6:00 AM – Time for breakfast, one of things to do in Hanoi Old Quarter

Our breakfast is beef noodle soup at Bat Dan Street. The well-known restaurant is crowded with diners early in the morning. If you are quick enough, you can find a seat and wait for your fellow queue to buy and bring “phở” to you. Apart from over 20 dishes for breakfast in Hanoi, “phở” is still the first-choice in food stalls and restaurants. Just a bowl of “phở” with flavorful broth, white rice noodles, red beef and chopped spring onion can lure people’s appetite and becomes a world-famous-brand.

Bat Dan beef noodle soup with eggs

Pho Bat Dan: 49 Bat Dan street – Cua Dong ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.

7:00 AM – Enjoy morning coffee, one of the special things to do in Hanoi

After finishing breakfast, there is no need to hurry and let drop by a café to enjoy a cup of strong-white coffee. Nhi café on Hang Ca Street is so full of guests that no parking lot left. Overlooking streets, Nang Café, Gian Café, and Thoi Café are ideal with simple sets of wood tables and chairs. Iced black coffee and iced white one are the most favourate drinks in the morning. A cup of coffee, a newspaper or a friend sitting next to you before the working hours, an ideal scene like in a film. Hanoians don’t like drinking coffee in luxurious café with sophisticated decoration. If you want to taste a cup of morish coffee, just stop by a café with simple furniture, whatever it is, you can get a really delicious cup.

Morning coffee at Nhi Café

Nhi Café – Things to do in Hanoi: No. 2 Hang Ca street – Hoan Kiem District – Hanoi

8:00 AM – Take short sightseeing trip around Hanoi

Now it is time for a sightseeing trip around Hanoi. In the cool and comfortable atmosphere of autumn, we take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake. The sky is adorned with the blue colour and pleasant day lights. Lots of couples come here to take wedding photos of them. The corners of Hoan Kiem Lake, Hang Bai Street, Dinh Le Street, the Opera House, Hilton Hotel, an French-architecture university on Le Thanh Tong Street and Sofitel Metropole hotel are integral places in a beautiful wedding album.

Hoan Kiem Lake in the morning

Let’s drop in Trang Tien ice cream shop and taste delicious ice cream cones. If not, make the time to visit The Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple. Another place you can’t miss is Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature). It takes 2 hours for you to discover these two places. On the way, you can visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long on Hoang Dieu Street. A special address – the home of General Vo Nguyen Giap is on that street.

12:00 PM – At noon, time for lunch to enjoy special local food in Hanoi

What I shall have for lunch is all that matters to me. Any dish or whatever is so attractive to me and urge my desire to eat it all. “Bún đậu mắm tôm”, at Phat Loc Street or “Bún Chả” at Hang Manh, “Chả Cá Lã Vọng” La Vong fried fish or “Bún Lưỡi” at Ngo Si Lien Market, steak sandwich, I really want to try it all. For a while of being busy with options, I had decided to select the dish of “Bún đậu mắm tôm” that seems to be delicious only in Hanoi. A portion of “Bún đậu với chả cốm”, pork and spring rolls were full enough for my stomach until the late afternoon.

Bun dau mam tom (Fermented shrimp paste with fried tofu and rice vermicelli)

Bun dau mam tom at Phat Loc alley – Hoan Kiem district – Hanoi.

13:00 PM – Ideal time to discover things to do in Hanoi Old Quarter

It is the midday with little sunshine. And walking is the best way to explore Hanoi Old Quarter 36 streets. The chess board of these streets make you lost easy if you are not careful. Only by walking along these streets, street after street, alley after alley, house next to house, you can get insight into the lives of people in Hanoi. As the result, you can find every typical product in small shops on each street. Moreover, you can see the very old professions like hairdressing on the sidewalks, selling wigs, long dress sewing, seal making, watch repairing and painting here, which are about to fade away. Walking through the streets, you can stop by Luong Van Can Street and drink a glass of black bean tea or iced tea on narrow alleys.

Quan Chuong Gate – One of the ancient corner in Hanoi

I dropped into Bach Ma (White Horse) Temple, one of four district gate of ancient Thang Long, at an end of Hang Buom Street, take a stroll towards Quan Chuong Gate, got lost in the crowded and hustling alleys of Dong Xuan Market, then sought a way heading for Hang Duong to buy some salted fruits as a gift. Seeds of young grains “Com” are wrapped carefully with lotus leaves. After a while of wandering about the streets, I had an abundance of presents to bring home.

17:00 PM – Water Puppet Show

Water puppet show at Thang Long Theatre was about to start. You have only more than one hour to watch a show but it is worth your money and very interesting. Most of audiences are foreign tourists on package tours and the rest of them are children. The legends of the Betel Leaf & the Areca Nut and The Golden Star Fruit Tree have been performed with puppets dancing on water. A puppet show doesn’t take much time for you to watch but it is so enjoyable.

Water Puppet Show at Thang Long theatre

Thang Long theatre: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang street, Hang Bac ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.

18:00 PM – “Bia Hoi” or Hanoi draft beer – Special things to do in Hanoi

Now it is time for draft beer “bia hoi” at international corner of Ta Hien street, meeting with young people coming to drink and chat after working hours. Cold beer, “phung” spring rolls, French chips, grilled fermented pork rolls … all make the streets look busy and amazing. And it is also the time for night market to set out. The market, covering an area from Hoan Kiem Lake to Dong Xuan market, opens from 6 pm to 11 pm on the routes of Hang Dao and Hang Duong streets on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Beer Corner at Ta Hien street

21:00 PM – Things to do in Hanoi at night

Wandering along streets filled with the fragrance of magnolias and milk flowers, we stopped at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Each evening, this destination attract lots of people walking with their families. Also, one interesting that I have recently known is the flag lowering ceremony at 9:00 pm in evenings. Those who are walking and passing across the street at that time, they all stop and stand seriously on ceremony.

