tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81034501644258346102024-03-14T01:56:06.194-07:00Vietnam Panoramic PhotographyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-71343357224238999872007-05-31T17:00:00.000-07:002007-05-31T17:04:14.407-07:00Vietnam from above 4Vietnam extends approximately 331,688 km² (128,066 sq mi) in area. The area of the country running along its international boundaries is 4,639 km (2,883 mi). The topography consists of hills and densely forested mountains, with level land covering no more than 20%. Mountains account for 40% of the area, with smaller hills accounting for 40% and tropical forests 42%. The northern part of the country consists mostly of highlands and the Red River Delta. Phan Xi Păng, located in Lào Cai province, is the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3,143 m (10,312 ft). The south is divided into coastal lowlands, Annamite Chain peaks, extensive forests, and poor soil. Comprising five relatively flat plateaus of basalt soil, the highlands account for 16% of the country's arable land and 22% of its total forested land.<br /><br />The delta of the Red River (also known as the Sông Hồng), a flat, triangular region of 3,000 square kilometers, is smaller but more intensely developed and more densely populated than the Mekong River Delta. Once an inlet of the Gulf of Tonkin, it has been filled in by the enormous alluvial deposits of the rivers over a period of millennia, and it advances one hundred meters into the Gulf annually. The Mekong delta, covering about 40,000 square kilometers, is a low-level plain not more than three meters above sea level at any point and criss-crossed by a maze of canals and rivers. So much sediment is carried by the Mekong's various branches and tributaries that the delta advances sixty to eighty meters into the sea every year.<br />(<i>Main article: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Vietnam" title="Geography of Vietnam">Geography of Vietnam</a>)</i><br /><br /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/191/523063945_3cd201cc2c_o_d.jpg" /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/523044256_a41ada9b86_o_d.jpg" /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/522852440_5ac335f176_o_d.jpg" /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/248/522868007_774778b463_o_d.jpg" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-59837179467300024722007-05-31T16:48:00.000-07:002007-05-31T16:58:56.902-07:00Vietnam from above 3Vietnam extends approximately 331,688 km² (128,066 sq mi) in area. The area of the country running along its international boundaries is 4,639 km (2,883 mi). The topography consists of hills and densely forested mountains, with level land covering no more than 20%. Mountains account for 40% of the area, with smaller hills accounting for 40% and tropical forests 42%. The northern part of the country consists mostly of highlands and the Red River Delta. Phan Xi Păng, located in Lào Cai province, is the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3,143 m (10,312 ft). The south is divided into coastal lowlands, Annamite Chain peaks, extensive forests, and poor soil. Comprising five relatively flat plateaus of basalt soil, the highlands account for 16% of the country's arable land and 22% of its total forested land.<br /><br />The delta of the Red River (also known as the Sông Hồng), a flat, triangular region of 3,000 square kilometers, is smaller but more intensely developed and more densely populated than the Mekong River Delta. Once an inlet of the Gulf of Tonkin, it has been filled in by the enormous alluvial deposits of the rivers over a period of millennia, and it advances one hundred meters into the Gulf annually. The Mekong delta, covering about 40,000 square kilometers, is a low-level plain not more than three meters above sea level at any point and criss-crossed by a maze of canals and rivers. So much sediment is carried by the Mekong's various branches and tributaries that the delta advances sixty to eighty meters into the sea every year.<br />(<i>Main article: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Vietnam" title="Geography of Vietnam">Geography of Vietnam</a>)</i><br /><br /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/235/523046986_d85c8f148b_o_d.jpg" /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/241/523046406_fcabd9d24a_o_d.jpg" /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/198/523062015_65581db180_o_d.jpg" /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/246/522861390_376bd5b1cc_o_d.jpg" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-2428133057807709132007-05-31T16:42:00.000-07:002007-05-31T16:47:40.450-07:00Vietnam from above 2Vietnam extends approximately 331,688 km² (128,066 sq mi) in area. The area of the country running along its international boundaries is 4,639 km (2,883 mi). The topography consists of hills and densely forested mountains, with level land covering no more than 20%. Mountains account for 40% of the area, with smaller hills accounting for 40% and tropical forests 42%. The northern part of the country consists mostly of highlands and the Red River Delta. Phan Xi Păng, located in Lào Cai province, is the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3,143 m (10,312 ft). The south is divided into coastal lowlands, Annamite Chain peaks, extensive forests, and poor soil. Comprising five relatively flat plateaus of basalt soil, the highlands account for 16% of the country's arable land and 22% of its total forested land.