Vietnam Travel Guide

Vietnam Travel Guide
Vietnam Travel Guide

Snack food in Hanoi: less is more

With the fast approach of winter in town, most Hanoi lovers are seeking new places for snack food and their most iconic wintry dishes are nem chua ran (fried fermented pork), banh mi thit xien (grilled pork with toast), or banh chuoi (fried banana cake).

The best food shops in Hanoi are tucked away in very small places, or on really narrow stretches of pavement. It is a common thing to see formally dressed gentlemen sitting in low chairs for their breakfast bowl of pho—an interesting Hanoi eating style. But we are not talking about pho or bun cha, since these great dishes have been introduced to the world many times over. This beautiful city has a lot more to offer those who want to eat like a local.

Pieces of Nem chua are peeled from their banana leaf wrappings, skewered on bamboo, and grilled over charcoal. Customers sit on plastic chairs while eating and watch the bustle of the streets. The spicy, sour, sweet, and peppery flesh tastes especially apt in winter’s freezing air. This dish is especially popular among teenagers, who are lucky enough to remain undaunted by its somewhat oily nature. Two very popular addresses for nem chua ran are along the very narrow Tạm Thuong (Hang Bong street) and the areas around Nha Chung.

The second dish on my list of favourites is thit xien nuong. The hot meal is typically authentic Vietnamese fast food, easily found in Quang Trung or Ta Quang Buu Street. If you have a chance to visit the Quang Trung location in the afternoon, you should not be surprised by the crowds enjoying their snack food. Fresh and lean pork is grilled until it becomes soft and aromatic. It is a perfect match with toast and pickles.

Unlike the savoury nem chua ran and thit xien nuong, the banh chuoi delivers crispy banana-scented sweetness. The banh chuoi is a popular Vietnamese dessert recipe. Its main ingredients include banana, oil (or fat), and flour (usually wheat flour), as well as salt, sugar, eggs, honey, or butter. It is easily found in the Old Quarter or even made at home.

These three dishes celebrate the purity of simplicity in the quintessential style of Northern Vietnam. They’re a delicious fast track to much-needed winter warmth, and once you sample even a little, you will always return for more. So goes the saying “less is more”.
(Source: VOV)
Read More…

Colorful market day of Nam Dan

The northern district of Nam Dan is not only interesting for its ancient rock field but also for its colorful market day, which is a flurry of activity every Saturday morning.

It is located in Xin Man commune, Ha Giang Province and visitors are recommended to visit this beautiful area at least once. They can reach the area by using the road that goes through Deo Gio hill and leads to the beautiful Xin Man ladder rice field.

Market day attracts not only minority people of H’Mong and Dao but also the Kinh, the biggest ethnic group in Vietnam to purchase goods.

At the market, visitors can find local agricultural products and some consumer goods imported from China. If they are lucky, visitors can find some rare herbal goods that minority people locate in the pristine forest nearby.

The market also serves hot breakfast and lunch featuring a tasty noodle and pork dish. Note the market only takes place on Saturday mornings.
(Source: SGT)
Read More…

Tay Ho Pagoda in Ha Noi

Tay Ho Pagoda in Ha Noi
Tay Ho Pagoda in Ha Noi

Tay Ho Pagoda - Ha Noi


Phủ Tây Hồ (Tay Ho Pagoda) is a small pagoda located on a peninsula that just in the middle of the West Lake (Hồ Tây) shore in Hà Nội. It is said to be a popular destination among unmarried people, who come here on Sundays and on the first and 15th day of each lunar month to pray for good fortune. It should be noted here that Phủ Tây Hồ does not belong to Buddhism or Confucianism.

The most direct way to reach Phủ Tây Hồ is from Ba Dinh Square. Just head north along Hung Vuong road, it will take you to the West Lake. Going along the road shaded by rows of trees and passing Tây Hồ villa area, visitors will arrive at the Pagoda which lies on the peninsular considered a golden fish-shaped ground protruding into the lake. The area is full of the aroma of lotus flowers.

History of Tay Ho Pagoda 


Tay Ho Pagoda is one of Hà Nội most popular destination, especially on the first and 15th of each lunar month. It is dedicated to the Mother Goodness, Thánh Mẫu. Many pilgrims come not only to pray and show their worship but also to relax and enjoy the magic and scare landscapes in the middle of Hanoi capital. While Citadel in Hue street is calm, Quan Thanh on Thanh Nien street is deep, Kim Lien pagoda is quiet, Tay Ho Pagoda is always much merrier and more animated.

