Mysterious Flower Night Market

 At 2 am, when petals are coated with slight drops of dew and the city is in its deep sleep, Quang Ba Night Flower Market opens. Products there are nothing but flowers and light from torches. These two things seem to make a unique market at the midnight.

It is unknown how long Quang Ba Night Flower Market has become the Hanoian’s biggest wholesale market of fresh flowers. It is held daily but almost days are busy. Quang Ba Night Flower Market is often opened up at 2 am, but in fact, florists bring their goods from surrounding areas to the market since 11 pm the day before. Flowers at Quang Ba Market are believed to be the most fresh and beautiful.

Each category of flowers is sold at a certain row. Unlike noisy and boisterous other open-air markets, Quang Ba Night Flower Market is smooth and elegant as its own products. Especially, all sellers and buyers there always clutch at their torches, an essential thing because of the lack of sunlight at this time.

Quang Ba Night Flower Market is divided clearly into two turns. The first period from 2 am to 4 am is farmers’ who directly planting colorful flowers. Most flowers are wholesale to people who wait for next turn to resell, therefore, prices are significantly cheap. The second turn begins since 4 am and almost prices are higher because of reselling.

Flowers still have their long-history beauty. Their refinement and aromas make life more beautiful. Even in this market, it is just its flowers, which splendidly fresh and colorful in foggy and vaporous night, making it unique and unforgettable.

Hanoi pagodas - All the most famous (P.1)

Tran Quoc PagodaThe original pagoda was built in the 6th century and is considered the oldest in Vietnam. It was founded on the bank of the Red River by King Ly Nam De who named it Khai Quoc (National Founder). Much later, it was moved to its present site beside Hanoi’s Ho Tay (West) Lake during the reign of King Le Kinh Tong (1600-1618) and renamed Tran Quoc (National Defence). The current building is the result of major renovations in 1815, but one of its effigies dates back to the early 17th century.

In the garden, there is a Pipal Tree (ficus religiosa, but known throughout history as the Bodhi tree) reputedly grown from a cutting of the original tree where Buddha sat and gained enlightenment.

Hoe Nhai PagodaThis pagoda was founded in 1020 by a Chinese Buddhist monk named Trong Dien. The ruling monarch at that time had persecuted Buddhist monks. Dien described the Buddhist philosophy for him, and he relented.

Inside, a statue of Dien shows him sitting on the Kings back, symbolising the understanding between them. The interior framework of the building and the altars are all fashioned in hardwood and are very attractive.

One Pillar PagodaOne Pillar Pagoda.Close to what is now the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the One Pillar (or One Tree) Pagoda overlooks a small pond. It was built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong after a dream in which the Goddess of Mercy handed him a male child on a lotus flower. He created the small wooden pagoda to resemble a lotus blossom to commemorate the birth of his long-awaited heir.

Unfortunately, the original was destroyed during the war with the French. The present building is a replica erected the year after the colonists were finally expelled in 1954.

Lien Phai PagodaThis pastel coloured multi-tiered pagoda stands in a pleasant garden hidden in a labyrinth of alleys leading off Bach Mai Street just below the city centre to the south. It is set amongst pleasant and tranquil gardens next to the main building of worship. The pagoda was founded by one of the Nguyen Lords in the early 18th century who picked up a rock resembling a lotus root in his back garden. Considering this a sign from Buddha, he converted his palace into the pagoda.

A visit also provides an opportunity to venture into the maze of tiny alleys off the main roads where the majority of Hanoi’s residents live, and where foreigners are a great rarity.

Quan Thanh PagodaThis impressive pagoda was founded during the reign of King Ly Thai To (1010-1028), and is located beside Truc Bach Lake. It is ornately decorated and stands before a pleasant courtyard shaded by banyan trees. Inside, there is an imposing four-ton bronze statue of the God of the North cast in 1677, together with his attendant spirits, a snake and a tortoise – clearly a Taoist symbol.

