Water Puppet Show at Thanglong Water Puppet Theatre, Hanoi

Hanoi . 2013 . Aug 12

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

The Thanglong Water Puppet Theatre is a popular place for both domestic and overseas tourist hoping to experience a little bit of Vietnamese culture.  Located at 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, next to the Hoan Kiem Lake, this theatre was established in 1969 and has since then gone to greater heights.  Every year, more than 500 shows are performed at the theatre, with international performances held overseas in Japan, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Australia, Portugal and Greece, to list a few.   It goes without saying that the water puppet show is one of the top activities to cover for any visitor to Hanoi.

The water puppet show focus on the legends of Vietnam, the daily lives and struggles of their people, and their cultural believes and dances. Here’s a preview of what you will see during the 1-hr water puppet show. (Source:  Tranglong Water Puppet Theatre programme leaflet)

1.    Musical Prelude

The show begins with an introduction of Vietnam culture, and the musical instruments used.

2.    Descendants of the Dragon and the Fairy

The legend of the marriage between the King of the Dragons and the fairy, and the telling of the origins of the Vietnamese people.

3.    Production and Struggle

(Fishing, toiling in the rice fields and fighting with tigers)
Food production and struggle again wild beasts were daily routines of the Vietnamese, an agricultural people, or features of the Vietnamese wet-rice civilization.  Ploughing and harrowing the rice field, rice-planting, catching fish with nets, or fighting with tigers, etc were vivid scenes very common in the Vietnamese country side, where humans live closely with nature and spiritual activities of the Vietnamese people, thus ensuring for them a simple life imbued with joys and immense optimism.

4.    Pan-Pipe Dance

The pan-pipe and umbrella are two essential instruments in the cultural life of the ethnic people who live in the mountain region of North Vietnam.  Thus, the pan-pipe and umbrella are closely attached to the local ethnic people in their daily life and in their need to express their sentiments.  On spring market days or in community activities, young people may be seen dancing with umbrellas and pan-pipes for courtship.

5.    Fan Dance

The Vietnamese and peoples in some other Asian countries use the fan chiefly to cool themselves in hot weather.  One may draw pictures or write poems on a fan to demonstrate one’s personality and emotions.

6.    Dance with six ritual offerings

This dance comes from Buddhist ritual.  Though religious, it encapsulates humanity and secularity.  Originally coming from India, this dance was adapted under King Ming Mang’s reign (Nguyen dynasty, 19th century) to become a court dance.

7.    Tay Nguyen Highland Dance

In the Central Highlands province of Tay Nguyen where there are many ethnic groups such as the Ede, Jarai, Bahna, M’nong, Katu, Chau-ro.  The “Tay Nguyen Gong” cultural space recognized by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage indirectly speaks of the originality of the culture of this vast mountain region.

8.    Cham Dance

In the course of its interaction with the outside world, Vietnamese culture has accepted and assimilated many elements from Cham (Champa) culture.  In its turn, Cham dance is one example of the various imprints left by Indian culture on Vietnam.  Nowadays, Cham people live concentrated in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces, in the middle part of Central Vietnam.  Here, Cham villages and Cham cultures exists as an original component of Vietnamese culture.

9.    National Festival Dance

“So sacred is the word Dong Bao (compatriot)
Millions of hearts share the same red blood
Oh Vietnam! Standing on her dignity, she raises her head,
With back leaning on the Truong Son range,
She tramples underfoot large waves of the Eastern Sea.
The “Dragon-Fairy” descendants have glorified her for thousands of years”.

10.    Ethic Groups Solidarity

This is the final scene where all the water puppet performers will appear for the grand finale!

Want to find out more? Click here to go to the offical website for more details.

Thanglong Water Puppet Theatre
Add : 57b Dinh Tien Hoang Str., Hanoi – Vietnam
Tel : 84 4 39364335 – 39364334 - 38255450
Fax / Tel : 84 43 8 245117
E-mail : thanglong.wpt@fpt.vn
Website : www.thanglongwaterpuppet.org

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

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Restaurant Review: The Gourmet Corner Restaurant, Hanoi

Hanoi . 2013 . Aug 11

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

Keen to try some Vietnamese cuisine, but worry about the standard of hygiene of street food?  Then the Gourmet Corner Restaurant is the place to go to in Hanoi.

Located on the top storey of the Hanoi Elegance Diamond Hotel, a boutique hotel located in the heart of the Old Quarters, the Gourmet Corner Restaurant is Hanoi’s version of a fine-dining restaurant.  Their 5-star chef whips up a delightful selection of Vietnamese cuisines, exquisitely presented in a modern setting.  Those who are not used to the full array of Asian food need not fret.  The Gourmet Corner Restaurant also offers western soups and dishes and a good list of fine wines and beers.

