Lotus-blossom season on The West lake - Hanoi

Every year, when the lotus season comes West Lake is alive with people bustling about very early in the morning.

They are gathered there to see pink lotus flowers in full bloom while lotus tea makers are busy picking the flowers. 

Hoan Kiem Lake - The spiritual place of Hanoians

Hoan Kiem Lake or Ho Guom (Sword Lake) is considered as "a flower basket" in the center of Hanoi. It's history relates to many legends, of which one is about how King Le Thai To returned the magic sword to the Tortoise Genie.

The legend of Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem lake means “lake of the returned sword”. This name is related to the famous historical legend of King Le Thai To. And before this legend, Hoan Kiem Lake used to be called Luc Thuy Lake (or Green Water Lake) since the water was green all the year round. In 15^th century, it was named Hoan Kiem Lake after the legend of Emperor Le Thai To, which is somehow similar to the story of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake's.

This legend is really interesting. Close your eyes and turn back time to the Le Dynasty 6 centuries ago to witness the legendary story. During the war against the Minh aggressors, King Le Thai To was given a precious fairy Sword by the Golden Turtle God. After 10 years of continuous struggling, the King finally defeated the Chinese and reclaimed the nation’s independence. After that, on a nice day, while boating on lake Luc Thuy, a large turtle came towards him.

It immediately grabbed the sword with its mouth and submerged. The king mourned the lost of such a valuable sword, yet could not find either the turtle or the sword. He realized that the God must have lent him the sword to drive back the enemy, but then that his nation was free, the sword must be returned. Hence, King Le Thai To named the lake Ho Hoan Kiem or Lake of the Restore Sword after this episode.
Since the reign of King Le Trung Hung (XVI century), every King in the Le dynasty, and Lord Trinh have all contributed to the beauty of the lake. Lord Trinh Giang built Khanh Thuy shrine on Ngoc island on the north end of the lake. He also had the two man made hills built across from Ngoc son Shrine. At the end of the Le Dynasty, Khanh Thuy was toppled by Chieu Thong. A philanthropist named Tin Trai built Ngoc Son pagoda, which was renamed into Ngoc Son shrine during the reign of Thieu Tri III (1843) as it was no longer a Buddhist shrine. Instead, it became  a shrine of Van Xuong, a deity, in charge of literature and the various tests required to become a Mandarin. It has also been a shrine of General Tran Hung Dao, a national Hero who secured numerous victories against the Mongols.

Beautiful sights of Hoan Kiem Lake

Ngoc Son Temple and The Huc Bridge

Hoan Kiem Lake is now situated inside a complex of Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, Pen Tower in the surroundings, making a sparkling colorful natural picture! Ngoc Son has undergone a lot of renovations, one among which was the addition of Thap But (translated as Pen Tower) on its hill, which was once called Dao Tai. Three words were inscribed on the tower: "Ta Thien Thanh" or "write on blue sky". Inside the gate a pool resembling the shape of an ink well was added. Beyond the ink well is The Huc bridge, which means "where the sun light is absorbed". The bridge leads to Dac Nguyet Lau (or "Moon Light tower") - Ngoc Son shrine. Beyond the gates to the shrine, there are two walls called bang Rong and bang Ho (dragon and tiger slate), where the names of those who passed the national test were inscribed.

Turtle Tower - Thap Rua - Hanoi

What could not be missed in this beautiful complex is the Turtle Tower, which lies in the middle of the Lake, so as to remind Vietnamese people of the Turtle God of his great assistance. It was told that King Le Thanh Tong used to fish here. Lord Trinh also built the structure to house his entourage while visiting the lake.

Hoan Kiem Lake  - The heart of Hanoi

Nowadays, Hoan Kiem Lake has become the heart of Hanoi. People not only come here to travel but they also come here to socialize, to talk, to do business, and to relax.. As early as pre dawn on any given day hundreds of people are exercising and have already started they’re days here, you will see locals of all ages jogging and practicing tai chi. Later in the day, you will find grandparents wheeling kiddies in strollers, and young couples strolling around holding hands.

If tourists in Vietnam Travel have chance to visit Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is a must-see place that should not be missed!

"Cốm" - Gracious of Hanoi People

Cốm is Gracious of Hanoi People. it is attracted many domestic and foreigner tourists in Vietnam Tourism because of the taste and beauty of it.

