Tay Phuong pagoda - The unique sculpture art in Vietnamese pagodas

Pagoda is often called Tay Phuong pagoda, is located on the Tay Phuong hill, curved like hooks (former known as Cau Lau mount) about 50 m high, of Nguu Linh  Mount ( buffalo mountain ), Thach Xa Commune, Thach That district, belong Ha Tay province, Hanoi today. The pagoda distance center of Hanoi 40 km follow northwest, far from Son Tay town 18 km to the southeast.

 

From steep mountain path length of about 160, climb 238 steps by laterite to gate of pagoda. The place has three parallel-shaped "Tam" word (Chinese word), commonly known as the Thuong pagoda, Trung pagoda, Ha pagoda or Ho pagoda spirit name of the tow colossal statues guarding the main gate of a pagoda), a veranda floor separated by 1.6 m. Each house has two floors type matches roof, eight roof and 8 octagonal is the first knife rise curved with the flower, leaf, dragon, phoenix, lion. Roof cover two layers of tile: front tile layer on the snowbell leaf title, tile layer lining below the square, painted in color. Wall were built Bat Trang brick burning red and bare, with the window color circle meaning "Sac- Khong" (a Buddhism concept). The wooden pillars are listed on the blue stone carved lotus.

The pagoda was built a long time and has been renovated several times in the century XVI, XVII, XVIII. In 1554, the temple was rebuilt on the old. In 1632, the temple built a 3 upper house and harem same corridor 20 rooms. In 1660, Tay Do Vuong Trinh Tac rebuild the pagoda.

By 1794, under Tay Son dynasty and of the pagoda was rebuilt, named Tay Phuong.

In 1893, Ty Kheo Thich Thanh Ngoc - a nun - was renovated pagoda, sculpt statue goddess of mercy hundreds hand, Thien Tai, Long Nu, Bat Bo Kim Cang, La Han (name of the tow colossal statues guarding the main gate of a pagoda) ...

 Tuyet Son statue

The temple in all three houses are decorated style sanctuary. System of worship in the pagoda is quite full, mostly carved jack-fruit wooden such as the Three World Buddhist statues, the Di Da Tam Ton statues , Tuyet Son statue, the statue of Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Bodhisattva Manjushri, the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, the Ananda, the Kasyapa, the Bat Bo Kim Cuong ... Pagoda have  many statues are sculptural excellence of the nation in the century XVII, XVIII, XIX, such as: Statue of Tuyet Son, and Chuan De goddess of mercy (worship in Trung pagoda), Bat Bo Kim Cuong (worship in Ho pagoda), the 16th Patriarch (worship in Thuong pagoda). In 1960, Huy Can poets to visit the temple has been writing poetry alive through poem "Arhat in Tay Phuong pagoda".

Arhat in Tay Phuong

Record Book Centre of Vietnam has established a record date of 12-12-2007 of Arhat statues of contemporary artists are creating work honestly and with vivid lines Sculpture great technical virtuosity beauty is: Tay Phuong pagoda with statues of arhat typical sculpture of the eighteenth century Vietnam.

Bat Bo Kim Cuong statue

It was great renovation in 1991 and 1995. West is famous for its temple architecture and sculpture most in Vietnam. Every day, the temple received numerous Buddhist, domestic tourists, foreigners come to visit, worship.

The pagoda was recognized by the Ministry of Culture is historical - cultural country in 1962.

Discovery visualize lotus in Vietnam culture

Lotus is the role and unique position in terms of spirituality and culture of the Vietnamese. Long time now, lotus has gone to the heart, into life and culture of the Vietnamese. Enjoy the lotus we can see and recognize the people of Vietnam.

Although born in the mud, but the lotus is not contaminated but has the potential to change life circumstances, because the lotus grows where everyone will make it cloudy where clarification. Lotus has both flavor and color, but the flavor is not too warm but gentle mind, suggests a noble spirit. Lotus discreet, loving, pink and white wings, yellow stamen. From bloom to the fade who do not have to bee or moth catches. Through binding to reach to be about nothing, lotus continues to rise in the sun, opening bud to flower, blooming and incense filled the air.
 
The formation of the Lotus takes place according to the law of metempsychosis cause of effect. Lotus has the bud - the flower - seeds. The flowers symbolize the past, the lotus shaped lamp support symbolizes the present and lotus seeds symbolize the future, the serial sequence. Thus, the lotus became a symbol of the Buddhist art of the Orient. It symbolizes the beauty of mystical, magical, deep thoughts. Lotus flower also symbolizes the elevating, unyielding of honorable man, clutching heart before the lure of profit, keep themselves clean though in the mud.
 
From the spiritual significance that, this flower has come into the mind of the people of Vietnam, became icons of architecture and sculpture of the ancient Vietnamese, in art, literature, cuisine ...
 
