Most people know Pho as the most famous dish in Vietnamese culinary art. There are lots of people who fall in love with Pho right at the first time they taste it. However, there is a secret not everyone knows. Pho, depending upon its geographical origin, is cooked and eaten in a way different from the other. Specifically, Pho in the North of Vietnam (Pho Bac) is not similar to Pho in the Southern Vietnam (Pho Nam).

First, the soup is one of the main factors of a successful bowl of Pho. The soup, however, is cooked in different ways. Hanoians often boil only the beef’s bones to make the soup. Saigonese people, besides using beef’s bones, sometimes use chicken’s bones and dry squids to make the soup more flavorful. That is the reason why when looking at a bowl of Pho, we can recognize its origin. The broth of Hanoi’s Pho is clearer than Saigon’s Pho. Due to more ingredients added, the broth of Saigon’s Pho does not look as pure as Hanoi’s Pho. In addition, Northern people tend to add more seasonings in the soup than Southern people. Northern people tasting Saigon’s Pho find it too sweet for them to finish the soup. In contrast, Southern people tasting Hanoi’s Pho find it too salty.

The second difference is the noodles used in Pho. When eating a bowl of Pho in Hanoi, customers do not have options of noodles. They just have only one kind of noodles which is big in width and thin in depth. In Ho Chi Minh City, when having a Pho, they would ask what kind of noodle you would like to have: the primary one (like Hanoi’s Pho) or the thinner one both in width and in depth.

It might be big mistake if we don’t mention different vegetables used in Hanoi’s Pho and Saigon’s Pho. People in the North Vietnam do not have bean sprouts with Pho while the Southern people do. Moreover, one of the most favorite vegetables of Southern people that you cannot find at any Hanoi’s Pho shop is basil. In Saigon, a plate of various kinds of vegetables is often served together with Pho. Customers choose which vegetables they want and dip them into the soup, mix up all and enjoy. There are not many kinds of vegetables served with Pho in the North Vietnam.

Another difference is meat served in Pho. In Saigon, when having a Pho, the seller will ask you how you would like meat to be cooked: rare, medium, well-done, what kind of meat you would like: fillet, meat with bones or bone only. In the North Vietnam, it is not popular to have beef bone in a bowl of Pho, though.

The last difference in eating Pho between the North and the South Vietnam is the sauce. People in Saigon are used to adding the Hoisin sauce in their bowls or in a smaller separate dish to dip the meat in before eating it. The Hanoians, however, don’t put the Hoisin sauce in. If they prefer more spicy, they can add chili sauce. It might be hard for visitors to realize these differences at the first time. The more you experience, the better you are at defining Hanoi’s Pho or Saigon’s Pho later.

Source: vietnamonline.com

Pho In Varieties
Nguyen Thanh Van

Sitting at a street corner in Hanoi old quarter with a beer glass, chatting with your freshly made friends while watching people pass by might be one the most memorable pages in your travel journal.

It is said that the word “Bia-hoi” is third in importance only after “Xin chao” (Hello) and “Cam on” (Thank you) when one learns Vietnamese. In the severe heat, not many things can beat a glass of cooled draught beer.

The good news is that draught beer is a popular refreshment drink in all over Vietnam. The bad news is that it is way too affordable that you may have to restrain yourself from going for a fourth glass (each glass costs you 20-30 cents!).  Ta Hien street is one of the hot spots for beer hoi. And because it is such an enticing gathering place, you will be likely to run into many tourists and local alike, ready to converse over the weather or some latest gossips in town.

While taking your sip, mind the life evolving around you- of shops selling books and pirate dvds; ; of elderly strolling by in peace and of course different vehicles flowing freely. This seemingly chaotic picture can be both intriguing and entertaining, if you are sitting and watching over a beer glass.

Travel Tips:  
* It is customary for Vietnamese to have beer with boiled or roasted peanuts. Try it and love it!
* There is likelihood that street vendors will corner you off to sell postcards, chewing gums and who-knows-what. A determined “no” will do the job if you don’t want to buy anything and get yourself into further trouble.
* Be aware of pickpockets whenever and wherever you are.

Hanoi Street Eats Food 3 Hours Walking Private Tour

Source: vietnamonline.com

Cheering over Bia-hoi on a Hanoi street corner
Nguyen Thanh Van

Hanoi Old Quarter is one of the oldest continuously developed areas in Vietnam that has gone through a history of 2000 years. Situated near the Hoan Kiem Lake and Long Bien Bridge. Used to be a former citadel wall, the Old Quarter became more well-known as a crafts area when King Ly Thai To decided to move the capital from Hoa Lu to Hanoi in the 11th century. Later, the area turned into a village for Hanoi local people with a round structure with thousands of houses on stilts. In the 13th century, some tiny workshop villages gathered into craft cooperatives. Skilled craftsmen moved to the Quarter and performed similar services. They lived and worked together to transform private merchandise to the designated streets.