Come to Hanoi, who do not remember a famous appetite present that tender rice . The first gift has just recently that gracious called "Cốm of Vong village”

Cốm of Vong village - gracious present

The early autumn, walking in the area we see sweet growing rice break season alternating with grass smell, smell of home. Village people go round and break the rice for 24 hours to hand in the processing of the paddy seeds to Cốm.Making Com is not simple. Method of communication is always confidential: only the parents transmitted to the son, not to most people for the daughter because when you go get her husband's daughter will bring method to cook the other.

Talk about how make Cốm, of course many areas of the country that must recognize that no where do seeds cốm flexible and delicious in the Vong villages. People of Vong village who cook very elaborately. Type rice snow rise seeds that type make Com.There are many types: sticky fat varieties, Japanese sticky, flowers yellow sticky, sticky stations first, then ... Rice's daughter and then exposed to color. Then wait to ensure the rice grains (but is certainly green, not red, yellow) on the cut. Rice cutting on absolute or may not be beating, but pluck to golden paddy seeds leave. People that: secrets of the time with cốm take in the island said. All skill plus experience helped traditional village for cốm Vong very flexible, always have a fire, especially wood heater must be first special wood not used to wood or wood straw spots. The consequent need to lastly mirror light, thoroughly; pestle is not too heavy, which is all hands must not be delayed because cốm calming.

Selecting young green rice to make Cốm

After completed, it will take to improve in the light most seeds cốm (cốm is the first fork). While the second cốm cốm is often all but three is not to complete the food is right, need to go through a stage is a more.

They get the rise seeding grind , socialize with water make a product green color and leaves them to cốm true for all hands. Once they finished, com is in a very thin piece of the banana leaves or lotus leaves and then assigned to bins load going to sell. Blue natural cốm plus artificial blue as a blue village for cốm Loop. Com village with a very thin, and the number of hands is appeased for the flavor of the rice. 

Making cốm industry is very hard, a late, two early. The girls soon every Vong village the full Com load for sale. Com Vong cosset be sold from the hands pair of her village by village women as the salty, aromatic flavor com.
To enjoy the full flavor of cốm we must eat com, not include anythings. And not cốm have long been a popular food can not be lacking. In addition to eat, people still processing cốm many other dishes. First cốm itself. Cốm because a food may not be long to think of how compressed cốm, not to cốm landmark but still flexible and delicious.

Cốm - special food of Vong Village

After this, people do the pie, grilled job media has thought out and a cốm grilled (pig grilled with cốm) eat dust, fat and fragrant. It is said that father cốm time to eat hot new enjoy the taste of it.

If tourists in Vietnam Travel have chance to visit Hanoi, you should try "Cốm" and buy as souvenir for your friends and parents. it's very delicious and gracious!

The Old Quarter - The Unique Classical Feature of Hanoi

The Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the soul of city, and the top special historical vestige and sight-seeing of the capital.

here’s an old Vietnamese saying, “Hanoi has thirty-six streets and guilds – Jam Street, Sugar Street, Salt Street…”. Inside a modern and dynamic city, there appears an antique quarter, the Hanoi’s Old Quarter – the represented eternal soul of the city. These days, most Vietnamese and Westerners are familiar with the phrase “Hà Nội - Ba mươi sáu phố phường” (translated as “Ha Noi - 36 districts” or “Hanoi – 36 Old Streets”), or “Phố cổ Hà Nội” (translated as “Hanoi’s Old Quarter”), the top special historical vestige and sight-seeing of the capital, luring international visitors thanks to their mostly original state.

Hanoi 's old quarter

History of 36 streets old quarter

It would be a big surprise should you know that Hanoi's Old Quarter came into being at the time King Ly Thai To selected Thang Long as the country’s capital in 1010, that is, the streets have a nearly 1,000-year old history and became crowded & lively in 15^th century. What makes them unique is that many of them remain in their very ancient architecture of the 15^th century. Up to now, it has been the oldest continuously developed area of Vietnam.

