Confidence of foreigner about Hanoi-Vietnamese food

"The Food of Vietnam"  published in both English - Vietnamese, Swiss author Marcel Isaak and Ms. Trieu Thi Choi (a familiar face on women domestic science in Saigon before 1975) launched in 1998, up to now, food is still selling books on the online shopping site ebay, amazon ... To Vietnam nearly 20 years ago with the desire to discover food culture, Marcel Isaak is still sticking with his favorite job: chef in a restaurant in Hanoi.

pillow cake-Banh goi

Marcel Isaak, the book Vietnam Food - The food of Vietnam - he wrote with Trieu Thi Choi the author published in 1998 - a time when foreigners with little known cuisine of Vietnam. What fate brought him to Vietnam and take love for Vietnamese food?

When I first came to Vietnam in 1994 with a reason to explore new definition is food. Fortunately, I live and work in the city. Ho Chi Minh city for a long time. This is the opportunities brought me closer to people, cultures and the richness of Vietnamese cuisine. The discovery has overcome my feeling. I went over Saigon to enjoy and taste the dishes of Vietnam. I enjoy the most delicious food in the restaurant, so I was quite understanding about the cuisine of Vietnam. I also then began to incorporate ideas from the food essence great together. In a few occasions I met Ms Trieu Thi Choi. That is valuable experience. I admire her very understanding and gracious of herself.

Discovery Saigon is the first, why he had decided to have a strong attachment to Hanoi?

As time went very fast, is that true? I had walked over from Vietnam along the Mekong River to Red River. Each place in this country has its own special characteristics of the vision, and all space is developing. Hanoi have many rivers, lakes and many tourist sites attract different, but at the same thing that impressed me is about people of Hanoi. They highlight and create opportunities for the city to develop and forward to an incredible speed.

I had left Vietnam in a short time, then returning, I decided to "settle" in Hanoi and from work at Press Club in 2004. I did mix with Hanoi people from style to culture and customs of the people of Hanoi and the value of human life together. Hanoi is a unique city, only when you walk around town you'll always find and discover things you've never seen before ... Hanoi is developing dynamically. At the macro level, can see where there's always the tall buildings and bridges are coming up. But little things, like a flower buyer, or a  tea kiosk roadside  ..., every time I stop in there has a different feel, interesting ... Hanoi is always something quite appealing.
 
The spice vegetable in Hanoi market

Seems like a lot of foreigners come to Hanoi, he also became a "accomplished" man ... How does he feel about the "cultural styles" of Hanoi?

What I noticed is that people seem to Hanoi is proud of "Hanoi feature" of them, but they never to be pompous about it.

He is also interested in the traditions of Hanoi?

People of Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular is the motto of life "drinking water, remember the source" They were very respectful ancestor worship. It is an interesting spiritual care.

In addition to these findings, surely he spent more time for the dish?

Of course. Cuisine of Hanoi surprise for me always as the diversity and richness of the dishes from noodles, rolls, rice dishes, sauces and other additives accompanying. But what made the difference for me is the quality, taste and aroma of natural vietnamese spice vegetable, spices and raw materials are pure, rich but simple. There are many mysteries inside the dish of Vietnam, which has created a unique flavor, special traditions, delicious and world famous.

The spice vegetable in Hanoi market

I consider myself as a guest of Hanoi, and I also have a simple life like the people who live here. I can not say I know more about Hanoi them, but I was surprised to find out what this place seemed very small. An interesting habit that I walk along the streets of Hanoi and observed to have tired legs until they stop enjoying noodles or other dishes in Hanoi.

He was not afraid to take street food hygiene?

I understand very angry about food hygiene. But I noticed the quality of hygiene and food safety have advanced quickly and no doubt, improvements in conditions, hygiene and food safety will be better. We are also aware of communication exist for the promotion and application of technology, new techniques in many related industries, then we will be seeing the new improved better. Consumers are the ultimate test of sanitation and food safety for the goods they purchase.

Nha Tho street - A daily life street in Hanoi

Both ancient and modern, the integration between the two cultural forms old make Nha Tho street that became extraordinary.

Hanoi has long sinuous streets, but also the small street just a few hundred meters long and always seem to contain many interesting and unique things to remember. Nha Tho (Church) street also in the list of such streets. It is known as a place that contains many interesting and special.
 
Nha Tho street -  A daily life street in Hanoi
Church Street is always busy foreign tourists visited

Streets located not far from Hoan Kiem lake, next to Hang Hanh street. Although street no words "Hang" on the head but people still ranks Nha Tho street in the old town of Hanoi.

Short and small city, but never deserted. Here, we encounter more opposition between two very unique form of new and old culture, both conscious system Buddhist religion and Christianity. It is easy to know which is more than the contrast between two schools of Eastern and Western architecture.

Besides the classical style house float waving moss odor of time, you will easily feel the squeeze of architecture and modern Western. The luxurious cafe or fast food restaurants serving foreign guests grew close together. The idea this would lose the historic character of this famous street, but it seems that the familiar harmony between two opposite styles that make distinctions of re Church Street.

Hanoi minster- Nha Tho street -  A daily life street in Hanoi
Hanoi minster is ancient and grave

Called Nha Tho street because there's Hanoi minster. The church was inaugurated on Christmas in 1887 and known for the most typical and characteristic of the art of medieval architecture with curved arches, wide, toward the top of heaven, get light. With the architecture, will certainly realize that the church was built in line with impressive Gothic architecture patterns, characteristic patterns.

This architecture has always impressed on a solemn religious space. Each year when Christmas is here again to become more vibrant than ever. The christian believer come up here to welcome a new Christmas wish good prayer for life.

