Vietnam Travel Guide

Vietnam Travel Guide

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

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. 
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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.
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Vietnam Military Museum

Vietnam Military Museum
Vietnam Military Museum
Most tourists have more or less heard of Vietnam’s historical and heroic struggle against mighty invaders from France and the USA. They, as a result, now flock to Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular so as to figure out how such a small country as Vietnam could win over in the past severe resistance war!

Vietnam Military Museum in Hanoi

Hence, in order to retain and preserve the factual objects, artifacts, and vivid proofs of the great national heroic struggle, the Ministry of Defence, under the Vietnam Communist Party’s policy, had the building of the Army Museum (to be changed into Military History Museum in 2002) constructed at the end of 1954, and held its opening ceremony on 22nd December, 1959 on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army foundation.
  

Vietnam Military Museum Description

Vietnam Military Museum Hanoi

Located in the center of Hanoi, near V.L Lenin's statue, the Military History Museum is only 600 m from President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum to the East, and covers a 10,000 - square meter area.
Not only is this museum one of the seven national museums but also it acts as the headquater of the army museum system. The museum exhibitions present the Vietnamese military history from the first period of founding the country to the Ho Chi Minh era. One of the well - known ancient monuments on the grounds of the museum in Hanoi flag Tower, classified as a national historic cultural monument. The construction of the Tower started in 1805 and was completed in 1812, with a height of nearly 31 m and a circumstance of 180 m.
Visiting the museum, tourists can see thousands of exhibits, photographs, maps, scale models of the past Vietnam war. Thanks to this, visitors will have a good general knowledge of the process of the birth, growth and victories of the Vietnamese people's armed forces for the cause of peace, independence and freedom.
These days, the Vietnam Military History Museum is widely open to all visitors, many of whom are from France and the USA, to come and explore the great victory’s secrets. Up to now, it has received more than 17,000,000 visitors including more than 2,141,000 foreigners from 150 countries worldwide.

Vietnam Military Museum Structure

The museum content covers the six following periods:
  • The history of the Vietnamese nation and the birth of the Vietnam People’s Army
  • The Vietnamese struggle against French colonialism
  • The Vietnamese struggle against American imperialists
  • The Vietnam People’s Army on the path to a regular modern army
  • The People and the Army are oneness, and will be invicible
  • Piece of weaponry displayed in the museum courtyard (such as airplanes, tanks, heavy artilleries, rockets, mortars, bombs, and so forth)
After your time here, you will realize that the museum is the concentrated embodiment of the Vietnamese people’s spirit revealed in President Ho Chi Minh’s writing: “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom” in the historic Nation’s Independence Proclamation.

Vietnam Military Opening time

The Vietnam Military History Museum is open daily exept Monday and Friday.
Contact
Address: No. 28A, Dien Bien Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Tel: (84-4) 7334682           Fax: (84 4) 7334692
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Monday, July 2, 2012

Temple of Literature in Hanoi

Temple of Literature in Hanoi
Temple of Literature in Hanoi
Temple of Literature is located on Van Mieu Street, 2km west of Hoan Kiem Lake. Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam is a famous historical and cultural relic consisting of the Temple of Literature and Vietnam’s first university.

Temple of Literature - Hanoi


The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 in honour of Confucius, his followers and Chu Van An, a moral figure in Vietnamese education.

Quoc Tu Giam, or Vietnam's first university, was built in 1076. Throughout its hundreds of years of activity in the feudal, thousands of Vietnamese scholars graduated from this university. 
Temple of Literature Hanoi


In 1483 Quoc Tu Giam was changed into Thai Hoc Vien (Higher Educational Institute). After decades of war and natural disasters, the former construction was completely destroyed. In preparation for the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long (present day Hanoi) another construction has been built following the model of the previous Thai Hoc Vien on the same ground. The work includes the front hall, the back sanctuary, lean-tos on the left and on the right, the courtyard, and subsidiary structures.

