Day 5 – West Lake
This morning, at about 9am, Bob’s friends Minh Anh and Fuong (hope I spelt correctly) came to pick us up. They waited for us outside the hotel on their bikes. We came out to greet them and then rode off to the West Lake. Like I say, there are many lakes in Ha Noi. West Lake is much bigger then Hoan Kiem Lake. The weather was really cold especially when you are on the bike. We visited the Tran Quoc Pagoda (镇国寺), the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi. Minh Anh was super friendly and when talking to her, you don’t feel any distant. Very different as compare to Singapore context (sorry ladies, but read on and I’ll prove my point). Then we proceed to a restaurant nearby to have our breakfast and coffee. Some intro here - Minh Anh is working for NGO on HIV prevention. As for Fuong, she is working for a Malaysia milk distribution company. During the coffee, Fuong tell us that she needs to return to office after the breakfast. We told her not to worry about us; we could hire a cab.
After the breakfast, Fuong rode off and Minh Anh said that she'll hire a motor cab for me. Yes, she said motor cab!!! I told her that I rather take a car but she kept saying that taking a car is expensive. But what the hack. Since I wanted to understand Vietnamese lifestyle and culture, I should not be stubborn. Minh Anh hired a motor cab for me while Bob shared her bike. We went to a big museum and Minh Anh told us not to take out our camera until we are inside the museum. This is because, besides the entrance fees, there is extra charges for photo taking. This is determined at the point of entry when you hold a camera on your hand. It is quite a big place inside and we took lots of pictures. We saw many newly wed inside as December is a good time for marriage. There was also wedding dinner preparation in the museum compound.
Lunch at Minh Anh’s Place
Minh Anh told us that we are invited to have (late) lunch at her place. Her mom is preparing a meal for us. I was like “huh, really ah”? I felt rather shocked and uneasy at first because this is not a common practice in Singapore. Bob was teasing me “丈母娘看女婿”. So again Minh Anh hired a motor cab for me and we went to her place. It was a small narrow street, a bit run down with uneven road. There were minor construction work here and there, and dirty water along the street. Minh Anh stays at level four if I remember correctly and so we need to climb up. There is no lift and the steps of the staircase are totally uneven. It is difficult to explain here. I did not take any photo as I think it’s rude to do that especially when we were invited guest. We are not short of manners even as we were in foreign country. Inside Minh Anh’s house, the small living room is just slightly bigger than my bedroom in Singapore. Her bedroom and kitchen are linked and totally open concept – no door.
Minh Anh stays with her mom and sister. Apparently, Minh Anh’s mom was at her grandfather’s place that afternoon while her sister was attending class. I look at Bob and whispered to him “she brought two men back to her house”!!! I bet with you to my last cent that most Singapore girls will never do this. That’s why I kept saying that Vietnamese are super duper friendly. Although she knows Bob, but they are still considers an acquaintance. And Minh Anh starts to prepare for the lunch!!! I tried to stop her and persuade her to have lunch at a restaurant (Singaporean mindset) instead but she insisted.
The cooking was quite fast actually and Minh Anh prepared for us traditional Vietnamese food meant for special occasion such as a function or for invited guests. Altogether, she prepared five dishes for three of us. And really it makes us feel like VVIP. I can’t help but to request for photo taking. I told Minh Anh that I want to show my Singapore friends on her hospitality and traditional Vietnamese food. It was totally amazing!
During our lunch, I asked Minh Anh a few questions:
James: Is it ok to invite (male) friends to your house especially when your mom is not around?
Minh Anh: No problem, both of you are my friends.
James: You invited other foreign friends to your house also?
Minh Anh: Yes, I have many other foreign friends from Spain to Australia, businessmen and non-businessmen. Some of them had meal with my family more than once.
From the pictures I taken, you can see that Vietnamese love spring rolls and to eat raw vegetable. I was deeply thankful for her hospitality. After our late lunch, Bob shared with her on his business trip and offered her the opportunity. And in appreciation of her time and food, I actually offered to cover part of her costs of doing business with Bob. Bob was shocked when I volunteered. I told her that since she treated us as personal friends, I would also like to see her living a better life, providing the best for her mom and sis. Subsequently, Bob brought her to his business office for further discussion while I make my way back to hotel to rest.
Ultimately and unfortunately, Minh Anh did not accept our offer. It was a rare and attractive offer (especially from me) but she didn’t take it. We were disappointed. Such opportunity comes and goes. Nonetheless, I still wish her good health and all the best in her career.
