Located on the edge of Hoan Kiem Lake – the heart of Hanoi capital – we could say that Ly Thai To Garden is the most famous gardens in Vietnam. There are many historical stories about this garden that not everyone knows.

Accordingly, the original Ly Thai To flower garden is the land of an ancient pagoda – Pho Giac pagoda, or Tau pagoda of Hau Lau village. In 1883, the French colonialists moved this pagoda to the garden of the Medical Institute garden, now in Ngo Si Lien street to built for the building of Maire, Treasury, Post Office and a flower garden.

In 1886, after the death of the Ambassador Paul Bert, the French colonial named him for garden. Paul Bert Flower Garden is the first name of Ly Thai To garden. In 1890, the French cast a statue of Paul Bert placed on a stone pedestal, facing the Hoan Kiem Lake.

In 1945, after the Japan coup d’état against France, Mayor Tran Van Lai dropped down the statue of Paul Bert. Mr. Tran Van Lai changed street names and flower gardens from French to Vietnamese names, so the garden Paul Bert changed the name to Chi Linh garden.

The two streets on both sides of Chi Linh Park are named Le Lai and Le Thach, and nearby streets named Nguyen Xi, Tran Nguyen Han, Dinh Le, Dinh Liet … are the names of famous generals of the Lam Son uprising.

20 years later, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital (Oct 10, 1954 – Oct 10, 2004) and the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi, Hanoi decided to build monument of King Ly Thai To in this historic garden.

In Vietnamese history, King Ly Thai To (974 – 1028) is considered to be one of the greatest kings who founded Thang Long citadel and created the land of thousands of years of civilization. In 1010, he transferred the capital of Dai Co Viet from Hoa Lu to Dai La (Thang Long – Hanoi nowaday).

Since the statue of King Ly Thai To was built, the garden has officially been given a new name as Ly Thai To garden.

Today, Ly Thai To garden is a familiar gathering place of capital people as well as domestic and foreign tourists.

Source: kienthuc

Ly Thai To Garden and historical little-known stories
Nguyen Thanh Van

In 36 streets in Hanoi, many streets have names starting with the word ‘Hang’, attached to a typical item sold on the street. Particularly Hang Ngang street is a special case because no one can understand what a ‘Ngang’ product is.

Hang Ngang Street is a street located in the center of Hanoi Old Quarter. This is originally the land of Dien Hung ward, old Tho Xuong district.

From the Le dynasty, the Chinese were allowed to reside in Thang Long. Hang Ngang Street is mostly of Cantonese  origin, in Vietnamese is “Quang Dong”, but this province has an old name was Viet, so the old address books refer to this street as “Viet Dong Street”.

During the colonial period, the French called the street “rue des Cantonnais”, meaning “Cantonese Street”. In 1945, regained its Vietnamese name, Hang Ngang Street – a name that has been handed down in folk for a long time.

A painting about the wall and gate of this street from the French colonial period, with the caption “Porte de la rue des Cantonnais” (Cantonese Gate).

No. 48 Hang Ngang Street is also an important historical monument of Vietnam. This is where President Ho Chi Minh wrote the Declaration of Independence, the Declaration birth to the Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945.

Source: kienthuc

Hang Ngang Street and the little-known surprises
Nguyen Thanh Van

Hang Khay Street used to have a rather strange name called British Street. For decades, this street has become a “photography street” of Hanoi capital.

The name of Hang Khay street is associated with a unique traditional craftsmanship, called mosaic craft. For centuries, along the street there were shops specializing in making and selling such as trays, collapses, chairs, tables, tea cabinets …There used to be a mosaic craft temple which no more vestige nowadays.

Old Hang Khay street includes the southern section of Trang Tien street today. At the beginning of the French colonial period, the French called this street and Trang Tien street was “Rue des Incrusteurs”, or Tho Kham street. In 1886, the street was renamed Paul Bert Street.