Flag Raising Ceremony at night in Ba Dinh square in front of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Iced tea and supper. A simple life by night. Look for a tea stall with nice view over Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy cups of tea and some sunflower seeds or fruits. Youngsters gather side by side there. There is a variety of food for supper. From papaya salad to a bowl of rib soup. From sticky rice to noodles with goose meat and bamboo shoots.

24:00 AM – Hanoi night streets

Hanoi streets by night have a special beauty deep and peaceful. Unlike an 24 hour-noisy-city of Saigon, Hanoi’s day and night look differently. After the rush and hurried pace of day time, the streets are quiet at 11 pm. The weather of autumn is cold enough for passers-by wearing thin sweaters and scarves. All the streets are foggy. In yellow lights of street lamps, the city at night is so quiet and faintly redolent of magnolias and milk flowers. An open window of a house leaks out the melody of a love song.

Hanoi streets at night

Its beauty and interests completely rush into you when travelling around Hanoi at night.It is also the ideal time for artists to take photos of Hanoi at night, highlighting 36 old streets with French-architectural houses. Hoang Dieu, Phan Dinh Phung, Tran Phu streets are extremely beautiful in night lights.

2:00 AM – Night flowers market – Special things to do in Hanoi at night

Now, it is the time for a special trip to a exceptional destination, Quang Ba flower night market. At 2:00 AM, motorbikes loaded with flowers from Tay Tuu, Me Linh and Nghi Tam flower villages flock to this market on the dike edge.The world of flowers is open all day but the market is busiest at 2:00 AM. The growers sell flowers at this early hour so that flowers can be sold fresh on every street in Hanoi at 4:00 AM or 5:00 AM.

In the light of flashlights, the market is full of buyers and sellers. Each season is typical with certain types of flowers. Bright yellow daisies symbol for autumn spread over the market. Bunches of 100 flowers are sold at an amazingly cheap price, including daisies, roses, fuchsia, lilies and others.

Quang Ba flower market – Things to do in Hanoi at night

Walking in the flower night market, you won’t want to come back home. The hash daily life of florists turns up amongst fragrances of flowers. From 2AM to 5AM, flowers are loaded on motorbikes to be transported to flower shops on Hanoi streets or to other markets in the morning. If you feel hungry you can have a bowl of hot “phở” noodle soup, “bánh tẻ” rice-cakes, “bánh dày”, and drink a cup of hot green tea. Leaving the flower market, I bought bunches of daisies which are carefully arranged. These flowers shall be with me on the flight to Saigon in the next morning.

5:00 AM – Long Bien bridge, one of cheap things to to in Hanoi

My 24-hour-journey is on the point of coming to the end. Finally, the sunlight appeared on the horizon while we were standing on the more-than-one-hundred-year-old Long Bien Bridge. Sunrise is overlooking the Red River dotted with alluvial soils. Long Bien fruit and vegetable market is in full swing beneath the bridge. On the bridge now, hard-working people are travelling back and forth with heavy baskets of fruits. Long Bien Bridge has witnessed this land and people’s life changing for more than a century and it will have continued to be a link between the two river banks in the future.

Long Bien bridge at dawn

Hanoi 24 hour is full of emotions and excitements!

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History of Tran Quoc Pagoda

Old documents said that the establishment of pagoda happened under the reign of King Ly Nam De (541-547) in the period of Van Xuan State. Originally, its site lay on An Hoa village near the Red river (formerly Yen Phu village, Tay Ho District now). The original name if “Khai Quoc” (National Founding). Its name changed to “An Quoc”, which means a peaceful country, by King Le Thai Tong (1440-1442). Accidently, a serious land slide in 1615 affected into the pagoda foundation. That disaster made the local people to relocated  to Kim Ngu (Golden Fish) islet on the East of Ho Tay (West Lake) where it is now situated.

People visit Tran Quoc pagoda for praying on Tet holidays

However, as there was no way to enter the pagoda except for boat, in 1624 An Hoa villagers continued building the Cổ Ngư lagoon or Thanh Nien Street at the present which separated West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. Since then, the pagoda was named Tran Quoc, meaning protecting the country in 1628 under King Le Than Tong’s reign.

Tran Quoc pagoda guidline

Like most of temples in Vietnam with strict rules of Buddhist architecture. The layer of Tran Quoc Pagoda seem to the shape of the word “Cong” (工 ). Moreover, it also consists of with many layers of buildings and three main houses several including Tien Duong (The forecourt), Thuong Dien (The front-worshiping room), Nha thieu huong (The incense burning house).

Location

Standing at on Thanh Nien Road, you can see the towers of the pagoda rising above the lake’s surface. Its name called Bao Thap Luc Do Dai Sen (The Precious Stupa). This stupa includes 11 floors with a height of 15m. Each floor has six arched door ways with a statue of Buddha Amitabha . The top of the tower has a nine-story lotus called the Cuu Pham Lien Hoan. The stupa location  symmetrically is Bo De (Bodhi) tree in the pagoda garden. That’s a gift by former Indian President when he visited Hanoi in 1959.

