Etymology of Halong History

 

According to local legend, when the Vietnamese were fighting Chinese invaders, the gods sent a family of dragons to help defend the land.

This family of dragons began spitting out jewels and jade. These jewels turned into the islands and islets dotting the bay, linking together to form a great wall against the invaders.

The people kept their land safe and formed what later became the country of Vietnam. After that, dragons were interested in peaceful sightseeing of the earth, and then decided to live here. The place where the mother dragon descended was named Hạ Long, the place where the dragon’s children attended upon their mother was called Bái Tử Long island (Bái: attend upon, Tử: children, Long: dragon), and the place where the dragon’s children wriggled their tails violently was called Bạch Long Vỹ island (Bạch: white- color of the foam made when Dragon’s children wriggled, Long: dragon, Vỹ: tail).

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Climate in Halong Bay

 

The climate of the bay is tropical, wet, sea islands, with two seasons: hot and moist summer, and, dry and cold winter. The average temperature is from 15°C- 25°C, and annual rainfall is between 2000mm and 2200mm.

Hạ Long Bay has the typical diurnal tide system (tide amplitude ranges from 3.5-4m). The salinity is from 31 to 34.5MT in the dry season and lower in the rainy season.

The evolution of the karts in this bay has taken 20 million years under the impact of the tropical wet climate.

The ego-diversity of the environment in the area has created biodiversity, including a tropical evergreen bio system, oceanic and sea shore bio system. Hạ Long Bay is home to 14 endemic floral species and 60 endemic fauna species.

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Halong Old Culture

 

Located in Hạ Long and Bái Tử Long are archaeological sites such as Mê Cung and Thiên Long. There are remains from mounds of mountain shellfish (Christophorus), spring shellfish (Melania), some fresh water mollusk and some rudimentary labor tools. The main way of life of Soi Nhụ’s inhabitants included catching fish and shellfish, collecting fruits and digging for bulbs and roots.
Their living environment was a coastal area unlike other Vietnamese cultures, for example, like those found in Hoà Bình and Bắc Sơn.

Cái Bèo culture (5000- 3000 BC)

Located in Hạ Long and Cát Bà island, its inhabitants developed to the level of sea exploitation.

Feudal period History shows that Hạ Long Bay was the setting for local naval battles against Vietnam’s coastal neighbors. On three occasions, in the labyrinth of channels in Bach Dang river near the islands, the Vietnamese army stopped the Chinese from landing. In 1288, General Tran Hung Dao stopped Mongol ships from sailing up the nearby Bach Dang River by placing steel-tipped wooden stakes at high tide, sinking the Mongol Kublai Khan’s fleet.

During the Vietnam War, many of the channels between the islands were heavily mined by the United States navy, some of which pose a threat to shipping to this day.

 

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Inhabitants and Awards and designations in Halong

In 1962, the Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism designated Hạ Long Bay a ‘Renowned National Landscape Monument’.

 

A community of around 1,600 people live on Hạ Long Bay in four fishing villages: Cửa Vạn, Ba Hang, Cống Tàu and Vông Viêng in Hùng Thắng commune, Hạ Long city. They live on floating houses and are sustained through fishing and marine aquaculture (cultivating marine biota).

Hạ Long Bay was first listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994,in recognition of its outstanding, universal aesthetic value. In 2000 the World Heritage Committee additionally recognized Hạ Long Bay for its outstanding geological and morphological value,and its World Heritage Listing was updated.

In 2009, the New 7 Wonders Foundation, which runs the New Seven Wonders of the World program, included Halong Bay on its list of nominations as one the World’s 7 Natural Wonders

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Hạ Long bay selected as one of ten best boat journeys

Hạ Long bay is in the list of top ten destinations by boat, according to the website www.lonelyplanet.com , one of the world’s leading tourism website.

Nowadays, more and more travelers are fancy on taking part in boat journeys because of its interesting experience. That traveling by boat takes longer can help visitors take more time to adjust to being somewhere different and the journey gives them a heightened sense of involvement with their surroundings. Therefore, the aspect of their view is turned around and they will see people and places from a different perspective altogether

Thus, www.lonelyplanet.com has given a suggestion on ten ideal destinations for those who love boat journeys all over the world.

The article says that “Bobbing on the emerald waters of Hạ Long bay and moving through its 3000-odd limestone islands is simply sublime. The tiny islands are dotted with beaches and grottoes created by wind and waves, and have sparsely forested slopes ringing with bird tunes.

There are more than 300 boats based at BãiCháyTouristWharf waiting to sweep you away to the World Heritage waters. Day tours last from four to eight hours, though (recommended) overnighters are also available”.