Most Iconic Streets of Hanoi Old Quarters

Hang Bac Street

In the Old Quarter, most of the streets started with the word “Hang”, which means shop or merchandise. Hang Bac is one of the oldest streets in Vietnam which dated back from 13th century. “Bac” means silver because the street was a silver manufacture under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong. Since the 18th century, the street has performed more functions. Besides making silver ingots, the street also sells jewelry and exchanges money. If a merchant wanted a large amount of money for business transactions, they would exchange the metal bars on Hang Bac. Although the money paper was used later, the name Bac remained as the unique point of the street. Nowadays, the street mostly sells gold, silver as jewelry and exchanges money.

Hang Be Street

In the mid-19 century, Hang Be street was the place where the craftsmen made bamboo rafts. Each raft consisted of 12 to 15 bamboo poles lashed by the bamboo bark. The bamboo poles were sold in Hang Tre street. Bamboo raft played an important role in the traveling and fishing of the residents because they could easily move through Hanoi’s shallow river, swamps and lakes.

Cau Go Street

Cau Go Street means “Wooden Bridge Street”, which is located by the lake shore. Many years ago, there was a bridge connecting Thai Cuc Lake and Hoan Kiem Lake. Under the French colonialization, the lake and stream were filled with land and the bridge was not used anymore, but it was still a regular street for local people. Nowadays, Cau Go street is a business street where specializes in women’s accessories.

Hang Dao Street

Hang Dao street is one of the main streets in the Old Quarter running from the north to the south, dividing the quarter into two halves. “Dao” refers to the pink peach blossoms, the symbol of Tet in Vietnam. At that time, there was a huge demanding for this color, so the street was named after that story. In the past, the street was a center for silk products. On the first and sixth days of lunar months, there were fairs that people tried to try silk products for French and Hanoi local people. When there was a turn from 19th to 20th century, the street sold not only silk but also western clothing products. Nowadays, this street is specializing in ready-made clothes.

Dong Xuan Street/ Market Street

Located at the meeting point of To Lich River and Red River, Dong Xuan Market was the oldest, busiest and the biggest market in Hanoi. When the French occupied Hanoi, they required the merchants to sell goods inside the market in order to collect tax. When there was an increase in the number of merchants, the market was enlarged. There were five gates leading to the building, each gate was used for special goods. Nowadays, the market is mostly for wholesales and the goods sold here are more diverse than they were before.

Hang Mam Street

The name of Mam rooted from “fish sauces”, which is a kind of ingredients commonly used in Vietnam dishes. The street was originally located on the riverside near the day’s catch. After the sauce was made, it was stored in barrels that were made on Hang Thung Street. From 1940, a ceramics industry including memorial stone etching, tombstone and coffin appeared and replaced the fish sauce business.

Ma May Street

The street is a combination of two streets. Hang May sold products from rattan while Hang Ma sold sacred joss. At the end of the 20th century, the streets turned into one called Ma May. Nowadays, the street does not sell any special products. It is a common spot for tourists to enjoy their vacations in Hanoi.

Hang Thiec Street

In the past, the tinsmiths were produced on this block. Originally, the craftsmen manufactured small tin cone-shape to make conical hats. Then the tins were transported to the nearby Hang Non Street where made the hats. The street also made candlesticks, oil lamps, and opium boxes.

The Old Quarter is a legacy of Hanoi through a long history, but the area is facing huge challenges due to fast development. During your Vietnam vacation in Hanoi Old Quarter, you will be busy in the morning with thousands of merchandise shops and lively in the evening with a number of restaurants and bars. Spending a few days there on a Hanoi tour will not make you disappointed.

Source: vietvisiontravel.com

Hanoi Old Quarter of 36 Iconic Streets
Nguyen Thanh Van

The image of the ancient Hoa Phong tower,  has been imprinted in the soul of many generations of Hanoi people. However not everyone knows the history of this ancient tower.

Located on the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake, opposite the Hanoi Post Office building, Hoa Phong tower is the only remaining vestige of Bao An Pagoda – the most famous pagoda in Hanoi in the 19th century.

The tower was built of bricks, three stories high, the quadrilateral surface, the first floor has four doors, so it is also known as the “tứ môn tháp”.