It also Ba Da pagoda, also known under the name Linh Tu pagoda. Ba Da pagoda is located at 3 Nha Tho street. Today, the temple is the headquarters of the Buddhist association of Hanoi City.


Today, Nha Tho street youth also known as a place where there are many delicious and popular cuisine. The fermented pork roll fry (Vietnamese meaning: nem chua nướng) of Ms Thanh was 85-year-old . This place is always crowded at any time of day.

Do not know the shop of fermented pork roll fry appear here , the young of Ha Thanh just know that ten years living in Hanoi, they knew shop of fermented pork roll fry, and this place became gathering points often their stories with no beginning no end.

Whenever sunset falls, the area around the church has become more robust. Despite sitting nestled between small cramped seats, nobody is sad, irritable or complain. Both the bustling streets by happy laughter, conversation, the call up ... same idea as being a small Hanoi show up in your eyes ...

The historic houses revolution in Hanoi - The best information about Vietnam revolutionary

Keep position of special importance for revolutionary movements throughout the country to the capital of Hanoi has many historical relics, revolutionary war, in which many houses revolutionary history. The house is associated with the glorious feat of arms of national .

Ham Long House No. 5D - which established the first party cell

House number 5D in Ham Long Street- The historic houses revolution in Hanoi-  The best information about Vietnam revolutionary

End-March 1929, who advanced in the regional party headquaters of North and provincial committee of the party of Hanoi  included Mr. Ngo Gia Tu, Nguyen Duc Canh, Nguyen Phong Sac, Tran Van Cung ... met at the 5D of  Ham Long street  to establish a Communist party.

Mr. Tran Van Cung like Quoc Anh, was appointed secretary, Mr. Nguyen Phong Sac separately because you work so unexpectedly absent but still be recognized as official members.

The first Vietnam party cell established in Hanoi is an important victory of the proletarian ideology in the struggle with the non-proletarian ideas and trends of other countries.

In the second General Assembly of North (28-3-1929), advocates the establishment of the Communist Party was warmly endorsed. But the National Youth Congress meeting in Huong Cang (China) from 1-5-1929, proposed the establishment of the Communist Party of Northern by Mr. Ngo Gia Tu led that the Youth central committee removed.

Soon after, Northern put out, convened the meeting at Huong Tuyet lane of pagoda (Bach Mai) to discuss promoting the establishment of the Party. On 17-6-1929, at house number 312 Kham Thien, Indochinese Communist Party was formally established. The main outlines and Manifesto published. Newspaper hammer and sickle, the central bodies of the Party and mass organizations of the Party also appear in Hanoi.

The house 5D Ham Long has a floor, roof tile, bordered on one side of no. 5C, a small side alley to Le Van Huu street. The main location has helped to secure comrades of the Party. The house is kept as the 5D is displayed by the Museum of Hanoi, the furniture in the house same the time before. Aea and surface remain unchanged.

House No. 8 Le Thai  - the residence of President Ho Chi Minh on the first resistance against French

It previously called King Le road or Bo Ho road, in the rural parts of Khanh Thuy, Tu Thap, Phuc Pho, To Moc. All these villages are under the Tong Tien Tuc, old Tho Xuong district.

Relics of No. 8 in Le Thai To street today should no longer then define date construction of houses is not specific. But because this is the home of tribunal president Court of law - Court appeals Moocse (Supreme Court of France in Hanoi) should have guessed it dating the same time as building the house of the Supreme Court in Ly Thuong Kiet street, at 20 years of the twentieth century.

Relics No. 8  in Le Thai To street look out  Hoan Kiem lake - the center of Hanoi. Ancient relics in the area of 2.000m2 was architect designed villa in France with eight rooms, two spacious floors.

As revolutionary history, on 24/08/1945, Uncle Ho from the Viet Bac revolutionary base to Hanoi and live in the house number 48 Hang Ngang street But after a time, to ensure safety and Uncle had moved to No. 8 Le Thai To in the early days of independence day.

Here, the Central Government has many major policy decisions such as preparing for the first general election in Vietnam, increased production famine relief, kill the ignorant enemy, against traitors, against conspiracy to of the French colonialists. Though the house No. 8 Le Thai To street was crushed French colonists fired on first national resistance (January 12-1946), but still carry great significance in the history of Vietnam's revolution.

House No. 90 Tho Nhuom street - where the first General Secretary of the Party's draft article "Political thesis"

House number 90 Thi Nhuom Street- The historic houses revolution in Hanoi-  The best information about Vietnam revolutionary

House No. 90 Tho Nhuom street formerly the private home of a residency named Duyo. In 1930, Tran Phu from the Soviet Union to return has been allocated in the basement with place where cooker and waiter lived.

Here, Tran Phu was a draft version of the Party's political thesis. With this document, the workers and people of Vietnam has made a revolutionary political program reflects the objective law of Vietnam society at the time, to meet the urgent demands of history.

Since 1960, the 30 year anniversary of the founding of the Party, Party Committee - Administration Committee of Hanoi City, Department of Culture and Information of Hanoi has seen 90 Nhuom house is one of the important monuments system as revolutionary relics 5D Ham Long, 48. Hang Ngang

In 1980, in commemoration of 50th anniversary of the Party General Secretary Le Duan visited and inaugurated the statue of Tran Phu. Bronze bust placed in the courtyard garden of the house.

Currently, the basement which was arranged as the period of General Secretary Tran Phu work here. street address 90 Tho Nhuom has become the memorial house..

Cua Bac church- the famous chuch in Hanoi

The church is officially called Queen of the Catholic saint, from meaning Virgin Mary is the Queen all saints. Later we called  for short Mary Hanoi church and also is next Cua Bac of Thang Long citadel should also familiar called Cua Bac church. 