Tran Quoc pagoda inside

How to visit the pagoda

Coming to Tran Quoc pagoda in different, you will see distinct beauty which rarely seen in other ones. In the summer season, this pagoda is a cool island with many moss stone steps and vibrate waves where you get away from noisy and hot streets. In the winter, it has the mysterious beauty hidden in the mist. It helps anyone coming to Tran Quoc Pagoda to feel tranquil and peaceful, throw away a part of secular to make gentle and good things.

View of Tran Quoc pagoda from Thanh Nien road (Youth road)

The pagoda opens daily from 7 am to 11:30am and from 1:30pm to 6pm. It is advisable for all visitors to wear decent clothing, by wearing long trousers and covering the shoulder before visiting the pagoda. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes by car from the center of Hanoi, depending on the road traffic. To save your cost, you can take the bus as the bus stop is in front of the pagoda’s gate. However, the route requites two buses which can be difficult with tourists. It is the better way if you take a taxi or motorbike to to visit the spiritual pagoda.

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Temple of Literature history

Nowadays, the Temple of Literature is a place of learning rather than a religious site. The historian can find out many materials about Vietnamese education history. Philosophers can find the evidence to prove the role of Confucianism in Vietnam. Art researchers discover quintessence of national art from the shapes and  patterns of the stone turtles. Vietnamese people come here to find the name of an ancestor in the academy. Besides, it is also one of the must-see destination in any trip in Hanoi with a large number of domestic and international visitors travelling to Hanoi. On the traditional New Year (Tet holiday), people usually organize the poetry community here. The people gather to express their wishes and the scholars (Ông Đồ). Their brush and ink will help express them in scripts. Before any importation examination, the students come here to pray for luckiness.

Overview

Actually, ‘Văn Miếu’ is the Temple of Literature but ‘Quốc Tử Giám’ is the Imperial Academy.  After the great transfer of the capital in 1010 from Hoa Lu (present-day Ninh Binh Province) to Dai La Citadel (present-day Hanoi). The Ly dynasty concentrated on building a strong social organization and education and training  talents for the country. In the autumn of the year Canh Tuat (1070), Emperor Ly Thanh Tong decide to build Temple of Literature. As a Confucian temple, where worships ‘Khổng Tử’ (Confucius), scholars and sages. Under King Tran Minh Tong, Chu Van An with lofty soul and immense knowledge became a rector of the Imperial Academy. He was an outstanding teacher in the national education. After his death in 1370, the king erected his monument at Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam.

Launching and development

In 1076, King Ly Nhân Tông ordered to construct  ‘Quốc Tử Giám’  or Imperial Academy where provided  talents for the country. Originally only princes, the royal members and aristocrats were studied at the university. In 1253, under King Ly Nhan Tong, Temple of Literature the university was opened to talented commoners.

The imperial Academy starts from 1076 to 1779. When Nguyễn dynasty decided to move from “Thang Long” (Hanoi) to Hue where  there is a new imperial academy. Temple of Literature became a school of the Hoài Đức District. Its name changed to “Thai hoc” house, then “Khai Thanh” to worship Khổng Tử’s parents.

Imperial Academy – Temple of Literature inside

During the period of 1945- 1954, they used many parts of the temple to make room for the sick and wounded. In early 1947, only some stones of Literature Temple was still stable after the French attacks.  In 1999, Hanoi city decided to renovate of “Thai Hoc” with its area of 1530 m² in the total complex of 54.331 m2. Becuase of domination from China, the temple follows a standard Confucian layout consisting of ‘Hồ Văn’ (Van Lake), ‘Vườn Giám’ (Giam park), and the inner surrounded by brick wall.

The vestige of Văn Hồ (Literature Lake) is in front of Temple of Literature and on the opposite side of Quoc Tu Giam street. Giam Lake stays along the west of the inner. In front of the Great Gate, there are four high pillars. On either side of the pillars are two stelae commanding horsemen to dismount. Even the king forced to dismount which but knowledge still had the most important position, even higher than royalty or temporal power.

Temple of Literature complex and description

There are three pathways through the complex. The central gate was reserved for royal members. The path to the left was for the administrative Mandarins and the path to the right was  for military Mandarins. The interior of the site is seperate into five courtyards.

Van Mieu Mon – First Courtyard

The first courtyard extends from the Great Portico ‘Văn Miếu Môn’ to the Dai Trung (Đại Trung). There are two smaller gates: the Dai Tai gate (Đại Tài Môn) and the Thanh Duc gate (Thành Đức Môn).

Dai Trung Mon – Second Courtyard

The second courtyard is running from ‘Đại Trung Môn‘ to the ‘Khuê Văn Các‘. It has a unique architectural work built in 1805 during the reign of Gia Long. The first Nguyễn emperor shortly after he moved the capital from Hanoi to Huế and a symbol of present-day Hanoi. The next two side gates are the ‘Cửa Bi Văn‘ (Magnificence of Letters Gate) and ‘Cửa Súc Văn’ (Crystallization of Letters Gate), which lead to three courtyard.

Khue Van Cac – Temple of Literature

Thien Quang Tinh – Third Courtyard

In the third courtyard is the Thien Quang Tinh ((Well of Heavenly Clarity). On the sides of the lake are the ancient doctor’s graveyards, or Stelae Pavilions. King Le Thanh Tong established the 82 remaining stelae of the 116 originals n 1484 and added to until 1779. Each headstone of them displays the name of the person that passed a high-level examination.

Dai Thanh Mon – Fourth Courtyard

The central gate to the fourth courtyard is the Dai Thanh gate (Đại Thành Môn). On either side are two smaller gates: Kim Thanh gate (Kim Thanh Môn) and the Ngoc Chan gate (Ngọc Chấn Môn).

