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HANOI
AND VICINITY
Ha
Noi Capital: Area 2,129 km ; estimated population
4,000,000; average temperature 23 C. Much different from
Ho Chi Minh City : less traffic, less noise, less pollution, more
trees, many lakes, and more French colonial back drop. Ha
Noi is the country’s political and cultural Capital. This
ancient capital was first built in the year of 1010. At present
Ha Noi still preserves plenty of ancient architecture works comprising
ten of hectares of lakes, the old guild streets and over 600 pagodas
lying nestled in rows of trees with fragrance flowers all year
round. One of lakes in Hanoi and also the central landmark
of the Capital is Hoan Kiem Lake. The other larger ones
are West Lake, and Truc Bach Lake. These sights together
make up the composition poetically beautiful Capital.
Ha Noi is also a city of many traditional handicrafts: bronze
molding, silver carving, lacquer, ceramics, rugs, embroidery are
some of the handy-works of these craftsmen which has been passed
down from generation to generation. Some places of
interest in Ha Noi: President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Museum
(Russia’s contribution to Vietnam following the model of Lenin
Square in Moscow), One-pillar Pagoda (built in 1042), the Temple
of Literature (Vietnam’s first university, built in 1070), Tran
Quoc pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, Revolution, History, Army, and
Fine Arts Museums. A must see in Hanoi is the evening water
puppet show. There are no words that can describe the wonderful
performance.
One-Pillar
Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot): Built
in the 19th century, the whole pagoda is fixed on a stone pillar
1.25 meters in diameter in the middle of a square pond (a sacred
place of prayer), which stands for a blossoming lotus. With
this rather original architecture style, the pagoda ranks among
the unusual architectural works in Vietnam.
Perfume
Pagoda (Chua Huong): Is a complex of pagodas and Buddhist
shrines built into the limestone caves of Huong Tich Mountain
(The mountain of fragrance and history). Among the better-known
sights here are Thien Chu (Pagoda leading to Heaven). Giai
Quan Chu (Purgatorial pagoda) where the faithful believe deities
purify souls, cure sufferings and grants offspring to childless
families. The pilgrimage to this site is just as beautiful
as the site itself.
Tam
Dao: The Dalat of the North! Tam
Dao Hill Station (elevation 930 meters) known to the French as
the Cascade d’ Argent (Silver Cascade) was founded in 1907, as
a place to escape from the heat of the Red River Delta.
Tam Dao now retains its refreshing weather, beautiful hiking terrain
and superb view. Many hill tribes live in this region.
Tam Dao is particularly rich in vegetation.
The
Central North
Vinh:
The capital of the populous province: Nghe An where many talented
people originated in Vietnam. It is home to the Mong, Tay
(Thai or Thay), Khmer, Meo and Thai hill tribe people and most
important of all, the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh.
Hoa
Lu: was once the capital of Vietnam under the Minh
Dynasty (ruled from 698 to 980). The site was an attractive
place for a capital city because of both its distance from China
and the natural protection provided by the region’s landscape.
Today, there are two sanctuaries at Hoa Lu: Dinh Thien Hoang restored
in the 17th century is dedicated to the Minh Dynasty; and the
second temple, Dai Hanh (or Duong Van Nga) commemorates, the ruler
of the early Le Dynasty.
Bích
Dong Cave (grotto):
Is in the village of Van La, a short boat trip away from Hoa Lu.
The three sanctuaries there dated from the 17th century.
Caves and Rock formations make up the natural beauty of this area.
This is done in combination with Tam Coc, Hoa Lu and Bich Dong.
This is a photographer’s delight.
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