In 1945, Paul Bert street split to Trang Tien street and Hang Khay street. During the temporary occupation of 1947 – 1952, this street had a stranger named was British street . After the liberation of the capital in 1954, the name Trang Tien – Hang Khay was restored.

The route Trang Tien – Hang Khay – Trang Thi at that time was the focus of the Western Quarter in Hanoi. On Hang Khay street, French shops gradually replaced traditional mosaic shops. These include the drug store at No. 1, the silk shop at No. 25, the Ritz hotel & restaurant at No. 37 …

After 1945, Hang Khay street street gradually appeared many photo shops, the first one being the International Photo Gallery of photography artist Phan Xuan Thuy opened in 1946. This is probably due to the prime location next to Hoan Kiem Lake.

Nowadays, there are only a few photographic shops in the street.

This is a place where people and tourists can walk under the trees, see the iconic works of Hanoi such as Turtle Tower, Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, Hanoi Post Office.

Source: kienthuc

Hang Khay Street – famous photography street in Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van

Hang Bai Street used to be a place where old Hanoi gamblers met often. This is also a street associated with many historical events that stirred up the capital …

Hang Bai Street is a street of over 600 meters, starting from the end of Dinh Tien Hoang Street to the crossroads of Hue – Ham Long Street, crossing Hai Ba Trung, Ly Thuong Kiet and Tran Hung Dao streets, at Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.

The origin of the name of Hang Bai street was from before the French colonial period, the first part of the street gathered manufacturers and traders of playing cards. For a long time, this area was a place where people Hanoi gambling met often.

During the colonial period, the French called this street Rue des Cartes (a street selling card cards), later changed to Dong Khanh Boulevard. In 1945, the street was renamed Trieu Quang Phuc, and since 1949, Dong Khanh Boulevard was renamed. After 1954, the street came back with the name of Hang Bai.

During this time, the card-making business was stop because of large French offices and businesses. At the begin of the street, there was Hanoi’s largest grocery store, the “Indochina Trade Complex” (L’Union commercial indochinoise) which people call the “Goda brand”, nowaday the building is Trang Tien Plaza.

Another noteworthy relic on Hang Bai street is Dong Khanh school, the only high school for Vietnamese female students of Hanoi and the whole of Tonkin in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, now this is a junior high school ~ Trung Vuong Secondary School (26 Hang Bai).

Majestic Theater (now August Theater, 45 Hang Bai) is one of the most luxurious cinemas in colonial Hanoi. In the early days of the National Resistance in 1946, Hang Bai Street was a fierce battlefield, and the Majestic theater was the scene of the death battle between the National Guard and a unit of Le Duong soldiers.

Today, Hang Bai street is one of the busiest street of Hanoi. Along this street, there are many fashion shops, electronics, cafes, restaurants…

Source: kienthuc

Hang Bai Street and Hanoi’s historial pages
Nguyen Thanh Van

Hanoi street food has been a unique cultural feature of Hanoi for a long time. Wherever you go, it is always a hard impression in the heart of Hanoi people as well as international visitors when they visit the city.

Street food – “soul” of Hanoi

The characteristic of street food in Hanoi is that the processing of food is very fast, not decoratively and eaters can enjoy while it is still hot. Now, pavement night diner s are places to meet friends, entertaining after stressful working hours or family gatherings. Each person has a purpose so that there are always crowded in the night, everyone is shady talk. This is the reason why there are many Vietnam food tours.

Uncle Nguyen Van Mai, a native of Hanoi, said: “The pavement restaurant is always the place that I and my friends choose when meeting each other. Not only because of this delicious food, but we also can both eat and talk very comfortably without fear of influencing or scaring anyone. The price at the sidewalk diner compared to the restaurant with clean and beautiful space is not much difference. However, many people still choose street foods, because they like the feeling of eating while looking the bustle of Hanoi streets. Street food has become a part of the soul of Hanoi. And even if people leave Hanoi, they will never forget that street food.

Street food in Hanoi in the view of international tourists.