Until today, when international friends to Vietnam, the first image they see is the golden lotus Vietnam airline on the flight, which shows the image of enlightenment and perfection; life has just recently noble, sacred, both graceful and soft, but no less sturdy, poise, symbolizes the brave people of Vietnam resilience but honest and open.
 
1. Lotus image in literature and art
 
When it mention lotus, as Vietnamese people surely everyone know the fork song:

"In a pond nothing the beautiful than lotus
Green leaves, white flowers, yellow stamens 
Yellow stamens, white flowers, green leaves

Near the mud but does not stink mud smell "

 

When old, Mac Dinh Chi in front of King Tran Anh Tong was represented virtue of poem "Ngoc Tinh Lien (lotus flower in the gem well): For the lotus which has more noble, no flowers comparable, although near the mud that does not stink of mud and besides this lotus plant in the jade well again, then lotus more noble . He was like the lotus, whether in the circumstances is still keep elegant sense of purpose and uprightness,much less the right to a good time, King was judicious then he became more noble. Valuable lotus but you have to know to enjoy ... "
 
Village where Uncle Ho born also called Lotus village and perhaps most beautiful lotus is compared with the image of Uncle Ho- the father of the nation, the beloved leader of our:
 
 "Thap Muoi most beautiful is lotus flower
Vietnam's most beautiful have name of Uncle Ho "
 
2. Lotus in the traditional art of Vietnamese
 
In Vietnam, the subject lotus appears quite early in the visual arts, almost at any time can also be artists in the decorative scheme of places of worship or other cultural works of the community. Lotus is mined, reflecting the many different angles layout, appeared constant across the length of the nation's history through architecture.
 
Lotus  in art of Dinh - Tien Le dynasty
 
On some large paving bricks at the temple area of King Dinh and King Le temple, outside the phoenix, bird and had lotus topic. Blueprints of the lotus consists of 4 types.
 
Lotus has 16 of petals are often shown floating on the large square bricks. Looking at the area (from top to bottom), the general layout drawings form a rounded surface between bricks, consists of 3 layers. Outer layer is 16 petalssort equal create a regular ring. The middle layer consists of the twisted form is classified the same way, connect back together into a second ring, probably represents the pistil. Innermost layer is a circle of 13 dots floating, reflecting mirror with lotus seeds. Thirteen of lotus particles are arranged in the next eight runs from the center, balanced and steady. The lotus petal does not touch anything more than a small torus edge on the perimeter of the wing. Type lotus 16 petals met many in this field period later, at the foot of the rock column list so that middle and stamens are not carved anything and it has many similarities with the decorative scheme in the Korea and Japan.
 
Type lotus 14 petal on a decorated lotus shaped lamp support earthenware, high approx 10.5 cm. Lotus shaped lamp support circle, decorate a flower in the middle of the 14 petal and around the lotus is a daisy and tape the wire dot. In this case, the lotus is also looking at the layout of the exit area from the top down, divided into three classes such as type lotus 16 petals. Second layer do pistil here is very narrow, the stamens is expressed as the minor diagonal line. Innermost layer (lotus mirror), who have rounded pods (shown lotus seeds) many as 21 seeds, including a relatively large particle in the middle and 20 small particles surrounding the 2 round (round and round in 8 out of 12) The lotus seeds are  in the middle with two dual concentric circles and inside petals of the lotus is not only a border around edges but still leaves the whole point. Outside of lotus is a piece of wire type vines melon hand (more on next time). The outermost is the dot to each dot is surrounded by two concentric circles like the lotus seeds in the middle.
 
Lotus flower with 8 petal is also presented by way of looking at the area from above. In addition to eight main wing, with eight sub-ken off between each pair of wings. This decorative motifs on the two types of brick, a square, sized 34 x 34cm and a rectangular shape, size 74cm x 34cm. Square tiles in the lotus layouts, and rectangular types, people split blocks, two lotus flowers decorated on both sides. And short lotus petals  in the heart of the petals have a border. Part lotus circle shown in the middle, with nine dots to show the image of the lotus seed with a coarse texture in the middle and eight smaller particles are classified into the side of a circle. Notably, the lotus petal and lotus seed pod without stamen as two type only one tape to smooth.
 
Lotus flower number is not fixed petals are quite diverse, are decorated at the top of the tile tubes winning drops. What kind of elongated lotus, lotus hat resourceful; have small, short, to shark kind; there is kind of long-torus alternating between the wings. The number is not fixed petals, a petals type 7, type 8, 9 petals, all stylized simplicity, only the  lotus petals and mirror's support. There is also a mirror's support  when no lotus seeds.
 
4 kinds of lotus flowers are pretty, proved Dinh - Tien Le  time short but also creating products with unique mark in the history of the art.
 