As the legends goes, she appeared in the 17th century as a pretty girl in front of a fisherman on the lake, smiling and reciting poetry. Then she disappeared without revealing her identity. Later the locals found out who she really was and built Tay Ho Pagoda in Ha Noi. From the gate, visitors will see the 3-door entrance which was built in curves, roofs covered with tube-tiles, the panels on either sides cite the legendary meeting between Phung Khac Khoan and Goodness Liễu Hạnh. There is a large-scale architecture facing two storey of towers in the main hall. In the centre, it is a panel reading “Tay Ho Hien Tich” which is beautifully decorated.

There are many worship objects in the Pagoda such as: panels, altar, royal seat, fresco, etc. All were beautifully and artfully carved and decorated, bearing signs and styles of the 19th century. There are also canopies, altars and 3 bronze bells, a stone incense-burner, 3 nominations to God Kim Ngưu (Golden Buffalo) and 50 statues of different sizes.

How to get to Tay Ho Pagoda?



On the way to the Pagoda, visitors can see many open-air restaurants selling delicious food items like: deep fried shrimps in flour batter and shellfish soup and vermicelli. Crisp shrimp (Bánh tôm) is available everywhere in the country but it is said best to have it at West Lake, around Tay Ho pagoda.
Read More…

Hanoi Old Quater - 36 Old Streets

Hanoi Old Quater
Hanoi Old Quater

Hanoi Old Quater


One of the reasons that Hanoi - the capital city of Vietnam, has attracted so many tourists over the years is its Old Quarter (36 old streets and guilds). It is an area well-known for the history, the architecture, the enormous amount and diversity of products and even the everyday life of its residents.

History of Hanoi Old Quater


The Old Quarter marked its appearance in the 11th century, when King Ly Thai To decided to build his palace. That means By 2010, Hanoi as well as the 36 old streets turned 1000 years old. Originally a group of workshop villages surrounding the royal palace, the Old Quarter has gradually transformed into craft cooperatives, or guilds and soon gained its reputation as the business trading areas of the Red River delta.

Skilled craftsmen migrated to the Quarter to live and work together in the same guilds, which were made specialized for artisans performing similar services. The new allocation of production and service helped to create a cooperative system for merchandise transportation to designated streets. Soon under French colony, the Old Quarter increasingly became a marketplace for trade between the local and businessmen from China, India and France.

Despite the damages that Vietnam War left in Hanoi, the Old Quarter still retained much of the original traits that interests tourists, especially those with architectural passion. These houses are neither tall buildings as people normally see in cities nor stilt houses on lines of poles, which were popular in Vietnams' mountainous regions these days. They are also called "tubular houses" which are short and narrow but have great length.

In the past, the king stipulated that "citizens' houses could not be built higher than the height of the king's palanquin". And because of the dense population in a limited area, people needed to spend the front room for stores; the inside room is widened to its length in order to divide places for manufacturing, dining and living of each family.

The house is sometimes too narrow that only one person can pass by at a time. Standing close together, these tubular houses make up the ward along the soil streets; some streets were paved with stone or brick. Only until the later time, they were asphalted.

Walking in Hanoi Old Quater


Visitors will certainly be eager to wander along the old streets to drop by stores and buy specialties. Here is an essential guide for tourists who would like to explore the Old Quarter, with some names of specialized streets: China bowls (Bat Su), roasted fish (Cha Ca), silver or jewelries (Hang Bac), women accessories (Cau Go), shoes and sandals (Hang Dau), silk (Hang Gai), mixed fruits (To Tich), combs (Hang Luoc), jars (Hang Chinh), tour services (Ma May), candies and dry apricot (Hang Duong), fried/roasted sour pork hash (Tam Thuong lane on Hang Bong Street), bamboo products (Hang Buom), etc.

In addition, visitors as well as city dwellers can go to the night market taking place along 4 walking old streets: Hang Dao - Hang Ngang - Hang Duong - Dong Xuan in the evening from Friday to Sunday with products on great sale. Read our article on Most Special Streets of Hanoi Old Quarter for more ideas.

Suggested Reads: Hanoi Old Quarter Walking Tour

How to get to Hanoi Old Quater


Hanoi Old Quarter is about 45 minutes away from Noi Bai International Airport and 15 minutes from Hanoi Train Station. Most hotels are located in or near the Old Quarter so you can easily walk to these streets without much effort.
Read More…

Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi

Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi
Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi

History of Dong Xuan Market


Although located in the heart of the Old Quarters, the market is fairly young compared with the surrounding streets. It used to be an empty lot in front of Huyen Thien pagoda. Old Hanoi residents gradually developed trade activities here because of its proximity to the river, which made it convenient for transportation of goods.

On the night of July 14th, 1994, a fire has brought down the whole market, causing a damage of 300 billion VND. The market you see today was recently built modeled after the architecture before the fire.

