hanoi – Rubicon Tours

French Architecture – Hanoi Opera House

Nguyen Thanh Van — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 07:16:02 +0000

French Architecture – Hanoi Opera House
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The beautiful Hanoi Opera House was built in 1911 by the then ruling French. It’s a phenomenal piece of neo-classical French architecture featuring Gothic themes on the doors and domes with pillars, shuttered windows, balconies and a glass room. Musicians, actors and dancers play to a 600-strong audience delivering powerful operatic and classical performances, making it a very popular theatrical attraction.

8 INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT HANOI

At the moment, The Hanoi Opera House is the biggest theatre in Vietnam, which is also considered as a historical and architectural landmark as well as attraction in Hanoi where a range of important events have taken place.

As soon as the French came to rule Vietnam in 1883, the idea of setting up an Opera House in the central city already popped into their heads. As a result, in 1901, under the instruction of 2 skillful architects – Broyer and Harley, the work of construction started on the model of the famous Garnier Opera House in Paris and completed after 10 years. The Hanoi Opera House offers a superb setting in which to see any live show. The stage is three metres high and there are three stores in total so a wonderful experience is guaranteed regardless of your seating arrangements.

The Hanoi Opera House has become a dream stage for any artist in Vietnam because being able to perform here counts as a recognition of their talent and contribution to national art. It is undeniable that Hanoi Opera House played a vital role as a historical witness for the development of Hanoi since French colonial time and will continue keeping its values in the future.

Tips on Visiting Hanoi Opera House

Arrive at least 15 minutes before the performance starts or you won’t be allowed to enter
Don’t smoke or bring food inside the Opera House.
Don’t record the performance by any devices
Don’t make any noise while you are watching the performance.
Hanoi Opera House is not really suitable for children under 6

To have a look to Hanoi Opera House and Hanoi Capital City, check out our package tour:

Hanoi Spring City Tour 1 Day

French Architecture – Hanoi Opera House
Nguyen Thanh Van

Best attraction in Northern of Vietnam

Nguyen Thanh Van — Wed, 27 May 2020 07:19:25 +0000

Best attraction in Northern of Vietnam
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Vietnam is one of the most scenic countries to explored. More than a thousand miles of coastline to the east and rugged mountains to the west provide endless opportunities for photographers and nature lovers, while brilliant green rice paddies stretch throughout the coastal plains, the Red River Delta, and the Mekong Delta regions.

I don’t think you can go wrong visiting any part of Vietnam, but you’ll find the most spectacular sights in the northern part of the country, and Hanoi makes a great base to explore this region’s many wonders.

1.Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. The ancient city is being invigorated with modern cafes, world-class restaurants, and cool art galleries.

8 INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT HANOI

5 BEST LOCAL MARKETS IN HANOI

2. Ninh Binh

Several tranquil rivers meander near the city of Ninh Binh, just 58 miles south of Hanoi. The best way to get a sense of this UNESCO-protected site is by taking a paddleboat tour along its shimmering rivers, and climbing to the top of its fabled peaks.

NINH BINH: A DETAIL TRAVEL GUIDE TO VIETNAM HIDDEN GEM

3. Ha Long Bay

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay is the most visited destination in all of Vietnam. For many the seascape of Halong Bay is synonymous with Vietnam. Cruises lazily sail emerald green waters among thousand of rugged islands and islets, stopping at some of the most spectacular caves through which visitors can wander, viewing impressive, centuries-old formations.

6 EASY STEPS- HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CRUISE TO EXPLORING HA LONG BAY?

4. Sapa

Sa Pa is a town in the Hoàng Liên Son Mountains of northwestern Vietnam. A popular trekking base, it overlooks the terraced rice fields that are still worked today as they have been for centuries. Backdrops don’t get much more spectacular. Enticing ribbons of road lead the eye down to the valley floor, white-water rivers rush among rice fields, and lush green mountains stretch into the distance as far as the eye can see. The highest peak in the region, Mount Fansipan, crowns the ragged ridge line high above town.