Lotus in art of the Ly dynasty
 
This is the time when Buddhism thrived, is regarded as the state religion and lotus decorations are so many applications with the lotus, the Buddha in the lotus pedestal, lotus-shaped structures. Statistics stones for feet to the point of the tower columns, valances and ceramics pedestal ... Where everyone has the right conditions are right for artists to decorate the lotus. Special projects related to Buddhism, the lotus theme as widely used.
 
Lotus supporting leg pillar: Due to anti-termite and damp so the pins are listed stone columns. Take advantage of it, the artist has decorative border around the lotus, feels like the entire temple is built on the lotus. Lotus feet are the same column with the lotus on the bricks at the time Dinh - Le, the layout of the wing into a circle-style look at the area from above. United wing includes 16 primary and 16 secondary wings. Things are different this time, the scheme does not represent the binary Li lotus and lotus, probably because the column mask. Notably, the heart of the lotus in the Ly relics related to the king, often touching rise further two dragons flanking the leaf problem. Precise definition delicate touch and respect seem noble lotus. Type are also found on some celadon pottery of this period.
 
Types of projects help the animals sacred lotus, is in the shape of lotus posture inclination to look, as do the lotus dock for the phoenix feet, the phoenix dance schemes in the order (the sheets in her temple, Hanoi internal), lotus as platform for the sacred objects in the image composition easy, or in the orchestra scheme, angels, dragons flanking the (at Phat Tich Pagoda) ... Which generally supported the lotus leaves and topics.

 

 lotus dock for the phoenix feet

Type pattern of lotus flowers combine wireless and other sacred flowers along the tape at the point of the tower or pedestal, this also shows vestige in Long Doi pagoda ,  Chuong Son towers. Artisan layout changes back to a lotus a daisy, is shown in the circles of wire flowers. Both this circle is almost tangential to meet each other and place a picture of the little angels are in the dance movements. The flowers here wire conventional in nature, actually a lotus leaf, chrysanthemum leaves have different stylized fact. The layout of the scheme in case the lotus is usually styled to look slightly inclined to see the lotus with the lotus seed. The lotus is also divided into two classes as the types of projects lotus sacred objects, but the underlying support of it just as radio has turned into a sweeping circle to take the whole upper part of the lotus. Although quite high but stylized blueprints lotus flowers are placed in the most standard type layout, symmetrical and simple in line and still describe the specific appearance of the lotus.
 
Lotus-type on celadon pottery is decorated in the heart of a celadon bowl (the museum exhibits the history of Hanoi). Into a small bowl, ivory-colored glaze turns slightly golden brown. Ceramic artisans engraved pattern on the ground, and then bring baked enamel. It is also a popular technique of celadon pottery Ly. The lotus is shown by way of looking sideways, in the heart decorative bowl. The flower stalk back to the center bowl, a lotus flower on a chrysanthemum flower, they are quite independent of each other. Total: 3 lotus and chrysanthemum 3 Lotus of many petals, widening the two sides to comply with the layout symmetry in the entire decorative scheme.
 
Lotus in art of the Tran dynasty
 
To the Tran dynasty, the topic is the lotus was succeeded in forming operators such as time of Ly dynasty. Notably, in some brown ceramic flower this time the project appeared lotus style with vivid realism. The only thing to distinguish is the lotus flowers in the heart of the Ly dragon sometimes or creeper flowers, but Tran no exist. Lotus in Tran time usually only hit a submerged torus edge under the edge of the petal and in the center of each petal are sometimes rounded point particles in a symmetrical layout is quite tight.

 

Lotus support schemes sacred objects such as the Tran plentiful support schemes phoenix feet above the steles in Tong pagoda (Hung Yen), support De leaves the  in Thai Lac pagoda, Dau pagoda (Bac Ninh), at the foot of the column, also, especially in Thai Lac pagoda door, lotus support below the Phong statue, a standard theme of this period. On the pedestal of the statue of Tran dynasty are touching into the large lotus. Lotus with two or three layers, alternating, reflecting the popular masses, not just flowery . But there are also pedestal bottom layer farm just a touch decorative borders, the lotus is hit after another around the base, usually to form strong, tightly squeezed into a long line extended with tilt layout that many researchers called crooked lotus. In the heart of the lotus flower pictures more often touched by the circle combination.
 
Blueprints into stylized lotus flowers lines are used pretty much the Thai Lac pagoda architecture. And perhaps this is the only temple decorations this project. Lotus below the two dragons flanking the leaves are all formal offer or winding above the "cloud", where the head of his maiden with human head birds body are just offering flowers.