Shopping in Dong Xuan Market


To local residents, Dong Xuan is mostly reserved for bulk sale and distribution points for many retailers in Hanoi. Main products include electronic devices, household equipments and clothing. At the back of the market is the trading place for animals (puppies, kitties, birds, fish, etc.) and plants (mostly Vietnamese bonsai). Suppliers for the market come mainly from North Vietnam with many Chinese blends.

Eating in Dong Xuan Market


The Northern end of the market holds mainly eating venue, serving both day and night time. It is a wise decision to stop here for local cuisines such as “Bun Cha”, “Bun Rieu” or chipping in a hot pot in a fall/winter night.

How to get to Dong Xuan Market?


Dong Xuan market is at the West end of Hanoi Old quarter, surrounded by Hang Khoai street and Cau Dong street. If you keep walking down Hang Ngang street, you will reach the market after 4 blocks.
Read More…

Thu Le Park in Hanoi

Thu Le Park in Hanoi
Thu Le Park in Hanoi

History of Thu Le Park


Thu Le Park was constructed on 19 May 1975 and then opened to the public two years later. Thu Le Park has been well-known as another name Thu Le Zoo by most of the locals in Hanoi, especially children. The park is a complex of Green Park, zoo and amusement park.

What to see in Thu Le Park ?


Situated in an enormous are of 29 hectares, Thu Le Zoo is an ideal place for walking tour since it is encompassed by lush green grasses and an exquisite collection of tree, small plants and flowers. Thanks to this, the park provides visitors relaxing glimpse as well as fresh air and beautiful landscape. The site is also chosen by many photographers as their source of innovation.

With its five exhibition areas, the zoo is now having 40 animal houses with more than 600 animals of more than 100 species. Among which, 40 species are listed in Vietnam Red Book and many are gifts from Europe, Africa, America and Australia. Some rare animals being preserved here are Indo-Chinese tigers, lions, leopards, elephants, and hippos.

Besides sightseeing its scenery and animals, visitors might also attend more energetic outdoor activities in the park. The most interesting one should be swan boat driving along its 6 hectares lakes which you may have the most romantic time with your partners.
All children would yell out loud enthusiastically when their parents offer a visit to Thu Le Park because in here can be found a wide array of entertaining games like high speed train, bubble houses or rollerblading.

When to visit Thu Le Park?


The best time to visit Thu Le Zoo should be during summer, in the afternoon when the sun is about to set. The reason is the animals here are prone to come out sunbathing more frequently in summer; and to avoid the steamy sunlight, afternoon should be ideal. However, one drawback of the park that it is a little bit smelly as a typical characteristic of a zoo.

How to get Thu Le Park?


Thu Le Park is very easy to get only by travelling to the end of Kim Ma Road, right beside the renowned Hanoi Daewoo Hotel. The park can be approached by both of its gates, one on Kim Ma Street and the other on Buoi Road. Taxi and motorbike are the best types of transportation while ones may get there by catching Bus No. 9 (read more about Hanoi bus).
Read More…

Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi

 

Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi
Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi

Location and History of Ba Dinh Square


The square adjacent to the Ho Chi Minh complex is called Ba Dinh square, where many important national historical events in modern history took place. The square was originally developed by French colony and known as Round Point Pugininer. On September 2nd, 1945 – now Vietnam National Day- Ho Chi Minh has read the Vietnam Independence Declaration. In the Declaration, he quoted French and the United States’s Independence Declaration that “All men are created equal and that everyone has the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness”.

Representatives from all social sectors, including workers, youth, educators, soldiers, cheered over the country’s unity and independence is that historical moments. About 24 years later, the square also hosted the funeral of Ho Chi Minh. It was the same crowd who mourned and cried in the rain to send off their revere leader. It was then decided by in-power Vietnamese government that Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum be built on the square so that the national hero can be forever remembered.

Events & Activities in Ba Dinh Square


Nowadays, Ba Dinh square is one of the few green and unoccupied areas of urban Hanoi. Many important events such as parades and commemoration of veterans take place at the square. Interestingly, despite its solemnity during the day, during the night time, the square is a popular gathering place for the local: families who want a walk, elderly who want to exercise and friends who want to hang out. A visit to Ba Dinh Square can be combined as a day or half-day trip to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum and One-pillar Pagoda.
Read More…

Hanoi Water Puppet Theater

Hanoi Water Puppet Theater
Hanoi Water Puppet Theater

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater Location & History


Located at 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang street, nearby Hoan Kiem Lake, Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is a familiar address for both domestic tourists and foreign ones, who want to enjoy water puppet shows and discovery the beauty of this unique Vietnam traditional art.
In 1969, the theater was established and since 1990; many water puppet shows have been performed by Thang Long theater artists.Every year, about 500 shows are offered to approximately 150,000 audiences. Moreover, the theater has brought water puppetry art to more then 40 foreign countries like Japan, France, America, Australia, Spain… through performance tours, or international cultural exchange program or puppetry festivals.