This courtyard consists of two larger works in parallel layout. In the centre of the fourth courtyard is the House of Ceremonies (Đại Bái Đường). The next building is the Thượng Điện, the worshiping place of Confucius and his four closest disciples Yanhui, Zengshen, Zisi and Mencius.

Imperial Academy – Fifth Courtyard

In 1076, an imperial academy as a fifth courtyard was constructed in order of Emperor Ly Nhan Tong. It includes the front building, the rear building, the left and right buildings, a bell house and a drum house.

Scientific activities and cultural events are organised in the front building. The rear building has two levels including the ground floor to worship Chu Văn An (a rector of the academy). It also shows exhibits of the temple and the academy and upper floor to be dedicated to the three monarchs The persons contributed most to the foundation of the temple and the academy: Ly Thanh Tong, Ly Nha Tong and Le Thanh Tong. The left and right buildings are an office Scientific and Cultural Center for Temple of Literature.

With the outstanding and rare values, Temple of Literature has long been recognized as one of the most iconic historical-cultural heritages in Vietnam. These 82 steles have been recognized as world documentary heritage by UNESCO since March 2010. More importantly, Temple of Literature represents the fondness of learning and the tradition of exploring knowledge of Vietnamese people. Although Hanoi is developing day in day. Temple of Literature has still had special values with Vietnamese people, especially the young.

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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum history and overview

The mausoleum is the last resting place of Ho Chi Minh also known as Uncle Ho. When the President was alive, he wanted to be cremated and laid ashes in three regions of the country. However, with a wish that Vietnamese people, especially the southern ones can see Ho Chi Minh’s body. Government officially decided to build Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on on September 2, 1973 on the grounds of the Ba Dinh Square. In there, Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence announcing the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945.

Architecture and Construction

Constructors used marble and granite to build the Mausoleum. They are from many places of the country including sands taken from Kim Boi stream (Hoa Binh province). Muong ethnic people took boulders from streams in Son Duong, Chiem Hoa, Ngoi Thia, Tuyen Quang, stones from Thanh Hoa, Ha Tay, Yen Bai, etc. Besides, the people has been living in the Truong Son Mountain Range also sent 16 kinds of precious wood. Many rare plants from the different regions such as: Dipterocarpus retusus trees which from Phong Chau in Phu Tho Province, Orchid Tree from Dien Bien – Lai Chau, bamboo from Cao Bang, etc…

Vietnamese people complete Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum with the Soviet Union’s help on August  22nd, 1975. Consequently, it is the combination between Lenin Mausoleum’s architecture and distinct architectural elements of Vietnam.

Architecture of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum from outside

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum consists of three layers with 21.6 meters high and 41.2 meter wide. They use granite to make the exterior as gray, black, and red stone. When standing in the front of the mausoleum, you cam the words “Chủ tịch Hồ Chi Minh”, meaning “President Ho Chi Minh”. You can see the gold-inlaid sentence “Không có gì quý hơn độc lập tự do” (Nothing is more precious than Independence and Freedom) and the signature of of President Ho Chi Minh at the lobby.

Ho Chi Minh’s Body

In the second store places the famous President’s body pressed by marble from Ha Tay province. On the wall, the national flag and the Communist party flag are grafted from 4,000 pieces of rubies from Thanh Hoa province. The body lies in a glass case with dim lights. He is wearing the simple clothes with the Kaki costume and a pair of rubber sandals which he worn when he was alive. The coffin is a work of art made by the craft master of the two countries Vietnam – Soviet. Beds are manipulated from bronze with lotus patterns, and placed on a rock pedestal with automatic lift system. Lighting and air conditioner system is automatically on bedhead. To view the President’s body, visitors must climb a stairway lined with security guards dressed in starchy stiff, white military uniforms.

Entrance

On the two sides of the entrance, there are two frangipani trees, symbolizing the purity, nobility of President. In the rear and the back of the Mausoleum, 79 cycas revoluta symbolizing for 79 years in the life of Uncle Ho. South and north side of the Mausoleum, there are two ranges of bamboo, consider as a symbol of Vietnam. In front of the mausoleum there is a 30 metre flag pole and the plaza, 240 green squares with pathways respectively. Surrounding the mausoleum is nearly 250 different species of plants and flowers, it is from all different regions of Vietnam.

People on the line to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Opening and closing hours

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the most important monument to the great father of Vietnam who completely changed the life of Vietnamese people. Rules regarding dress and behavior are strictly enforced by staff and guards. Legs must be covered (no shorts or miniskirts). Local and foreign visitors must be silent, and walk in two lines. Hands must not be in pockets, nor arms crossed. No permission for smoking, photography, and video taping anywhere inside the mausoleum. Except for the time for restoring and preserving the body, it is normally open daily from 8:00 am to 11.30 am, but you can be there at 7.00 am if you want to be ahead of the queue. Government close the Mausoleum on Monday for maintenance.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum inside and surrounding

Ba Dinh square

The square is in front of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the place to organise important events. There President Ho Chi Minh read the Independence Declaration of Vietnam on September 2^nd, 1945. Originally, Ba Dinh is the name of a village in Thanh Hoa province where the first resistance against the French colonialist of Vietnamese people took place.

The house-on-stilts

After leaving Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, you will walk closely to Uncle Ho the house-on-stilts. There Vietnam’s great President used to live and work from 1958 until he passed away. The wooden house surrounded by full of fruit trees and a peaceful fish pond shows his simple and pure lifestyle.

Uncle Ho used to the ground floor welcome visitors. Upstairs there were a bed room, a wardrobe, a study room with a table and a chair and a bookshelf. The outside of his house is a garden with the trees from all over the country.