Hanoi 's old quarter in the past

Due to their long-lasting age, they are called “Old Quarter” or “36 Old Streets” (as consisting of 36 member streets). Similarly to the Guilded age of Europe, “Ha Noi's 36 districts” is Vietnam's version of the guild concept. In the past, as artisans moved to the capital city to do business, they gathered together in this area to share the resources. As a result, many of the streets were named after the crafts sold at that individual street. Pho Hang Bun (Vermicelli), Pho Hang Ma (Paper Product), Pho Hang Bac (Silver), etc. are examples of the streets carrying the name of the products sold there.
The phrase “36 pho phuong” often causes much confusion for most people; “Phố” means a street or a place for merchants to gather to do business, while “Phường”, a district or a guild of artisans specializing in a particular trade (phuong cheo, phuong tho, etc.). Yet, in any case, both are right to some extent.

Although the old section of Hanoi is often called the "36 Old Streets," there are more than 36 actual streets. Some researchers believe that the number 36 came from the 15^th century when there might have been 36 guild locations, which were workshop areas, not streets. When streets were later developed, the guild names were applied to the streets. Others attribute the 36 to a more abstract concept. The number nine in Asia represents the concept of "plenty." Nine times the four directions makes 36, which simply means "many". In fact, there are now more than 70 streets in the area.

Hanoi old quarter now

Exploring the maze of back streets is fascinating; some streets open up while others narrow down into a warren of smaller alleys. The area is known for its tunnel, or tube, houses – so called because their small frontages hide very long rooms. These tunnel houses were developed to avoid taxes based on the width of their frontage onto the street. By feudal law, houses were also limited to two storeys and, out of respect for the king, could not be taller than the Royal Palace. These days there are taller buildings (six to eight storeys high) but there are no real high rise buildings.

Some of the more specialized streets include Pho Hang Quat which has red candlesticks, funeral boxes, flags and other temple items; and Pho Hang Gai which is somewhat more glamorous with silk, embroidery, lacquer ware, paintings and water puppets – the silk sleeping bag liners and elegant Vietnamese ao dai are very popular with travellers. Finally, no trip to the Quarter would be complete without a trip to Dong Xuan market, on Pho Hong Khoi and Pho Dong Xuan, which was rebuilt after a 1994 fire.

A stroll through the historic Old Quarter can last anywhere from a few minutes to the better part of a day, depending on your pace and how well you navigate the increasing motor traffic plaguing the streets. However long, or whatever detours you might take, the following course will provide you with a good dose of Vietnamese culture, and some insight into the country’s long history.

A logical starting point is the Ngoc Son Temple in the northern end of Hoan Kiem Lake. After crossing back over the bright red Huc Bridge, stop for a quick look at the Martyrs’ Monument, erected to those who died in fighting for Vietnam’s independence. Head north on Pho Hang Dau past the Water Puppet Theatre (see the ‘Punch & Judy in a Pool’ boxed text in this chapter) and you’ll soon be surrounded by shoe shops selling every shape, size and style, demonstrating how serious Hanoians are about their footwear. Crossing over Pho Cau Go, pop into the colourful flower market which occupies the narrow eastern terminus of Pho Gia Nhu.

Back on Pho Hang Be; continue north to the ‘T’ intersection with Pho Hang Bac. Near here are several shops that carve intricate gravestones (most bearing an image of the deceased) by hand. A short detour north on Pho Ma May will lead you to the Memorial House at number 87 (see the main text entry earlier in this chapter), an exquisite Chinese merchant’s home that was recently restored and opened as a museum.

Return to Pho Hang Bac and head west past a strip of snazzy jewellery shops, then right onto Pho Hang Ngang past a row of clothing shops, and right again onto Pho Hang Buom; this will take you past the small Bach Ma Temple (White Horse Temple). As you pass the pagoda, with its red funeral palanquin, look for its white-bearded temple guards, who spend their days sipping tea. Legend has it that Ly King used the pagoda to pray for assistance in building the city walls because they persistently collapsed, no matter how many times he rebuilt them. His prayers were finally answered when a white horse appeared out of the temple and guided him to the site where he could safely build his walls. Evidence of his success is still visible at Cua O Quan Chuong, the quarter’s well-preserved Old East Gate at the eastern end of Pho Hang Chieu, near the intersection with Pho Tran Nhat Duat.