Water Puppet Show


Traditional content of water puppet performance like daily life of Vietnamese farmers (cultivating, tending buffalo, catching fishes…), communal entertainment (swimming contest, dragon dancing…), or historical legends (Le Loi returns precious sword…), with modest performance way have appealed audiences for centuries. However, the artists of Thang Long Water Puppet Theater want to renew the old puppet shows with effect of light, music and combination between people and puppets.
It sounds risky, but the theater has been successful since the beginning the beginning and received favors and praises from audiences. To enjoy some typical water puppet performances, you can take a look at the video below.  
Certainly, it will be much great if tourists can directly watch these shows in Thang Long Water Puppets Theater after enjoying a cup of coffee in the coffee lounge which is right in front of the theater, and giving a nice view to Hoan Kiem Lake.

Show schedule


There are puppet show every day at 15:30 - 17:00 - 18:30 - 20:00 - 21:15 and Sunday at 9:30

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater Tickets


Ticket costs between 60.000 - 100.000 VND ($3-5) and can be purchased at doors or by contacting the theatre:

Tel: (84-04) 3 824 9494, 3 825 5450
Fax: (84-04) 3 824 5117
Email: thanglongwpt@fpt.vn
Read More…

Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi

Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi
Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi

Long Bien Bridge


“Hanoi” - the name means “surrounded by river” is the city of ponds, lakes, rivers and bridges. If Hoan Kiem Lake with special green water and the red bridge named The Huc is the symbol of an elegant and charming ancient city; Red river and Long Bien bridge may be seen as the symbol of courageous capital in wars. 

Long Bien Bridge History:


The Long Bien Bridge was constructed from 1989 to 1902 during French’s occupation of the country. Though the bridge was designed by French, it was built directly by Vietnamese workers with indigenous construction materials like woods from Phu Tho, Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa province, cement from Hai Phong, Long Tho lime from Hue.
The bridge was formerly named Paul Doumer by the French, but Vietnamese have called it Long Bien or Cai River Bridge for a long time, and Long Bien becomes the most popular name of the bridge. Originally, Long Bien had 19 spans and it was the first steel bridge across Red river in Hanoi, and one of four greatest bridges in the world at the time it was built.
Long Bien was considered the pride, symbol of architecture in the Far East. The bridge was a connection point to transport tons of rice from Northern and Northern Central area of Vietnam to Dien Bien Phu battle, and contributed to the win of Vietnam army against French, 1954.
More than 100 years with decades of war, Long Bien Bridge was bombed many times by air attacks by American army in 1967, 1972; and many spans of the bridge were destroyed. The left spans still remaining today remind us of an unforgettable past. The bridge, hence, is not only a traffic construction, a nice architecture, but also a living historical relic.

Long Bien Bridge Travel Guide:


Today, Long Bien is only one of the five bridges crossing the Red river of Hanoi. However, it may be the most special bridge with unique historic, architectural, and cultural value. It is the only bridge in Hanoi where all the riders have to go in the left hand side, where tourists can take a walk and taste mouthwatering desserts offered by vendors (see 5 street vendors you should not miss out in Hanoi), where Hanoians can buy fresh vegetable or fish for the dinner from the small afternoon market on the bridge.
Many people living and visiting Hanoi said that Long Bien Bridge is the best place to look at the sunrise or the sunset and taking nice photos of alluvial patch. Many brides and grooms choose Long Bien Bridge as nice background in their wedding albums. Many tourists come here to visit a historical construction and view nice scenery. Many youngsters, teenagers take nice photos to keep memories of youth on the bridge or in the middle of alluvial patch with full of green tree. Many vendors and housewives still come here every afternoon for an open air market.
And many trains pass the bridge each day.
That way, Long Bien – the oldest bridge in Hanoi is still living and sharing the daily life with Hanoians silently. If you have a chance to visit Hanoi, do not forget to take a walk on Long Bien Bridge for sight seeing, feeling the daily life of Hanoians, and enjoying peaceful moments at the present but not forgetting memorable past.