In front of the house, “Uncle Ho’s fish-pond” is teeming with fish that he fed with great care. At the same time, he clapped his hands, they heard his sound and coming up on the surface for the foods.

Presidential Palace

Walking a few steps from Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, visitors will pass Presidential Palace from 1900 – 1906. This was a palace of the General Indochina Governor in colonial French architectural style. In 1954, the new government renames the building as “the Presidential Palace”. Uncle Ho live and work there. After he passed away in 1969, the Palace became a historic relic related to 15 years living and working of Ho Chi Minh.

One Pillar Pagoda

Travelers should visit the One-Pillar Pagoda behind Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It is an ancient one relate to King Ly Thanh Tong’s dream in 1049, telling that  Quan Yin Buddha sitting on the throne led him to Buddha’s throne. Therefore, the pagoda architecture  consists of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square lake. It looks like a lotus blossoming from the square pond.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Ho Chi Minh Museum is the largest museum in Vietnam. It express the deep gratitude of Vietnamese people to the great contributions of Ho Chi Minh President. It stores more than 12 thousand documents, artifacts, original film about the life and revolutionary career of the President.

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Overview of Bat Trang Ceramic Village

Bat Trang Ceramic Village is situated in a rich clay area in Gia Lam district, just 15 km southeast of Hanoi Old Quarter. It gains advantages of ingredients to create good and unique ceramics. It is said to be established in 14^th to 15^th century in some documents. However, villagers believe that it was found earlier in 11^th century when 3 scholars came back from the trip to China. They learned ceramic craft industry from China and taught to local people of Bat Trang. Another story tells that due to rich clay, many potters from many areas came to there to build the kilns there, then developed pottery village. Until now, Bat Trang has been famous hundreds of year for its pottery and ceramics. There are many different functions from art ceramic products, worship items or even living supplies, etc.

Local people making ceramic products

Bat Trang now is not famous in Vietnam but also in other countries in the world. Many products have been exported to Japan, Korea, America, Netherlands, and Britain … and are well-known about the best quality, styles and art. Some Bat Trang products even are stored in the world museum such as Guimet Museum in France and Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium. Therefore, Bat Trang pottery product reflects the spirituality of Vietnamese.

Apart from its products, it become touristic attraction both domestic and foreigners. Visitors come here for natural scenery, witness of process of making pottery, having a real experience to make pottery as well as buy souvenirs from old village.

How to get to Bat Trang Pottery Village

Because it is not too far to Hanoi Old Quarter, it is very easy to go to Bat Trang Ceramic Village. The public bus is the cheapest and convenient vehicle. You can take the bus number 47 from Long Bien station and go to Bat Trang village directly. You can take motorbike, bicyle or car crossing Chuong Duong Bridge or Vinh Tuy Bridge. And then you turn right along to Red River dike until see the Bat Trang Village. The most exciting way is to take a bike to visit Bat Trang from Hanoi. You have an opportunity to cycle across beautiful rice paddies and green gardens, fish ponds and pagodas along the way.

Shops in Bat Trang Ceramic Village

What should you do in Bat Trang Pottery Village

Passing Bat Trang gate, you will stop at the beginning of village and starting walking. You will first see ceramic market. There are a lot of usual vase, pottery, housewares and modern art ceramic pieces with different shapes and styles. Tourist can buy souvenirs like necklaces, bracelets, key chains, piggy banks with reasonable price.

Almost of family in Bat Trang make pottery. You can enjoy making pottery by yourself if you want. There are many family offers this service. A rotating table and a tray of clay will be provided to you and the owner will guide you how to create a ceramic product. Then, you can start shaping your own product which you want like vase, cup or even animal. Does not worry if you do not know how to make a perfect one, the owners always help you to make product like you want. Moreover, you can decorate them, dry them before take it to your home as your gifts to family or friends.

Ceramic worship product

Another thing tourist should try when visiting Bat Trang is using special vehicle of buffalo cart to visit around village. This is very interesting and unforgettable experience on your trip to enjoy peaceful landscape and daily life of pottery village.

Hanoi Tours include Bat Trang Ceramic Village: Hanoi City Tour

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Ngoc Son Temple – The heart of Hoan Kiem Lake

Originally, Ngoc Son Island was called Tuong Nhi (Elephant Ears). When King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long (Rising Dragon). He renamed it Ngoc Tuong and finally Ngoc Son Temple from Tran Dynasty. The temple was dedicated the national hero in The Resistance War against the Mongol Invasion. However, it was then destroyed and rebuilt to be Thuy Khanh Palace under Lord Trinh Giang. In 1843, a charity called Tin Trai built a new pagoda based on on the old Ngoc Son Temple and called Ngoc Son pagoda. A few years later, it was renamed as Ngoc Son Temple and restored from 1841 to 1842.

Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake

In 1865, Ngoc Son temple was comprehensively repaired by Nguyen Van Sieu. He is an eminent scholar of the old Thang Long Capital who followed Confucianism. Other projects were also newly built or upgraded that created a new complex of relics. Consequently, it has a harmonious architecture including Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, But Thap (Pen Tower) and Dai Nghien (Ink Slab).

Attractions in Ngoc Son Temple

The Pen Tower was built with stones and its peak was built in the shape of a brush. Three words “Ta Thanh Thien” (writing on the sky) is inscribed on its front side to show Vietnamese desire for knowledge. The Ink Slab, also built with stones, is held up by three frogs. Both of them have become sacred symbols relating to the national literature. Students often gather there to visit to pray for good luck in their studies and examinations.

