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

Visiting the temples and pagodas in the beginning of the year is a beautiful custom of the Vietnamese. Along with the aim of praying, it is also a chance for people to go sightseeing and enjoy the spring. The following pagodas and temples in Hanoi attract a large number of tourists in the capital that most visitors cannot ignore in the spring days.

Quan Su Pagoda (No. 73 Quan Su Street, Hoan Kiem District): The history witness of Buddhism in Vietnam
Built from the reign of King Le The Tong, Quan Su Pagoda today are more than 500 years old. Served as the headquarter of Buddhism, the pagoda has witnessed many historical events of the Buddhism in Vietnam. The typical event is the unity of Buddhism in Vietnam and the integration of Buddhism in the country with the world. In the freezing air of the first month of the new year, walk through the entrance gate and 11 steps, guests will enter a historical, dignified as well as peaceful space, and admire the parallel sentences written entirely in the national language and pray for a new year of peace and happiness.

Quan Thanh Temple (Quan Thanh Street, Ba Dinh District): Everlasting existence in the mind of the Vietnamese
Along with Bach Ma Temple, Voi Phuc Temple, and Temple Kim Lien, Quan Thanh temple has become one of the “Four towns of Thang Long”, the four most sacred temples of the city. This place locates a copper statue of the god Huyen Thien Tran Vu who was respected in the consciousness of Vietnamese people with many thrilling anecdotes when he protected the country. Visit the temple, visitors can admire the architectural, cultural, artistic values of the monument located on the banks of the West Lake.

Ngoc Son Temple (Hoan Kiem): A harmonious complex of ancient architecture
For years, Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, Pen Tower, and the Writing Pad have become a famous architectural complex, attracting a lot of tourists in the country and internationally. There rarely has a certain architectural ensemble concentrating all the solemn in spiritual aspects and the harmony, unique in terms of architecture and art as such complex. Therefore, the complex has become one of the symbols of the capital and has become the first impression in the hearts of those who arrived in Hanoi. Here, visitors can pray for career and admire the poetic landscapes that the scholar Nguyen Van Sieu designed two centuries ago.

Tran Quoc Pagoda (Tay Ho, Hanoi): One of the 16 world’s most beautiful temples
For more than a millennium and a half, Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi. The pagoda was born at the birth of Van Xuan under the reign of King Ly Nam De, as a result, it was originally named Khai Quoc Pagoda.
For over 1,500 years with much restoration, relocation, the pagoda is now famous not only for its age but also for its architecture which was sequenced and complied with the stringent requirements of Buddhist architecture. Combined with the elegant and harmonious landscape of romantic West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda has been put in one of the 16 world’s most beautiful temples voted by Dailymail in 2016. In spring days, visiting the superlative ancient pagoda in Vietnam with marvelous architectural beauty is a pleasant experience to start a new year.

The Most Visited Temples & Pagodas in Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van

The heart of Hanoi – Hoan Kiem Lake
Nguyen Thanh Van

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

If Hanoi and its lavish array of attractions still cannot satisfy your adventurous spirit or you are simply getting fed up with this noisy crowded city and want some fresh air, just pack up and move out of the inner city to explore numbers of destinations where both stunning scenery and fresh atmosphere are always welcoming you. This guide shall introduce you to five must-see sites near Hanoi for a one day trip.

1- Huong Pagoda (Perfume Pagoda)

Huong Pagoda is an immense complex of Buddhist pagodas, several Gods temples and communal houses, located on Huong Son Town, My Duc District, Hanoi. The center of this complex is laid inside Huong Son Cave, called Chua Trong (Inner Pagoda).

In order to reach this holy sanctuary, tourists are given chances to travel on boats cross a long and narrow but romantic stream. Along its side are extending patty fields where egrets flying intermittently above; grassy dunes and temples here and there. It may take ones 2-3 days to pray at all temples and explore the entire zone.

Huong Pagoda is most well-known for its festival, lasting very long from the beginning of January to early April. During the occasion, Huong Pagoda welcomes thousands pilgrims from both inside and outside of Vietnam.

