Hanoi

Hanoi old quarter

Most Vietnamese and Westerners are familiar with the phrase Ha Noi ba muoi sau Pho Phuong or Ha Noi 36 districts. This phrase often causes much confusion for most people since, on the one hand Pho means a street or a place for merchants to gather to do business, on the other hand Phuong means a district or a guild of artisans specializing in a particular trade (phuong cheo, phuong tho, etc.). In any case, there is some truth to the use of both descriptions.
Similar to the Guilded age of Europe, Ha Noi's 36 districts is Vietnam's version of the guild concept. Long ago, as artisans moved to the capital city to do business, they gathered together in an area as a way to share resources. As a result, many of the streets are named after the crafts that were sold on that street. Pho Hang Bun (Vermicelli), Pho Hang Ma (paper product), Pho Hang Bac (Jewelry) are a few of the streets carrying the name of the products sold on the street.
Today, the 36 pho or old district remains in Vietnamese literature as a quaint and familiar description of this part of Ha Noi. Although many of the streets no longer have the products for which they were named, some still do. Today, on many of the streets, there are still shrines dedicated to the individual diety of the trades for which the streets are named.

Ho Hoan Kiem (Ho Guom) - Lake of the Returned Sword

Ho Hoan Kiem or Lake of the Returned Sword was once a part of the Red river (song Hong). Through thousands of years of changes in the geography, the lake moved eastward to its present position many kilometers from the river. The lake was once called Luc Thuy or Green Water because the water was green year round. In the fifteen century, the lake was named Ho Hoan Kiem, based of a legend that is quite similar to King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake's legend.

While fighting against the Chinese, King Le Thai To has in his possession a very valuable sword. After 10 years of continuous struggle, the King finally defeated the Chinese and reclaimed Vietnam's independence. One day, while sailing on lake Luc Thuy, a large turtle appeared. The king drew his sword and pointed at the creature. The turtle immediately grab hold of the sword with its mouth and submerged. The king mourned the lost of such valuable sword, demanded that the lake be emptied and dredged. Both the turtle and the sword were not found. The king realizing that the gods must have lent him the sword to drive back the enemy, but now that Vietnam is free, the sword must be returned. King Le Thai To named the lake Ho Hoan Kiem or Lake of the Returned Sword.

Van Mieu - Temple of Literature

Originally built in 1070 in the Ly dynasty, the temple is a shrine to Confucius and his disciples responsible for spreading his teachings. Six years later, Quoc Tu Giam or School for the sons of the Nation was established for the princes. The school later admitted sons of mandarins and finally commoners were allowed to attend but, only after they passed a rigorous examination at the regional level. In 1484, Van Mieu became a place to memorialize the most brilliant scholars of the nation

In 1484, King Le Thanh Tong decreed the names of all those who have attained the doctoral ranks in the national examination be inscribed on stone stelae carried on the backs of giant tortoises. In all, 2,313 individuals were awarded the title of tien si. However, detailed records were kept only between 1442 and 1779 . According to records, there should be 112 stelae in all but only 82 stelae are still standing. Each represents a single examination year. The name and native village of the students who were awarded the title Tien Si or doctor laureate were inscribed on the stone. Tien si was not a diploma of graduation from the royal college. This title was awarded to those who have successful passed the 4 royal examinations. Scholars from all over Vietnam could participate only if they had passed the regional exam.

Courtyard of the Sages is located beyond the Garden of Stelae. Entrance to the courtyard is through Dai Thanh Mon or Gate of Great Success. The Great House of Ceremonies is located here. It was here that all new doctor laureates would come to pay respect to Confucius. The king would also come to pay homage to the great teacher at Dai Thanh Mon. Inscribed on a wooden panel above the altar are the words "Teacher of Ten Thousand Generations".

Behind the Great House of Ceremonies is the Sanctuary, with statue of Confucius flanked by his four closest disciples, Nhan Tu, Tu Tu, Tang Tu, and Manh-Tu (Mencius).