Hanoi street food is increasingly popular and affirms its attractiveness in the eyes of international visitors. Come to Hanoi, visitors can not miss the famous street specialties such as beef noodle, pancakes, rolls, bread …

Mike Tatarski, a two-year-old visitor in Vietnam, said, “I like street food in Hanoi. Because it tastes very unique, there are many green vegetables and spice combinations are very harmonious. Especially, I was impressed with the street vendors sitting on the sidewalk because they are very friendly and humorous. It helps me feel a lot better. ” Hanoi street cuisine is richer with dishes from many regions now that make the cuisine of Kinh Ky area become more and more interesting and special.

Visitors are not only attracted by the delicious food, but they also are very interested in eating while watching the local people ‘s lifestyle. Just a few plastic chairs and a folding table, even without a roof, it can become a street restaurant. Blacke Robertson, a US traveler said: “The street food of Hanoi made me very excited. It is not only very tasty, but I also found a new feeling as I sat on the small plastic chairs, sipping coffee or iced tea, watching the bustling line on the street and listening to the stories of those around me. ”

Thanks to the unique flavor and special features of street foods, many visitors also open street-style restaurants and sell Vietnamese food in their home country after they enjoyed Vietnam street food. For example, Paul Hopper, a British guy after a trip to Vietnam opened a restaurant called “Box” in London. He said: “When I came to Vietnam, I immediately” fell in love “with fresh, tasty dishes of street vendors. I am especially impressed with the popular restaurants here because of quickly and conveniently serving. Besides, it is really suitable for office staffs and worker lunches. And I decided to open chophouse in London, serving fast food but still fresh for office workers. ”

It can be said that street food has become a unique cultural feature of Hanoi, the “soul” of the land of the thousand years of civilization. Not only has a special meaning with the local people, but also has the unforgettable impression with international friends. As a result, it contributes to enriching the quintessence culinary culture of Vietnam.

Source: vietnam-travelnews

The Beauty Of Hanoi Street Food Tours
Nguyen Thanh Van

Lien Phai Pagoda is a Buddhist temple in Hanoi, Vietnam. The temple is located in Lien Phai aley, Bach Mai street, Hai Ba Trung district, promising to be an ideal destination for visitors on night food tour Hanoi who like to learn about the architecture in Vietnam.

Lien Phai Pagoda was formerly known with the name Lien Hoa Pagoda and then renamed Lien Tong. Because of the taboo of the name Nguyen Phuc Mien Tong of King Thieu Tri, the temple was renamed Lien Phai Pagoda. It is the birthplace of the Lien Tong (Lotus Meditation) – one of the Buddhist meditations of our country – appeared in Hau Le Dynasty (XVII, XVIII century). The temple also has a five-storey Cuu Sinh tower also nearly 300 years old. This is the oldest tower which has the most obvious history in the inner city of Hanoi.

The temple has been repaired many times, including major repairs in 1855 and 1869. The current scale of the temple has not changed much since this renovation.

Since 1962, Lien Phai pagoda has been recognized as a national historical-cultural monument of Vietnam.

Source: kienthuc.com.vn

Lien Phai Pagoda – the beautiful lotus of Thang Long citadel
Nguyen Thanh Van

Thuoc Bac Street used to be a pharmaceutical trading center of Hanoi in the past. There are no ancient temples and pagodas, but the street has a famous place of being house no 87 …

Thuoc Bac Street is a street extending from Hang Ma Street to Hang Thiec Street in the center of Hanoi Old Quarter. Most of this street used to be Dong Thanh village, the last part (Hang Bo side) was Nhan Noi village, Tho Xuong district.

The name of Thuoc Bac Street originates from the middle of the street from centuries ago, which is famous for the traditional Chinese pharmacies, which people often call Northern medicine to distinguish it from South medicine – using the main raw material, which is a native Vietnamese medicinal plant.