Cua Bac church- the famous chuch in Hanoi


Cua Bac church was built from 1925 to 1930 on parcels of land stretching along the city streets, Phan Dinh Phung and Nguyen Bieu street.

The church includes a large rectangular space with two long parallel columns with the two sides, is divided into a relatively small space and a welcoming space for a  pastor solemn ceremony .

Between these two regions is a major transitional space below the dome, the space must be a worship of saints, the left is the reception room of the pastor. Interior space is made and decorated entirely European-style church.

Cua Bac church- the famous chuch in Hanoi

French architect: Ernest Hébrard has created an architectural space a non-symmetrical with bell tower soaring high side of the main hall. This makes Cua Bac church has special characteristics compared with most Christian works in the form of symmetric which the French usually built in Vietnam.

There are authors that this is the special creation of Hébrard to create the suitable landscape areas but essentially this is just a clever way to exploit a combination of church principles of the Renaissance, the so that Cua Bac church, outside the bell tower as a point also has a dome in the center.
 
Roof system is drawn from the dome through bell tower to the main and auxiliary space makes us see a familiar landscape as it was caught in the traditional temple, pagoda of Vietnamese villages .
 
System windows, doors get light and ventilation are processed against rain and sun sneezing, except for doors and decorative lighting from large glass optical block, maximizing the system of green plants making the landscape more closely, friendly nature. 

Cua Bac church- the famous chuch in Hanoi
 
The combination of traditional architectural  with other forms of Eastern church decorated with traditional harmony of the natural landscape around has created an impression of Christian works. Therefore, Cua Bac church has always been considered as typical architectural style combining European and Vietnam.
 
Nearly a century elapsed, also repaired several times over but so today, Cua Bac church still retain the ancient definition, pristine.

A time for trees change new leaf

Across the roads of Hanoi in last May beginning in June strewn with leaves, as if " yellow leaves I drop the spell." Leaves carpeted the roadway, on moss tile roof , leaves fly as as the rain fall in the shoulder.

Hanoi in May - A time for trees change new leaf


Hanoi ancient and peaceful became more romantic in the summer rain suddenly poured with rain of leaves like numerous hand of young girls hidden in green canopy leaves down the street.
 
Hanoi in May - A time for trees change new leaf


This season, these are not made on the air of Ha Thanh  into sorrow as the autumn with cold air  make the space of Old Street became empty or winter with the dry barren sticks in the frozen people. Because this season fall leaves of Hanoi like trying to pick finish dry leaf to be attached on the branch to give up one's green leaves covered space, making the lives of sky brimful sap.
 
Hanoi in May - A time for trees change new leaf


If there is sadness just to go between the rain of leaves don't remember a song about this season of Hanoi, to softly sing like that: "Autumn go to yellow leaves fly / leaf fall for wedding coming ... "(La Do Muon Chieu by Doan Chuan-Tu Linh artist) or" Do you go Hanoi ?- Old sau tree fall leaves, my love have just touched autumn, winter has just come (Duong Cam Thu khong em by An Thuyen artist).
 
Hanoi in May - A time for trees change new leaf

Suddenly remembered the verse in the song "Spell" of  women poets Dao Tinh: "Yellow leaf I drop spell , for one picked up on making charming / Sad love sitting watching the moon/ nobody love then love myself, leaves fall to lose on temple yard, love of spell i drop for myself ... love me. "

Hanoi in May - A time for trees change new leaf

Green rice flake cake(Banh Com) - the original taste of Hanoi

Green rice flake cake(Vietnamese meaning: bánh  cốm ) is one of the specialties of Hanoi bring national traditions line. Every mention green rice flake cake that people think of Hang Than street.

Green rice flake cake(Banh Com) - the original taste of Hanoi

The story is that, old Hang Than street only family of maternal great Nguyen Duy Quang's house number 11 made green rice flake cake. When this cake is the normal goods, at night there are people carry baskets on the head to buy. Yet to date, professional make "hereditary" of family have 5 life.

The first green rice flake cake no brand. Until 1920, when urban development, green rice flake cake has become familiar and bread to form a specialty of Hanoi should be named Nguyen Ninh. "Nguyen" means original, but "Ninh is Yen Ninh - the name of the mother's village of boss. Cake have squares, packages by green banana leaf , external bind red bamboo string, label  bring symbol 5 bats directed toward the single coin, which is meaning: Five blessings (wealth, position, longevity, good health,  security).

Time in period, people do green rice flake cake that think simply adapted the traditional as square glutinous rice cake, take it as fun and not think of it as it is now developing. Also sticky rice with green beans but with different flavors: salty cake. Thursday glutinous rice to green rice flake cake is a immature sticky rice processed form of green rice flakes, used as the crust. Stuffing including green beans and coconut. Both stuffing and crust are mixed with sugar, but while enjoying cake can not distinguish clearly better than anywhere.

Green rice flake cake(Banh Com) - the original taste of Hanoi
 Banh com appreciate tea is delicious 

To make a delicious cake that selection raw material process must be very careful and rigorous. Green rice flakes is premature aging because when the sugar will dissolve, the crust was not used. Usually every season green rice, people make cake mix a bit more fresh green rice to provoke cake is soft and perfumed. Then, green rice was kept hot in 1 hour and then brought fried sugar. Next is made of stuffing. Green bean was chosen as tasty bean in Thai Binh, Ha Bac, Son La, while others are not used much due to hatch when soaked in water more easily stale.

Processing cake is also very important and meticulous no less than the selection of raw materials. The trick here is based entirely on experience and habit, not a specific formula. Fried nuggets are the most important stages. Technique here is fried just right, not too technical as the crust quickly too hard or not "soft" made green rice soft, easy flow, can not keep long time.

