Ba Dinh square in Hanoi

The square is near the Ho Chi Minh complex is called Ba Dinh square, where lots of important national historical events in modern history took place.

The square was firstly developed by French colony and known as Round Point Pugininer. On September 2nd, 1945 ( Vietnam National Day), Ho Chi Minh has read the Vietnam Independence Declaration. In the Declaration, he quoted for people to hear about French and the United States’s Independence Declaration that “All men are created equal and that everyone has the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness”.

Representatives from all social sectors comprise of workers, youth, educators, soldiers, cheered over the country’s unity and independence is that historical moments. About 24 years later, the square also hosted the funeral of Ho Chi Minh. It was the same crowd who mourned and cried in the rain to send off their revere leader. It was then decided by in-power Vietnamese government that Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was built on the square so that the national hero can be forever remembered.

Nowadays, Vietnam culture travel with Ba Dinh square is one of some green and unoccupied areas of urban Hanoi. Many important events like parades and commemoration of veterans, took place at the square. Interestingly, In spite of its solemnity during the day, during the night time, the square is a popular gathering place for the local: families who want a walk, old people who want to exercise and friends who want to hang out. Paying a visit to Ba Dinh Square can be associated with a day or half-day trip to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One-pillar Pagoda.

Ly Quoc Su Pagoda in Hanoi

Ly Quoc Su Pagoda lies on 50 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. The Pagoda worships a Buddhist Monk of the Ly Dynasty (the 10th - 12th centuries). This Monk, whose full name was Nguyen Chi Thanh, was born on 1066 in Dien Xa Village, Gia Vien District in Ninh Binh Province in the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong.

In the spring, Ha noi people often come to Ly Quoc Su Pagoda to wish for happiness and prosperity. Visitors come the pagoda not only for worshipping but also for knowing the cultural as well as historical value of the pagoda...

In 1077, at the age of 11, Nguyen Chi Thanh began practicing for the Buddhist monkhood and was taught by Tu Dao Hanh, a well-known monk. As the legend says, Monk Tu Dao Hanh was erudite in Buddhism and excellent in healing. He admired and respected Nguyen Chi Thanh's talent and virtue. In 1138, in his seventies, Monk Nguyen Chi Thanh cured King Ly Than Tong of a disease that many famous doctors had failed to do. For his respectful virtue and talent, he was given the title Ly Quoc Su by the King, which meant Great Monk and Merit Teacher of the nation.

The King provided Ly Quoc Su with a serene residential quarter, which was situated next to Bao Thien Pagoda in the centre of Thang Long Capital, on a side of Luc Thuy Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake of today). This pagoda with Vietnam culture travel had a 12-storey tower. Apart from preaching Buddhist sutra for the monks and nuns, Ly Quoc Su taught medicine, prescription of medicines and demotic scripts to many people in the temple and surrounding areas. Skilled in bronze casting, Ly Quoc Su also trained many bronze casting craftsmen.

That is why when he died at the age of 75 at Giao Thuy Pagoda in Nam Dinh in 1141, King Ly Anh Tong (holding power from 1138 to 1175) had a temple erected right on the ground of the residential quarter where Ly Quoc Su had lived. Throughout the country there are many pagodas worshipping both Buddha and Ly Quoc Su, who is considered the Saint of the bronze casting craft, such as Giao Thuy Pagoda in Nam Dinh and Keo Pagoda in Thai Binh.

Ly Quoc Su Pagoda was rehabilitated and redecorated lots of times with the hugest restoration being created in 1954. The cultural and historical treasure of this temple still remains Ly Quoc Su's statue, Buddha statues and statues of Monk Tu Dao Hanh and his mother and Monk Giac Hai. There's additionally the precious bell of Tu Chung, cast in the 19th century and a stone stele with inscriptions created in 1855 by Le Dinh Duyen, a famous man. The name of Ly Quoc Su was given to a 244 metre-long street running from Hang Bong to Nha Tho streets

The one pillar pagoda in Hanoi

The One-pillar pagoda or Dien Huu pagoda is one of the most special architectures in Vietnam. The pagoda is located adjacent to Ho Chi Minh Mauseleum, right in the center of Hanoi.

The One-pillar pagoda

The pagoda for travelling to Vietnam started being built under Ly’s dynasty in 1049. The legend goes that one night in 1049, King Ly Thai Tong dreamed of the Holy Lady (Phat ba Quan Am) sitting on a lotus and leading him to a similar building.

When he woke up, he was advised by Thien Tue monk to construct the pillar-based pagoda like in his dream and topping it with the lotus of the Holy lady. Every year when it came to April 8th in Lunar calendar, the King came to the pagoda for Buddha bathing ceremony and afterwards, released a bird.

In 1105, King Ly Nhan Tong spread the pagoda and added Linh Chieu bond. But time has erased everything but the limited area like what we see now. Adjacent to the pagoda there’s a bodhi tree. This is the gift from Rajendra Prasad- Indian presidents to Ho Chi Minh President.

The pagoda now became one of the most meaningful symbols of Hanoi.

Dong Xuan - A famous market in Hanoi

Dong Xuan Market located in Dong Xuan street, Hang Khoai street and Cau Dong street in the West end of Hanoi Old quarter. If you continue walking down Hang Ngang street, you will reach the market after 4 blocks.

History

Although located in the heart of the Old Quarters, the market is fairly young compared to the surrounding streets. It used to be an empty lot in front of Huyen Thien pagoda. Old Hanoi residents step by step developed trade activities here because it is adjacent to the river which made it convenient for transportation of products.

On the night of July 14th, 1994, a fire has brought down the whole market, causing a damage of 300 billion VND. At present, you see the market today was recently built with the model after the architecture before the fire.

Shopping

Travelling to Vietnam of local residents, Dong Xuan is mostly reserved for bulk sale and distribution points for many retailers in Hanoi. Main products include electronic devices, household equipments and clothing. At the back of the market is the trading place for animals (puppies, kitties, birds, fish, etc.) and plants (mostly Vietnamese bonsai). Suppliers for the market come mainly from North Vietnam with many Chinese blends.

Eating

The Northern end of the market holds mainly eating venue, serving both day and night time. It is a wise decision to stop here for local cuisines such as “bun cha”, “bun rieu” or chipping in a hot pot in a fall/winter night.