<br /><br />The delta of the Red River (also known as the Sông Hồng), a flat, triangular region of 3,000 square kilometers, is smaller but more intensely developed and more densely populated than the Mekong River Delta. Once an inlet of the Gulf of Tonkin, it has been filled in by the enormous alluvial deposits of the rivers over a period of millennia, and it advances one hundred meters into the Gulf annually. The Mekong delta, covering about 40,000 square kilometers, is a low-level plain not more than three meters above sea level at any point and criss-crossed by a maze of canals and rivers. So much sediment is carried by the Mekong's various branches and tributaries that the delta advances sixty to eighty meters into the sea every year.<br />(<i>Main article: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Vietnam" title="Geography of Vietnam">Geography of Vietnam</a>)<br /><br /></i><br /><br /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/240/523049664_8679dba573_o_d.jpg" /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/523066903_12d7359054_o_d.jpg" /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/212/523048280_d74566e201_o_d.jpg"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/248/523065521_d6657bd1a3_o_d.jpg">Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-77173044509083701872007-05-31T16:29:00.000-07:002007-05-31T16:41:55.758-07:00Vietnam from above 1Vietnam extends approximately 331,688 km² (128,066 sq mi) in area. The area of the country running along its international boundaries is 4,639 km (2,883 mi). The topography consists of hills and densely forested mountains, with level land covering no more than 20%. Mountains account for 40% of the area, with smaller hills accounting for 40% and tropical forests 42%. The northern part of the country consists mostly of highlands and the Red River Delta. Phan Xi Păng, located in Lào Cai province, is the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3,143 m (10,312 ft). The south is divided into coastal lowlands, Annamite Chain peaks, extensive forests, and poor soil. Comprising five relatively flat plateaus of basalt soil, the highlands account for 16% of the country's arable land and 22% of its total forested land.<br /><br />The delta of the Red River (also known as the Sông Hồng), a flat, triangular region of 3,000 square kilometers, is smaller but more intensely developed and more densely populated than the Mekong River Delta. Once an inlet of the Gulf of Tonkin, it has been filled in by the enormous alluvial deposits of the rivers over a period of millennia, and it advances one hundred meters into the Gulf annually. The Mekong delta, covering about 40,000 square kilometers, is a low-level plain not more than three meters above sea level at any point and criss-crossed by a maze of canals and rivers. So much sediment is carried by the Mekong's various branches and tributaries that the delta advances sixty to eighty meters into the sea every year.<br />(<i>Main article: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Vietnam" title="Geography of Vietnam">Geography of Vietnam</a>)</i><br /><br /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/523070699_1a76928c38_o_d.jpg" /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/214/523069993_c52839a764_o_d.jpg" /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/236/523051482_f2e1dd786a_o_d.jpg"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/246/523068433_9c5a87d7a4_o_d.jpg">Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-60505819301417070202007-05-02T17:29:00.000-07:002007-05-02T17:30:05.626-07:00Vietnam Museum of Ethnology 6Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. The mission of the Museum is scientific research, collection, documentation, conservation, exhibition and preserving the cultural and historic patrimony of the nation’s different ethnic groups. The museum also serves to guide research, conservation, and technology that are specific to the work of an ethnographic museum. In its planning for the future, the Museum intends to present the cultures and civilisations of other countries of South-East Asia as well as in the region.