Tay Ho Pagoda
Named after the lake it sits beside, the pagoda occupies a superb position on a tongue of land projecting into the water. It is dedicated to Thanh Mau, the Mother Goddess, who appeared on the lake as a pretty girl, smiling and reciting poetry to a fisherman, then vanished.

It is one of Hanoi's most popular pagodas, attracting many worshippers on the first and 15th of each lunar month. It’s also a delightful place to visit, particularly as part of a trip around the lake by boat – it has its own landing stage.

Lang Pagoda
Located in Hanoi’s suburbs, the Lang Pagoda provides an opportunity to see a semi-rural area, yet another of Hanoi’s many faces. It was built during the reign of Emperor Ly Than Tong (1128-1138). Entry is via an ancient concrete and wooden gateway flanked by stone elephants. The courtyard encloses an octagonal pavilion. For visitors, it offers a peaceful setting where local students like to read and paint, and old people enjoy relaxing in the shade of the trees.

Hanoi museums

Hanoi museums are as diverse and wonderful as the city is itself. You'll find museums that cater to your interests, whether you want to learn a bit about the history and culture of Vietnam or just see some great works of art.

History

Most of the Hanoi museums are dedicated to preserving the history of Vietnam. These 3 museums offer looks into Vietnam's past. 

1.  History Museum - The Hanoi Museum of History displays artifacts from prehistoric times through to World War II. While some of the artifacts are a marvel in and of themselves, the arrangements leave a lot to be desired. Most of the exhibits are labeled in Vietnamese, but you will find some in English.
2. Museum of the Vietnamese Revolution - From the time of French colonialism to reunification, this museum details Vietnam's move toward independence. Most of the artifacts are made up of print, including letters and newspapers, so don't expect to understand too much.
3. Museum of Military History - In the Citadel is the Army Museum, which includes displays from the start of the uprising against the French to the American War (Vietnam War). Bring a guide with you, as there is very little that you will understand unless you speak Vietnamese.

Art

Vietnam does have some beautiful art, and if you're not keen on buying some at the galleries you can at least see some examples in the art museums.

1. Fine Arts Museum - This museum contains both reproductions and originals of works that range from traditional folk art to modern art. Like the other museums, there's a push to show Vietnam in the best light.

Culture

Culture museums are always interesting. There are several in Hanoi that are worth a visit.

1. Ethnology Museum - The 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam are all represented here via dioramas, models and reconstructions of buildings and practices.
2. Museum of Vietnamese Women - Here you can discover the role of women, mostly within the last century. The museum itself is extremely well done with artifacts labeled and put into proper context.

Regardless of which museums you visit, keep in mind that a strong vein of propaganda flows through all Hanoi museums. Don't feel compelled to "educate" staff or visitors, just enjoy the experience of a new place.
(Hanoi travel guide )

Temple of Literature (Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam)

The very first stop-over of any foreign tourist in Hanoi is always Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (translated as Temple of Literature), which reveals the Hanoians’ spirit of study in the past!

Situated at the south of Thang Long citadel, is on top of the historical and beautiful sightseeings of the beautiful capital of Vietnam. Please follow us in a brief tour of exploring his beauty and deep values;

Historical meaning

Tourists, particularly the foreign ones, now flock to the site for taking a look into its profound traditional meanings of both a Confucion temple and the first university of Vietnam. Văn Miếu or Temple of Literature, known as "pagode des Corbeaux" during the period of French colonisation, was founded as a Confucian temple in 1070.

Only parts of the Văn Miếu complex date back to the earliest period, although much of the architecture dates to the Ly (1010 – 1225) and Tran (1225 – 1400) Dynasties. In 1076, Vietnam's first university, the Quốc Tử Giám (or National University), was established within this temple to educate Vietnam's mandarin class. The university functioned for more than 700 years, from 1076 to 1779, during which, 2,313 doctors graduated. Hence, the complex has been attached to the name of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam up to now.