 

 De leaves

Patterns on ceramic lotus flowers brown: Baked brown flowers are born at the end of the Ly and Tran dynasty thrive in, including many types, different designs. Type to like pots, crock. There are small, such as bowls, plates, jars, ... Today artifacts left at some museums like the Museum of History, Museum of Fine Arts or the local museum in Hanoi, Nam Dinh, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tay.vv.. Others are in private collections at home and abroad. On the pottery is usually divided into cells or into a tape to decorate using paint pens to the ground, then glaze and then brings heated liners. Topics include different types of decorative with lotus which accounts in large numbers. Lotus-type pattern is simple, just draw a sharp line but a few, as is the case in a pot collection of National Museum of Belgium, most of them are drawn in a sideways way of looking at ... From a flower stalk at the bottom to rise up and then poured into two side petals wrapped around a station in the middle of the mirror's support. Two petals are embracing the same lotus, blooming garden petals to the sides and wide bottom petals down below. So simple, but because the lotus is not removed within a framework for any post should look very lively. Artist's sketch released diaphragm comfortable here. When they make a bold emphasis to a lotus, sometimes raising slid a detailed description of the flower or stem of a lotus. Each cell a flower, each flower a design, can stand alone or in combination with a few trees and lotus. Special projects on an pottery tower of Hai Duong museum, artists also draw more lotus and lotus leaves many design, layout leaves look the way down into the area from the circle to the array, see clearly the details of the veins. In a brown glaze jars History Museum in Hanoi, the lotus flower back into the layout winding wires are bent round. Each box is a lotus, looking sideways layout style, flowers such as both sides poured out at the other brown ceramic flowers. Festoon has many leaves, with leaves like a lotus, with leaves like the leaves of chrysanthemum that looks very lively.
 
Lotus in art of the Le preliminary
 
At the time Le preliminary, limited Buddhism, the temples are not developed, but the lotus is still the subject much attention. The lotus is not only decorated on the statue pedestal, base on foot temple columns, but also in various grades and imperial palaces on both the Ph.D stele in Van Mieu .
 
Lotus on the outside of the palace as in Kinh Thien  (Hanoi), Lam Kinh (Thanh Hoa), the Van Mieu (Hanoi). Although the form of around the flowers creeper but still the center of the lotus flower. Lotus-style show looking sideways, clearly both layers of flowers. In the flower bud is secret sort not bloom. Next is the layer of lotus petals are the two sides shining like the layout of the blade of a fan. Because they are highly stylized, so difficult to recognize here the familiar lotus.
 
In wall of Lam Kinh palace is like the lotus in the step of Kinh Thien. Notably, there are several type not the brunch petal, which is both a lotus form an array as big as the lotus leaf and in between are the stylized twist. On the doorstep of Van Mieu (Hanoi), the lotus is still shown the exit spiral, lotus in the middle is touching way of looking sideways. Clearly the 3 into the lotus type have the same style shows. It is highly stylized way twisted, pure lines and sharp touch.
 
Lotus at the of stele valance: Some preliminary Le stele as Ph.D stele in Van Mieu (Hanoi - 1484), stele in Cao pagoda (Ha Tay - 1505) ... are decorated with lotus flowers mixed with the other. Lotus style layout to look sideways, while flowers are gather , most stations covering the mirror's support, above the 3-layer petals are placed close together, the bottom has 3 small petals and large bloom. It is a case of stele valances in Cao pagoda. Also at the Temple of Literature stele is the same but the layout is somewhat simpler. In between are two lotus radio embraced the mirror, outside 5 petals next to it are the other sides, like the lotus pedestal Ngoc Kham Pagoda (Bac Ninh - XVII century)

 

 Statue in Ngoc Kham Pagoda with lotus shaped lamp support

The lotus pedestal on the statue: The statue stands Le preliminary, as the base of the pagoda Kham Lang (Bac Giang - 1432), Cao pagoda (Ha Tay-1505) ... are decorated lotus. The style and details of the patterns closely resemble the lotus pedestal on the Tran.  Especially in Kham Lang pagoda, in addition to the lotus, lotus has been touched by layer overlapping only see half picture, so that the tape length. Overlap style layout has also been found in the Tran dynasty. In Cung Kiem pagoda, at the foot of the pedestal stone Buddha dating to 1449, also shows a lotus floating on the waves, hit the exit looks slightly tilted, the lotus petals surrounding a lotus bub in the middle, leaves the external  have wave shape, simple layout, little more.
 
Lotus image in the visual arts Vietnam is a very rich subject, expressed in many forms of decorative art and architecture for each period of national history. It not only provides valuable material for life, but also provide invaluable spiritual values with the Vietnamese. So the lotus image is not just inspired works of the craftsmen of old, but today modern artists still have more work successfully with the lotus theme, in many ways looks and language shape different, but they express the timeless aesthetic value of flowers that had crept into the soul of ethnic Vietnamese.
 
3. Lotus in the food culture of Vietnam:
 
From the influence of the lotus in the spiritual life of the people of Vietnam that led to the top of the lotus food culture.
 