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-BaoTang003Custom.jpg"><br /><br /><br />The Museum is located in a large open area on Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District, about 8 km from the city centre. This area used to be paddy field of the local people. During the construction of the Museum, all of the infrastructure was built, including the 700m road from Hoang Quoc Viet Street to the entrance of the Museum. (In the near future, this road will reach the Daewoo Hotel, which is situated between Cau Giay and Lieu Giai Streets)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-38298881061429112422007-05-02T17:27:00.000-07:002007-05-02T17:28:31.257-07:00Vietnam Museum of Ethnology 5The Museum is divided into two parts: an indoor and an outdoor exhibition. The indoor part is composed of the exhibition building, office, research centre, library, storage, technical lab and auditorium. These offices cover 2,480m2, including 750 m2 for storage of artefacts. The outdoor exhibition, which will be accomplished in the first years of the 21st century, is to highlight different types of houses in all parts of Vietnam. Pathways link the indoor and outdoor exhibitions with each other.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-BaoTang006Custom.jpg" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-52429211392127139852007-05-02T17:25:00.000-07:002007-05-02T17:26:21.617-07:00Vietnam Museum of Ethnology 4Sedang house is the tallest structure in the village, this communal house is a meeting hall, a site for ceremonies, and a reception hall for visitors. In modern times, family groups live in stilt houses arranged variously around the communal house, although in earlier periods large households used to live in long houses. In Ede house, walls are of plaited bamboo and the structure is raised off the ground on two rows of columns. The roof is straw.<br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-Baotang03-1Custom.jpg" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-20071559916089980852007-05-02T17:24:00.001-07:002007-05-02T17:24:39.283-07:00Vietnam Museum of Ethnology 3Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. The mission of the Museum is scientific research, collection, documentation, conservation, exhibition and preserving the cultural and historic patrimony of the nation’s different ethnic groups. The museum also serves to guide research, conservation, and technology that are specific to the work of an ethnographic museum. In its planning for the future, the Museum intends to present the cultures and civilisations of other countries of South-East Asia as well as in the region.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-Baotang02Custom.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />The Museum is located in a large open area on Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District, about 8 km from the city centre. This area used to be paddy field of the local people. During the construction of the Museum, all of the infrastructure was built, including the 700m road from Hoang Quoc Viet Street to the entrance of the Museum. (In the near future, this road will reach the Daewoo Hotel, which is situated between Cau Giay and Lieu Giai Streets)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-41533860290106298372007-05-02T17:22:00.000-07:002007-05-02T17:23:19.432-07:00Vietnam Museum of Ethnology 2Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. The mission of the Museum is scientific research, collection, documentation, conservation, exhibition and preserving the cultural and historic patrimony of the nation’s different ethnic groups. The museum also serves to guide research, conservation, and technology that are specific to the work of an ethnographic museum. In its planning for the future, the Museum intends to present the cultures and civilisations of other countries of South-East Asia as well as in the region.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-Baotang-1Custom.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />The Museum is located in a large open area on Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District, about 8 km from the city centre. This area used to be paddy field of the local people. During the construction of the Museum, all of the infrastructure was built, including the 700m road from Hoang Quoc Viet Street to the entrance of the Museum. (In the near future, this road will reach the Daewoo Hotel, which is situated between Cau Giay and Lieu Giai Streets)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-2200621619366883592007-05-02T17:19:00.000-07:002007-05-02T17:34:00.039-07:00Vietnam Museum of EthnologyVietnam Museum of Ethnology is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. The mission of the Museum is scientific research, collection, documentation, conservation, exhibition and preserving the cultural and historic patrimony of the nation’s different ethnic groups. The museum also serves to guide research, conservation, and technology that are specific to the work of an ethnographic museum. In its planning for the future, the Museum intends to present the cultures and civilisations of other countries of South-East Asia as well as in the region.