This site preserves historical vestiges of a 1,000-year-old civilization such as statues of Confucius and his disciples (Yan Hui, Zengshen, Zisi, Mencius), and ancient constructions such as Khue Van Cac (Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature) and the Worshipping Hall.
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West Lake in Hanoi

West Lake in Hanoi
West Lake in Hanoi
West Lake is the biggest lake in Hanoi, with an area of 500 ha and circumference of more than 12km. The lake is surrounded by 17 kilometers of Lac Long Quan, Au Co, Nghi Tam, Yen Phu, Thanh Nien and Thuy Khue streets, which run through the famous flower villages of Ngoc Ha, Nghi Tam, Tay Ho, Quang Ba and Nhat Tan.

West Lake - Hanoi

It is dotted with many famous historical, cultural and architectural vestiges of Hanoi. Geographically, West Lake is a remnant of the Red River. It bears many names, each related to a legend. According to one, in a cave in the north of Thang Long citadel lived a nine-tailed fox. It had lived for more than thousand years and could transform itself to a man. At that time, Man people lived at the foot of the Tan Vien Mountain. The spirit of the mountain taught them to grow rice, weave cloth to make clothes and construct house from timber and grass. The people were named The Man people wearing white clothing (Bach Y Man). The fox changed himself into a man and tempted people into the cave. People led a very hard life so they entreated the help of King Lac Long Quan who caused the water to rise, destroying the cave.
West Lake Hanoi
The place became a big lake called Fox Carcass Lake (Ho Xac Cao). Another legend has it that in the Ly Dynasty there was a giant who knew magic. He had successfully healed King Ly Than Tong. Then he was invited to China to treat the Chinese king. He was successful again and to thank him the king offered him gold and shiver. He refused, instead asking for enough black bronze to fill his small bag. At first the king agreed, but even his nine stores could not fill the small bag. He demanded his bronze back but the giant took his bag to the coast, used his hat as a boat and his cane as an oar to get home. Then he distributed most of the black bronze to the bronze casting workers, only keeping a small amount to cast a bell. Surprisingly, when he struck the bell, as black bronze is the mother of gold, a golden buffalo from the Chinese king store ran all the way to the south to look for his mother. The place he trampled looking for his mother became Golden Buffalo Lake (Ho Kim Nguu).

West Lake was also named the Foggy Lake (Ho Dam Dam) since it was sometimes foggy. In the XVth century, it was named Lake of Wave (Ho Lang Bac) because on windy days there were sometimes waves. In 1573, it was renamed West Lake (Tay Ho) in order to avoid King The Tong's name. In 1675 it was changed to Doai Ho. West Lake is a famous scenic beauty spot of Thang Long - Hanoi. It became the theme of many poems and songs. In the XIXth century, Nguyen Huy Luong composed a famous essay Tung Tay Ho Phu, praising its beauty. In feudal times, many magnificent palaces were constructed around the lake: the Thuy Hoa Palace in the Ly Dynasty, the Ham Nguyen Palace in the Tran Dynasty and especially Cuu Trung Dai with golden roofs and precious stone steps in the XVIth century during the reign of King Le Tuong Duc. Around West Lake were many cultural, historical and architectural sites such as Quan Thanh Temple, Yen Phu Community Hall, Nhat Tan Community Hall, Kim Lien Pagoda, Soc Temple, Complex of Quan La Pagoda and Community Hall, Thien Nien Pagoda, Tay Ho Palace and Kim Nguu Temple. Today, many modern hotels and villas have been built on its banks as Thang Loi Hotel, Tay Ho Hotel, etc. In addition, the specialties of West Lake such as shrimp cake, rice vermicelli with snails have perfected the tourism potential of West Lake.
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Hanoi Opera House

Hanoi Opera House
Hanoi Opera House
The Hanoi Opera House is situated on Le Thanh Tong St., Hanoi; near the Red River and several hundreds meters east of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Characteristics: It is an old theatre with French architecture and typical Gothic and Mosaic characters reflected on the door domes and the glassed room respectively.