Ambience

Occupying one of the tallest buildings in the vicinity, the Gourmet Corner Restaurant offers spectacular views of the Hoan Kiem lake and the Old Quarters and beyond in the relaxing air-conditioned confines of the restaurant.  Don’t be surprised to find air-conditioning a rarity in Hanoi.  In the sweltering heat of a summer day in Hanoi, the cool atmosphere of the Gourmet Corner Restaurant is indeed a welcome relief.
Check yourself in for an early dinner and watch the sun set and the day morph into night.  There’s an outdoor terrace bar for those who prefer to chill out with a beer before starting dinner.

Food and Service

We were rather bowled over by the immaculate service at the Gourmet Corner Restaurant. Attentive but not overly intrusive, the waiting staff were always a step away, so we retained our privacy without feeling neglected.  The serving staff speak good English, and make it their mandate to explain the menu to you in detail, something that first-time visitors to Vietnam will be grateful for.   Great thought had also gone into their food presentation and explanation of dishes, including the ingredients used, the use of rice paper and the methods of wrapping and the sauces to go with the food.  It is a most thoughtful gesture which displays the restaurant’s sensitivity to the needs of foreigners who have no understanding of local gourmet.

And here’s our dinner for the night:

Iced Sugarcane (USD $1.90) and Hanoi Sunset (USD $3.50) 

Vietnamese Crispy Spring Roll (USD $4.20) as a starter.  Vietnamese Spring Rolls are one of Vietnam’s most famous exports and naturally one of the the top must-try foods in Vietnam.  They come in two versions – steamed or fried.  Our tantalizing fried spring rolls came with a full basket of condiments, garnishes and sauces.

Cha Ca La Vong (USD $8.50) and Vietnamese Grilled Beef (USD $7.80), both are main dishes. Cha Ca La Vong consists of snakehead (a type of fish with smooth meat) fried and marinated in turmeric.  It is best eaten with fresh vermicelli (fine rice noodles), peanuts, spring onions and carrots all wrapped and rolled in Vietnam’s special rice paper.  Dip it into the specially concocted sweet and sour sauce for a more zesty flavour.

To end the day on a sweet note, we ordered desserts to share - New Zealand Ice-cream (USD $1.80) and Home-made Ice-cream (USD $1.90).

Price

For a five star service at a top restaurant, the cost of USD $29.60 for a 3-course ala carte meal for 2 persons was unbelievably low.   The Gourmet Corner Restaurant leaves such a lasting positive image in our minds and we cannot help but lament our lack of time to come back for more.

Tip:  If you intend to head to the Gourmet Corner Restaurant, remember to make a reservation with them, for seats are limited.  

Click here for the full menu of the Gourmet Corner Restaurant or visit its website for the latest promotions and how to get there.

THE GOURMET CORNER RESTAURANT
Hanoi Elegance Diamond Hotel
Rooftop - 32 Lo Su Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Tel   : (+84-4) 3935 1632   Ext. 1205
Fax  : (+84 4) 3935 1636
Email: gourmetcorner@hanoielegancehotel.com

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

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10 Things to buy in Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi . 2013 . Aug 7 - 13

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

When it comes to shopping, there is no lack of choices in Hanoi for you.  This vibrant city offers a large selection of ethnic minority souvenirs, hand-made crafts and soft silks.  You’ll just need to walk through the 36 streets of the Old Quarters to experience the shopping culture of Hanoi.  We bring to you, the top 10 items to buy at Hanoi.  And before you hit the streets, have a look at our shopping tips.

1.    Vietnamese Silk

Vietnamese silk is available all over the Old Quarters, but mostly concentrated at Hang Gai (silk street).  However, unless you are an expert, it will be difficult to differentiate between the fakes and the real deal. 

Tip: The locals recommend bringing along a lighter – 100 percent silk will burn while acrylic will just melt, giving off the smell of burning plastics.

Stick to the more established shops if you are keen to buy in large quantities. For eg, Khai Silk located at 96 Hang Gai is an established shop which is popular with tourists.  Ha Dong Silk at 102 Hang Gai Street and Tan My at 66 Hang Gai are also worth visiting. However, you do pay for the quality as prices are higher than the other shops.

If you want to buy good quality silk at cheap prices, a Vietnamese friend recommends going to Van Phuc Silk Village.  It is not a colourful, bustling village for tourists, but really just a place where silk clothing are weaved and sold at good prices.