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-Baotang04-1Custom.jpg"><br /><br /><br />The Museum is located in a large open area on Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District, about 8 km from the city centre. This area used to be paddy field of the local people. During the construction of the Museum, all of the infrastructure was built, including the 700m road from Hoang Quoc Viet Street to the entrance of the Museum. (In the near future, this road will reach the Daewoo Hotel, which is situated between Cau Giay and Lieu Giai Streets)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-69808572693632799002007-05-02T17:16:00.000-07:002007-05-02T17:17:37.391-07:00Tran Quoc Pagoda 3Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest of all pagodas in Hanoi. Located beside the dazzling West Lake in Hanoi, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism. It is said that, the pagoda was built under the reign of King Ly Nam De (544-548) under its original name of Khai Quoc (National Founder). It was originally built on the bank of the Red River (then West Lake and the Red River met). In the time of King Le Kinh Tong (1600-1618), the pagoda was removed to the Kim Ngu (Golden Fish) Islet due to the river bank crumbling and was renamed Tran Quoc (National Defence).<br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-ChuaTranQuoc1-1Custom.jpg" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-2685333252748492612007-05-02T17:15:00.000-07:002007-05-02T17:16:04.524-07:00Tran Quoc Pagoda 2In the pagoda, there are many valuable statues, such as the red lacstatue trimmed with gold of Sakyamouni Buddha's Parinirvana and many ancient stele, with the old- one made in 1639 by Doctoral lau- Nguyen Xuan Chinh recording the Pagoda's history. <br /><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-ChuaTranQuoc2Custom.jpg"><br /><br /><br />In 1959, on his visit to Vietnam, Indian Prime Minister Razendia Prasat offered the Pagoda a bodhi tree as a gift. The plant was grafted from the holy bodhi tree where Sakyamuni sat in zen (meditation) position 25 centuries ago. Now the bodhi tree is green and luxuriant, shading part of the pagoda's yard. As a religious relic among spectacscenery, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a favourite stop-over of many foreign visitors and pilgrims.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-58514543897511918632007-05-02T17:13:00.000-07:002007-05-02T17:14:19.403-07:00Tran Quoc PagodaTran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest of all pagodas in Hanoi. Located beside the dazzling West Lake in Hanoi, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism. It is said that, the pagoda was built under the reign of King Ly Nam De (544-548) under its original name of Khai Quoc (National Founder). It was originally built on the bank of the Red River (then West Lake and the Red River met). In the time of King Le Kinh Tong (1600-1618), the pagoda was removed to the Kim Ngu (Golden Fish) Islet due to the river bank crumbling and was renamed Tran Quoc (National Defence).<br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-ChuaTranQuoc4Custom.jpg">Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-4617736397769831172007-05-02T17:10:00.000-07:002007-05-02T17:11:04.075-07:00Quan Thanh temple 3Quan Thanh Temple was built during the reign of Emperor Ly Thai To (1010-1028). Special attention should be paid to the black bronze statue of Saint Tran Vu, nearly 4 m in height and 4 tons in weight, was casted in 1677 located in the main hall. Also noticeable, a 1.5m high ancient bronze bell hangs at the top of the three-gate entrance.<br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-DenQuanThanhCustom.jpg" /><br /><br />In the temple, a small black bronze statue of Old Trong, the chief artisan of the bronze casting team who made the bell and the giant statue of Saint Tran Vu. To commemorate the great contributions of their teacher, Old Trong's students cast his statue and placed it in the temple so that future generations would remember him.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-82391559438846760682007-05-02T17:08:00.000-07:002007-05-02T17:09:16.928-07:00Quan Thanh temple 2The three ancient Chinese which are still seen today on the top of the entrance to the temple means Tran Vu Quan. That is literally the temple which is dedicated to Saint Tran Vu. A temple is a place for worshipping saints while a pagoda is dedicated to Buddha and faithful disciplines. <br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-DenQuanThanh2Custom.jpg" /><br /><br />Saint Tran Vu was a legendary figure which was a combination between a legendary character in Vietnam's legend and a mystic character derived from China's legend. The legendary character in Vietnam's legend was a saint who had earned the merits of assisting King An Duong Vuong in getting rid of ghost spirit during the King's construction of his citadel at Co Loa.