The Huc Bridge – Ngoc Son Temple

One of the architectural highlights of Ngoc Son Temple is The Huc Bridge that is known as “the bridge where light is absorbed”. The Huc Bridge with red color looks like strip lying on the blue water of Hoan Kiem lake. This architecture makes it to become a splendid symbol of the Buddhist architecture and a famous tourist destination in Hanoi. Originally, when the lake was much large, visitors to the temple came by boat. In the 18th century, a simple bamboo bridge was built. Nguyen Van Sieu built a red wooden bridge and it was rebuilt in 1952 in the same style. The bridge still keeps the shape, remains 16 rows piles, with wooden deck. But horizontal and vertical beams are made of concrete.

Ngoc Son Temple from the gate

In front of the Temple is Tran Ba Dinh – a communal house in order to hold back water and other evil spirits.

Ngoc Son Temple has three main sections: the external one is the “bái đường” (kowtowing place), the central section is for worshiping Van Xuong- a great scholar of Vietnam and the end section is dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao, who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century.

Gate of Ngoc Son Temple

Although it is located at the centre of a developing city, this site still maintains a sense of the poetic atmosphere of ancient Thang Long. The complex of the Ngoc Son temple  is always an ancient symbol  of the thousand years of literature and the great pride of Vietnamese people in general and Hanoian in particular. Coming here, visitors have a chance to enjoy an integrated and ancient beauty and the feeling of relaxing.

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Duong Lam ancient village system

With the history of 1200 years, Duong Lam Ancient Village consists of 9 small villages. They are Mong Phu, Dong Sang, Doai Giap, Cam Thinh, Cam Lam, Phu Khang, Ha Tan, Hung Thinh and Van Mieu. However, when talking to Duong Lam Ancient Village, people usually mention to Mong Phu and Dong Sang villages. They usually visit the houses in Mong Phu, which have the most beautiful houses that maintained gate, fencing, courtyard, garden, main house, outbuilding, kitchen, and ranch like 200-300 years ago. The road of village also have special shape that is similar to bone of fish connect together. While you visit old houses, their owner is willing to spend time on showing you around the house and its history.

Almost the traditional houses have the same architecture with rows of columns and spans. The wooden house often has 5 or 7 spans with 2 wings and 5 rows of columns. The houses are sophisticated carved in details with the forms of flower, leaves, clouds, dragons, etc. The house was built from the blocks of laterite, wood and mud that are available in this area. They take mud from ponds of village and mix with laterite to build wall, gates, wells, etc.

Ancient houses in the village

Just take about one hour from Hanoi to Duong Lam, you will enjoy peaceful atmosphere of rural life. Escape from busy of city, open in your eyes is very old gate of Mong Phu village. Do take photo of this gate – the cultural symbol of Duong Lam Village. Go beyond the gate, you will feel a fresh air and peace of old village and discover the unique of Duong Lam.

There are approximately 1000 traditional houses. Most of the house has 100 years old and some house dates back to until 400 years. Do not miss to see some oldest houses such as house of Vu Thi Am in Dong Sang with special worship space. Or Mr. Kieu Anh Ban, the owner of 400 year-old house, everything intact even wooden door. Besides, communal house is the most attracting place that you cannot skip to see. The communal house is worship place of the founder of the village as well as a gathering place of the villagers for cultural activities. People built communal house carefully with complex details of decoration that exhibit the power of God and respect of villagers.

Temples in the village

Apart from the ancient houses, Duong Lam is famous for tangible relic sites consisting of temples, pagodas and tombs. Mia Temples, which was built in 1642, with 287 statues- the largest number of statues in Vietnam, is a good example. Additionally, the tomb and shrine of Phung Hung King and Ngo Quyen King with structure and decoration of the building. It contains many old characteristics are places tourist might enjoy. Specially, the family chapel and church is the landmark of the Duong Lam village. Besides, Duong Lam has much intangible cultural relic with various festivals, customs and literature at the different period of time.

Duong Lam Ancient Village plays an important role in Hanoi Tourism. In there, both local and foreigners wish to see an ancient and peaceful natural landscapes as well as architectural and cultural sites.

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Perfume Pagoda Festival

Yearly, thousands of pilgrims travel to this sacred cave to pray for happiness and prosperity in the coming year. Perfume Pagoda festival happens between the first and the third lunar month of the year (February to March). Consequently, this period begins after the Tet holiday (Lunar New Year). In Huong Tich Cave, it is believe that if you touch the Son Mountain or Daughter Mountain. People said that you will have son or daughter as your prayer. People also pray for wealthy and prosperity by touching silver and gold tree. Therefore, the festival period is busiest time. However, Perfume Pagoda not only attracts tourist by shrine and legendary of Buddhist sites. It is but also charming natural scenery. So Perfume Pagoda is the fantastic and scared attraction places around the year.

Perfume Pagoda Festival opens yearly on January 6^th

Yen stream – the best way to visit Perfume Pagoda by boat

To get to Perfume Pagoda, it takes you about 2 hours driving from Hanoi to Ben Duc ( Duc Pier). There are two way to reach to Chua Huong. The first way is a road from pier to the base of complex, and the second one is using row boat along Yen Stream. You should take a local sampan boat, which usually control by local women. This way is really romantic and the most interesting part in your trip with 45 minutes.

While sitting on the boat travelling along the Yen stream, you will enjoy the surrounding amazing landscapes of green rice paddles studded with jagged limestone mounts to the base of Huong Mountain.  You also see the Phoenix Mountain, Doi Cheo Mountain and Bung & Voi Mountain with interesting legendary on the left, Ngu Nhac Mountain on the right. The first stop of boat is Trinh temple, where people often burn the incense for the God of the Mountain. All visitors must register there to show their intentions before get into other pagodas and many temples, and Buddhist sites.