This morning, at about 9am, Bob’s friends Minh Anh and Fuong (hope I spelt correctly) came to pick us up. They waited for us outside the hotel on their bikes. We came out to greet them and then rode off to the West Lake. Like I say, there are many lakes in Ha Noi. West Lake is much bigger then Hoan Kiem Lake. The weather was really cold especially when you are on the bike. We visited the Tran Quoc Pagoda (镇国寺), the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi. Minh Anh was super friendly and when talking to her, you don’t feel any distant. Very different as compare to Singapore context (sorry ladies, but read on and I’ll prove my point). Then we proceed to a restaurant nearby to have our breakfast and coffee. Some intro here - Minh Anh is working for NGO on HIV prevention. As for Fuong, she is working for a Malaysia milk distribution company. During the coffee, Fuong tell us that she needs to return to office after the breakfast. We told her not to worry about us; we could hire a cab.
After the breakfast, Fuong rode off and Minh Anh said that she'll hire a motor cab for me. Yes, she said motor cab!!! I told her that I rather take a car but she kept saying that taking a car is expensive. But what the hack. Since I wanted to understand Vietnamese lifestyle and culture, I should not be stubborn. Minh Anh hired a motor cab for me while Bob shared her bike. We went to a big museum and Minh Anh told us not to take out our camera until we are inside the museum. This is because, besides the entrance fees, there is extra charges for photo taking. This is determined at the point of entry when you hold a camera on your hand. It is quite a big place inside and we took lots of pictures. We saw many newly wed inside as December is a good time for marriage. There was also wedding dinner preparation in the museum compound.
Lunch at Minh Anh’s Place
Minh Anh told us that we are invited to have (late) lunch at her place. Her mom is preparing a meal for us. I was like “huh, really ah”? I felt rather shocked and uneasy at first because this is not a common practice in Singapore. Bob was teasing me “丈母娘看女婿”. So again Minh Anh hired a motor cab for me and we went to her place. It was a small narrow street, a bit run down with uneven road. There were minor construction work here and there, and dirty water along the street. Minh Anh stays at level four if I remember correctly and so we need to climb up. There is no lift and the steps of the staircase are totally uneven. It is difficult to explain here. I did not take any photo as I think it’s rude to do that especially when we were invited guest. We are not short of manners even as we were in foreign country. Inside Minh Anh’s house, the small living room is just slightly bigger than my bedroom in Singapore. Her bedroom and kitchen are linked and totally open concept – no door.
Minh Anh stays with her mom and sister. Apparently, Minh Anh’s mom was at her grandfather’s place that afternoon while her sister was attending class. I look at Bob and whispered to him “she brought two men back to her house”!!! I bet with you to my last cent that most Singapore girls will never do this. That’s why I kept saying that Vietnamese are super duper friendly. Although she knows Bob, but they are still considers an acquaintance. And Minh Anh starts to prepare for the lunch!!! I tried to stop her and persuade her to have lunch at a restaurant (Singaporean mindset) instead but she insisted.
The cooking was quite fast actually and Minh Anh prepared for us traditional Vietnamese food meant for special occasion such as a function or for invited guests. Altogether, she prepared five dishes for three of us. And really it makes us feel like VVIP. I can’t help but to request for photo taking. I told Minh Anh that I want to show my Singapore friends on her hospitality and traditional Vietnamese food. It was totally amazing!
During our lunch, I asked Minh Anh a few questions:
James: Is it ok to invite (male) friends to your house especially when your mom is not around?
Minh Anh: No problem, both of you are my friends.
James: You invited other foreign friends to your house also?
Minh Anh: Yes, I have many other foreign friends from Spain to Australia, businessmen and non-businessmen. Some of them had meal with my family more than once.
From the pictures I taken, you can see that Vietnamese love spring rolls and to eat raw vegetable. I was deeply thankful for her hospitality. After our late lunch, Bob shared with her on his business trip and offered her the opportunity. And in appreciation of her time and food, I actually offered to cover part of her costs of doing business with Bob. Bob was shocked when I volunteered. I told her that since she treated us as personal friends, I would also like to see her living a better life, providing the best for her mom and sis. Subsequently, Bob brought her to his business office for further discussion while I make my way back to hotel to rest.
Ultimately and unfortunately, Minh Anh did not accept our offer. It was a rare and attractive offer (especially from me) but she didn’t take it. We were disappointed. Such opportunity comes and goes. Nonetheless, I still wish her good health and all the best in her career.
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