The lotus flower parts are processed into the signature dish, with bold flavors of Vietnam as lotus jelly, lotus tea. Lotus in Tinh Tam lake of Hue ancient tea is used to marinate the king. People marinated tea at night. Lotus stamen is revealed when both heaven and earth are harmony, incense is still flowing. Tea is placed inside the flower and then tied through the night to absorb the entire tea lotus flavor. The next morning, the collection of tea, lotus tea scented Hue so pure and strong to passionately of people.

 Hue lotus tea with lotus seeds, fresh, peeled, peel thin layers of silk, bore witness to the heart and cook in a bain-marie, with alum sugar that fragrance. Lotus tea  scoop to ancient bowl in the small blue, only five or seven of golden lotus seed. During holidays or rider anniversary, lotus tea is something important almost indispensable in the food festival.  There is only one bowl alone is enough to enjoy the "national spirit" of Hue !
 
In addition, people also use Hue lotus to cook lotus rice very well known in the traditional cuisine of Hue. How to cook lotus rice also very picky, the only real woman Hue mood is calm identity "daughter of a royal" that can cook lotus rice. In these dishes, "eight weapons," lotus rice appeared with a style of Hue. Those who want to enjoy lunch visit the ancient capital Hue lotus in the lotus bloom season. In addition, there are many dishes from lotus bring more flavor and excellent Hue flavor.
 
There is a special feature is that the North of Vietnam usually used lotus leaf  to package Com. The green grain jade Com becomes more flexible when located in the heart of fresh lotus leaves. Sweet fragrance of lotus leaf dissolve  with Com flavor. It is a wonderful harmony that anyone has ever remember enjoying.

The Red river- peach silk across Hanoi

Red River is a river very own Hanoi, Vietnam's mother land. The river was not only to build the Red River civilization - a civilization in the 36's but also the world's largest river system in Northern Vietnam, the No. 2 on the Indochina Peninsula (after the Mekong river - or other name Cuu Long river). With a length of 1126km, through Vietnam's territory is 556km accounted for 49.3%, the whole basin area is 155,000 km2, accounting for 45.6% of the area. In addition, the Red River tributaries also have to take 614 from level 1 to level 6, there are major tributaries such as the Da, Lo, Chay ...

 

Red River with unique colour

Red River originates from the ovary Nhuy Son mountain (1776m high) near Dai Ly lake  belong Nhi Do District, Van Nam province, China flowing from the Northwest - Southeast typical in Vietnam at Ha Khau (Lao Cai) through 7 provinces in the sea 10 estuary, the main estuary is the Ba Lat estuary(Nam Dinh). Para Red River flows through Hanoi 91 km long, the lower part.

Before the French name for the Red River, it has many names. Each locality has a name of its own rivers as Thao river, Cai river, Nhi Ha river, Nam Sang, Hoang Giang ... so it is also seen as most rivers have many names.

One of the cultural ethos of Vietnam is a water theme. The ancient town of Vietnam's history is largely associated with waterway as Co Loa, Thang Long, Pho Hien, Hoi An organizational culture ... In personal life, the water aspect is also a critical factor. Vietnamese people think that we're children of the Fairy and the Dragon from "Lac Long Quan - Au Co" story. Lac Long Quan is King of Xich Quy, was called the father but the people living in the palace of the river god, claiming to be like dragon heads underwater species. Vietnamese people have to worship water-nymph. Naiad has many names, exists in many different forms, most commonly in wetland worship Mau Thoai (read deviate from Mau Thuy to show that respect.)

Long time now, the festival of spring and autumn, the Red River again busy drums, gongs of the dragon boat team went out to take the river water procession Mother River (Cai River) on the church and bath statue. River travel is no longer a new form again, but the tourism resources along the river has been confirmed a long and increasingly attractive domestic and foreign tourists. Main trips of this ancient poet default client also imprinted in the legend, in poetry.

Red river- sweet feature

Red River also is considered a historical mark victories against aggression. The great victory of our people in history are mostly waterborne battles: Bach Dang (938), (981) was a first Tay Ket battle , the second Tay Ket, Chuong Duong, Ham Tu, Rach Gam - Soai Mut (1785) ... The area of the Hang Than head slope, head of the Long Bien Bridge (formerly as Dinh Bo Dau) where the glorious battles of the military and people (01/29/1285) dislodge 30000 Mongols army retreat, ending the glorious struggle against the Mongols invaded the 2nd (1285).

Dong Bo Dau is the war against the Nguyen army attacked the capital city and people of Tran dynasty. It's in the distance from the Phuc Xa to  Pha Den port now. On which a naval station, a military position are important, where the 108 Central Military Hospital today. Before 1954, it also has a hospital, people called Don Thuy Hospital is so.