Head west, back along Pho Hang Chieu past a handful of shops selling straw mats and rope to reach one of the most interesting streets, Pho Hang Ma (literally ‘counterfeit street’), where imitation ‘ghost money’ is sold for burning in Buddhist ceremonies – it even has US$5000 bills! Loop around and follow your ears to the sounds of skilful blacksmiths pounding away on metal on the corner of Pho Lo Ren and Pho Thuoc Bac. Moving south on Pho Hang Duong, head right past the towel shops onto Pho Lan Ong, a fantastic row of herb sellers filling the street with succulent aromas.

Finally, head south past the tin box makers (opposite the mirror shops) on Pho Hang Thiec, then left toward the interesting shops selling Buddhist altars and statues along Pho Hang Quai. Time permitting, loop around and zigzag west over to check out the leather shops along Pho Ha Trung, working east again to end the tour at the superb, neo-Gothic St Joseph Cathedral (see the main text entry earlier in this chapter). If you’re feeling a bit knackered from the walk, a few steps from the church along Pho Nha Tho there is an alluring cluster of stylish restaurants and cafes.

Although many of the streets no longer sell the products after which they were named, some still do. Today, the Old Quarter has become the unique classical feature of Hanoi, and the inspiration of numerous writers, poets, and painters, and one of the desired tourist destinationsin Hanoi.

If tourists in Vietnam Travel have chance to visit Hanoi, Temple of Literature is a must-see place that should not be missed!

Discover Hanoi - Vietnam's capital

Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital is a really beautiful city. Its beauty stands out with ancient and pensive features, and is mixed with lasting cultural and historical marks. Hanoi is beautiful, by the beauty of its elegant people, and by the beauty of its refined spirits.

A Thousand Years of Culture...

Hanoi has an elegance, a grace, unlike any other city in Asia. It is a stately capital, an old grande dame whose worn beauty hints at untold stories - a secret past. It is a city that invites nostalgia, just as it invites questions - who else has stopped beneath this spreading banyan tree? Who once live in that proud colonial villa? Who lives there now?

In the wide, tree-lined boulevards of the French Quarter, the past is palpable. History clings to the sun-drenched walls like moss.

But the fine colonial mansions are but one layer of history. Strolling around the little lake in the heart of Hanoi, where legends grow thicker than water lilies, you will get a sense of the city's true cultural depth.

One myth tells of a golden turtle, which rose from the lake's green depths to present Vietnam's King with a magical sword, used to repel northern invaders in the 15th century! 

Hanoi's position as Vietnam's capital, when Emperor Ly Thai To established the court of Thang Long (Ascending Dragon) on this site.

Over the centuries the city's name changed several times, until Emperor Tu Duc christened it Hanoi (City in a bend of the River) in 1831. Then, from 1902 to 1953, Hanoi was the capital of French Indochina.

Vietnam's long struggle for independence and its birth as a socialist state are commemorated in many of the city's museums and monuments, the most famous which is President Ho Chi Minh's imposing stone mausoleum. 

In the Old Quarter Hanoi’s rich past comes to life. Stroll down the ancient guild streets, where the wares on offer have remained unchanged for centuries: traditional medicines and herbs, brightly coloured votive paper, bolts of finely spun silk, silver and jade jewellery. 

Ten centuries of culture and commerce are layered like paint, creating a vibrant mural past and present. Here you will see the life of Hanoi: the women had pad past with baskets of bread perched on their heads; the flower vendors wheeling bicycles festooned with fresh-cut roses, mums and lilies, the brown-robed monks on their way to the pagoda.

As well as bring Vietnam’s political centre, Hanoi has long been the country’s artistic and cultural heart.  Visitors can explore the peaceful grounds and pavilions of the Temple of Literature, an ancient university where the first scholars enrolled in 1070.

Today, the city’s aura of culture continues to draw intellectuals and artists. Dozens of galleries showcase the fruits of a flourishing contemporary art scene.

This creative legacy is not surprising, given that Hanoi invites quiet contemplation. With its shady lakes and countless street-sides cafes, the city tempts you to linger over a cup of thick Vietnamese coffee and watch the world go by. 

Spend some time in Hanoi and you too will fall under its languid spell. Hanoi’s cloistered beauty hides Vietnam’s ancient soul.

Soc Son Temple

Soc Son Temple is o­ne of the oldest and most holy sites in Vietnam. Coming here, visitors will hace a chance to be far from the bustle of Hanoi.