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-32495352364482716122007-05-02T17:03:00.000-07:002007-05-02T17:05:02.883-07:00Quan Thanh templeThe Chinese legendary figure was a saint who made great contributions in safeguarding the northern border. Quan Thanh Temple was built during the reign of King Ly Thai To (1010-1028). In 1893 the temple was given a grand facelift to have the shape as we can see it today. Special attention should be paid to a black bronze statute of Saint Tran Vu. The giant statute, formally placed in the main hall, was cast in 1677. Another special object is an ancient bronze bell, 1.5 meters high, which is hanged at the top of the three-gate entrance.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-DenQuanThanh3Custom.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Another object of no less significant is a smaller black bronze statute of Old Trong, a chief artisan of the bronze casting team who had made the giant statute of Saint Tran Vu and the great bell on top of the tree-gate entrance. To commemorate the great contributions of the teacher Old Trong, his students of bronze casting cast his statute and placed in the temple for their for their younger generations to remember Old Trong for ever.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-30571877353472433032007-04-27T23:51:00.000-07:002007-04-27T23:52:53.258-07:00Lake of the Returned Sword 3<span class="content">Hoan Kiem Lake is the famous landmark around Hanoi. If you are lost, just take the lake as your reference. People are seen doing aerobics, tai chi, exercise, fishing in the day. At night, this turns out to be the favourite dating spot.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-HoGuom3Custom.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><span class="content">Ho Hoan Kiem means "lake of the returned sword". The story behind the name is a legend. In 1418, the Vietnamese emperor fought a war against the Chinese. It wasn't going too well for him so when he walked by the lake one day, he saw a giant tortoise coming out of the water with a magic sword in its mouth. He took the sword and eventually defeated the Chinese army. When he was having his victory parade at the shores of Ho Hoan Kiem, the tortoise appeared again and demanded the sword back. Before he could do anything, the sword flew away from his hands to the tortoise's mouth. It disappeared in the water. The emperor had a temple built which can still be seen today. Now, here's the curious thing: In 1968, a giant tortoise was discovered dead in the lake. Scientists estimate that it's at least 200 years old. It is exhibited in the temple (Jade Hill Temple, located on a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake) and it is really huge: I would guess that it is about two metres long and weighs probably some 500kilos or so. Apart from all that historic stuff (that, btw, can be seen in the water puppet shows in the Water Puppet Theater next to the lake), Ho Hoan Kiem is a wonderful place to relax and watch the wind rippling the water. In the early morning and the evening, hundreds of Hanoians gather at the lakeshore to play badminton or do tai chi. Moreover, when you visit the lake at darkness, the lights of thousands motobikes passing by are beautifully reflected in the water. One final thing: The best look on the lake is from the top terrace of Pho Co Cafe. It's a little difficult to find - the entry is in a souvenir shop in 11, Hang Gai street, some 150metres away from the lake. And while there, you must enjoy a fresh orange juice... </span><p class="rate"><a class="rate" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="comment('98700','169bcf');"></a><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-53483825066384188652007-04-27T23:48:00.000-07:002007-04-27T23:50:07.189-07:00Lake of the Returned Sword 2While fighting against the Chinese, King Le Thai To has in his possession a very valuable sword. After 10 years of continuous struggle, the King finally defeated the Chinese and reclaimed Vietnam's independence. One day, while sailing on lake Luc Thuy, a large turtle appeared. The king drew his sword and pointed at the creature. The turtle immediately grab hold of the sword with its mouth and submerged. The king mourned the lost of such valuable sword, demanded that the lake be emptied and dredged. Both the turtle and the sword were not found. The king realizing that the gods must have lent him the sword to drive back the enemy, but now that Vietnam is free, the sword must be returned. King Le Thai To named the lake Ho Hoan Kiem or Lake of the Returned Sword.<br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-HoGuom2Custom.jpg" /><br /><br /><span class="content">You'll probably recognised the red bridge from countless of photographs so it'll compel you to go there and take your own 'expert' shot of it. Keen? Head for Ho An Kiem Lake, right in the heart of the Old Quarters. Look out for the red laquered bridge attached to a temple.Here's my own crummy shot taken from the side of the temple.