A Day in Hanoi
By: Kelly Ryoo
Weaving through honking crowds of motorcycles and the occasional bicycle selling flower bouquets and star-shaped fruits, I treaded carefully along the edges of the street. It was only 7 in the morning, far earlier than I would normally wake up during winter break. But today, I had risen at 6AM, which was both a symptom of my extreme jet lag as well as a sign of determination to maximize the day ahead of me. I only had one day in Hanoi, Vietnam, so I was determined to spend every possible hour exploring the bustling, beautiful city.
Soon after the sun rose, I left my accommodation and stumbled upon a little shop with a bright green sign reading “BANH MI 25.” Entranced by the sweet, buttery smell of toasted baguettes, I found myself at the end of a long line. Two small carts stood in front of the shop. The cart on the left had piles of cilantro, a bowl of deep brown sauce, peeled carrots, a bottle of red sauce, and other fresh ingredients. Meanwhile, on the cart to the right, a woman stirred sizzling meat in two large pots. Behind them, a few chefs toasted baguettes. When it was my turn, I pointed at “Bánh Mì Thịt Xá Xíu” on the menu, which they claimed to be one of their signatures with a big yellow star next to its name. I handed her 35,000 VND (less than $1.50!), and the woman at the cart quickly assembled the sandwich and handed it to me.
Munching on the banh mi with my right hand (it was, needless to say, delicious) and holding up a map with my left hand, I continued on to my destination: The Temple of Literature. Văn Miếu, as it is called in Vietnamese, is a grand temple dedicated to Confucius built almost a thousand years ago, in 1070. The temple had also been home to the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s first national university, from 1076 to 1779. The Temple of Literature was not a singular building, but rather, an outdoor complex composed of lush greenery, several courtyards, red and golden altars, and ancient wooden buildings.
In the center of the third courtyard was a large lake of mossy green water, outlined by stone fences and brightly blooming yellow flowers. At the edges of the courtyard stood rows of stone tablets sheltered under structures with orange tile roofs. These stone stelae were carved to record the names and birthplaces of 1307 graduates of 82 triennial royal exams between 1442 to 1779. Eighty two of them remain in the temple to this day, living proof of the ancient, rich history of Vietnam.
The next courtyard contained a grand wooden structure with red columns and walls, which houses the altars dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. Upon stepping in, I immediately noticed the sweet smell of incense that pervaded the air, bright red columns with specks of shining gold, large statutes, tall candles, and many offerings of flowers and fruits. A fair number of tourists (like me) were snapping photos and admiring the beautiful architecture, but equally as many Vietnamese people were also paying their respects in this sacred place.
Looking down at my watch, I realized it was already noon! I quickly retraced my steps back to the entrance of the Temple of Literature, and began running to my next adventure in this beautiful city.
Kelly Ryoo is a senior from Daegu, South Korea, majoring in Literature in English and Computer Science. One of her favorite travel destinations is Porto because of the delicious egg tarts and beautiful red roofs.