Opera Housein Hanoi

For a long time, the Hanoi Opera House has been a rendezvous for those who love theatrical performance and traditional songs and music, symphonies, opera and classical opera. It is also a tourist attraction for local and foreign visitors.

The Hanoi Opera House is renowned for its unique architecture and good composition. It is furnished rationally and harmoniously. Since its establishment, the Hanoi Opera House is the largest theatre in Vietnam. Its construction started in 1901 and completed in 1911. Previously the site was a big pond, adjacent to the city gate of Tay Long (also called Tay Luong) of the ancient Thang Long Capital. The construction met with many difficulties, because the foundations of the theatre were built on the pond. Before building a concrete foundation, nearly one metre thick, the pond was emptied and dredged, then 30,000 hard bamboo stakes were placed on its bed.
Hanoi Opera House HN

The Hanoi Opera House is of the same architectural style as the Opera House in France. Some foreign architects said that due to being built nearly 300 years after the Paris Opera House, the Hanoi Opera House avoids superfluous architectural details, which make it more magnificent and attractive.

After nearly 100 years of operation, the theatre's equipment and adornments became old and run down. In 1997, the theatre was repaired and modernized under the management of two Vietnamese French architects, Ho Thieu Tri and Hoang Phuc Sinh. The original architecture of the 3-storey theatre has remained. The decorative designs on the ceiling, arches, walls, and doors were renewed. The 3-metre-high stage and the audience's hall, with 600 seats, were also modernized in conformity with international standards. The theatre has been equipped with state-of-art facilities and appliances, compatible for all types of artistic performances, from folk music and songs, ballets and piano to classical opera, reformed opera, Vietnamese operetta and drama, all made great impressions on the audience. The Hanoi Opera House has also successfully organised many large-scale international concerts.

The Hanoi Opera House is a worthy artistic centre and a cultural and architectural relic of the capital Hanoi. 
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Thong Nhat Park in Hanoi

Thong Nhat Park in Hanoi
Thong Nhat Park in Hanoi
Thong Nhat Park is surrounded by Tran Nhan Tong, Le Duan, Dai Co Viet, and Nguyen Dinh Chieu streets in Hanoi. Characteristics: Thong Nhat Park covers an area of more than 50ha. It is an elegant place in Hanoi.

Thong Nhat Park - Hanoi

The park was built in 1958 and inaugurated in 1960. At that time, the country was divided into two parts with two different political regimes; the park was named Thong Nhat, meaning "united," to express the hope of reunification of the people.
Thong Nhat Park

In April 1980, on the 110th anniversary of Lenin’s birthday, Thong Nhat Park was renamed Lenin Park. Nowadays, Lenin Park is situated on Dien Bien Phu St. Thong Nhat Park has its original name.

The park features many gardens and trees, as well as an island in the middle of the lake. There are games for children such as driving carts, a mirror house, train rides, and boats on the lake.

During Tet holiday, the Spring Flower Festival is held in the park.
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West Lake Water Park in Hanoi

West Lake Water Park in Hanoi
West Lake Water Park in Hanoi
Ho Tay Water Park is located in Tay Ho District, Hanoi. Characteristic: Ho Tay Water Park covers an area of 35,560m², comprising five entertainment sections. The first phase of its construction was completed on 19 May 2000, putting into operation several entertainment amenities.

West Lake Water Park in Hanoi - Vietnam

Among them are seven sliding lanes with the average height of 12m, of which two are high-speed lanes ever installed in Vietnam with the height of 14.5m; a three-meter wave-making pool can bring about waves as high as 1.2m. Adventurers should not miss out on the Tibetan suspension bridge, the hair-raising swinging ropes, and the 3.5-meter diving pool where they can dive using specific devices or spring-boards. The 0.6-meter massage pool ensures a relaxed feeling. Children can go to specially-designed pools, sliding lanes and water games. The 4.5-meter ‘lazy river’ spans 450m, flowing past five bridges.
West Lake Water Park Hanoi
Moon Park stands adjacent to the Water Park. Sitting on the 60-meter swing, one gets a panoramic view of Hanoi. The Moon Park also boasts a three-dimension cinema, new-generation electronic games, and a supermarket. There is a sports complex where tourists can play tennis, badminton, ping-pong, and billiards. Fascinating extras include a pond for fishing, a mini golf court, as well as bumping cars and a roller coaster.