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-37926430840629873972007-04-27T23:46:00.000-07:002007-04-27T23:47:44.086-07:00Lake of the Returned SwordHo Hoan Kiem or Lake of the Returned Sword was once a part of the Red river (song Hong). Through thousands of years of changes in the geography, the lake moved eastward to its present position many kilometers from the river. The lake was once called Luc Thuy or Green Water because the water was green year round. In the fifteen century, the lake was named Ho Hoan Kiem, based of a legend that is quite similar to King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake's legend.<br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-HoGuom4Custom.jpg" /><br /><br /><span class="content">Hoan Kiem Lake is to Hanoi what Central Park is to New York City. It is a focal point for people to meet and what makes the city such a joy to live in. Early morning is best for a visit as Hanoians come out early to jog, do traditional stretching excercises and play badminton of all things. The name of the lake means Lake of the Returned Sword and comes from the legend about such a magical instrument given the local Emperor to drive the Chinese out of Vietnam. After the war, a giant golden tortoise snatched the sword from him while he was out fishing and took it to the depths of the beautiful lake. Thap Rua or the Tortoise Tower lays scenically on a center island of the lake, making for more reflection photos.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-65518664126380030092007-04-27T23:39:00.000-07:002007-04-27T23:44:05.450-07:00Thanh Nien (Youth) streetThe Youth Road can be compared to a beautiful bridge spanning across the two large bodies of water - West Lake to the northwest and Truc Bach Lake to the southeast. This 992-metre-long road has been made into two-lane road with a line of big trees grown in between the lanes. On either side of the road is grown with flamboyant trees, weeping willow trees and bang lang trees. In summer the road looks colorful with the many flamboyant trees in blossom and bang lang trees with violet flowers.<br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-DuongThanhNienCustom.jpg" /><br /><br />The west lake area is estimated at 480 hectares, being the biggest lake in the city. A road that runs around the lake is as long as 12 kilometers. It passes several flower-growing villages such as flower Nghi Tam village, Tay Ho, and Peach tree planting Nhat Tan village. Situated nearby the lakeside road are several famous pagodas and temples such as Phu Tay Ho and Kim Lien Pagoda. In feudal regimes many royal palaces and rest houses have been built to used as resort places for kings and senior court officers. Now Ho Tay has been earmarked for the city's major tourism development center.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-30149802481966589442007-04-27T23:29:00.000-07:002007-04-27T23:35:34.099-07:00Phu Tay Ho<h4><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#800000;"><i>West Lake </i></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><br /> </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">The west lake area is estimated at 480 hectares, being the biggest lake in the city. A road that runs around the lake is as long as 12 kilometers. It passes several flower-growing villages such as flower Nghi Tam village, Tay Ho, and Peach tree planting Nhat Tan village. Situated nearby the lakeside road are several famous pagodas and temples such as Phu Tay Ho and Kim Lien Pagoda. In feudal regimes many royal palaces and rest houses have been built to used as resort places for kings and senior court officers. Now Ho Tay has been earmarked for the city's major tourism development center.</span></span></h4><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-PhuTayHo3Custom.jpg" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-64132347273744187742007-04-27T23:24:00.000-07:002007-04-27T23:25:47.155-07:00Temple of Literature 7<span class="content">This is a quiet oasis right in the heart of busy and often hectic Hanoi. It is also one of the few remaining examples of ancient Vietnamese architecture and is considered perhaps the city’s greatest cultural sight. Founded in 1070, it became the country’s first university in 1076 to educate the sons of mandarins. A stelae naming the birth places and achievements of those receiving their doctorate here is one of the temple’s highlights. There are five separate courtyards and the complex is quite large so allow ample time to enjoy its contemplative grounds. Admission is 20,000 dong ($1.25) and open 8am-5pm daily.<br /><br /></span><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-QuocTuGiam9-cylindricalCu-2.jpg" /><br /><br /><span class="content">This place existed for more than 700 years as a center for Confucian learning and it's a a must see for those who are interested in classical Chinese/vietanamese architecture. If you're there, look out for the 82 stone diplomas on tortoises bearing the names and birthplaces of 1,306 students who scrapped thru' the university's tough examinations. Like the one-pillar pagoda, some parts of this place was built after the original parts were destroyed during the French War.