How to get here


You can rent a motorbike and remember go on the left hand side of the bridge, or walk from the centre of Hanoi to here ( just more then 1km from the Old Quarter to Long Bien bridge).
Read More…

Hanoi Ancient House at 87 Ma May Street

Hanoi Ancient House at 87 Ma May
Hanoi Ancient House at 87 Ma May Street

Location and History


Located within Hanoi Old Quarter, the ancient house at 87 Ma May street which was built at the late of the 20th century, is quite intact with typical architecture of ancient houses.
The house consists of two main blocks linked together by a square yard in the middle on the ground floor, and a small balcony on the 1st floor. The yard is included at the centre of the building to moderate the air, provide the house with sunlight and cool winds. The balcony above is an ideal place to put small plants, flower pots for the owner’s interest and relaxation.
The room on the ground floor which is street- front is used for selling goods, and the room on the next floor is living room to host the guests and worship the ancestor also. The room which is behind and linked to the living room by a balcony is bed room. On the ground floor, all behind space is for production activities, then kitchen and bathroom.
All of the walls in this house were painted with typical yellow color like other ancient Hanoi houses, and all furniture, decoration items are reserved in good condition. Though being restored in 1999, this house still remains real and ancient beauty of itself.
Today, the ancient house is open for tourists to come here and see how ancient Hanoian lived, enjoy as well as buy some Vietnamese traditional decoration items, souvenir.

How to get there


The ancient house sits at 87 Ma May street, a popular street in Hanoi Old Quarter. You can easily walk there for less than 10 minutes from Hoan Kiem lake.

Read More…

Van Phuc Silk Village in Hanoi

Van Phuc Silk Village in Hanoi
Van Phuc Silk Village in Hanoi

Van Phuc Silk Village Location and History


Situated on the bank of Nhue River, about 10km southwest of Hanoi Old Quarter, Van Phuc silk village is renowned for its traditional weaving and premium quality silk products. At the age of more than 1,200 years, Van Phuc is proud to be the most ancient silk village which provides the best silk in Vietnam.
Visitors to Van Phuc village will be impressed by typical manner of an ancient village in the north of Vietnam with banyan tree, well, communal house, and the sound of power-looms everywhere. Walking on the main road in Van Phuc, tourists will be lost in the world of silk with various products like shirts, ties, crafts, dresses… made of silk available in the village.
For a long period of time, silk was considered as extremely precious handwork which was only used to tailor Royal members' and aristocrats’ dress. The special beauty of Van Phuc or Ha Dong silk was inspiration for many Vietnamese poems, songs and movies (see The White Silk Dress, one of the 5 most outstanding Vietnamese movies).
In Nguyen dynasty time, Van Phuc silk was brought to Hue imperial citadel to make dress for royal members. Between 1931 and 1932, Van Phuc silk was on display in international exhibitions for the first time in Marseille, then Paris and was highly appreciated and preferred by the French. From 1958 to 1988, Van Phuc silk mostly was exported to Eastern European market, and since 1990, it has been known widely in many countries all over the world.

Van Phuc Silk Village production


Van Phuc silk has been known for its smooth, light weight, and elegant appearance. Especially, a traditional kind of silk called Van Silk made in Van Phuc make the wearers feel cool in summer and warm in winter. Today, to satisfy various demand for silk of the market, Van Phuc silk producers have expanded their silk and garment goods like embroidered silk, , wrinkled silk, double layers and more colors for silk products.
Many families in Van Phuc open their own shops on the main road of the village; create a “town of silk” that sell eye-catching and high quality silk products. Tourists may buy available nice souvenir and clothes in the shop, or select the most suitable materials to then get customized products. The sellers are very friendly and can speak a little English and French to communicate to foreign tourists.
Nowadays, although the weaving has been mechanized for higher productivity, there are still simple manual looms in some houses in the village which help tourists contemplate the genuinely traditional Vietnamese way of making silk.

How to get Van Phuc Silk Village


Tourists can join a tour to Van Phuc village available in travel agencies, or visit Van Phuc on their owns by car, motorbike, or catch the local bus 02, 21 then walk 500m to reach the village.
Tourists should travel south west out of Hanoi center on Nguyen Trai road until reach the border of Ha Dong district, then turn right and drive about 3km to reach the village.

Read More…

Bat Trang Pottery Village in Hanoi


Bat Trang Pottery Village in Hanoi
Bat Trang Pottery Village in Hanoi
Bat Trang, the seven-century old pottery village, is an interesting attraction in Hanoi that tourists should not ignore.

History of Bat Trang Pottery Village


Located in an area rich in clay, the village has advantage of ingredients to create fine ceramics. Moreover, lying besides the Red river, between Thang Long and Pho Hien, two ancient trade centers in the north of Vietnam during 15th-17th century, Bat Trang’s ceramics were favorite products not only in domestic market, but also foreign ones thanks to Japan, Chinese and Western trading boats that passed by.
In  the18th and 19th century, due to restricting foreign trade policy of Trinh, Nguyen dynasty, it was difficult for pottery products in Vietnam to be exported to foreign countries, and some famous pottery making villages like Bat Trang, or Chu Dau ( Hai Duong province) went through a hard time. Since 1986, thanks to economic reforms and development, more attention has been vested in the village and the world gets a chance to know more about Vietnamese porcelain through many high quality exported Bat Trang’s ceramic products.