"People can not bathe twice in the same river." The philosophical significance of the movement, then it is absolute. But say, history is never repeated, "... It is still the invaders North. It still pulled in by sea. It is still being ambushed at the estuary Rut river, Chanh river  - two branches of the Bach Dang river. It still lost by a stake. It was still about a breach boat by ironwood stake...,  you go to the Bach Dang river to ponder history against invaders of the nation and remember the 2 line of verse of Truong Han Sieu in " Bach Dang prose":

" Red evening clouds in the bottom water

Thought that this enemy blood is still here."

In 1786, Nguyen Hue led navy to the North, opposite the Red River out of the destroy gunboat of Trinh lord in Ben Thuy river watering place . Also Nguyen Hue - Quang Trung marched speedy to Thang Long broke out for twenty thousand enemy troops of General Ton Sy Nghi . Enemy army running the pontoon bridge in Tay Long river watering place (Dam Trau, outside Luong Yen grind factory now.)

Yeah! No one won any of the people in the north where the Red River (and the part of it) is not war, not contributed to the victory. Red River is the history of national construction and defense of the people of Hanoi. 

 Afternoon on Red river

 

About three or four hundred years ago, the Red River in Hanoi gave the vitality of a commercial center. Goods from lowland follow the Red River back plain, down to shore of the mountainous province, mountainous forest products back plain in the Red River delta. The shore of the Red River had been comparable to the busy ports of Europe, all merchant vessels of France, Japan, Italy, Portugal ... busiest in Red River dock in revolutions against the United States, France.

Red River was witness to the sacrifice and the loss of resounding military and people of Hanoi.

Tourism resources of the Red River system must include the Vietnamese village. Existed on the Red River variety fishing village with the neighbors, a small fishing village with bold shades of water. Some villages exist in areas outside the dikes along major rivers, such as Bat Trang pottery village  - Once there was a white clay to make ceramic materials, it is also conveniently located for transport waterway. Living outside the main problem is always to make people worry about dealing with flooding, the wetland proficient population, almost always have about then Xam Duong village (Ninh So, Thuong Tin, Ha Tay) is called the Dam village .

Red River also features the ruins marked the crystallization of labor. Red River delta itself is the land our forefathers were taken to protect systems to be solidified. This can be compared, the Egyptians are proud of the Pyramid, the Chinese are proud of the Great Wall, the Vietnam also has the right to be proud of the system for his life, the sea around the country, can be compared to Wall Great Wall to prevent the enemy country. With Hanoi since appear to have the Co Xa in the Ly dynasty in XII century (1108) to protect Thang Long capital along the Red River from Nghi Tam to Luong Yen, and Quai Vac dyke... the Red River dike system Hanoi has a long history of more than 800 years.

Bat Trang market on Red river

Thousands of years, the Red River was flowing into a very important part of Vietnamese history, which flows into a thousand-year history of Hanoi.

It became part of the flesh of the land it crosses, by many generations, of every human being of flesh and blood with it.

Each person has a Red river for itself. How much Hanoi people carry out a war of resistance to live with Red River and lived with Nguyen Dinh Thi poet every croon "Oh, Hong Ha, I miss the old fall, waves return as flag wave when the military come to the capital ...." Red River in" Thao river guerrillas"  are grand song in  the most beautiful sound of the war against France. And late in 1954, how many people from North Vietnam in the forests of gloomy housing recovery is also excited about Hanoi with invitation To Huu poet:

"Song Thao be an eager bustle wave.

Somebody come to Hanoi then accompany  the boat!."

According to ancient Chinese bibliographic around before the VI century, the Chinese call this river is Diep Du. And now China calls the Red River upstream from where the play area is Nguyen Giang or Ma Long Giang. Near to the Vietnam-China border area called the Lien Hoa or Le Hoa.

On Vietnamese land, each country has  Red River for yourself. From Lao Cai to the Viet Tri, river flowing like silk train between two sides of  fan-palm forests and tea hills of  Phu Tho should call it the Song Thao (mean as silk). Thao is also a semanteme in Lam Thao,  name of a suburban district of Phu Tho district where the river flows through. From Viet Tri  Hanoi on the Bach Hac (White Crane) river.

Red River on dry season

Now there are still many elderly are called Cai river, means that Mother river. Mother of hundreds of thousands of other rivers. This is an ancient name from the ancient Vietnamese people have called, perhaps by thinking of matriarchy.

The French are very romantic and rational when looking at the alluvium water call it the Red river, the name was officially called to this day. Red river curved to hug Thang Long from Minh Mang dynasty is called Ha Noi (in the river).

See the Red river on Long Bien bridge

Love it, peach silk of Red River - lap of orient robe tie round slender legs of Hanoi girl.