<br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-55548360836875113732007-04-27T23:21:00.000-07:002007-04-27T23:23:39.619-07:00Temple of Literature 6The temple of Literature (Van Mieu) is a famous ancient monument consisting of the Temple of Literature and Vietnam's first university. The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 in honour of Confucius. <p>Six years later, Quoc Tu Giam , the first university of Vietnam, was on the premises of Van Mieu. It was the first educational school for royal family members, and it was later opened to talented students. In 1482 Emperor Le Thanh Tong ordered the erection of stela with inscriptions of the names, places of birth, and achievements of graduates who had taken examinations since 1442. Presently 82 stela stand at Van Mieu.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-QuocTuGiam8Custom.jpg" /><br /><br /> The Temple of Literature is located on Van Mieu St., 2km west of Hoan Kiem lake. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8.00 to 11.30 am and 1.30 to 5pm.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-50549405650391329972007-04-27T23:15:00.000-07:002007-04-27T23:20:41.650-07:00Temple of Literature 5The Temple of Literature ( Van Mieu ), dedicated to Confucius, was founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. In 1076, Vietnam's first university was established here to educate Vietnam's administrative and warriors class. Parts of the university date from this earlier time period although the large complex has undergone many changes over the centuries. But recent archaeological study indicates that the architecture of this site belongs primarily to the Ly (1010-1225) and Tran (1225-1400) Dynasties. The complex is in a tranquil park-like site in the heart of central Hanoi. The progression is essentially axial from the entrance gate to the central temple sanctuary<br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-QuocTuGiam6Custom.jpg" /><br /><br />Much of the six hectares of the Temple of Literature is occupied by gardens and a fishpond. These are quite geometric, dotted with topiaries and in the courtyards, oversized Vietnamese-style bonsai.<br />No doubt these gardens made a very pleasant environment for the young nobility and would-be aristocrats to absorb knowledge.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103450164425834610.post-45400372329266587832007-04-27T23:14:00.000-07:002007-04-27T23:15:39.008-07:00Temple of Literature 4<span style="color:#800000;">Khue Van Cac - Pavillion of the constellation of literature</span><br /> The artifacts collected during the recent excavation drives around Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) in Hanoi proved the architecture of this site belongs to the Ly (1010-1225) and Tran (1225-1400) Dynasties. Life of the stud<span style="color:#800000;"><img src="http://vietnam.sawadee.com/hanoi/vanmieukhuevancac.jpg" align="left" border="0" height="214" vspace="3" width="170" /></span>ents in olden times is reflected through these artifacts and seemed to be simple and pure compared to that of the city dwellers. Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (National College) now preserves 82 steles engraved with the names of 1,306 doctors who obtained the doctoral titles at 82 royal examinations, held from 1442 to 1779.<br /> Although Van Mieu was built long ago, the architectural complexes in this area were erected much later. One of them was Khue Van Cac, or Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature, built under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). In 1802, Gia Long took the throne and built the capital in Hue. In 1805, the Commander of the Northern Citadel, Nguyen Van Thanh, ordered the construction of Khue Van Cac at Van Mieu. This project was carried out at the same time as the erection of the surrounding walls around Van Mieu in 1833.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/innovation/vnphotos/070301-QuocTuGiam5Custom.jpg" /><br /><br /> The pavilion was a two-storey complex made of wood and bricks, that is mirrored on the Thien Quang well. Located in the third courtyard (from the front gate), the pavilion's ground floor is empty, with four brick pillars of 85 cm x 85 cm engraved with designs of clouds. The pillars stand on a square base, 6.8 cm x 6.8 cm, which is covered with Bat Trang bricks. The upper floor, made of wooden frames, stands on four brick pillars, with four round windows facing the four directions and having rays like the sun. This floor is the symbol of the brilliant constellation that is shining. The Oriental people consider this star as a symbol of literature. On this floor, the balustrade is supported by engraved wooden pieces, and a gilt board with three letters of Khue Van Cac hangs on the wall.<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0