Fry stuffing so, must wait patiently until the end of evaporation, leaving only sugar and bean stick together. Old days, green rice flake cake are done, scented grapefruit flavor flowers and some herbs. Grapefruit flower is used to store things picking flowers on the tree. This makes green rice flake cake has its own flavor, eat one is remembered.

Green rice flake cake(Banh Com) - the original taste of Hanoi
Banh Com is important cake in Vietnamese wedding

Along Hang Than Street has over 20 shops of green rice flake cake but with different akin names: An Ninh, Nguyen Ninh, Anh Ninh, Ninh Huong ... Nguyen Ninh  now is not unique anymore, but the secret of 5 life make green rice flake cake begin life has attracted the cross and whatever remains whether sales are specialties of Hanoi. Currently, the number of cakes made only a few hundred per day, mostly to order. But with this family, not to make green rice flake cake no business, which is continuing the tradition of ancestors. And silent work will  forever save the sweet for life, scent of hundreds of years ago.

Dong Ngac communal house and pagoda- A ancient line of Hanoi village

Dong Ngac communal house and pagoda belong Ve village, Tu Liem district, Hanoi suburb. In 1993, Dong Ngac communal house and pagoda to be recognized as national historical relics.

Dong Ngac communal house and pagoda-  A ancient line of Hanoi village

Dong Ngac communal house in the village

Here worship 3 royal citadel church are Doc Cuoc, Le Khoi (call Le Loi as "uncle"), is accredited with having destroy Ming dynasty, defeated Champa enemy and a gold of the soil was recorded in a book.

Forerunner of communal house that  the ancient temple from the Duong dynasty up to the domination of our country and has been restored several times over the inscription on the record in 1635, 1653, 1718, 1836, 1941 ...

Dong Ngac communal house is built on an area of the front is a large lotus pond to the outside three door temple gate. Through this gate down 11 steps to a brick courtyard, two side have 2 wells grow lotus, followed by the internal three door template gate to a large tiled courtyard, two side of yard have 2 side: left and right. In the house of the left has 6 steles.

Travel all over courtyard to the main architect of the communal house include person in change at a sacrifice and harem is hidden under the green canopy of old trees in four seasons.

Person in change at a sacrifice  has two cult houses arranged word "two." External roof had nasal tile ancient. Between the church has two cranes with 16 aircraft weapons. The house are connected with the external house and presentation palanquin, imperial court, altar.

In a harem set incense, dragon throne and ancestral tablet all the village tutelary spirit. System relic  exist in the interior DongNgac communal house rich, diverse and rare.

In addition there are eight stone steles with date Le Trung Hung and Nguyen, a pearl book pedigree, 45 conferment a title  (with the dates 1670, 1789, 1924 ...), home interiors include a bronze bell cast in 1833 , 2 collection "eight weapons"(Vietnamese meaning: Bát bửu), a handle brush symbol and a symbol of fire ring.

Dong Ngac communal house saved a pair of cranes high 2 m , one set of "Ngu Su", three palanquin "Bat Cong", a ring palanquin, a imperial court, six horizontal lacquered board, 24 parallel sentences, a palanquin procession sugarcane spirit , 2 incense table,  three dragon throne, the 48 paintings on plywood (each picture has a poem included), 3 the court for worship and many others.

Dong Ngac communal house and pagoda-  A ancient line of Hanoi village


Dong Ngac pagoda

This pagoda have 59 apartments, the internal architecture  follow "Dinh" word, outside architecture  from the word "Quoc"

The pagoda was started up from time of King Le Than Tong (1653-1661) clearly merit Mr  Nguyen Phuc Luan and Ms Tran Thi Ngoc Luan. Two characters are named after the Buddhist in the pagoda.

Currently, the temple exist 53 beautiful statue, a bell hanging in the bell weighs 750kg dating Gia Long 16 (1817) and two smaller bells were cast in the Nguyen Dynasty.

The temple had 3 door painting in fresco, altar, horizontal  lacquered board, parallel sentences are intricate carvings.

Dong Ngac pagoda  is the only pagoda in the city of Hanoi was awarded "All national resistance" in the struggle against French colonialism (1946-1954).

The ancients have a saying: "Bat Trang pottery Van Phuc silk village Thu Hong bamboo Ngu Xa cast bronze ... "

Between close streets, the magnificent buildings on the West Lake, a village still exists with many cultural relics, ancient history.  
Ho Khau village in West lake
Gate of Ho Khau temple

Visitors to Hanoi but not to the West Lake in Hanoi is not considered, because this is an ancient symbol of Hanoi, along with To river and Nung mountain. This is the center of Hanoi where old-full of myths about the chang waste land into cultivated areas West Lake, mining area Long Do and also presents many monuments temples, pagodas, temples, shrines the most in Thang Long. Ho Khau is a village located in the ancient land. The village is next door to the lake  with To Lich river so called Ho Khau.  
Three door temple gate of Ho Khau now no 374 Thuy Khe
According "Ho Khau take notes", the village is exploring from Hung Vuong period. To the Ly-Tran-Le, village administrative staff is located in Vinh Thuan district, the Phung Thien palace, Thang Long - now the third ward neighborhood Buoi ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi.

The beauty of the village system first in the village gates massive and monumental blocks connected together on a road length of about 300m.

The middle three door temple gate was built architecture 4 pillars is based on the curved roof after roof tiles and fish scab. 2 columns between 45cm wide, 7m high. Above the 4  pillars bank Ranh Ranh fruit stylized flanking four sides. 4 side of pillars are located in parallel sentences. Door step built three step staircase, have large to rest step , both sides wait seat.

Chuc Thanh pagoda
Chuc Thanh pagoda
Attached to three door temple gate on the left is the north entrance of the village. To the right is the entrance to the Chuc Thanh temple. Through the Ve Quoc temple entrance Giap Dong of village. Gate system was a group of cultural heritage village unique in Thang Long.