Products in Bat Trang Pottery Village


Bat Trang Pottery Village

Bat Trang ceramics are produced for daily household use (bow, cup, plates, pot, bottle…), worshipping, or decoration purposes. Nowadays, the pottery artists bring into ceramics many innovations in production techniques, and creativity in products’ features, hence many new products have been born, and even daily household items may have the beauty like decoration ones.

Activity in Bat Trang Pottery Village


Visiting Bat Trang, tourists can take a walk or join a buffalo tour for sightseeing and shopping. Besides many ceramic stores along the road in the village, tourists should visit Bat Trang Porcelain and Pottery Market where they can directly make pottery products by themselves. Many youngsters and foreign tourists are interested in in this pottery- making experience, and spend a whole day in the market to make a gift for family or friends.

Location of Bat Trang Pottery Village


Bat Trang belongs to Gia lam district of Hanoi. You can catch the bus 47 (Long Bien- Bat Trang) that stop just a few steps from Dong Xuan market with the end terminal in Bat Trang. The bus runs every 20 minutes. You can also ride a motorbike from the center of Hanoi to Bat Trang ( 20 minutes) – rent one or ask a Xe Om to take you there!

Read More…

Hoa Lo Prison In Hanoi

Hoa Lo Prison In Hanoi
Hoa Lo Prison In Hanoi
The Hoa Lo Prison (Vietnamese: Hoa Lo, commonly translated as "fiery furnace", actually means "stove". The name originated from the street name "Pho Hoa Lo" due to the concentration of stores selling wood stoves and coal-fire stoves along the street from pre-colonial times)

Hoa Lo Prison Hanoi

Later known to American prisoners of war as the Hanoi Hilton, was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. The prison was built in Hanoi by the French in 1901, when Vietnam was still part of French Indochina to hold Vietnamese prisoners, particularly political prisoners agitating for independence who were often subject to torture and execution. The French called the prison Maison Centrale - a usual term to denote prisons in France.

U.S. POWs endured conditions that were miserable, and were fed food so bad that the prison was sarcastically nicknamed the "Hanoi Hilton," in reference to the well-known Hilton Hotel chain.

The Hanoi Hilton was merely one site used by the North Vietnamese Army to torture and interrogate captured servicemen, mostly American pilots shot down during bombing raids. Communist propagandists countered by stating that prisoners were treated with decency and that the prison was no worse than prisons for POWs and political prisoners in South Vietnam such as the one on Con Son Island.
Hoa Lo Prison Hanoi
When prisoners of war began to be released from this and other North Vietnamese prisons in the late 1960s and early 1970s, their testimonies revealed widespread and systematic abuse of prisoners of war. Initially this information was suppressed by American authorities for fear that conditions might worsen for the those remaining in North Vietnamese custody.

After the Paris Peace Accords implementation, neither the United States nor its allies ever formally charged North Vietnam with the war crimes revealed to have been committed there. Extradition of North Vietnamese officials who had violated the Geneva Convention was not a condition of the U.S. withdrawal and ultimate abandonment of the South Vietnam government. The present government of Vietnam firmly holds to the view that the Hanoi Hilton was a prison for criminals, not POWs, and that those held in the Hanoi Hilton were "pirates" and "bandits" who had attacked Vietnam without authority.

Vice Presidential candidate James Stockdale and decorated U.S. Air Force pilot Bud Day were held as a prisoners at the Hanoi Hilton, as was Senator John McCain, who spent parts of his five and a half years as a POW there. Actress Jane Fonda visited the Hanoi Hilton as part of an anti-war publicity trip. Brigadier General Robbie Risner was the senior ranking POW, responsible for maintaining chain of command among his fellow prisoners, from 1965 to 1973. He wrote the book Passing of the Night detailing his 7 years at the Hanoi Hilton. Air Force colonel and record-setting parachutist Joseph Kittinger spent 11 months in prison there.

The Hanoi Hilton was depicted in the eponymous 1987 Hollywood movie The Hanoi Hilton.
Hanoi Tower, built on the site of the infamous prison "Hanoi Hilton"; the entrance to the remaining parts of the prison visible in the foreground.

John McCain's flight suit and parachute, on display in the museum part of the Hoa Lo site. Only part of the prison exists today as a museum. Most of it was demolished during the construction of a high rise that now occupies most of the site. The interrogation room where many newly captured Americans were questioned (notorious among former prisoners as the "blue room") is now made up to look like a very comfortable, if Spartan, barracks-style room. Displays in the room claim that Americans were treated well and not harmed (and even cite the nickname "Hanoi Hilton" as proof that inmates found the accommodations comparable to a hotel's). Former prisoners' published memoirs and oral histories broadcast on C-SPAN identify the room (and other nearby locales) as the site of numerous acts of torture. Murder, beatings, broken bones, teeth and eardrums, dislocated limbs, starvation, serving of food contaminated with human and animal feces and medical neglect of infections and tropical disease are matter-of-fact details revealed in famous accounts by McCain, Denton, Alvarez, Day, Risner, Stockdale, Johnson and dozens of others.