Visitors go by boat on Yen stream to Perfume Pagoda

Thien Tru Pagoda – Best stop on the way to Huong Tich cave

The visit continues to Thien Tru pagoda or better known Outer Pagoda constructed in 18^th century. This is famous for Thuy Tien Tower and Tien Son grotto on the right with various five granite statues on the wall of the cave. After that, you will reach to Giai Oan pagoda (Purgatorial Pagoda). Although goverment built a cable car system some years ago to serve a lot of tourists. Many visitors like to climb up thousand steps to the Perfume Pagoda to enjoy charming landscape two sides on the road.

Arrive to Huong Tich Cave; opening in your eyes is an open dragon mouth decorated in ancient Chinese letters which people wrote in 1770. This is entrance of Perfume pagoda. Get inside the cave, people carved many statues carved from the stone with different shrine. They include Lord Buddha, Buddhist goddess Quan Am and other Buddhist statues. Besides, Huong Tich Cave is fulfilled by stalactite and stalagmite that make Perfume Pagoda more mysterious. According to the legend about Huong Tich grotto, ruler of Northern Vietnam Trinh Sam inscribed on the entrance of cave “Nam Thien De Nhat Dong” meaning “the most beautiful cave under southern sky”.

Perfume Pagoda Tour from Hanoi center

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Hanoi Old Quarter – the beauty of 36 streets

One of the most reasons Hanoi is attractive with many tourists over the years is Hanoi Old Quarter. Talking about history of Hanoi Old Quarter, you will see the historical process of 1000 year-old. From 11^th century when King Ly Thai To decided to choose this place to build his palace. That also marked the appearance of 36 streets and guilds. It initially concentrated a group of workshop villages and then gradually turned to special guilds. And then it gained its reputation as the business trading areas with unique products and services soon. Over the year, the reputation of Hanoi Old Quarter is more and more developed that attract more craftsmen surrounding migrated to live and work together in the same guilds.

How to identify name of the streets

An unique of Hanoi Old Quarter is that each street was named after goods conducted there and started by the word “Hang”. For example, Hang Muoi (Salt) Street sold salt, Hang Manh sold bamboo curtain, Hang Quat Street sold silks and feather fans. Hang Ma Street is famous for shiny paper such as gift wrapping, paper objects that burn to the dead people, etc…

Under French colonial, there increasingly became a market place for trade between local, Chinese, French. The busy trade created another characteristic of Hanoi Old Quarter, which is ancient house architecture. The typical brick houses there with only about 3 meter wide and 60 meters long that means those are very short and narrow but have great length. The old Hanoian was very skillful in building their house. They constructed their house based on tubular house with tiled roofs, facades of shops, design rooms, mezzanine, courtyards. Therefore, they meet the diversify needs of lives such as manufacturing, dining and living of each family. Therefore, despite not too big, space for sales, accommodation is still enough.

Hanoi Old Quarter today

With the change of time, most of streets now are selling variety of commodities and services. There are only some streets that still sell its traditional products such as Hang Ma, Hang Tre, Hang Thiec. Although Vietnam War destroyed much architecture in Hanoi, Hanoi Old Quarter still retained some architectural passion. With the eye of tourist, you can see Hanoi Old Quarter looks like huge department store with many commodities and products that you cannot see anywhere. Or you will surprise by next to old French architecture or high-rise commercial building. This is suddenly a pagodas, temples, small tile-roofed house in the deep of a very narrow street. Despite of its change, the beauty, ancient and bustle is still retained and its change do not lose the worth of Hanoi Old Quarter with all people.

A rich food culture

One of the most reasons why most people are very interesting in discovering Hanoi Old Quarter is distinctive food culture. Britain’s Daily Telegraph recognized Hanoi as one of the top 10 cities for street food by  in early 2017. For the first time visiting Hanoi, many foreigners will have a bit anxious and be at fault by landed motorbike when walking around small streets with similar house selling the same products. However, when wandering about the streets; you will be engrossed in street food culture atmosphere of traditional dishes such as Bun Cha ( Kebab Rice Noodle), Pho ( Beef Noodle), Banh Cuon ( Rolled Rice)… that you have never seen in any other country. It creates distinctive and impressive feature for Hanoi Old Quarter. Hanoi street food tour or Hanoi Walking Tour is the best choice to experience local food.

Especially, you have chance to see the Hanoi Old Quarter night market held every weekend (from Friday to Sunday). It ranges from Hang Dao street to the edge of Dong Xuan market. You not only see people trading popular items such as clothes, handicrafts, accessories but also enjoy row of foods. If you visit on special occasions such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, you have opportunities to catch traditional Vietnamese music performance or featuring souvenirs.

Besides traditional dishes, a distinctive cultural feature of the Old Quarter is coffee. No matter how you are fastidious about coffee drinking, the quality of the coffee here will satisfy you. Do not forget egg coffee that makes reputation for Old Quarter coffee.

Places you must visit while you are in Hanoi

You can not finish the trip without visiting symbols of Old Town. Just in the heart of Hanoi Old Quarter, you can see many temples and pagodas. They stand over the year and is the witness of history of Hanoi. Just next to busy street of Hang Buom, Ta Hien, a Bach Ma Temple with over 1000 years old. It is the oldest temple in Hanoi. People built this pagoda to honor a white horse that people believe that it helped the King constructing Citadel. And you do not miss the opportunity to venture many religious sites in Hanoi Old Quarter such as Dong Huong Temple, Nam Huong Temple, Phu Ung Pagoda.