Duc Thanh comnunial house
 Duc Thanh temple
Home gate is Duc Thanh Mau Thuy Tinh Princess sanctuary, the daughter of Dong Dinh Vuong, the villagers still called "Dien Mau Thang Long". Outside the village, apart "Dien Mau" aslo the "Giap Dong" temple worship Duc Thanh Em, temple known as the "Ve Quoc" temple.

The village has three temples, two temples located outside the village and a temple built in Giap Bac, worship Duc Thanh Ca, called Duc Thanh temple. Two saints worshiped temple in Giap Bac and Giap Dong because of deserve well of country in the career defeat Tong and Nguyen invader. Besides they deserve well of setup village, water treatment should be Duc Thanh Hoang worshiped in communal house in the village. It was an old communal house located on the beyond of West Lake, then to the Nguyen dynasty moved in the village, located at the center of the village today. Communal house in the village has many worship objects and horizontal lacquer.

All three are natives build temples from the Ly dynasty was 3 certificate in years Vinh Thinh 6 (1711), Canh Hung 22 (1762), Canh Hung 44 (1784). Ve Quoc temple was ranked in 1995. Duc Thanh Temple was ranked in 2005.

Sai pagoda
Sai pagoda
Village has 2 pagodas, legend will be starting up from the Ly, a stele scored big restoration in Canh Thinh VII (1799.) The pagoda is located in the village of Chuc Thanh, the pagoda establish of West lake known as Tinh Lau or Sai pagoda. This is an ancient monument built on a large campus of 3 hectare, there are many ancient trees that state were ranked classified national in 1995, identified as a pure cultural relic of Buddhism village of Vietnam. 

life in ancient village
Many generation lived here

Being a long ancient village, Ho Khau has 5 generation, is still full preserved worship hall, descendants still happy crowded.

Thu Hong bamboo - Northern village characteristics

The ancients have a saying:
"Bat Trang pottery
Van Phuc silk village
Thu Hong bamboo
Ngu Xa cast bronze ... "

Thu Hong bamboo - Northern village characteristics


Ever since ancient fishing reminiscent of the land to the village famous. Everyone knows that Bat Trang pottery, Van Phuc silk, Ngu Xa casting but  knew about the village of Thu Hong bamboo - a quiet village, the peaceful winding Ca Lo river.

This ancient village is the village of Thu Thuy, Xuan Thu commune, Soc Son district, near Ca Lo river flow to Cau river, confluence Xa which highway 16 runs through. This is a riverside village, Thu Hong hidden under bamboo dust, specific trait of the Northern village.

With terrain, that villagers living along Ca Lo river, make a raft, pull hoof livelihood. Previously, hundreds of households employed bamboo small village became vibrant with the sound of sawing, carve, cut  ...

Legend, the past two brothers, Truong Hong, Truong Hat are the property of the Viet Vuong Trieu Quang Phuc. When the time of birth, two by helping Trieu Viet Vuong up many famous victories, has suicide on  Nhu Nguyet river to show loyalty.

To commemorate the merits of the 2 Army general, people in villages along the river up the temple. By the time of King Le Hien Tong had to confer a little on Thu Hong village worship two talented generals to the tutelary spirit. Every year on September 12th lunar month, villagers Thu Hong open meeting, palanquin mass, sacrifice.

That day, villages side dyke throughout the year only rice plant, there is nothing to build  temple worship tutelary spirit. Around the village when it should only bamboo then people of village make temple from availability of this material.

Over the years, eventually they do all things in the house are using bamboo from the basket to the table, chairs, settee, bamboo bed, bamboo bench. Initially, these products only for their daily needs in the family, rather than being seen as a commodity.

However, under the skillful hands, creative of Thu Hong people , the products made from bamboo that is popular around people, become commodities without noticing it. Bamboo in the village is not enough, people may be moving bamboo from another area.

To create a perfect bamboo products, artisans are very skillful , have aesthetic eye. Stages to find suitable materials are also very meticulous. Looking beautiful bamboo, people must buy in Hai Duong, Bac Kan, or to buy the bamboo village get the tree to the different products.

With bamboo, workers get body of bamboo to make the foot of the bed, bamboo bench, chairs. Hand bamboo made handicrafts, han script Chinese character, decorative chairs, bamboo splint bench, bamboo splint of bed, foot of bamboo make statue as the Phuc, Loc, Tho ...

With skillful hands and the virtues of diligence, hard work, the product of the artisans village but simple but strong, durable and beautiful. The villagers are very bright apprenticeship. It looks like dexterity, meticulous ingrained into the people of Hong Thu, transmitted from generation through generation.

Village live with career, women as well as career. Therefore, the name Thu Hong famous, comparable to Bat Trang pottery, Van Phuc silk ... So, where is still sentence, "Wood by craftsmen of Me, bamboo by Hong's artisan "

Indeed, the village artisans bamboo craft Thu Hong has been no one to imitate. They have hand-carved bamboo sharp, just sure not  broken. Technical perforate, perforated holes to plug in another bar is very durable but not broken perforate hole. It is the experience of many generations passed , is the quintessence of many years with training. In resistance, the bamboo wall by Thu Hong follow the soldiers in any war.

 Like many other villages in Thang Long, with more than 300 years of existence, Thu Hong bamboo village has gone through many ups and downs. Having seemingly lost in ablivion, especially after the village name Thu Thuy.
 
Each village in the North are hidden behind bamboo village. Bamboo was very close and familiar. People can't not excluded bamboo products out of life. With features simple, rustic bring traditional line, bamboo products of the ancient village of Thu Hong is now alive, enjoy in the bustling street life, or peaceful in idyllic place.