8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS BEST NORTHERN OF VIETNAM:

8D7N~Hanoi 4*~Halong Bay(Overnight On Cruise 4*) ~Sapa Valley 4 * – Fansipan~ Ninh Binh

Best attraction in Northern of Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van

Best place to go kayaking in Vietnam

Nguyen Thanh Van — Mon, 25 May 2020 06:52:01 +0000

Best place to go kayaking in Vietnam
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You love kayaking, don’t you? Let’s take a glance at the following suggested places where you may bring back a range of interesting experiences from a kayaking trip.

West Lake – Ho Tay (Hanoi)

West Lake – Ho Tay (Hanoi)

To those who are seeking for the best places to go kayaking when they are travelling in Vietnam, West Lake should not be out of the list. The landscapes around the lake are so enthralling that a kayaking trip on the water will satisfy anyone no matter how difficult they are. Here, there are no many waves on the surface, so you will not find it hard to control the kayak even if you are a beginner.

WEST LAKE HANOI- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh Province)

Listed in the world’s 25 leading places for kayaking, Ha Long Bay will not let you down at any cost. It is indeed amazing to navigate the kayak in a clever way whereby it takes you through narrow waterways to caves packed with sparkling stalactites and fishing villages. Not only that you will take a chance to witness the magnificent charming of blue sky emerging as the background of the scenery surrounding the bay. A rental kayak costs you VND 100,000 or 200,000/hour.

CAT BA ISLAND IS THE BEST THING ABOUT HA LONG BAY

Phong Nha Cave (Quang Binh Province)

Phong Nha Cave is where adventurers like you can discover two routes for kayaking. The first one is that you will row the kayak through Son River – a tributary of Gianh River in Quang Binh Province. The other is to explore part of Phong Nha Cave – one of the largest wet caves in the world; it is endowed with a vast underground-river network and thousands of unique stalactites in various shapes. The rent for a kayak is about VND100,000/hour.

CAVING IN QUANG BINH

HOW TO EXPLORE THE LARGEST CAVE – HANG SON DOONG, VIETNAM

Perfume River – Huong River (Hue City)

Perfume River – Huong River (Hue City)

If you take an opportunity to visit Hue City – the formal capital of Vietnam, look for some activity to admire the soft beauty of Perfume River; kayaking may be a good choice. Row the boat by yourself on the calm water, and you will soak up the peaceful atmosphere here and perceive the life of people at Dong Ba Market, Hen Island, and Ba Vinh Ancient town. How awesome it is!

Han River (Da Nang City)

Kayaking on Han River is a favorite program you ought to try when having a trip in Da Nang City. It is possible to say that this activity enables you to find out something more different about the middle city. If starting from Dragon Bridge, roaming down to the bridge crossing Han River, and turning back, you will be astonished by the twinkling landscapes of the city with the coming of night. Such light will make your kayaking trip more outstanding.

WHEN DOES HAN RIVER BRIDGE DANANG OFFICIALLY SWING?

Tuyen Lam Lake (Da Lat City)

5 kilometers to the south of the center of Da Lat City, Tuyen Lam Lake is absolutely fantastic for a kayaking trip as you can go through picturesque scenes around. Try imagining how exciting it will be when you dip into the cool breeze from the nearby pine hill and maple forest while lying down on your kayak. Obviously, nobody can deny the poetic charm of Da Lat, but an experience with the kayak will be more different, unforgettable, and greater than everything you still think of a trip.

RELAX YOURSELF AT TUYEN LAM LAKE AND TRUC LAM ZEN MONASTERY

TOP CHECK-IN LOCATION IN DALAT

Ham Luong River (Ben Tre)

Ham Luong River, Ben Tre Province of the Mekong Delta is where you can kick back and soak up the serene ambiance. The most remarkable point of this area is that it’s labeled as the kingdom of coconuts, so it’s easy for you to find out enchanting and tranquil landscapes embellished by canopies of green coconut leaves. And indeed there is nothing more fantastic than kayaking on the calm river with the coconut trees at two sides, which makes the atmosphere more pleasant.