2.    Embroidery

In the olden days, young ladies in wealthy Chinese families must learn embroidery, for it is considered a refined art.  Today, much of this skill is lost, but it still lives on in the cities of Vietnam.  Embroidered fabrics are seen commonly at the Old Quarters and at Dong Xuan market.  These are usually the coarsely made ones but they are nevertheless still impressive.  The finer embroidery sold at galleries uses premium silk threads and skilled embroiders and can cost up to a few hundred US dollars for a small piece of work.  You will marvel at how life-like these embroidered artwork are.

3.    Lacquer Ware

Lacquer ware is one of those items that I would strongly recommend that you buy in Vietnam.  They are available at department stores in Singapore, but they come at exorbitant prices.  Lacquer ware are well made in Hanoi, and they have even more and better designs than what is available over here.  They come in all forms – plates and dishes, coasters, wine holders, jewellery boxes etc.  Although bulky, they are pretty lightweight and easy to carry back home.  It makes for a great gift or as decorative pieces for a modern home.

4.    Lacquer Paintings

You will be impressed by the modern and exquisite artwork on lacquer. Lacquer paintings are created by coating the wood with layers of resin, each dried and sanded before the next coating is added.  They come in various sizes and designs and make a wonderful gift for a loved one.

5.    Canvas Paintings

It came as a surprise to us to see good oil paintings along any street in Hanoi.  While the lacquer paintings are impressive, the country also has a rich tradition of canvas painting.

Lily Pond (Credits: http://artofhanoi.com/)

Other than the localized flavours of conical hats and padi fields, there are also a great variety of westernized paintings, many of these are imitations.  If something catches your fancy, haggle hard for it.  We have seen foreigners buying paintings for the price they successfully bargain for.

Tip: Head to the corner of Hang Be and Hang Bac to get good imitation copies of paintings.

6.    Handicraft

Hand knitted pouches, wristlets, pencil cases, wood carvings, traditional masks and other memorabilia can be found all over the Old Quarters and are best suited as souvenirs for your friends. Many of these shops are set up near the Hoan Kiem Lake and the water puppet theatre.

7.    Clothes

Hanoi has a great selection of boutiques that carries quality and fashionable products.   However, prices are not as cheap as Bangkok.  A simple dress off the rack cost me about SGD25.  Those at the higher end boutiques can range from about SGD40-100.

Hanoi Boutique Shopping (Credits: http://www.georgeshanoi.com)

Hanoi Boutiques (Credits: regenerateclothing.blogspot.com)

8.    Tailored Garments

If you catch anything of your fancy on the rack and it does not fit you, try asking the shopkeeper if they can tailor one of your size for you.  It should come at no extra charge.  Alternatively, bring cut-outs from magazines of fashion that you like and get them to tailor make it for you.  If you are really keen on custom making, do it on your first day at Hanoi to allow time for fitting and adjustments.

Tip: Turn clothes inside out to check the quality of work along the seams.  As good as it looks on the outside, it must also be quality work on the inside.

Bambou Silk (Credits: igoseeworld.wordpress.com)

9.    Imitation Backpacks and Bags

A friend came back from Hanoi raving about the authentic North Face and Crumpler bags sold all around the Old Quarters.   Needless to say, she stuffed her luggage full of these purchases.   I did not have the heart to tell her yet that those backpacks she bought were all fakes.  Vietnam may be the place of manufacture for these brand names, but what is sold at the Old Quarters of Hanoi are mainly poorly made imitations of the real thing.  I’ve ploughed through almost every shop at the Old Quarters and have yet to come across an authentic North Face product.

Tip: Fakes are easy to tell – just have a look at their zippers (authentic ones have good and sturdy zippers that slide across smoothly), the shoulder pads (authentic ones have luxurious paddings while fake ones have none at all), the back padding (again, authentic ones have sturdy backings and generous amounts of cushion) and the material used (sturdy vs cheap polyester).

Nevertheless, if buying an authentic backpack is not at the top of your list, and you can get by with just any bag, then Hanoi is actually a very good place to get them.  A medium sized backpack with a North Face logo can cost as low as USD10 before haggling.   Shops selling bags are mainly clustered around the Hoan Kiem Lake and the water puppet theatre.   

10. Ceramics

Hanoi is an excellent to stock up on household items, including ceramic and porcelain home pieces.  While they may not be the best in terms of quality, they can easily be had at affordable prices.  Look out for the simple and classic tea sets.

Vietnam Ceramic Sets (Credits: http://www.vietnamonline.com/)

Vietnam Ceramic Tea Sets

Have you been to Hanoi? Do share your recommendations with us too!

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To receive notifications on updates, subscribe to our blog via RSS feed and email.

Like us on Facebook @ Discover. Book . Travel and follow us on Twitter @Discoverbooktra!

Do check out our Flickr photos & Youtube videos too!