With policy recovery of traditional villages of the government, many villages had awakening after a long sleep. Thu Hong bamboo too.

Now, if you go to the village, you can see the artisans have a passion for carve on slender, supple bamboo body. Confidential heart is strength to maintain and develop traditional trade villages.

B52 Victory Museum - The place save part of Hanoi

B52 Victory Museum is at address 157, Doi Can Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. The museum is displaying weapons, material to achieve a feat of the Hanoi People's and army in the Dien Bien Phu battle in 1972. Also, here is a place to keep photos, the kind of mental battle, to win as well as cunning and creative capital in people's struggle against the American empire.
 
B52 Victory Museum - The place save part of Hanoi

History

The museum was established on 22/12/1997, each year welcoming thousands of tourists to visit. The museum is considered one of the most unique museums in the world.

Museum of recorded events on the battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1972 did not last American hit northern of Vietnam, especially Hanoi. At this time, the B52 plane was a flying fortress impregnable by the U.S. military government. For that reason want to "make North Vietnam back to Neolithic" to prevent the support of the Northern for the South, save a portion upper on the negotiating table, the U.S. has done a campaign to invade fierce. However, the things people are incredibly "B52 flying fortress impregnable" has been shot down.

According to documents left at the museum, then in 12 days and nights of the war (in late April 12/1972), the U.S. has used 726 times B52, 3120 on tactical aircraft and thousands of tons of bombs poured down domain North. Which in Hanoi, the U.S. has used B52 444 times, more than 1,000 tactical aircraft, throwing more than a thousand tons of bombs, killing 2380 people and injured 1355 people. In this war, troops of the capital Hanoi and also fought with resounding victories typically shot down 358 aircraft of U.S.including 25 B52 aircraft.

Failure in 12 day-night raid, the U.S. had to sit at the negotiating table in Paris in 1973 with the terms beneficial to Vietnam.

B52 Victory Museum - The place save part of Hanoi

Current exhibits

The museum is showcasing the weapons and ammunition up the capital's people and army in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1972 not, B52 wreck. Also, in the galleries of the museum preserved the image, the kind of mental battle and cunning, and creative forces of the capital.

Indoor

Area for the display in the museum is 1200m2. This is a regional referral construction, maturity of the capital, armed forces over the period, including 12 with special emphasis on night fighting fiercely with the capital's air victories of the Union " Red Star " The statistics table, especially pictures of the ruins of Hanoi after the bombing raids to places has come into history: Kham Thien street, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi train station ... In addition, the campus also has room display maquette general interests of the evolutions in the air battle of Dien Bien Phu. Area of approximately 200m2 this room, represented by three-dimensional space, recreate the neighborhood terrain, the battlefield air defense and fall of the B52 aircraft. This is where recreate historical moments of Hanoi's most impressive.

Outdoor

Also on display area as mentioned above, the Museum has won B52-air exhibition area. This area is about 4000m2, is on display artifacts such as weapons, weapons that the military capital used in battle as well as evidence of the disastrous U.S.: a B52 of 48,07m wreck,, wingspan of 56.42 m and many other aircraft debris.

Not only is displayed, recreate the heroic history of the capital during the years of fierce war, the museum is a place of cultural activities of various teams, groups with the relics of record victory B52 in other areas of Hanoi as markers in Kham Thien B52 relics point fall in the Soc Son district area, Hai Ba Trung district and rockets battlefield to achieve a feat of  the capital's air.

The museum is a victory B52 sites attract many tourists to visit the capital and was one address typical cultural history of the area thousands of years culture.

Gia Ngu street - a typical street of Hanoi Old Quarter

Gia Ngu street long 268m, from Hang Be to Hang Dao street, Hang Bac Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. This land of Gia Ngu rural , Tong Huu Tuc, old Tho Xuong district.

Gia Ngu street - a typical street of  Hanoi Old Quarter


Formerly this area has a large lake, called Thai Cuc lake. So many fish in this lake has formed a fish market and people living mainly on fishing. According to the old address books, Gia Long dynasty (1801-1819), this is the Hang Ca rural  to the Minh Mang dynasty (1820-1840), King renamed the Gia Ngu village. By the late 19th century, the Thai Cuc lake will be filled.

French colonial period, Gia Ngu today is divided into two street : Tirant street and Hang Be borders, People often called Gia Ngu alley and Nguyen Du street. In temporarily occupied period, the two streets are in again and was named Gia Ngu street. In 1945, Vietnam state was officially named Gia Ngu street

Like many other streets in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, Gia Ngu has Dai Loi temple that a house at number 50. Over the years, Dai Loi has become a spiritual world of the people in the Old Quarter.

Gia Ngu is pretty nice street, bringing many features of ancient streets with ancient houses, the spacious floor. In 2003, Gia Ngu winners in the competition "36 streets of Hanoi" with ideas for a nice street corner by ASHUI network, the Management Board of Hanoi's Old Quarter and Architectural Review of the organization. Coming up, Gia Ngu become walking streets, selling souvenirs for tourists.

Gia Ngu has more than 700 households living mainly on business to trade with the fashionable shops along the street. Recent decades, the famous street in Hanoi with shops selling fashions new "mother and baby," attracting many domestic and international customers to visit and shop.

In the middle of Gia Ngu street is Hang Be market, has existed for nearly 100 years. As a people in this city, from around 1972-1973, Hang Be markets encroached upon now on the market were fit Gia Ngu streets. There are about 90 households in Gia Ngu street living by trading in this market.

To Hang Be market, we can buy any kind of production the Northern Vietnam, such as rice, corn, fruit, shrimp and fish. It also has many fresh food and processed food on the type of Hanoi's finest .