Thank association of a Greek poet, but the beautiful Red River never fade in his memory:

" I will never forget the Red River
Embroidered red color in Hanoi orient robe" 

Vietnamese Water Puppet - A form popular art in Vietnam

If you are ever in Hanoi it will be regretful to miss the Water Puppet Theater - even if you think you are not a puppet kind of person. Water Puppets literally means “puppets that dance on the water”. This show is not just geared for kids, but meant to delight adults as well.
History: 

Vietnamese Water Puppet originated from the Red River Delta of Vietnam in the tenth century. Some of the earliest troupes are in Nguyen Xa commune, Đông Hưng district, Thai Binh province. Water puppetry is deeply imbued with the cultural characteristics of the people of this area. This unique art first appeared around the 15th century, when post-harvest, artists who were also farmers would gather to perform and relax. The custom remains today in many localities in the Red River Delta such as Dao Thuc, Phu Da, Dong Ca, Nguyen Xa, Dong Ngu, Nhan Hoa and Nam Chan.
In ancient Vietnam, the rural Vietnamese believed that spirits controlled all aspects of their life, from the kitchen to the rice paddies. That is the reason why the farmers in this region devised a form of entertainment and worship to satisfy these spirits. Water puppetry is the lively creation of farmers who spent their days in flooded rice fields. At some point, they discovered that the water was an excellent medium for puppetry: it not only concealed the puppeteers' rod and string mechanisms, but it also provided exciting effects like waves and splashes.
When water puppetry became more popular, villages competed against each other with their puppet shows. This led puppet societies to be secretive and exclusive, including an initiation ceremony that involved drinking rooster blood.
So far this art form has been unique to North Vietnam. Tourists can enjoy this kind of art all days in a week at Thang Long Puppet Theatre, which is the most well known one in Ha Noi.

Performance

For over a thousand years, performers in Vietnamese Water Puppet Theater’s feet have always suffered in cold and wet condition. Water puppetry is performed in a chest-deep pool of water, with the water's surface as a stage. The puppeteers stand behind a screen and control the puppets using long bamboo rods and string mechanism hidden beneath the water surface.
The puppet is carved out of wood and often weighs up to 15 kg. A large rod supports the puppet under the water and is used by the puppeteers to control them. The appearance is of the puppets moving over the water. The puppets enter from either side of the stage, or emerge from the murky depths of the water. In the past when the rice fields were flooded the villagers would entertain each other using this puppet form.
A traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides background music accompaniment. Singers of Cheo (a form of opera) with origin in North Vietnam sing the songs which tell the story being acted out by the puppets. Performances of up to 18 short scenes are usually introduced by a pig-tailed bumpkin known as Teu, and accompanied by a small folk orchestra. The musicians and the puppets interact during performance; the musicians may yell a word of warning to a puppet in danger or a word of encouragement to a puppet in need.
Along with singing the atmosphere, while the decorations set the stage for each particula, traditional musical instruments like drums, wooden bells, cymbals, horns, two-string Chinese violins and flutes create r style of water puppetry. Researcher Nguyen Huy Hong believes that water puppetry combines sculpture, architecture, painting, music, stage and literature.

Content

The theme of the skits is rural and has a strong reference to Vietnamese folklore. It tells of day-to-day living in rural Vietnam and Vietnamese folk tales that are told older generation to younger generation. Of which stories of the harvest, of fishing and of festivals are highlighted.

The water also provides the best setting for the puppeteers' theme: day-to-day village life. Water puppets bring wry humor to scenes of farming, fishing, festival events such as buffalo fights, and children's games of marbles and coin-toss. Fishing turns into a game of wits between the fisherman and his prey, with the fisherman getting the short end (often capturing his surprised neighbor by mistake). Besides village life, scenes include legends and national history. Lion dogs romp like puppies while dragons exhale smoke and shoot sprays of water at the audience. Teu, a pig-tailed bumpkin, is the character who usually plays the role of introducing the performances. The introduction is always accompanied by a small folk orchestra. Spotlights and colorful flags adorn the stage and create a festive atmosphere.

Legends and national history are also told through short skits. Many of the skits, especially those involving the tales of day-to-day living, often have a humorous twist.
Water puppetry has always gone hand in hand with festivals. Each Lunar March 13, Bo Duong villagers hold village festival to commemorate their tutelary god. Aside from worship, the festival is also an opportunity for villagers to relax by watching water puppetry, taking in fireworks displays, flying kites and entering cock-fighting contests. The festival always attracts thousands of attendants. Village festivals are great wind down for farmers and artists alike.