Saint Giong Temple, also called Soc Son Temple, is located in Soc Son District of Hanoi, 40km from the city center. The temple is built at the foot of the Horse Mountain which was believed to be the place where Saint Giong stopped for a rest after fighting off the invaders restoring peace to Vietnam...

Blessed by three natural lakes and bequeathed a large reservoir, the site has been religiously important since the 10th Century due to its connection to o­ne of Vietnam’s most famous folk-heroes.

According to the legend, Thanh Giong grew from a child into a man in a matter of days by feasting voraciously o­n rice, then ousted the Chinese using his bamboo sword. The temple complex commemorating him and Vietnam’s victory was erected sometime around AD980, making it a viable candidate for the much abused adjective “ancient”.

The Soc Son Temple is surrounded by mountains: Mt. Cao Tung to the South, Mt. Cấm to the East, Mt. Cổ Ngựa to the West, and the Mt. Rứa and a piece of flat land to the Southeast. In the ancient past, these mounts were covered with thick forests. The area is also bathed by two rivers: one following from the North-West to the South-East, the other from the West to the South.

Nowadays, visitors can walk among these temples, pray to Thanh Giong and generally soak up the ambience of the area. Anywhere at the foot of the mountain makes a great picnic spot, but those feeling a bit more athletic can climb the steps to the top of the mountain.

In 2010, an impressive statue to Thanh Giong was erected here as part of the 1,000-year Thanh Long — Hanoi celebrations. It’s quite a climb, but affords some great views of the surrounding countryside. If you haven’t got the legs, then there is also a well-paved, though un-signposted road to the summit.

During Tet, Soc Son also hosts o­ne of the country’s biggest festivals. o­n the sixth, seventh and eighth days of the Lunar New Year, it becomes an explosion of colour, religion and tradition. Big crowds, processions and even an amusement park for kids appear as if from nowhere. At other times of the year, guests tend to be in the form of school trips bused in from Hanoi. They climb the mountain, are taught the religious and mythological significance of the place, recount their achievements for the year, make resolutions and even listen to Vina-house while playing tug-of-war. Other visitors are worshippers, daytrippers and the occasional foreigner.

Destinations lure tourists in Hanoi

Hanoi, is a major city in Vietnam has many interesting tourist attractions to visit. In contrast to Ho Chi Minh City with a strong a touch of French architecture, Hanoi as the capital of Vietnam presents a different view. Chinese architecture is very dominant influence felt and the old town that never die, especially the Old Quarter.

Here are best tourist attractions in Hanoi, Vietnam:

1. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

In this place jazad Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam hero as well as former presidents preserved and stored in a glass coffin. Near this place, there is a simple house made ​​of wood, the place where Ho Chi Minh once lived in his lifetime. Even when elected president, he still chose to stay at home rather than simply move to the presidential palace. Today, the former home of Ho Chi Minh City is used as a museum.

2. Museum of Ethnography

Want to know more about the culture of Vietnam. Visit the ethnographic museum that has a diverse collection of more than 50 tribes living in this country.

3. Temple of Literature

This place is the main destination for tourists who visit Hanoi. Therefore, try to come up in the morning (this place is open from 08.00 hours in the morning) to avoid long lines.

4. The Municipal Water Puppet Theatre

In this place a kind of puppet artistry demonstrated that we know in Indonesia. Interestingly, the show is done under the water surface. Curious, is not it? Try this out!

5. Ba Dinh District

In this place was anciently an Imperial Palace, but many of the parts of the building that have been destroyed either caused by age and become 'victims' at the time of the Vietnam war in the past. However, the remains of the beauty of the building pagodas, temples, large gardens and beautiful and important monuments withVietnam tourism.

6. Old Quarter

The street is also called '36 ', Atmosphere The Old Quarter is always alive, bustling with motorcycles passing by, shops and street traders, and do not miss the tourists from all over the world. Explore the area filled with house which is known as tunnel houses, tunnel houses because it is narrow and elongated shape into.

7. Municipal theater

This place formerly known as the French Opera House, where the style of the building is deliberately similar to the Opera Garnier in Paris with the pillars of a la Greece, but in a smaller scale. Until now that is still well-maintained building is still used for opera performances as well as other large-scale art performances.