Dinh Tien Hoang Street - where the cultural space of the spiritual capital of Hanoi

Dinh Tien Hoang street located east of Hoan Kiem lake are many historians and writers as a place of convergence for several thousand years the sacred air of Thang Long - Hanoi.
Dinh Tien Hoang Street - where the cultural space of the spiritual capital of Hanoi

Hanoi has many streets, each of which are less marked when starting up the history of formation. Even over many years, vestiges of the old still form the soul street- the cultural space left for tomorrow. One of the streets associated with the cultural space of thousands of years of culture capital of the Dinh Tien Hoang street. Dinh Tien Hoang street is only about 900m long, starting from the intersection of Trang Tien - Hang Khay, go through the administrative centers such as Hanoi People's Committee Office, Hanoi Post Office, Hanoi Power Company, through the ruins : Bao An pagoda, Ly Thai To square, Ba Kieu temple and ended in Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square (where meeting place of the street: Le Thai To - Cau Go - Hang Gai - Hang Dao). In French time, street named Francis Garnier boulevard.

In 1945, Director of Hanoi - Dr. Lai Tran Van has changed Francis Garnier to Dinh Tien Hoang St to remember the merits of the Emperor unification country - Dinh Bo Linh. Legend, Ly Thai To after the capital at Thang Long sightseeing here to see a clear blue lake. There are ancient temple in the middle of lake that poetic landscape then he have been named in this temple is the Ngoc Tuong. To the Tran dynasty, it was renamed Ngoc Son temple.

At the time of the Le, approximately in 1428, after taking the throne, the king Le Loi dwells delegation from the Red River, turn to lake, return the sword to the turtle genie. From then Luc Thuy Lake on land Ta Vong village is named Hoan Kiem lake, also known Ho Guom. As a historical coincidence, President Ho Chi Minh - the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945, had several times through the sacred streets this spring to welcome people and visit the workers at the Post Office and Bo Ho Light factory ...

Over the years with many dynasties, Thang Long has many names. Several large temples and buildings were typically built on the ancient ring of land east of Hoan Kiem lake. Ba Kieu temple worship Mau Lieu Hanh, up nearly opposite the Le Ngoc Son temple from Le Than Tong seventeenth century, followed by the Bao An Pagoda, also known as the Quan Thuong, built in 1842, when it was big and beautiful temples in most of the city.

Then in 1865, King Tu Duc, Phuong Dinh Nguyen Van Sieu who a good literary that contemporary call "Sieu spirit" to build this Ngoc Son temple port, Dai Nghien  and Thap But. And the eloquent symbol for the uprightness of the man who is Thang Long lasting to this day the Dinh Tien Hoang street.
Dinh Tien Hoang Street - where the cultural space of the spiritual capital of Hanoi
Ly Thai To flower garden

In 1888, the French established city of Hanoi and began expanding into the Southeast with the goal of building Hanoi into a major city in Vietnam, meets the criteria for a European city worthy Indochina Federal capital of French . So when planning to build a new neighborhood with European architecture alongside the old quarter, they identified Hoan Kiem lake areas is central in Hanoi.


Implementation guideline traffic ahead, a series of streets around the lake was built. That create large way to travel along the lake, the French opened the way cross the temple and three gate of Ba Kieu temple. That is the Dinh Tien Hoang street now. Then continue to new roads open through the Bao An temple area. Traces left of the temple today is Hoa Phong tower, located on the ground ring the lake. Leaned to look across the street from the Dinh Tien Hoang is Hanoi post office.


From Dinh Tien Hoang street, which has a series of time lines was the French open by the board as Trang Tien, Ngo Quyen, Hai Ba Trung, Ly Thuong Kiet, Tran Hung Dao, Hang Bai, Trang Thi ... as a basis to begin construction of buildings brought European appearance. In 1883, Dinh Tien Hoang street rise Building Management Director, now Hanoi People's Committee, and Paul Bert flower garden, flower Ly Thai To garden now, the Brass house with octagonal shape...

In 1884 to the first post office was built, in 1901 the Post Office building on the lake of the Bao An pagoda completed. Next is Lake Lamps factory is located to the right of the Court of Directors. Electric bus in 1900 Lake was built, completed in 1906, the tram line from Bo Ho to Mo market, running through the Dinh Tien Hoang Street.

Place is the administrative center, cultural - social capital, Dinh Tien Hoang street witnessed many important historical events of the country and Hanoi. It was early morning on 10/10/1954, last French soldiers left town camps Security over Dinh Tien Hoang to withdraw one's troops to Long Bien bridge. Soon after that people had rushed out to welcome the troops to win here since the takeover of fallen into the capital. Over 30 years later, lunch 04/30/1975, Hanoi People flocked glad sword lake, squeezed tight Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Ho Chi Minh City People's committee, gardens Chi Linh, Ngoc Son Temple, bus station... excited Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city) liberation heard through speakers in the ineffable joy.

20 years later, on 07.10.2004, at the Chi Linh garden in  Dinh Tien Hoang Street has added a new event of historic Hanoi thousand years old: the inauguration Ly Thai To monument, the King laid the foundation for sustainable Thang Long - Hanoi. Bronze statue is cast solid outline positions King watched impassively from the city and the country is innovation.

Dinh Tien Hoang street not only filled with historical "beautiful Ho Guom", with a cultural center, the normal day as well as holidays, new year always Dinh Tien Hoang street is also where people in the districts and localities in the country, foreign tourists go to.
 
Dinh Tien Hoang Street - where the cultural space of the spiritual capital of Hanoi

And also from here that they emit different streets to see Hanoi. So most of the major traditional festivals of the country and Hanoi as fireworks celebrate the National Day, New Year, cycling, running newspaper New Hanoi Award, the walk for peace, music performances ... are well organized on this street. In recent years back to add new festivals such as the Flower Festival in Hanoi and Vietnam (the first time at the end of 12/2008), Street Arts Festival by the City People's Committee and the Embassy of Denmark (times beginning 11/2009) was held on Dinh Tien Hoang street ...

