around 9 o'clock.
We transferred to a small ship again, and landed on the island to see the limestone cave
called as an art of nature on the way to this course. It was very humid and sultry in the
cave when we mounted the steep staircases and went into the inside where a fantastic
atmosphere was being drifted by means of the illumination. Hearing that these stalactite
grotto had been formed in long years of tens of thousands of years, I got mysterious and
could'nt imagine such long times and years. We were escorted by Mr.Nam so as to walk
smoothly on the stairs. We could see the gigantic limestones looking a shape of dragon and
lady's breasts etc. There was a large space with 50m or more in height where natural light
was streaming in the cave from outside. I felt mysterious and fantastic more and more.
After walking around inside and mounting the stairs, we were able to be out. Then I felt cool
there by getting a breeze and there were mangrove trees growing thick in the seaside near
the pier. After returned to our cruising ship, we were transported to the Baichai port in
about 30 minutes. We got off there and took our bus to return to the city of Hanoi. It was
around 7:30 p.m when we got to the central city of Hanoi, we took a dinner at a restaurant
of Vietnamese foods and we arrived at our hotel around 9 o'clock.
11. The second day of our trip
I awaked before our wake-up call at 6:30 a.m. Itinerary today on 22nd of November was
to go sightseeing mainly in the Hanoi city. Due to the bus breaking, another blue bus came
to our hotel instead and carried us to the next parking place where we could change the
original yellow bus which was repaired. The street was crowded with a number of
motorcycles that were running into the dust and drived by people with a mask. The road
was being dug here and there for the construction of buildings or city water pipings. In this
situation we were introduced to look at a super-modern tall building with blue window
glasses in the right of our front. Mr.Nam explained to us that was the building of Vietnam Oil
Public Corporation because this coutry owned the oil resources by itself. I hoped this
country would be also developed by sharing oil profit equally to all the nation.
to go sightseeing mainly in the Hanoi city. Due to the bus breaking, another blue bus came
to our hotel instead and carried us to the next parking place where we could change the
original yellow bus which was repaired. The street was crowded with a number of
motorcycles that were running into the dust and drived by people with a mask. The road
was being dug here and there for the construction of buildings or city water pipings. In this
situation we were introduced to look at a super-modern tall building with blue window
glasses in the right of our front. Mr.Nam explained to us that was the building of Vietnam Oil
Public Corporation because this coutry owned the oil resources by itself. I hoped this
country would be also developed by sharing oil profit equally to all the nation.
12. Visiting to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Political center buildings in French style such as embassies and National Diet were
located at the center of the city. We got off our bus near the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and
went heading toward the building on foot. I heard the Mausoleum was built in 1975 when the
Vietnam war was ended, and the remains of Ho Chi Minh, the hero and father of founding
the country of Vietnam, was still enshrined there. The picture of the deceased Ho Chi Minh
was seen in the notes of Vietnam. In the Mausoleum, because of prohibition of taking a
picture, our cameras were confiscated beforehand. We were escorted in two files by the
guards in a white uniform and entered in the Mausoleum constructed with marble. The
guards who had the gun were surrounding the coffin, and his remains was sleeping quietly.
This seemed to me as if they were desperately defending his remains to protect their
socialist republic country. A red Vietnamese national flag with a yellow star waving on the
top of a pole was seen in a wide place named as Bardin plaza, when we went out. The
ceremony of changing guard was able to be seen from a long distance similarly to the
England guards I saw before.
Political center buildings in French style such as embassies and National Diet were
located at the center of the city. We got off our bus near the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and
went heading toward the building on foot. I heard the Mausoleum was built in 1975 when the
Vietnam war was ended, and the remains of Ho Chi Minh, the hero and father of founding
the country of Vietnam, was still enshrined there. The picture of the deceased Ho Chi Minh
was seen in the notes of Vietnam. In the Mausoleum, because of prohibition of taking a
picture, our cameras were confiscated beforehand. We were escorted in two files by the
guards in a white uniform and entered in the Mausoleum constructed with marble. The
guards who had the gun were surrounding the coffin, and his remains was sleeping quietly.