Other destinations include Fjords (Norway), Amazon River (South America), Franklin River (Australia), Quetico Provincial Park (Canada), Kerala’s backwaters (India), Milford Sound (New Zealand), Island-hopping (Greece), Disko Bay (Greenland) and Galapágos Islands (Ecuador)./.



By Phương Loan 

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Tay Ho Pagoda in Ha Noi

Tay Ho Pagoda in Ha Noi

Tay Ho Pagoda - Ha Noi

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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 

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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?

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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. 

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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.

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. 

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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.

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.

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Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi

Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi

Tran Quoc Pagoda is located on an islet of West Lake in Hanoi. Tran Quoc Pagoda is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam and a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism.

It is said that, the pagoda was built under the reign of King Ly Nam De (544-548) under its original name of Khai Quoc (National Founder). It was originally built on the bank of the West Lake and the Red River. In the time of King Le Kinh Tong (1600-1618), the pagoda was removed to the Kim Ngu (Golden Fish) Islet due to the river bank crumbling and was renamed Tran Quoc (National Defence).

Behind the worshipping shrine is the Buddhist trinity followed by corridors, ten shrines and the belfry. In the pagoda, there are many valuable statues, such as the red lac­statue trimmed with gold of Sakyamouni Buddha's Parinirvana and many ancient stelae with the old- one made in 1639 by Doctoral Law- Nguyen Xuan Chinh recording the pagoda's history.

In 1959, on his visit to Vietnam, Indian Prime Minister Razendia Prasat offered the Pagoda a bodhi tree as a gift. The plant was grafted from the holy Bodhi tree where Sakyamuni sat in zen (meditation) position 25 centuries ago. Now the Bodhi tree is green and luxuriant, shading part of the pagoda's yard.

As a religious relic among spectacle ­scenery, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a favourite stop-over of many foreign visitors and pilgrims. 

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Ba Ham Lake in Halong Bay

Ba Ham Lake in Halong Bay

Ba Ham Lake is found on Dau Be Island (Calf Head Island) on the south-west Side of Halong Bay. This island is part of the range of islands at the farthest end of Halong Bay, bordering the immense zone Long Chau Sea.

Ba Ham Lake of Halong Bay

Ba Ham Lake is situated in the middle of a narrow, rectangular area, with the all four sides enclosed by vertical cliffs. The lake is a system comprising three wide and round pits, linked together by a narrow and meandering tunnel. Although 25km from the shore, it has long been considered an ideal tourism zone.

Starting from the entrance, tourists enter the first tunnel, which boasts a forest of stalactites and stalagmites in different shapes and various colors. Stalactites hang from the ceiling in a myriad of strange, colored forms. The deeper one pushes into the tunnel, the darker it becomes. The river is deep and transparent. Some 100m from the entrance one finds a shaft of light coming from the roof of the tunnel, which reveals different kinds of orchids clinging to the cliff, cycads growing here and there, truc duoi ga (a kind of reed with cock's tail-liked yellow leaves) flourishing in clumps.

The second tunnel has the same form and its entrance like the first. In the southeast cliff of the second tunnel there grows an old carambola tree. This is home to yellow hair monkeys, birds, flying squirrels and bats. Lying one cliff away from the second one, the third tunnel is home to various species of bats and yellow butterflies. Here is home to bats and yellow butterflies. Though outside the grotto the waves and wind blow strongly, inside the cave, the water is transparent and calmly. The silence is disturbed only by the sounds of the boat's oars.

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Hanh Grotto in Halong Bay

Hanh Grotto in Halong Bay

Hanh Grotto is one of the longest grottoes in Ha long Bay, lying 9km west of Cam Pha Town. Hanh Grotto seems suitable for adventures. The mouth of the grotto is very low with 1,300m long.

Hanh Grotto of Halong Bay

The entrance of the grotto is at the foot of the stone mountain of Quang Hanh. That's why the French named it "Le Tunnel" or Tunnel Grotto.

One should visit the grotto at low tide and has to go by small boat to pass through, as this is the time the mouth of the grotto appears, and then must know the time when the tide rises up to get out of the grotto. In front of the present-day mouth stands Ba Co (Three Girls) shrine to dedicated three girls who according to the legend often went to the sea together. One day, they caught a pouring rain and took shelter in a grotto. They found the scenery so captivating that they forgot the time of rising tide. Locked up in the grotto, they passed away and became Water God.

Hanh Grotto is extremely beautiful. The small boat will take you through the stone passageway by lamp-light, casting magical colors on the hanging stalactites. To get there, tourists can hire canoes in Doan Wharf (Hon Gai, Ha long City) or take a coach to Cam Pha Town. At the Cam Pha Wharf, one can also hire boats or canoes to go to the grotto. The time for visiting the grotto is from 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes.