Source: tnktravel

Best place to go kayaking in Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van

Hanoi – The city of peace

Nguyen Thanh Van — Thu, 21 May 2020 03:17:01 +0000

Hanoi – The city of peace
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While there are plenty of exciting new things to explore when you land in Vietnam, Hanoi is never out of an itinerary of the Vietnam trip for the richness in its history, culture, people, and lifestyle. Hanoi was conferred the “City for Peace” prize by UNESCO during a ceremony in Bolivia’s capital, La Paz, in 1999. Let’s take time to get sense of this peaceful city before making a trip there.

8 INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT HANOI

North of Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi are the tumultuous streets of the Old Quarter, also known as “the 36 Streets” after the guilds that once operated here, though there are many more than 36 streets these days. It occupies a congested square kilometre that was closed behind massive ramparts and heavy wooden gates until well into the nineteenth century.

HANG NGANG STREET AND THE LITTLE-KNOW SURPRISES

In the Ly – Tran dynasty, the Old Quarter was the name of an urban area situated to the East of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and next to Red River. By that time, each street in the area was where a specific product was traded, so it was easy for the locals to find things they needed in daily life. That is the reason why you see nowadays there is a “Hàng” word (meanings goods) in the name of each street.

A COMPLETE GUIDE OF IMPERIAL CITADEL OF THANG LONG, HANOI

Each street in the Old Quarter was once where a specific product was traded.

HANG KHAY STREET – FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHY STREET IN HANOI
HANG BAI STREET AND HANOI’S HISTORIAL PAGES

One interesting image emerging from the Old Quarter is a series of mossy houses creating a mysterious and miraculous look. Some of the those houses were built at the beginning of the 20th century and have small trails inside. ith so much to attract your attention at ground level, it’s “easy to miss the architecture, which reveals fascinating glimpses of the quarter’s history, starting with the fifteenth-century merchants’ houses otherwise found only in Hoi An.

By turns exotic, squalid, gauche and hip, the high-octane Vietnamese capital of Hanoi provides a full-scale assault on the senses. Its crumbly, lemon-hued colonial architecture is a feast for the eyes; swarms of buzzing motorbikes invade the ear, while the delicate scents and tastes of delicious street food can be found all across a city that – unlike so many of its regional contemporaries – is managing to modernize with a degree of grace. Despite its political and historical importance, and the incessant noise drummed up by a large population, Hanoi exudes a more intimate, urbane appeal than Ho Chi Minh City.

There are dozens of architectural structures closely connected with the culture and history of Vietnam. Each of the structures contains an exciting and meaningful story behind it, which makes people fall in love with Hanoi without awareness. That is the reason why Hanoi is referred to as a city of 1000 years of history. A visit to the historical sites in Hanoi is a way to echo back events and things happening in the Vietnamese history.
The glorious chapters in the history are gradually revealed when you land in each of the landmarks, and you will realize that Hanoi, even underwent changes in economy, society, and architecture, still keeps a classical color for its own. Traditional values of culture and history are easily found from small details, e.g. a family meal to great architecture.

Coming to Hanoi, do not lose out on destinations with deep meaning in history, such as Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hoa Lo Prison, Hoan Kiem Lake, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, …

Hanoi – The city of peace
Nguyen Thanh Van

A Complete Guide to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi

Nguyen Thanh Van — Tue, 19 May 2020 07:20:50 +0000

A Complete Guide to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi
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As one of oldest cities in the world, Hanoi certainly has its own way to stand out from fellow Southeast Asian cities. Its rich culture is reflected on one of the most ancient historical sites: the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. In this article, we will walk you through the best architectural and cultural patterns of this phenomenal site, which earned it the title of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2010.

8 INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT HANOI

The origin of the Citadel dates back to the 7th century, when its very first foundation was set up. Vietnam was under Chinese invasion at the time, and a Chinese fortress was said to be built in the area. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh) to Dai La (former name of Hanoi) and renamed it Thang Long. The Citadel was built in the same place, over the top of the torn-down fortress. From then on, the Citadel had remained the center of regional political power for 13 consecutive centuries.