During the colonial period, the government combined the streets of Thuoc Bac (old), Hang But (old), Hang Vai Tham, Hang Ao and Hang Khoa into a long straight line, named Rue des Médicaments (Hang Thuoc street). Since 1945, the street has been officially named Vietnamese as Thuoc Bac.

Nowaday, Thuoc Bac Street is still a busy business street. Street architecture is a mix of old and new styles, including some Western-style houses, built in the first half of the 20th century.

There are no ancient temples and pagodas, but Thuoc Bac Street has a famous place of the house No. 87. In the alley of this building is a small apartment, the place where the famous painter Bui Xuan Phai has been revel in drawing “Phai Street” for decades – a line of paintings associated with memories of Hanoi Old Quarter ..

Source: kienthuc.com.vn

Thuoc Bac Street – the keeping colours place of old Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van

Hang But Pho street in Hanoi used to have a rather strange name, Hang Mun Street. The name comes from a typical career of the poor living on the street.

Hang But Street is a 68-meter-long street stretching from Thuoc Bac Street to Bat Su Street, west of Hanoi Old Quarter. This is the former part of Dong Thanh hamlet, old Tho Xuong district.

This street specializes in selling notebooks, pens, and markers for students. The French call Hang But street (Thuoc Bac) as “rue Cambanère”, Hang Mun street is “rue des Chiffons”.

Despite being a street of the poor, during the colonial period, at the four corners of Hang Mun street were four superficial palaces of the Japanese and colonial government officials..

Since 1945, Cambanère Street has changed the name of Hang But street, while Chiffons Street has been Hang But alley. From 1949, Hang But street (old) became a part of Thuoc Bac street, while Hang But alley was “upgraded” in Hang But street.

Hang But street is the second shortest street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, just behind Hoan Kiem Street.

On this street no longer sells items made from fabric as the street also called Hang Mun anymore. Compared to neighboring streets, this is a fairly quiet street.

Nowaday, the main business on Hang But street is hotels and restaurants.

A notable historical site on this street is Dong Thanh Temple in No.4. The front gate of this temple is on Hang Vai street.

Source: kienthuc.com.vn

Hang But Street – The poor street of old Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van

After the fluctuations of the time, the famous Cho Gao Street is now a memory. The old Cho Gao today has been divide into two.

Cho Gao Street is a 160-meter long street, consisting of two parallel branches extending from Tran Nhat Duat Street to Dao Duy Tu Street in the East of Hanoi Old Quarter. This is one of the streets with the most special history in the old town.

The place where the street was located was the old To Lich river. Therefore, it was called Giang Nguyen of Huong Nghia Village, Ta Tuc Total (later changed to Phuc Lam Province), Tho Xuong District. Since old times, this place has been a gathering place for rice vendors.

By the end of the 19th century, sand was filled by the Red River and the To Lich river mouth was filled. The French filled the river to open a street. At the beginning of the river, the river becomes a wide, rectangular clearing, where grain items are gathered to the Red River wharf. The colonial government called this site the Place du Commerce – Commercial Square.

By the early 20th century, a specialized rice market was built, called Rice market, two parallel streets along the market were also called Cho Gao Street.

The French translated the name of Cho Gao Street into the French name “Marché de la rue du Riz”. Cho Gao Street has been officialized since 1945.

From a Rice market center, Cho Gao street has become a famous cuisine and entertainment destination, attracting many young people and visitors in the old town.

A vestige of the past of Cho Gao street is Huong Nghia communal house at the corner of Cho Gao – Dao Duy Tu, the communal house of the old Huong Nghia village.

At the begin of Cho Gao street is Tran Nhat Duat Elementary School, formerly known as Truong Ke (French “Quai” means “river bank”). On the day of national resistance, this school took place a fierce battle between Viet Minh and France and almost collapsed completely. Later the school was rebuilt.

Some pictures of Cho Gao Street nowadays:

Source: kienthuc.com.vn

Cho Gao Street: “strange” street of 36 streets in Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van