As the most modern and exciting theme park in Hanoi, the Ho Tay Water Park has received millions of visitors so far.
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Hanoi Young Pioneer Palace

Hanoi Young Pioneer Palace
Hanoi Young Pioneer Palace
Hanoi Young Pioneer Palace is at 36 Ly Thai To St., Hanoi. Characteristics: During the French domination period, the building was divided into two parts: the northern area was a kindergarten and the southern area was a French club. 
Young Pioneer Palace in Hanoi
After Liberation Day in October 1954, the building became the Young Pioneer Center, a recreation center for children.
Hanoi Young Pioneer Palace 1

In 1973, the infrastructures were renovated and upgraded with the assistance of the former Czechoslovakia. Today the six-storey building features nearly 100 well-equipped rooms for the practice and study of different subjects, including technology, culture, and arts. There is also a library with thousands of books.
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Hoan Kiem Lake in Ha Noi

Hoan Kiem Lake in Ha Noi
Hoan Kiem Lake in Ha Noi
Hoan Kiem Lake (Vietnamese: Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, meaning "Lake of the Returned Sword" or "Lake of the Restored Sword", also known as Hồ Gươm - Sword Lake) is a lake in the historical center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam.

Hoan Kiem Lake in Ha Noi Capital

The lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life. Tortoise Tower (Thap Rua) in the center of the lake According to the legend, emperor Le Loi handed a magic sword called Heaven's Will which brought him victory in his revolt against the Chinese Ming Dynasty back to the Golden Turtle God (Kim Qui) in the lake and hence gave it its present name (the lake was formerly known as "Luc Thuy" meaning "Green Water"). The Tortoise Tower (Thap Rua) standing on a small island near the center of lake is linked to the legend.
Hoan Kiem Lake Hanoi
Large soft-shell turtles, either of the species Rafetus swinhoei or a separate species named Rafetus leloii in honor of the emperor, have been sighted in the lake. The species is critically endangered and the number of individuals in the lake is unclear.

The Huc Bridge Near the northern shore of the lake lies Jade Island on which the Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain Temple) stands. The temple was erected in the 18th century. It honors the 13-century military leader Tran Hung Dao who distinguished himself in the fight against the Yuan Dynasty, Van Xuong, a scholar, and Nguyen Van Sieu, a Confucian master and famous writer in charge of repairs made to the temple in 1864. Jade Island is connected to the shore by the wooden red-painted Huc Bridge (The Huc, meaning Morning Sunlight Bridge).
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Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City

Cu Chi Tunnels
Cu Chi Tunnels
Construction of the first tunnels actually started under the French rule and spanned 25 years. The network is extensive, over 200 km of galleries in Cu Chi district alone.

Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City

Other branches reach as far away as the Cambodian border. The network, built several stories deep, included living quarters, specially designed Dien Bien Phu kitchens' which diffused the smoke so as to be invisible from the skies, a weapons factory, command centers and even field hospitals.
Cu Chi Tunnels 1
Ironically, ignorant of the existence of the tunnels, US military installed a large base camp right on top of the network. It too them months to figure out why, at night, soldiers were being shot right in their tents. The Americans and Australian tried a variety of methods to pacify the area around Cu Chi, at that time known as the Iron Triangle. But neither bombs, napalm, defoliant, hunting dogs, nor tunnel rats were successful in driving Viet Cong guerrillas away. In 1969 the Americans decided to carpet bomb the whole area with B-52s, turning the area into what has been described as 'the most bombed, shelled, gassed, defoliated and devastated area in the history of warfare'. Although they managed this time to destroy most of the tunnel network, along with everything else around, it was too late: the war was ending and the tunnel had been an important component of the Viet Cong victory.
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