There is now a Hilton Hotel in Hanoi, called the Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel, which opened in 1999. It was built decades after the Vietnam War was over, but Hilton carefully avoided reusing the dreaded name Hanoi Hilton.

Read More…

One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi

 One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi
 One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi
One Pillar Pagoda is on Chua Mot Cot Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. The One Pillar Pagoda is a cultural and historic relic, unique for its architectural features.

 One Pillar Pagoda


The pagoda was first built in 1049 under the Ly Dynasty, on the west side of the ancient Thang Long Capital. Its original name was Dien Huu, expressing the wish for longevity for the second King Ly. The pagoda is built in the shape of a lotus blooming on its stem.
 One Pillar Pagoda
The pagoda was built after the description of a dream of King Ly Thai Tong who reigned between 1028 and 1054, in which Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the Goddess of Mercy, led him to a lotus flower.

The actual One Pillar Pagoda is the miniature reconstruction of a large, ancient, royal Buddhist building. The pagoda is open daily from 8am to 5pm.
Read More…

Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi

Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi
Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi
Ngoc Son Temple is on Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Hoan Kiem Lake was already considered the most beautiful lake in Hanoi when Ngoc Son Temple was built on an island in the 19th century.

Ngoc Son Temple Hanoi

Initially, the temple was called Ngoc Son Pagoda and was later renamed Ngoc Son Temple, since temples are dedicated to saints.

Saint Van Xuong, considered to be one of the brightest stars in Vietnam's literary and intellectual circles, was worshipped there. National hero Tran Hung Dao is also worshipped after he led the Vietnamese people to victory over the Yuan aggressors.
Ngoc Son Temple
The temple as it is today is the result of renovations made by Nguyen Van Sieu in 1864. A Confucian scholar, Nguyen Van Sieu had a large pen-shaped tower built at the entrance of the temple. On the upper section of the tower, also called Thap But, are three Chinese characters Ta Thanh Thien, which literally means "to write on the blue sky” is to imply the height of a genuine and righteous person's determination and will; Dai Nghien, meaning "ink stand", is carved from stone resembling a peach placed on the back of the three frogs on top of the gate to the temple; and The Huc, meaning "where rays of morning sunshine touch".

On the way to the temple there are several parallel sentences (cau doi), written on the walls. These cau doi were part of traditional word puzzles played by educated individuals. 
Read More…

Ly Quoc Su Pagoda in Hanoi

Ly Quoc Su Pagoda in Hanoi
Ly Quoc Su Pagoda in Hanoi
Ly Quoc Su Pagoda is at 50 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Ly Quoc Su Pagoda worships a Buddhist Monk of the Ly Dynasty (the 10th - 12th centuries).

Ly Quoc Su Pagoda

This Monk, whose full name was Nguyen Chi Thanh, was born on 1066 in Dien Xa Village, Gia Vien District in Ninh Binh Province in the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong.

In 1077, at the age of 11, Nguyen Chi Thanh began practicing for the Buddhist monkhood and was taught by Tu Dao Hanh, a well-known monk. As the legend says, Monk Tu Dao Hanh was erudite in Buddhism and excellent in healing. He admired and respected Nguyen Chi Thanh's talent and virtue. In 1138, in his seventies, Monk Nguyen Chi Thanh cured King Ly Than Tong of a disease that many famous doctors had failed to do. For his respectful virtue and talent, he was given the title Ly Quoc Su by the King, which meant Great Monk and Merit Teacher of the nation.
Ly Quoc Su Pagoda

The King provided Ly Quoc Su with a serene residential quarter, which was situated next to Bao Thien Pagoda in the centre of Thang Long Capital, on a side of Luc Thuy Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake of today). This pagoda had a 12-storey tower. Apart from preaching Buddhist sutra for the monks and nuns, Ly Quoc Su taught medicine, prescription of medicines and demotic scripts to many people in the temple and surrounding areas. Skilled in bronze casting, Ly Quoc Su also trained many bronze casting craftsmen.

That is why when he died at the age of 75 at Giao Thuy Pagoda in Nam Dinh in 1141, King Ly Anh Tong (holding power from 1138 to 1175) had a temple erected right on the ground of the residential quarter where Ly Quoc Su had lived. Throughout the country there are many pagodas worshipping both Buddha and Ly Quoc Su, who is considered the Saint of the bronze casting craft, such as Giao Thuy Pagoda in Nam Dinh and Keo Pagoda in Thai Binh.