Not too far from Hanoi Old Quarter is very famous and iconic place that is Ngoc Son Temple, where dedicated to the Confucian philosopher Tran Hung Dao. You also enjoy the beauty of Hoan Kiem Lake and historical spots Thap But nearby.

Besides, Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Museum, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hoa Lo Prison is remarkable sightseeing if you go to Hanoi Old Quarter.

Travelers voted Hanoi Old Quarter in the top of 10 destinations for 2017 should travel by its user. Hanoi attracts tourists by charming Old Quarter with ancient and breathtaking pagodas, landmarks and busy streets together with markets, cuisine, and daily local style. Don’t miss the chance to find out beauty of ancient town.

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Hanoi to Hoi An by bus

Bus is a convenient way for young people who want to travel freely as quite adventure. Bus soft sleeper service will take you to Hoi An directly such as Open bus, Camel Travel. There are a variety of agents in town offering open bus from Hanoi to Hoi An. The distance from Hanoi to Hoi An is about 800 km, so it lasts around 14-20 hours and costs approximately US$20.

You can buy a bus ticket from Hanoi to Hoi An about $20

Hanoi to Hoi An by flight

Because there is no airport in Hoi An, you can buy an air ticket which costs about $40-60 from Hanoi to Da Nang and take a taxi to your hotel in Hoi An. It’s only about 30-45 km from Da Nang to Hoi An. So, the cost may be around $15-25.Or you can take a bus from the Da Nang Airport to Hoi An, the bus stop is near from the airport and every 30 minutes, there’s a bus from Da Nang to Hoi An during the day. Today, there are 3 domestic airlines operating flight from Hanoi to Da Nang including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Jetstar Pacific. Vietnam Airline is 4 star standard airline company with higher cost, Vietjet Air and Jetstar Pacific is cheap and common airline.

There are over 20 flights per day from Hanoi to Da Nang and then transfer to Hoi An

Hanoi to Hoi An by train

Since there is no train station in Hoi An, you can catch a train from Ha Noi to Da Nang. By train, you will see spectacular scenery when you wake up in the morning. This should cost you around $20-30 for a soft sleeper. After reaching Da Nang train station, you can get a taxi or other means of transport from Da Nang to Hoi An which costs about $20 (around a half hour) or you can get a minibus at 5$/each through a few agencies in town, but the times don’t match well. You should go to http://dsvn.vn/ for all train schedules.

You can see Lang Co beach when travelling by train from Ha Noi to Da Nang

Ha Noi to Hoi An by motorbike

Traveling by motorbike in Vietnam is an adventurous way to experience. Motorbike in Vietnam is quite cheap and very easy to rent. But using motorbike from Hanoi to Hoi An is a long way and you need prepare many things before departure. You can stop at any place on the way to take photos or to see beautiful landscapes, Vietnam beaches. On another way, you can take a flight from Hanoi to Hue and then hire a motorbike in Hue and make you own ride to Hoi An. To hire a motorbike that suitable to you, you can ask your hotel whether they has bike rental service and ask them to advise you which is the best one. The price is about $9-10 per day. Of course, make you know how to ride a bike and the traffic rules in Vietnam.It will be a great experience for you.

Hanoi to Hoi An by motorbike is interesting travel style

Hanoi to Hoi An itinerary

Ha Noi is the beautiful capital city of Vietnam. There are many places to visit from Hanoi to Hoi An such as Ha Long Bay, Hue and Da Nang. It takes about 7 days to visit all the places as listed above. This is an itinerary for your reference:

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi to Halong Bay

You can go by bus from Hanoi to Halong. It takes you 3-4 hours. In Halong Bay, you can enjoy beautiful limestone seascape. You will see Incense Burner Rock, Dog Rock, as well as Fighting Cock Rock before heading to Sung Sot Cave. And then, you can visit Luon Cave to enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the bay. Overnight on boat.

Day 3: Halong Bay to Hanoi

Enjoy the fishermen’s daily life and then return to Ha Noi.

Day 4: Hanoi – Hue

In the morning, you can go from Hanoi to Hue by plane and then transfer to the hotel in Hue. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial City and enjoy Hue Royal Court Music.

Day 5: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An

In the morning, you can visit the Thien Mu pagoda, the tomb of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Then, transfer to Da Nang by train, bus or private car. If you go to Da Nang by private car or motorbike, you can stop at Lang Co beach, Hai Van Pass and Mountain Mable to check in. After arriving to Da Nang, you have to take a taxi, a bus or a private car to Hoi An. And then, you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes here.

Day 6: Hoi An – Da Nang – Hanoi

Have breakfast at hotel and then visit to Ong Pagoda. Afternoon, transfer to Da Nang Airport to take the flight back to Hanoi. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 7: Hanoi – Departure

Transfer to Ha Noi Airport for flight back home.

Hanoi to Hoi An tour

If you want to travel as many as places from Hanoi to Hoi An, you can join in a tour. There are many kinds of tours from Hanoi to Hoi An for you to choose. If you haven’t too much time, you can choose a tour which lasts within 3 days, and if you have much time, you can choose a tour in 7 days or more.

Hoi An at night

Now, think carefully and choose the best mean of transportation to help you transfer from Hanoi to Hoi An easily. Wish you a nice trip!

For more information about Hoi An, please refer to the below posts:

• Shopping in Hoi An
• Hoi An weather
• Hoi An airport
• Hue to Hoi An
• Hoi An to Hue

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