The Imperial Citadel was expanded under Tran, Le and Nguyen Dynasty, with several occasions of major destruction by war. It remained the seat of the Vietnamese Court until 1810, when Emperor Quang Trung moved the capital from Thang Long to Phu Xuan (now known as the Imperial City of Hue). The ruins roughly coincide with the Hanoi Citadel today.

The royal palaces and most of the structures in Thăng Long were in varying states of disrepair by the late 19th century with the upheaval of the French conquest of Hanoi. By the 20th century many of the remaining structures were torn down. Only in the 21st century are the ruin foundations of Thăng Long Imperial City systematically excavated.

In the 21st century, the central sector of the imperial citadel was listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site on July 31, 2010 at its session in Brazil, as “The Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long – Hanoi”

Despite all the destruction and invasion across the centuries a few structures do remain and have since been loveling restored. These include the imposing Doan Mon gate which marks the southern entrance to the royal palace, the steps of Kinh Thiên Palace and the Hậu Lâu (Princess’ Palace).

There’s also a visitors information centre at the entrance which is also where you purchase your tickets. There’s limited information in English but enough to get a handle on what the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is and why it’s so important to the nation.

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is an outstanding place of interest not only for the capital city, but also for the country as a whole.

Visiting times: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily except Mondays.
Street address: 19C Hoàng Diệu, Điện Bàn, Ba Đình, Hà Nội 100000.

A Complete Guide to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van

Tran Quoc Pagoda Hanoi: The Oldest Pagoda Symbolizing Vietnamese Buddhism

Nguyen Thanh Van — Mon, 18 May 2020 03:26:04 +0000

Tran Quoc Pagoda Hanoi: The Oldest Pagoda Symbolizing Vietnamese Buddhism
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Hanoi is always a great destination for Buddhists with many ancient pagodas and temples. Most of the old pagodas are located around West Lake. Especially, nowhere else is better than Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest one in Hanoi, if you are interested in Buddhism.

THE MOST VISITED TEMPLES AND PAGODAS IN HANOI

Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest of its kind in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty (544 – 548). The Buddhist shrine has undergone several changes throughout the years, particularly its renaming from An Quoc to Tran Quoc (protecting the country) by Emperor Le Huy Tong in the 17th century.

Although it’s now set on an islet within West Lake, the pagoda was originally located on banks of Red River before it’s relocated in 1615due to the river’s encroachment. Surrounded by lush greenery, Tran Quoc Pagoda was a favourite amongst the kings and royal families for festivals, full moons, and Tet Festival.

Tran Quoc pagoda – the oldest one in Hanoi (@lozjeffries)

With a history of over a thousand years, it used to be the capital of Buddhism during the Tran dynasty and now considered as a symbol of Hanoi capital, both in the past and today.

Tran Quoc pagoda renowned for its deep cultural and Buddhist values. (@jessicadaughters)

Standing at 15 metres, the main pagoda is made up of eleven levels, while its surrounding buildings include an incense burning house and a museum housing historic relics. You can also see intricately carved statues dating to 1639, each of which bear unique facial feature.

Thanks to its advantageous location just right beside the dazzling West Lake and on an island which is linked by a bridge between the two most romantic lakes of Hanoi, which are Truc Bach Lake and West Lake, the pagoda attracts a lot of tourists each day.

WEST LAKE HANOI – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Its entrance is a unique point of the pagoda. When seeing the gate from afar, it looks deflected, but there is no sense of it at all when approaching there.

The gate of Tran Quoc pagoda (@markjlwang)

Going through the gate, you need to follow the way which is paved with red brick to see the interior space.

Tien Duong (the Front House) is located in front of the bell tower and faces the west. In front of the Front House, there is an incense burner in the yard so the Buddhists and tourists can thurify.
Nha To (the Ancestor House) is on the right of Tien Duong, worshipping the previous generation of monks.
Nha Bia (the Stele House) is on the left of Tien Duong, holding 14 important steles engraved from 1813 to 1815. It shows the renovating process of the pagoda after a long time in ruin.