Ly Quoc Su Pagoda was rehabilitated and redecorated many times with the biggest restoration being made in 1954. The cultural and historical treasure of this temple still remains Ly Quoc Su's statue, Buddha statues and statues of Monk Tu Dao Hanh and his mother and Monk Giac Hai. There is also the precious bell of Tu Chung, cast in the 19th century and a stone stele with inscriptions made in 1855 by Le Dinh Duyen, a famous man. The name of Ly Quoc Su was given to a 244 metre-long street running from Hang Bong to Nha Tho streets. 
Read More…

Kim Lien Pagoda in Hanoi

Kim Lien Pagoda in Hanoi
Kim Lien Pagoda in Hanoi
Kim Lien Pagoda is located in Quang An Village, Tay Ho District, Hanoi. Kim Lien Pagoda was originally built on Nghi Tam Peninsula, on the bank of West Lake. The pagoda was part of the former Tu Hoa Palace of the Ly Dynasty.

Kim Lien Pagoda Hanoi

Princess Tu Hoa is daughter of King Ly Than Tong. He ordered to built Tu Hoa Palace then sent his daughter and her imperial maids to this area to help them understand and venerate their position in the society.
Kim Lien Pagoda
Formerly, it was Dong Long Pagoda and built in the 13th century. In 1771, the pagoda was renovated and changed its name to Kim Lien, which has been used since then.

Kim Lien is composed of three pavilions, each of which has 2 roof layers and the appearance of being slightly curved and supple. Apart from its nice disposition, the pagoda has a gate of sophisticated and intricate architecture. 
Read More…

Hanoi Flag Tower

Hanoi Flag Tower
Hanoi Flag Tower
Flag Tower is on Dien Bien Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi; near Ba Dinh Square. Hanoi Flag Tower, also called Cot Co, is one of the rare architectural works in Hanoi that was fortunate enough to not be destroyed by the French administration between 1894 and 1897.

Flag Tower in Hanoi

It was used by French troops as an observation tower and communication station between command headquarters and adjacent military posts.
Hanoi Flag Tower Vietnam
It was built in 1812 and is composed of three platforms and a tower. The words Nghenh Huc, meaning "to welcome dawn's sunlight," are inscribed on the eastern door. The western door bears the two words Hoi Quang, meaning "to reflect light," and the southern door, Huong Minh, meaning "directed to the sunlight."

The tower receives sunlight through 36 flower-shaped and six fan-shaped windows.

Read More…

Hanoi Cathedral Church

Hanoi Cathedral Church
Hanoi Cathedral Church
Hanoi Cathedral on Nha Tho Street, Hang Trong Precinct, Hoan Kiem District was built on .the foundation of the Bao Thien, which was constructed in 1056.

Cathedral Church in Hanoi

In the past, this area belonged to Tu Thap Village, Tien Tuc Canton, Tho Xuong District, Thang Long. Before the Giap Tuat Peace Treaty in 1874, almost Catholic cathedrals in Vietnam were made roughly from natural materials. Hanoi Cathedral mainly constructed from wood in 1884 by the bishop Puginier and inaugurated at Christmas.
Hanoi Cathedral Church 1
In 1886, it was first named St. Joseph. It imitated the design of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris with a 17 meter high dome and two lissome decorated 22-meter high bell towers. Hanoi Cathedral is famous for the French stained glass windows with high artistic value and durability.

The inauguration of this biggest Catholic cathedral encouraged the great constructions of the French in Hanoi. However, this neo-Gothic cathedral is still under the influence of Vietnamese architecture with high foundation, a statue placed in the front resembles a screen, elaborate decoration patterns and sacred objects insides. Since 1886, Hanoi Cathedral has become the main cathedral of diocese. Annually, the celebration in Hanoi Cathedral is held in March 19th. The unforgettable sounds of the clock and bell in Hanoi Cathedral were immortalized in the famous Hanoi songs and novels.
Read More…

Co Loa Historical Site in Hanoi

Co Loa Historical Site
Co Loa Historical Site
This relic of an ancient urban area and military citadel is located in Co Loa Village, Dong Anh District, Hanoi.

Co Loa Historical Site


Throughout history, Co Loa was nominated twice as the capital of Vietnam: the first time during the An Duong Vuong era in the late 3rd and early 2nd century BC, and the second time during the Ngo Vuong Quyen reign in the middle of the 10th century.
Co Loa Historical Site in Hanoi
The three ramparts archeological relics from the Bronze and Iron ages are 16km long. The complex of religious and commemorative relics includes Ngu Trieu Di Qui Communal House, My Chau Temple, and Bao Son Pagoda. Mystical relics such as Ngoc Well, Flag Tower, and Ngu Xa Castle make of this area a culturally and historically interesting area.
Read More…