As a rule, on the night of the 30th annual New Year, generally around Hoan Kiem Lake, the largest of which is on Dinh Tien Hoang, Hanoi who have went here to pick up Eve, the Ngoc Son Temple, Ba Kieu temple, statue of King Ly Thai people ... pray for national security state, for the new year has been abundant health, enjoy business prosperity,  lucky.

From the leaders of the party, State, Government and the city government to the people, from elderly, middle-aged to the boys, girls, young children ... are all respectful incense thought remember King Ly Thai To, who was enlightened with the paralysis of the city, fallen, the national hero ...  poured their strength, wisdom and blood to build and protect the sovereignty, protection of capital, for today's children can live in peace and independence.

With memories of the Lake, the pages have learned, with monuments and works of architecture worship, we suddenly realize that going 1000  from Thang Long to start now, rarely have a street on this country has a rich historical evidence about the past and today, weave together the cultural and spiritual space, which is considered as the most beautiful capital of Dinh Tien Hoang street.

Hanoi always in my heart

Hanoi always in my heart
Americans have lived six years in Hanoi, Eric Thiel proud to say that he knew most beautiful streets, good restaurants, pubs and fun east of Hanoi

However, not only that, Eric also has interests in shopping Quang Ba night flowers, also likes to watch the Red River in the autumn afternoon, and also spend time learning about the traditional craft villages in Hanoi .

"Strange dreams ", is the phrase that Eric Thiel used to describe the 6-year period he lived and worked in Hanoi. According to him this is good times and unforgettable in my life. Although many years have returned home, but I still remember the first impression when arriving in Hanoi.

"I feel this is a place I never imagined could come to be. I remember when I stepped out of a taxi at the hotel door, I almost completely lost and are very confused look around, then a  young lady with Vietnamese orient robe came and gave me warm smile, she took office procedures for me. It is from that time, I was very relaxed and told myself: everything's okay, this is my home and then finally I was there six years, "Eric said.

To Hanoi to explore cultural traditions as well as culinary arts here, Eric said that Hanoi's food was delicious. He was always proud to be a Westerner, but eat all meals at the restaurant found on the streets of Hanoi, which he also likes. I remember very clearly the sour and spicy soup of mussels sold on Ly Thuong Kiet street. In addition, Hanoi has a characteristic smell the flowers milk made him unforgettable. Eric passionately said: "For now, I still remember the feeling when driving along Ly Thuong Kiet street in the middle of a sunny afternoon, no one on the road. I smelled the milk flowers are very fragrant , can not believe it, I felt like walking into a perfume factory. I really like this flower, in the West we do not have attractive flowers there."

Eric's hobbies in his spare time in Vietnam is a bike city to the suburbs, go to the trade villages. Here, Eric found other interesting things, he observed people doing traditional handicraft. The more contact with local people, as seen Eric loves the land and people of Hanoi. "I have found many interesting and surprising in the small village, outside Hanoi. There are many historic sites and culture. I'm really interested in the ancient village where they produce goods such as silk, pottery, and many other goods. When you come to this village you really feel the thickness history of the Vietnam country "- Eric said.

Hanoi always in my heart

When asked, while far from Hanoi, then, what foreign visitors are most impressed, he replied without hesitation: It is certainly the friendliness of Hanoi. Eric as he often joked with his friends in America that did not know people in Hanoi have rules that people must be friendly that you go or not and the circumstances under which he met all these people very friendly.

Eric said, one day he invited some friends of the country to drink beer and they talk to each other to find a word appropriate to generalize the character of Hanoi, they offer many options but no final any plan optimization. Eric said: "No one can find a word to describe people in Hanoi, because it is difficult to generalize into a definition. The Ha Noi has many interesting things, they work hard, very fun, more respectful of traditional practices, but very open to welcome new ideas, modern technologies and their grasp new ones very quickly. Confess that I am not easy to describe people of Hanoi for my friends in America."

Eric bass voice down when talking about the date of separation from Hanoi where he engaged in six years. According to him, when away from Hanoi, it feels like to the end of a movie. "I wanted the film went on forever and the feeling I could never live the day like that again. It's a sad story. However, I had a lot of experience in Hanoi, I have brought many of Hanoi's culture to America. I myself have learned to communicate, they must be friendly and maintain relationships with people. This is the great experience that I learned from people of Hanoi. "

Eric wants Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular, please preserve the heritage and intangible objects, the fine tradition of Hanoi to them not been eroded away. Cultural characteristics of the capital of culture will always be the highlights in the mind of any foreign visitors that arrive here. Whether Hanoi 1,000 years old or more, Hanoi is as old and will forever remain so.

Loc Vung burst yellow leaves welcome new spring

This morning buds on the Loc Vung trees on Hoan Kiem lake suddenly burst mass yellow leaves. People through fun, and young people take advantage of photograph on New Year day.

Loc Vung burst yellow leaves welcome new spring

Loc Vung bring more poetic scenery for Hanoi

Loc Vung burst yellow leaves welcome new spring

According to a person to exercise every day at Hoan Kiem lake, the Loc Vung tree begin to gradually change color leaves from three days ago but this morning the new bright yellow tree.

Loc Vung burst yellow leaves welcome new spring

At the time of year in February, after Loc Vung  replace leaf will bloom. This is one of only two plants in Hanoi frequently attracts tourists and people around the region.

Loc Vung burst yellow leaves welcome new spring

Gold leaf bearing the European scene in the middle of the day Tet.

Loc Vung burst yellow leaves welcome new spring

Young people  take pictures with beautiful costumes.
 

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