The three main houses are connected and make the pagoda look like a blooming lotus. It can be said that Tran Quoc pagoda is a harmonious combination of the serene ambiance of green garden, far-flung lake, and ancient and imposing architecture. That’s why it was recognized as a national monument in cultural and historical values by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1962.

Beautiful architecture, historic artifacts and a peaceful and serene environment in the pagoda. (@tu_pham1994)

Open daily from 07:30 onwards, Tran Quoc Pagoda is free to enter all year long, though it gets packed with devotees during annual festivities such as Tet and Buddha’s Birthday. As it’s a place of worship, visitors are advised to dress conservatively out of respect for the monks and locals.

Because the pagoda is a holy sanctuary, visitors must wear clothes that strictly follow a fixed dress code. Remember to wear an appropriate outfit and do not wear skin-showing clothes.

HANOI’S PACKAGE TOURS IN 4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS ~ 1 NIGHTS IN HA LONG BAY CRUISE

Just like when you enter any other pagodas in the world, please take off hats, umbrellas, and shoes before coming into the shrines for worshipping. It shows your respect to the gods and the pagodas.

With all the historical and architectural values it possesses, Tran Quoc Pagoda is not only worth visiting as a sacred sanctuary of Buddhism attracting countless Buddhist believers; but also an indispensible destination for cultural explorers to Vietnam.

Tran Quoc Pagoda Hanoi: The Oldest Pagoda Symbolizing Vietnamese Buddhism
Nguyen Thanh Van

8 Interesting Things about Hanoi

Nguyen Thanh Van — Tue, 12 May 2020 08:03:29 +0000

8 Interesting Things about Hanoi
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The first steel bridge over the Red River, the bustling flower market at midnight … are interesting discoveries about Hanoi.

12 seasons of flowers

Hanoi almost has a blooming flower every month , that’s why composer Giang Son wrote the song “Hanoi 12 seasons of flowers” to praise this beauty. Photo: Ha Thanh.

36 streets

36 streets were originally named for the goods that used to be traded there such as Hang Gai, Hang Bo, Cha Ca, Hang Bac … Today, people on many streets have turned to sell other goods, however, some street is still maintained, such as Thuoc Bac, Hang Bac … Hanoi Old Quarter is always listed in the list of destinations to explore in international newspapers such as Telegraph, CNN, Independent … Photo: Kieu Duong.

Egg coffee

Once voted by The Guardian as the 20 best food places in the world, Hanoi has many imprints in the hearts of diners. One of the unique dishes at the top of the list to try is egg coffee. Photo: Deborah Findling/CNBC.

INDULGE BY EGG COFFEE IN VIETNAM

The largest ceramic painting in the world

Stretching nearly 4 km along the Red River dike, the ceramic road currently holds the Guinness record of “The world’s longest ceramic picture”. Photo: Diggers2004 / Wikimedia Commons.

Train Street

The train line has been introduced on the travel site Culture Trip , SCMP newspaper , CNN …

Although this is a tourist destination, the authorities have decided to close the railway coffee village in October 2019 to ensure safety for both residents and tourists. Photo: Wayne Duncan.

HANOI TRAIN STREET – STRANGE EXPERIENCE EVER HAD IN HANOI

Night flower market

Discovering Quang Ba night flower market is one of the things that tourists often hear each other to try when coming to Hanoi. CNN once voted this place as one of the most beautiful places in the world to celebrate Chinese New Year.

The market is located on Au Co Street, Tay Ho District, one of the oldest and largest wholesale flower markets in the city. The market is open all night, but it will usually be the busiest between 1 – 3am, busy with buyers and sellers, the sound of carts … attracting many tourists to visit and take pictures. Photo: EK111 / Flickr.

