Just over an hour fly from Ho Chi Minh City, I landed on Nội Bài International airport. This is my super short trip but I am be able to conduct a super productive trip of sight seeing, spiritual exploring and food tasting.

On first day, we hike to Ba Vì mountain range (aka. Núi Ba Vì or Núi Tản Viên) is a soil-limestone mountain range spread over a large range approximately 5000hectares in three districts of Ba Vi ( Ha Noi ), Liangshanand Qishan ( Peace ), a Hanoi city, about 60 km .

Ba Vi mountain range has three well known peak, but the most famous is the Tan Vien (also known as Jade Tan, Tan Son, or Phoenix Paints). High mountain in 1281 m [3] , near the top waisted, to top back should be open as umbrella called Stroll (傘). This mountain foot Ha Temple, Middle Temple halfway up the mountain there, the mountain has Thuong Temple (coordinates: 21 ° 3’30 “N105 ° 21’59” W ) is a shrine of Son Tinh (Holy Stroll). Also in Ba Vi, there are high mountains as Ngoc Linh, Integration Overview, U Bo, Mount Tre, armchair, Hundred Elephants, Yuhua (named after the princess daughter of King Hung XVIII married to Son Tinh ), and Mountain King. 
Ba Vi might not be the highest mountain geographically but it is known to be the tallest spiritual mountain in Vietnam. The mountain myth stories closely binds to the myth flight of Mountain God versus the Sea God, but it’s also holding the powerful fongshui location. King Tang has considered three mountain like a mighty dragon head, still runs smoothly dragon body to the south (Annamite mountains today). South unable to play United, King Street has sent Cao Bien (cum general witch ) use magic to dig a hundred wellssurrounding foothills town of Bavi to cover thoroughly evil dragon circuit. But just finished digging wells near the well does it again collapsed, so they have to give up by sacred mountains of the Republic of Vietnam.

Mount Ba Vi mountain is not only a legend of Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh but also the spirit of the land Đoài mountains. The archaeological findings of ancient culture Bavi area has proved to be a major development area early legends in the history of the nation. This is where the eternal reign of Saint Tan Vien – Son Tinh, spiritual gods of the four immortal folk beliefs of Vietnam.

The Ba Vì mountain range is covered by primary forests. Ba Vì National Park is a reservoir ofbiodiversity.

Many names around three mountain land, the village, the local hill called flap, called the river, slit spring , landmarks , topographic,  geophysical, lagoon pools , shore, families ,temples , shrines and those who are bold in the area and folk tales associated with the origin of traditional Đoài Son Tinh.

In the foothills west of the Ba Vi line the Black River , the east has long artificial lake Suoi Hai 7km , 4 km wide with 14 large and small islands is actually the hills humps.

On the sequence Ba Vi has many side primeval forest . Ecosystem of Bavi fauna is diverse. Ba Vi National Park is home to conserve the biodiversity of Ba Vi.

On this Emperor peak, there’s standing the Bao Thien Tower.

Bao Then Tower (or  Báo thiên bảo tháp) was buildt near Hồ Chí Minh temple and the construction was completed on 2010 in the honor of  one thousand year anniversary of the capital Thăng Long – Hà Nội. The tower consists of 13 floors, skyrocket to 26.9 meters and topped it off with a ginormous copper Holo figure statue . The tower was surrouned by  88 monk statues in various sizes and 8 huge copper Kim Cuong guardian statues facing 8 directions keeping all the bad energy from interfering the Monks’ meditations.

At the western foot of the Ba Vì mountain range is the Đà river, while at the eastern edge is an artificial lake called Suối Hai, which is 7 km in length and 4 km in width.

I and my brother welcomedly visit the first university in Vietnam, Quốc Tử Giám.

Phủ Tây Hồ facing well-located on a point of land on West Lake, and is a significant place of pilgrimage and prayer for people from Hanoi and the North especially businessman. Phủ Tây Hồ was built in honor of prayers for Bà chúa Liễu Hạnh one of four immortal saints in Vietnam, the princess fairy God send down to help civilians . The place also a memorial spot for poem battle between her and Phùng Khắc Hoan one of the most talented scholar at the time.

Food gives me the pleasure of intervine flavors and present unique culture from the places I visit. I want to share with you some of the dishes I fell in love with and have to get whenever I visit the Capital city all the way to  Northern  Vietnam

BÚN THANG – HANOI COMBO NOODLE SOUP is focusing more on the display more than its flavor ;), even though the flavor is just simply exquisite.

Ingredients

***For the broth***
1 whole soup/ free-range chicken abt. 1.2 kg (2.5 lb)
1 sprig spring onion
4 slices ginger
4 liters water 
4 quarts
1 yellow onion peeled
1 tbsp salt
2-3 tsp chicken stock
4 tbsp fish sauce

***For the toppings***
4 eggs1 log Vietnamese ham (Cha Lua)
8-10 dried Shiitake mushrooms soaked in hot water 15 mins, slice into thin stripes
200 g sweet and sour preserved radishshredded
3 tbsp dried shrimps soaked in hot water 15 mins
100 g spring onion
50 g Vietnamese mint
800 g thin round rice vermicelli noodle BúnViet shrimp paste, salted egg, Lethocerus indicus extract optional

BÚN ĐẬU MẮM TÔM is one of the represent dish for the North. It combines simple flavors of fried tofu, rice vermicelli, Vietnamese herbs and shrimp paste to create a sweet rich flavorful meal.

Ingredients

400 g block fresh firm tofu cubed (2×2 inch) and drained
3 tbsp fermented shrimp paste 
2 tbsp sugar
1 lime/kumquat 
fresh red chili pepper slicedvegetable oi
1 kg fresh rice vermicelli, cut into square
300 g boiled pork belly thinly sliced (optional)
1 cucumber thinly slicedfresh herbs: Vietnamese balm “rau kinh gioi” (shiso)/Asian basils/holy basils

Chả Cá Thăng Long (Vietnamese Style Fish with Turmeric & Dill) is another must try authentic dish when you get a chance to stop by Ha Noi.
Serves 4

Ingredients:

For Fish:
1 Pound Firm White Fish, cut into 2 inch pieces
3 Tablespoons Vietnamese Fish Sauce
1 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
1 Tablespoon Fresh Garlic, finely minced
½ Tablespoon Fresh Ginger, finely grated
2 Tablespoons Shallots, finely diced
1 Tablespoon Fresh Dill Fronds, chopped (for marinade)
¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
4 Scallions, sliced into 2 inch segments
1 Small White Onion, sliced 
1 Large Bunch of Dill, without stems
3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil, divided

Accouterments:
½ Cup Peanuts, toasted and roughly chopped
Fresh Dill Fronds, chopped
Red Thai Chiles, diced
Chili Paste
Nước Chấm (fish dipping sauce) or Mắm Nêm (fermented anchovy dipping sauce)
1 Package Vermicelli Noodles, boiled according to package directions

In a large bowl, mix fish sauce, turmeric, garlic, ginger, shallots, dill fronds, and black pepper. Add fish and mix well. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Cook the white onions until lightly golden. Add 1/3 of the dill and ½ of the sliced scallions. Sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes. Plate the onions, scallions and dill on a serving platter.

Remove fish the refrigerator and drain off the marinade. Using paper towels, pat off any excess liquids. Using the same skillet, heat the remaining oil to medium high. Pan fry the fish—about 3-4 minutes on each side until the fish is evenly browned. Plate the fish on top of the bed of cooked onions, scallions and dill. Immediately top with the remaining fresh dill and scallions. Sprinkle peanuts on top and serve immediately with vermicelli noodles and sauces.