Source: Vietnam-beauty

Festival "Run pigs" - festivals of the Vietnamese new year beginning

History festival running pig

The area of the festival "Run pigs" is told from the Hung Vuong. Then Cao Son Dai Vuong (the media and the brother of the Son Tản Vienna Thánh) to deploy it vision, with foot rest in the village. The aged in the villages would be presented recently to the military longing spirit tướng agree with this a condition to be very fast to do that is a military battlefield. So people have a complete dinner meals in a period as quickly as possible. Khao meals per day than whether it has met all the food in the region, especially with many pork. Once completed, except sight, Cao Son Dai Vuong on heaven. To please remember the spirit of the Prime Minister, where he farms and people have built temples called temple or temple Cao Son Dai Vuong. From then onwards, mồng seven days in January, the organization of the temple, in a ceremony on the Ministry of heaven. Ceremony "pigs Run" was held to remember the soldiers languish. "Run" here is the contest see any larger, biên ceremony in the fastest.
The changes of history, Le "Run pig" may have been forgotten. But from 1991 to present, Dien village (often known by the name Duyen yet) restored and maintained regularly with the two this one is not. Until 1999 the house is often ranked historical cultural national level, historical resistance. And in 2009 the first "pig run" to be a list of cultural values-free objects need to be preserved to celebrate 1000 years of Thang Long - Hanoi
"Running pigs" past and present
In formula signed by the old man, a "pig run" usually occur between 5 Giáp: North, Sanskrit, Nguyen, đoái, East - 5 Hamlet equivalent today. Pigs are selected in the hamlet of selected purchased from the previous year, to a family and is quite prestigious for breeding weight reached nearly a dozen. Before a ceremony for the 10 days, animals eat porridge is sticky and fragrant bath water several times. Twenty-one man is chosen to be the team healthy, and if the wife had suffered life "isolation" from the previous festival.
To date in celebration, the year of Giap Rước in courtyard of house in front. Village selected two aged but healthy, the family crowded enough, well-off the product aged. Two of the aged in turn will try to lift each other up scholarships and then kick a coin into the trap of crowds. Who one is the money that the winner in both years. Then the team will contest "Running pigs" with the operation of the meat and placed offerings as quickly as possible. When the drumbeat of the store on time to complete only last for three minutes. Tray offering will include nine items: The pig tail hold covered a fat get in the stomach; TE shoulder (pork shoulder), TE butt (pork butt), Bear o (the Sun Co.), Bear abdomen (the cartilage in the abdomen), under; information, viscera and betel and areca a disk, incense, alcohol. All must be beautiful dexterity. After the ceremony the action is finished, the judges will sometimes pigs each to check for cuts. If the cut is made great points will be deducted. Individual pigs are broken guts the tray which has been considered as dirty and not be brought up in in the home.
Today, the "Run pigs" do not like to kì days. But still keep the celebration of identity, meaning and operation. No borders as 5 days before, the village divided into three teams with similar hamlet. The day before the official place name in the field house, the hamlet "drill" multiple times and eating together. "The goal of surgery is to try training skills, but actually it means apparent to the way she hamlet wonder, happy together, more united, says provost Mừng, the first treatment said of Hamlet 2. Available in hamlet 1, families with children in remote villages in all of this. Mr. Dong Minh Luc - University lecturers Architecture Hanoi sharing: "On New Year that we are family, their mac. Holidays also "Running pigs" are given the opportunity to strengthen still further the hamlet, not in my family is not enough of. "

This is one of "The pigs" are waiting for the ceremony

Perfume for the bathroom "he pigs"

The first product on the tray ceremony

Achievements after ... 1 minute 50 seconds!

Source:VNmedia and Report military people

Photographers show their love via black-and-white photos

Members of Hai Au club for female photographers will introduce black-and-white pictures about Vietnam’s people, landscape and specialties at the Da Lat Cadasa Resort in Da Lat from April 2 to May 2.

Drawing up a net by Nguyen Thi Sin.

Established in 1990, Hai Au club has chosen 65 pictures for the upcoming exhibition to celebrate Da Lat Liberation Day (3.4/1975) and the country’s union (30/4/1975).

 

Hai Au is the first photography club for women in Vietnam. With 15 members who share a passion for photography, the club has organized many exhibitions and won over 100 international awards and many local prizes. The club also contributes to Vietnam’s photography circles with outstanding talents like Dao Hoa Nu, An Dung and Hong Nga.

 

The club will bring around 100 photos to an exhibition in Hanoi in late August to celebrate the city’s 1000^th anniversary.

 

Some photos by Hai Au Club:

 

Saying goodbye on Hoai River by An Dung.

Thay pagoda by Dao Hoa Nu.

Hue’s boat by Dao Hoa Nu.

Hong Nga’s Hanoi in Spring.

Bac Ninh love duets by Hong Nga.

Dao do girl by Hong Nga.

Brushing hair by Kim Lan.

Peaceful by Phan Thi Thu.

White night by Thi Tho.

Rain in ancient street by Tuyet Mai.

Stork condition by Dao Hoa Nu.

In early fog by Dao Hoa Nu.

Clean water by Kim Phuong

Driving ducks by Nguyen Thi Sin.

Religious practicing by Pham Thi Thu.

Baking rice cake by Thanh Son.

Making rice cake by Thanh Son.

Kid pleasure by Thi Tho.

About to go to market by Tuyet Mai.

Leaving school by Xuan Hong.