5 BEST LOCAL MARKETS IN HANOI

The first steel bridge crosses the Red River

The Long Bien Bridge, the historial witness was built between 1899 – 1902. The bridge was designed by architect Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the Eiffel Tower, 2,290 meters long and the first steel bridge to cross the river. Photo: Thong Dong.

8 Interesting Things about Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van

Hanoi Train Street – Strange experience ever had in Hanoi

Nguyen Thanh Van — Fri, 08 May 2020 07:27:20 +0000

Hanoi Train Street – Strange experience ever had in Hanoi
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In recent years, there has been more and more tourists and local people visiting Hanoi strain street for drinking a cup of coffee while seeing the train running through. This practice attracts more and more tourists visiting Hanoi as it is really strange and incredible. However, due to the increased risk of railway accidents, The Ministry of Transport has ordered to shut down the Hanoi train street. Hanoi City authorities have been told to remove the train street coffee shops and other businesses along both sides of the train street including Le Duan street and Phung Hung street.

Tourists visiting Vietnam for the famous destinations like Halong Bay, Sapa, Ha Giang, Hoi An, Ba Na Hill for Golden Bridge, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Mekong Delta, and Hanoi strain street is like a must for many tourists visiting Hanoi. So the closure of Hanoi train street is a pity for them when visiting Hanoi, Vietnam. And of course, the coffee shop owners of the train street are among the people who do not wish this.

What other destinations in Hanoi and around you can visit while Hanoi Train Street is closed? No worry, there are so many nice places in Hanoi and around for you to visit and try.

Halong Bay: Listed in the 7 Natural World Heritage, Halong Bay is like a must when you visit Hanoi. Taking a cruise in Halong Bay is awesome.

MIMOSA HA LONG – LAN HA BAY 1 DAY CRUISE

Lan Ha Bay: Lan Ha Bay is a Southern part of Halong Bay and belongs to Halong Bay. It is a new area for the cruise so now most of the new cruises in Halong Bay go to this route as it is less touristic and cleaner.

Ninh Binh: Ninh Binh is not so far from Hanoi which you can take a day trip from Hanoi.

EXPLORE NINH BINH – TRANG AN GROTTOES – MUA CAVE IN 1 DAY

Sapa: Sapa is one of the top listed destinations if you visit Vietnam. Visiting Sapa you will not only visit the beautiful nature of the mountainous area with the beautiful rice field but also the unique culture of the hill tribe people there.

Mai Chau: If you are planning to travel to Northern Vietnam, do not miss out Mai Chau to learn more about rustic, peaceful life of the ethnic minorities.

2 DAYS 1 NIGHT CYCLING MAI CHAU – WATCHING TRADITIONAL THAI DANCE

Hanoi Train Street – Strange experience ever had in Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van

West Lake Hanoi – what you need to know

Nguyen Thanh Van — Fri, 08 May 2020 06:38:56 +0000

West Lake Hanoi – what you need to know
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West Lake is known for housing Hanoi’s largest freshwater lake, called West Lake. It’s a huge body of water – it has a circumference of 17km – and there are plenty of historic places of interest, five-star hotels, stylish restaurants, cafes, and nightlife venues that are worth exploring along the shoreline.

Accessible within a 15-minute drive from Hanoi Old Quarter, many locals and tourists seeking respite from the busy city make their way to this high-end district as it provides a sanctuary of great natural beauty with plenty of quiet spots in the sizeable botanical gardens. West Lake Hanoi would definitely be a proper choice for those who are tired of the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Tran Quoc Pagoda – the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi

Notable points of interest at West Lake include Tran Quoc Pagoda which was built in the 6th century, making it Vietnam’s oldest temple. Tran Quoc Pagoda resides on a small island built by King Ly Nam De as a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism. The pagoda is particularly stunning when viewed early evening at sunset. If you have been there for the first time, you will be highly likely to be surprised by a number of intricate statues carved in 1939, each of which has a unique facial feature.

Tran Quoc pagoda ’s opening hours are from 8 a.m to 4 p.m, thanks to which, tourists would have enough time to completely enjoy the specific architecture and stunning sunset view the Pagoda has long been famous for.