On each door of the tower have these words: Báo Ân Môn, Báo Nghĩa Môn, Báo Đức Môn, Báo Phúc Môn ( Bao An Gate, Bao Nghia Gate, Bao Duc Gate, Bao Phuc Gate), expressing important values of Confuciannism.

The second floor of the tower has four square corner corners built to place the statue of four “nghê”.

The corners are connected by contour culture.

The middle of the tower on the second floor is deeply indented. The two sides have the concave square in the two Sanskrit words “Án” means judgment symmetrically with each other.

The remaining two plots are covered with eight-sign figure – a symbol of Taoism and are also associated with the Confucian worldview.

On the third floor, on the East-West side, the tower is named Hoa Phong, but on the North-South side, “Bao Thien Tower” is recorded.

The top of the tower is decorated with bottle gourd, a symbol of blessings in Buddhism and Taoism.

The decorative motifs of the tower feature Oriental characteristics, rigorous in each line.

Inside tower.

According to the researchers, Hoa Phong tower is a type of tower rarely seen in Buddhist architecture, with the first floor to be bigger and taller than the two upper floors.

The tower is located in a very special position, in front of the temple gate, not in the garden like the usual square towers in Vietnamese pagodas.

The decorative motifs show the tower bearing the ideology “Cư Nho Mộ Thích” popular in the Nguyen Dynasty.

According to the remaining documents, Bao An Pagoda inaugurated the 7th year of Thieu Tri (1847) on the old foundation of Ngu Long Lau in Trinh Lord capitol. The person in charge of setting up the pagoda is the governor of Ha Ninh (Hanoi – Bac Ninh) Nguyen Dang Giai, that is why people call it the pagoda Quan Thuong.

After its inauguration, Bao An Pagoda has the superficial scale and is the most famous type of Hanoi at that time. This is one of the constructions bearing the Nguyen Dynasty on Thang Long land.

In 1889, the French colonialists destroyed Bao An Pagoda to build a palace and post office (now the Government Guest House and the Hanoi Post Office).

Perhaps, Hoa Phong tower was fortunate not to be demolished because it was located outside the pagoda grounds.

After two centuries, the architecture of the ancient tower remains intact.

Nowadays, Hoa Phong tower has become an iconic building on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Images of the ancient towers have marked in the hearts of many generations of Hanoi people.

This is also a must-visit place for tourists when coming to the city’s top attractions.

Source: kienthuc.com.vn

Hoa Phong Tower: Ancient tower has a special history of Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van

As one of the two largest tourist centers of the country, Hanoi Capital plays an essential role in the development of tourism of the whole country in general and of the Northern region in particular. Different from the Southern region that only has 2 seasons, Hanoi has 4 separate seasons which can satisfy even the most picky individual. Coming to Hanoi, tourists can enjoy all 4 seasons of the year, and each one has its own characteristics that instill in the visitors’ deepest corners of their hearts different feelings about life. Some people fall in love with Hanoi in the autumn, some adore Hanoi in the spring when the flowers start to bloom. If Hanoi has won your heart, and you are in love with the trees and street corners here, then don’t be afraid to set off and explore the elegant beauty through each season of this 1,000 year of civilization capital.

Hanoi in the spring

Spring, which is from February to April, is the season of remarkable growth and vitality. Coming to Hanoi in the spring, tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy sightseeing of many blossoming flowers, blooming buds and pristine sproutings on the branches. Spring in Hanoi is the most discernible when buds of tender peach blossom begin to bloom in Nhat Tan flower garden.

                                                                                                    Photo: Caoanhtuan

   Photo: Caoanhtuan

In recent years, Hanoi spring weather quite cool and pleasant, with mild warm sunshine, suitable for the whole nature to bloom, showing off its glamorous beautiful colors. Especially, sometimes there are spring drizzles, which will surely keep the kind hearts paused for a little while and lead it to feel a sense of nostalgia about something that has gone far in the past. Coming to Hanoi around this time, visitors will be able to participate in and learn about traditional festivals or experience folk activities held to celebrate the arrival of spring and Vietnamese New Year

In addition to peach blossom features Hanoi Tet holiday, pristine pure white Sua flowers, purple-colored mountain ebany and red-scented rice flowers competing to bloom in March is also notable characteristics of Hanoi’s springtime. The streets are full of flowers in succession, making the atmosphere of Hanoi even more joyful and jubiliant.