A beauty-spot of architectural values

This ancient Confucian sanctuary is now considered one of Hanoi's finest historical and cultural sites. “The ever special architetural style of Van Mieu dates back to the 11th century, evoking an inspiration of classical creativeness of many of us”, one of my tourists remarked. Just take a look into the art of architecture, you will share the feeling! The temple is based on Confucius' birthplace at Qufu in the Chinese province of Shandong. It consists of five courtyards lined out in order, entrance to the first, via the impressive twin-tiered Van Mieu gate leads to three pathways that run through the length of the complex. The centre path was reserved for the King only, the one to its left for administrative Mandarins and the one to its right for military Mandarins.

The first two courtyards are peaceful havens of ancient trees and well-trimmed lawns where the scholars could relax away from the bustle of the city outside the thick stone walls. Entrance to the third courtyard is through the dominating Khue Van Cac (constellation of literature), a large pavilion built in 1802. Central to the this courtyard is the Thien Quang Tinh ("Well Of Heavenly Clarity"), either side of which stand two great halls which house the true treasures of the temple. These are 82 stone steles. Another 34 are believed to have been lost over the years. They sit upon stone tortoises and are inscribed with the names and birth places of 1306 men who were awarded doctorates from the triennial examinations held here at the Quoc Tu Giam ("National University") between 1484 and 1780, when the capital was moved to Hue.

The fourth courtyard is bordered on either side by great pavilions which once contained altersl of 72 of Confucius greatest students but which now contain offices, a gift shop and a small museum which contains ink wells, pens, books and personal artifacts belonging to some of the students that have studied here through the years. At the far end of the courtyard is the altar with statues of Confucius and his four closest disciples. The fifth courtyard contained the Quoc Tu Giam, Vietnam's first university founded in 1076 King Ly Can Duc, but this was destroyed by French bombing in 1947.

Though having gone through lots of restoration work, the temple still retains its very first original shape, to be one of the visit-worthy sightseeings of Hanoi, captivating to a huge number of tourists elsewhere.

A space of peace, green trees and solemnity covers the whole temple of historical and traditional love for study, making tourists feel like they were lost in a land of Confucion and traditional values. If you are in Hanoi, you should really come and explore it yourself!

Bat Trang ceramic village

Bat Trang is an old, well established village in the Gia Lâm district of Hanoi. It is about 13 km from central Hanoi.

It is famous for producing a unique style of ceramics called Bat Trang Porcelain. Bát Tràng is well known throughout Vietnam for its beautiful ceramics.

Bat Trang porcelain and pottery is a type of ceramics made in the village of Bat Trang, in the suburban outskirts of the northern Vietnamese city of Hanoi. The village is located in an area rich in clay suitable for making fine ceramic. Bát Tràng ceramics are considered some of the best known porcelain products in Vietnam besides those of Chu Đau, Đang Nai, Phu Lang, and Ninh Thuan. During the past centuries, Bat Trang china products have travelled in European trading ships to all parts of the world.

Bat Trang, in the several past centuries, mainly made worshipping objects, then produced house-utensils, including bowls, plates, vases, cups and pots. The village has recently diversified its products, producing many items of fine art ceramics and high quality porcelain.

Bat Trang ceramics have also been shipped to many countries, such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, the US and EU member countries. Many ancient ceramics of Bat Trang are being kept in major museums in the world, such as the Royaux museum in Belgium and the Guimet museum in France.

Since 2002, Bat Trang artisans have promoted their co-operation in the Bat Trang Ceramics Association to boost production and marketing. The association helps Bat Trang people and ceramics businesses get information about the market, learn about new technology, trading ways and opportunities for their trade in order to raise their competitiveness.

The association has established a centre to promote its exports and is building the trademark of “Bat Trang Vietnam – a 1,000-year tradition”.

The Bat Trang village festival is held annually at the middle of the second month according to the lunar calendar, which usually lasts for seven days.