The solemn beauty of this pagoda has been recognized on the global scale as it was voted by The Daily Mail (UK) as one of the 16 most beautiful pagodas in the world.

Quan Thanh temple – one of the ancient Thang Long Quaternary land

The other main attraction is Quan Thanh Temple, which is located at the West Lake crossroads of Thanh Nien Street and Quan Thanh Street.

According to the legend, in the past, to protect Hanoi from the bad spirits, the citizens here decided to build four sacred temples (so-called Tu Tran Thang Long) in four directions of the city. These temples are Bach Ma (in the East), Kim Liem (in the South), Than Linh Lang (in the West) and Quan Thanh (in the North).

Quan Thanh temple, worshipping Huyen Thien Tran Vu, serving as the protector of the Northern areas, was built during the reign of King Ly Thai To (1010 – 1028). It is based on Chinese style, meaning that it has an outer gate, a triple gate, and a courtyard.

Quan Thanh Temple is open for all to enter with sightseers encouraged to pray for health, luck and happiness during their visit.

Van Nien pagoda – the most unique of wooden architecture in the side of Hanoi West Lake

Located on Lac Long Quan Street, this pagoda is dedicated to Buddha and Princess Lieu Hanh. The thousand-year-old pagoda is considered one of the most famous ones in the old capital of Thang Long. Van Nien Pagoda has its architecture affected significantly by the Nguyen Dynasty ’s style. This complex contains a triple gate, the main pagoda and a Temple of Goddess.

At the moment, the pagoda also holds the precious ancient relics, including more than 40 round statues and 10 excellent monks of the Le and Tay Son periods. There was an article on the bronze bell “Van Nien Tu Chung” cast in Gia Long’s time. Over 1000 years of history with the changes of the times, the pagoda has been repaired many times, especially since 1992, the pagoda has been renovated and renovated. Many famous Vietnamese monks have been based here such as Lam Tue Sinh, Ly Thao Duong, Thich Vien Thanh and so on. This makes Van Nien Pagoda not only a spiritual place but also a sanctuary for Vietnamese historic and cultural values.

When it comes to dining options, the southern part of West Lake is the place to go for seafood bites, with a whole street dedicated to local seafood restaurants while the northern side is where you can find the affluent residential neighbourhood and five-star hotels in Tay Ho District.

Nightlife in Tay Ho District is limited compared to Hanoi Old Quarter and French Quarter, but there are several quality nightlife venues that stay busy until late.

Visiting Hanoi but not going to West Lake would be one of the most regrettable things you have ever done in your life. The natural beauty, the excellent food and huge cultural values here form a perfect combination, which is sure to take everyone’s breath away.

West Lake Hanoi – what you need to know
Nguyen Thanh Van

Discovery Vietnam- Duong Lam Ancient Village

Nguyen Thanh Van — Thu, 07 May 2020 04:02:11 +0000

Discovery Vietnam- Duong Lam Ancient Village
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After the recognition of Hoi An ancient town, Hanoi old quarter, Duong Lam village in Son Tay Town is the first ancient village recognised as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information. Located in Sơn Tây Town, 40 km to the west of Hanoi, Đường Lâm village is a very popular tourist destination at the weekends.

Two of Vietnam’s kings, Phung Hung (761-802) and Ngo Quyen (896-944) were born in Duong Lam, giving the village its prestige. Both men led resistance wars against northern invasion and after winning national independence, were crowned kings. After their deaths, the local people built temples in their honor. The ancient village has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses dating back up to 400 years.

5 IDEAS FOR DAY TRIP FROM HANOI

It takes just over an hour to get to Đường Lâm village. On the road leading up to the village, tourists can feel the peaceful atmosphere. The rice fields these days are in their prime while lotus ponds will soon be in bloom signaling the coming of the summer. Passing through the village gate to Mông Phụ village, visitors should not miss taking photo of the gate, which is in the typical architectural style of an old Vietnamese village.

Discovery Vietnam- Duong Lam Ancient Village
Nguyen Thanh Van