Summer of Hanoi

Someone once said that Hanoi in the summer is very hot-tempered and as sour and scornful as a girl’s personality. The weather in Hanoi from May onwards until the end of July is actually unfavourable, hot even in the morning and it often rains at the end of the day, making the space very clammy hot and uncomfortable. However, with hot weather, Summer is an ideal time to go on vacation, organizing picnics on the outskirts of Hanoi. Enjoying the fresh cool air blowing up from the lake, from the sea or relaxingly contemplating the picturesque natural scenery are experiences that travelers should definitely try when traveling to Hanoi in the summer.

Particularly, when it comes to Hanoi summer, it is indispensable without mentioning the burning red phoenix flower. It is not difficult to find the majestic red phoenix flowers that permeate the campus of the schools or throughout the streets of Hanoi. In addition, Hanoi Summer will turn more brilliant and elegant in the purple color of queen’s crape-myrtle on the days of May or in the aroma of fragrant lotus, fluttering in the breeze with the typical characteristics of the June.

Hanoi in the romance of autumn days

Referring to Autumn in Hanoi, visitors will immediately imagine the scent of milk flowers, nacre flowers in blue white, sweetly aromatic, blooming throughout every street of Hanoi. Or it would be incomplete in the absence of the scent of green Com with its fragrant aroma and the unique characteristics of young rice grains creeping through every street corner on the street peddles. In this season, Hanoi weather is probably the time when there are a huge number of tourists travelling to Hanoi, since just like Hanoians, everyone else’s heart has been completely stolen by the fantastic weather and especially the poetic beauty of the leaves falling season.

Autumn in Hanoi is the unlimited source of inspiration for many authors’ works , ranging from music, poetry to extremely abundant and unique photography. Unexpected showers frequently pour down  in this time of the year, and the cool mild weather lasts from August to October. Autumn is the time when trees start to have their leaves colors change and then fall unforgetably, creating the romantic landscapes, which misleads the sensitive souls to believe that theu are in a artistic movie scene.

Hanoi goes into the wintry seasons

Hanoi winter is from November to January, the coldest period of the year, and this is also the time when Hanoi wears the quietest appearance. The bitter coldness of the winter makes all daily activities of Hanoi people become more sluggish, less noisy and hustling compared to the busy summer months. In the winter, fog covers the entire sky, and the wet roads are sparse of people.

Winter travel in Hanoi is indispensable if there cannot be seen the colors of the typical flowers that only bloom in this season such as yellow rape flowers, tiny white daisies gently mingling in the crowd of people on the street. At this time, Hanoi bears a tranquil and ancient magnificence hanging on the streets or on antique bicycles, carrying loads of gorgeous flowers throughout the old streets of lovely Hanoi.

Source: WhatsupVietnam.com

Hanoi and four beautiful seasons
Nguyen Thanh Van

When is Apricot Blossom’s season?

In order to know in which season the flowers bloom, you need to identify where the flowers will bloom. Because the timing of blooming varies from place to place. In particular, the most beautiful flowering spots in the country are: Northwest (Dien Bien, Moc Chau, …), Hanoi and Da Lat. Let’s find out when the flowers will bloom in these lands!

The flowering season in the Northwest

When the spring say goodbye to the Northwestern mountains, it is also the time for the Apricot blossom’s season to bloom here. Specifically in February, you will see flowers appear  on the roads leading to Dien Bien’s Streets or Moc Chau Town.

By the end of February – early March is the time when flowers bloom in all hills and highlands. At this time, warm weather is also very suitable for a journey to find the mountainous region of the country.

Apricot blossom in Hanoi

Maybe because the geographical location is quite close to each other, the capital also has Apricot Blossom’s season quite similar to the Northwest provinces of Vietnam. The end of February is also the time when the flowers begin to bloom in the season and spread radiantly in March, lasting until early May. If you are planning to travel to Hanoi in the above months, do not miss this beautiful flower season.

Apricot blossom’s season in Dalat

Slightly different from the above two regions, Da Lat white flower season is associated with the cold winter. Because at the end of December, the roads on the mountain street were full of white flowers. For those who love the winter in Da Lat, love the cold air with full of frost, they usually visit to Dalat from December to February. This is the time you could see the flowers at the beginning of the season, and enjoy the winter atmosphere. In addition, traveling to Dalat in February, visitors can admire the characteristic cherry blossom season of the city.

For those who love the spring of the thousands of flowers’ city, March – April is the perfect time to visit here. The moderate temperature and the blooming white flowers will make you bewildered and forget about the way back. Besides the flowering season, you can also admire the beauty of the purple phoenix here. Don’t miss!

Soure: Vietnambooking.com

A beauty of Apricot Blossom in Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van