Quoc Tu Giam or School for the Sons of the nation is located in the last courtyard. During the time when Van Mieu was used as a school, this area housed classrooms, housing facilities and a print shop. When the university was moved to Hue, Quoc Tu Giam was turned into a shrine to Confucius' parents called Khai Thanh.

Mua Roi Nuoc - Vietnamese Water Puppet

Mua Roi Nuoc or Water Puppet is a unique art which has it origin in the delta of the Red river in the tenth century. The farmers in this region devised a form of entertainment using what natural medium they can find in their environment. In ancient times, the ponds and the rice paddies after harvest were the stage for these impromptu shows. This art form is unique to North Vietnam and only finds its way to the world stage in recent years as a result of the normalized relation with the West. Today the Thang Long puppet troupe is the most well known in Ha Noi.
Modern, water puppetry is performed in a pool of water with the water surface being the stage. The puppeteers stand behind a screen and control the puppets using long bamboo rods and string mechanism hidden beneath the water surface. The puppets are carved out of wood and often weigh up to 15 kg. A traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides background music accompaniment. Singers of Cheo (a form of opera) with origin in north Vietnam sing songs which tell the story being acted out by the puppets.
The theme of the skits is rural and has a strong reference to Vietnamese folklore. It tells of day-to-day living in rural Vietnam and Vietnamese folk tales that are told by grandparents to their grandchildren. Stories of the harvest, of fishing and of festivals are highlighted. Legends and national history are also told through short skits. Many of the skits, especially those involving the tales of day-to-day living, often have a humorous twist.

Long Bien bridge

Hanoi's 1.6 Km Long Bien Bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel, is 100 years old this year.
The arches belong to the original French bridge. The foreground is a temporary structure to replace one of the two sections bombed out by the Americans.... who never managed to put the bridge permanently out of action. The French Government is providing restoration money... they'd better hurry up by the look of that sag.
You may wonder why a bridge needs to be built over a cornfield. This is an island in the middle of the very wide Red River.
Cau Long Bien is wonderfully peaceful.. no motorised vehicles allowed except for the trains which run down the middle.

Hochiminh mausoleum

Built in 1973 with the assist of the Russian, the Mausoleum has become not only a historical place but also a famous and interesting tourism attractions, along with the place where the Vietnamese leader lived and worked.

A visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is an experience. First of all, the visitor must be properly dressed, and no bags or cameras are allowed to be carried inside. The mausoleum itself is a gray Russian-inspired building. Ho Chi Minh's body lies embalmed in a glass casket. Visitors walk by silently and respectfully and the line is kept moving by the guards on site.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

The Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest pagoda currently standing in Hanoi.
It was constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De and was then named Khai Quoc, meaning "founding the country." At first it was built outside the Yen Phu Dyke and the move to West Lake.
It has been named An Quoc, Tran Quoc and Tran Bac with an architecture harmonious with nature, the pagoda complements the beautiful scenery around the lake.
The existing building originated from the last repair work done in 1815, including the triple gate, the main pagoda, the sitting room, the ancestral worshipping chamber the garden tower.

Ngoc Son temple

Ngoc Son temple was built on Ngoc island in 19th century. It's dedicated to Van Xuong, one considered as the brightest star in Vietnamese literary and intellectual circles and Tran Hung Dao, the national hero who led the Vietnamese people to victory over Mongolian in the 13 century.

One pillar pagoda

The first One Pillar Pagoda was destroyed during the French War. The new Vietnamese government rebuilt the temple in 1955. It was originally constructed by Emperor Ly Thai Tong to commemorate the long awaited birth of an heir. He believed that the luck had been foretold in a dream about the Goddess of Mercy handing him a male child on a lotus flower. He then built the original small wooden pagoda to resemble a lotus blossom to pay tribute to his good fortune.