This seemed to me as if they were desperately defending his remains to protect their
socialist republic country. A red Vietnamese national flag with a yellow star waving on the
top of a pole was seen in a wide place named as Bardin plaza, when we went out. The
ceremony of changing guard was able to be seen from a long distance similarly to the
England guards I saw before.
13. Ittyuji Temple and Bunbyou
We walked for about five minutes from the plaza near the Mausoleum to the Ittyuji Temple that was on one pillar in a narrow pond and built by King Lee Thaiton in the age of
Lee dynasty for expressing his gratitude to be given a child, according to my guide book.
After I went up the perpendicular staircases to pray the image, I strolled around the pond
and could take a picture of lotus flowers in the pond. After then we got back to our bus and
headed toward Bunbyou where Koushi, a god of studies, was enshrined. According to Mr.
Nam, it was built in 1070 and remained influences of Chinese Kakyo system because there
were stone monuments to which successful applicant's old name was cut. We could see lots
of students taking memorial pictures who had finished their graduation ceremony and came
to report to the god. Girl students were in a colorful Aozai dress and boy students were
wearing a blue mantle with a square hat. I focussed on girl students in a colorful Aozai
clothes. As the time was noon, we took a lunch at a special restaurant of "PHO"food
located at the center of the city. I heard Vietnamese had meals usually out of their houses
not in their houses. Therefore we saw lots of popular signboards of "PHO"everywhere. The"
PHO"like thin noodle not sticky was made from the powder of rice and the soup had thin
and peculiar flavor. We visited to Bachchan village in the afternoon that was famous for
earthenwares and located about 10kms distant from the Hanoi city.
14. Bachchan village
Bachan is one of the village for producing chinaware in Vietnam and there were lots of
shops along the main street. Because of having soil suitable for pottery and the Hon river
suitable for transportation, the pottery industry had been popular here since more than 600
years ago. We shopped at a large-scale shop having the Chinese gate managed by two
brothers. I was interested in the Bachan pottery with uniqe designs which was arranged at a
narrow space. I tried to negotiate with a sales girl for the price in vain, so I bought only a
small red cup. After then we returned to the old Hanoi city by bus and enjoyed seeing the
water puppet show at a traditional water theater located by Hoankim lake that was said as
traditional public entertainment born in Hanoi.
15.Water puppet show and Hanoi large church
There was a big stage filled with water inside of the theater having musical bands on the
left of the stage who played such musical instruments as whistles, drums and bells and gave
dialogues to the dolls. This show was presented by Tanlon water purpet group who played at
programs mainly related to farm life, falk tales and legends. I was interested in the comical
dolls moving and romping humorously in the water, and rising dragon into the sky changed
from fish attracted me especially. I heard such water show was still remained in rural
villages however I thought operating the dolls back in water by poles and strings, was
required for high technical skill. The performance for about one hour gave a good chance for
me to know Vietnam culture. After enjoying the show, we went to Hanoi large church on
foot located on the opposite side of the lake. The large church with 22m tower was one of
historical buildings and was constructed in 1886. I could go round solemnly inside the church.
We enjoyed eating and drinking wine at a French restaurant nearby the church.
16.Leaving for home by midnight flight
We got on the bus in front of the church and arrived at the airport at 8:30 p.m. I could
have a good travel this time together with my three brothers although it was not so long .
Mr.Nam, our Vietnamese guide was a very good speaker of Japanese to help me politely and
friendly even when I was in trouble. I shook his hands saying "Thank you" when leaving from
him at the airport. Our JL752 flight took off Hanoi Noibai airport at 11:55p.m. on schedule
and landed on Narita airport at 6:30 a.m. on 23th of December after flying for five and a half
hours. As I felt cold due to the temperature difference, I clothed heavily as same as the
time departure. We greeted saying "Good-by"and parted from each other. I took the
highway bus to my home that was so comfortable that I felt sleepy. The sky in Japan was
very clear and air was also very clean as compared to Vietnam. I thougt as if I were in
another world, because skyscrapers in beauty were standing along the highway and clean
cars with no dust and stains were running smoothly. In Vietnam even a new car became
dirty soon due to air pollution. Anyway I realized through this travel that Japan is the most
advanced and clean country, so we should be proud of our country.(The end)
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