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Me Cung Grotto (Bewitching) in Halong Bay

Me Cung Grotto in Halong Bay

Two kilometers south-west of Titov Beach is the Me Cung Grotto or Bewitching Grotto. It formed on Lom Bo Island, and seen from afar, the entrance is like the roof of a house denting the island's side.

Me Cung Grotto in Halong Bay

After a narrow crack only allowing one person through at a time, many partitions appear. These chambers are somewhat small and narrow, but very refined, and with many stalagmites and stalactites bearing beautiful forms.Pushing into the grotto, tourists feel like walking in a palace of a Persian King. Hearing the murmur from out of nowhere, you think that Scheherazade is telling the stories of the Thousand and One Nights for her king.

Threading your way through narrow passages, you find a dim light from afar, which signals the exit of the grotto. On getting out of the grotto, climb up several rugged stone stairs and look down, you see a large round lake surrounded by the mountain. Its waters are blue all year round. The lake is home to many kinds of fish, shrimps, octopuses, algae, see weed, and coral. Lying adjacent to the lake there is an area of old trees popularly known as an alluring "royal garden".

On the island, there are many ancient trees casting long reflections on the water of the bay. They are home to many species of birds and animals (monkeys, chamois and variant). The Me Cung Grotto has been recognized by archaeologists as one of the vestiges of the pre Ha long new Stone Age culture that existed between 7,000 and 10,000 years ago.

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Bo Nau Grotto (Pelican) in Halong Bay

Bo Nau Grotto in Halong Bay

Some 2-3km southeast of Trong Mai Islet lays Bo Nau Grotto or Pelican Grotto. The name Bo Nau or Bo Nong is associated with the fact that pelicans often take shelter here.

 Bo Nau Grotto in Halong Bay

This vaulted grotto covers 200m2 the floor of the grotto is wide and flat, but not deep, and its wall features lots of stalactites and stalagmites.

At the entrance are three stones, looking like three fairies with their heads close to one another. Two men appear to be playing chess, with the third serving as a referee. Turning southward, Bo Nau Grotto enjoys cool wind. Standing there, one can hear the murmur of the sea all year round. Bo Nau Grotto is one of the beauty grottoes in Ha long Bay.

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Tam Cung Grotto in Halong Bay

Tam Cung Grotto in Halong Bay

Situated in the centre of Halong Bay, 5km from Sung Sot Grotto to the northeast. The grotto itself is divided into three parts; after threading the stone cracks, you find the first chamber.

Tam Cung Grotto of Halong Bay

Many beautiful forms can be garnered from the rocky shapes.
Continuing on to the second chamber, the bumpy way leads to a spring with fresh water. The last room contains further incredible stone depictions.

Tam Cung Grotto lies in May Den, a luxuriant island nearly isolated from other islands. May Den’s cliffs are extremely vertical while its forest is flourishing.

Entering its first chamber, one can hear the sound of T’rung or stone musical instrument from near and far. Pushing further inside, tourists meet a “fairy” whose white beard flies in the wind climbing the mountain. High in the wall of the chamber there stand three statues representing prosperity, happiness and longevity, looking down at the earthly world.

From ceiling falls down a stalactite which resembles the bud of a hydrangea among a garden of stone flowers. Going through a narrow passage, one comes to a natural museum of lively animals, including lions, seals, even god of the sea. In the middle of the second chamber lies a stream murmuring all year round, making the two surrounding cliffs rustle. In the last chamber, tourists can find an imposing bas-relief in which are carved elaborate strange images, lying layer after layer in a harmonious layout. One can figure out flowers, bamboos, stone curtains or sleeping elephants.

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Ba Trai Dao Beach (The Three Peaches Beach) in Halong Bay

Ba Trai Dao Beach in Halong Bay

To the Ba Trai Dao Beach, it costs 3.5 to 4 hours by cruise from Bai Chay Tourist Wharf. It has that name as Ba Trai Dao Beach (the three peaches), features three small sand beaches embracing small islands. These islands, seen from afar, resemble three peaches...

Ba Trai Dao Beach in Halong Bay

Legend has it, that fairies escaped from Heaven and came here for sight-seeing and swimming. The youngest fairy, which was very pretty and virtuous, fell in love with a young fisher- man. The young fairy stole three peaches from Heaven for him that if he ate, would give him eternal life, allowing them to live together forever. But while she waited for him on the island, the King of the Heavens discovered the robbery and turned the peaches into three stone islands. Chastised, the young fairy had to return. Tourists take bath in this beach only 2-3 hours in a day as in other time the beach is lapping by the tide.

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