Full-Day Perfume Pagoda Small-Group Tour

2- Traditional handicraft villages

Visiting traditional handicraft villages around Hanoi should be a good idea for travelers getting bored with busy life of the inner city. The tour will be divided into two morning and afternoon session with one village to visit in each depending on travelers.

Bat Trang Ceramic Village: Getting to the destination either by motorbike or bus crossing Chuong Duong Bridge, a large area of ceramic pottery workshops are open to you. In here, ones can buy the best quality ceramic products, moulded by skillful hands of craftsmen and in various sizes, colors and design. It’s even more exciting when ones are invited to create a ceramic product yourselves.

Van Phuc Silk Village: The site is undoubtedly a paradise of silk and fashion lovers with over 1,000 silk shops, offering a diverse range of delighting shirts, crafts, ties and dresses made of silk here are standing out thanks to its light weight and smooth appearance, high quality and a variety of colors that will definitely be suitable for any skin tones.

3- Duong Lam Ancient Village

The village is 60km from Hanoi center that may takes you a whole day trip. Duong Lam Village is proud to be the most ancient village in Vietnam which is still remaining its lavish array of historic relics and ancient architecture dated to 1,200 years of history. Besides, Duong Lam landscape is typical for a Vietnamese village with poetic rivers with rows of bamboo on its bank, vast patty field where several buffalo or cow digging glass nearby.

4- Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay has just been qualified to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World is definitely a must-see destination. Located within the Gulf of Tonkin, Ha Long Bay is a spectacular formation of around 2,000 small limestone islets with the total square of 1,553 km2. The Bay’s outstanding scenic beauty promises tourists unforgettable experience.

Mimosa Cruise 01 Day

5- Ancient Capital Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh)

The Ancient Capital Hoa Lu is the first capital of feudal system in Vietnam, which associated with two prosperous dynasties: Dinh Dynasty and Le Dynasty. From 968-1010, the old capital achieved lots of glories before King Ly Cong Uan decided to move the capital to Thang Long.

Hoa Lu is a complex of ancient vestiges, which has been officially preserved by Vietnamese Government since 2003.

Spring is really a festivity season in Hoa Lu thanks to dozens of carnivals being held in this first capital of Vietnam.

Source: vietnamonline.com

5 Ideas for Day Trips from Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van

Located at 40 Nha Chung Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District,  St. Joseph Cathedral is the largest and most famous church in Hanoi.

About the architecture, St. Josephh’s Cathedral is designed after the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, very popular in the 12th century and the Renaissance in Europe.

The whole design is characteristic of Gothic architecture.

The large clock in the front of the church is also hundreds of years old, with an alarm clock system that is linked to the bells hanging on the tower. Under the clock is a statue of St. Joseph.

In contrast to the ancient solitude of the outside, the space inside the church is overwhelmed with magnificent splendor.

With a large space, the church accommodate up to thousands of people. In special occasions like Christmas, it attracts crowds of christians and visitors.

In recent decades, the streets around the church has become a popular gathering place for Hanoi people, especially young people.

Source: kienthuc.com.vn

Discover St. Joseph’s Cathedral – the most magnificent ancient church in Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van

The most special feature of the architecture of Hung Ky pagoda is the intricate decorative pieces of ceramics, after nearly a century still glaze color.

Located in Hung Ky Pagoda Alley, Hai Ba Trung District, Hung Ky Pottery Pagoda is a very unique ancient architectural of Hanoi.

The pagoda is also called Vu Hung Tu and its name is Vo Hung Truyen Am, and was built in 1932 by Mr. Tran Van Thanh (aka Hung Ky), a national bourgeois.

Under the roof, there are many decorative that recreate scenes in Journey to the West – a popular Chinese Buddhist novel.

The house behind the main hall has many original porcelain works, describing Buddhist stories.

Some works are also annotated with the Vietnamese script.

Source: kienthuc.com.vn

Hung Ky Pagoda – a unique ceramic pagoda of Hanoi
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