THE HUC BRIDGE

The Huc bridge is the only way to connect Ngoc Son Temple to land. I'm sure that you will make expression on the red color of it. A special thing is that you are free to walk on the bridge but not go into the temple. So don't hesitate to hold your backpack and go!

The Huc bridge is a beautiful construction built to connect the Ngoc Son Temple located in the heart of the Sword Lake. You can’t neglect it because of its bright red color blending in with landscape around and sophisticated architectural features. Nguyen Van Sieu got the bridge constructed mostly by fine wood with 36 hard poles. The Huc Bridge is well-known as ‘the bridge where light is absorbed’ and the red color is the color of life, love, hope and is the symbol of the Sun. this is a famous destination for tourists to come over and take a photograph. Standing from this bridge, you can enjoy spacious and elegant beauty of the Hoan Kiem lake, Ngoc Son temple and the Turtle island.

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NGOC SOM TEMPLE

The Sword Lake is located at the heart of Hanoi. With the unique appearance, Ngoc Son temple becomes an attractive destination for almost tourists when visiting Hanoi for the first time. Coming here, you not only look the beautiful lanscape around the lake but also have deep understanding of Vietnamese culture.

Ngoc Son temple was built in 19^th century. In the past, its name was ‘ear of elephant’ (tuong nhi), then coming to Ly dynasty, its name was changed into ‘ngoc tuong’ and at last renamed Ngoc Son Temple. And Tran reign, people called it Ngoc Son pagoda. In 1865, Nguyen Van Sieu, a Confusion scholar, remodeled Ngoc Son Temple and built more the Pen Tower, the Ink-slab (Dai Nghien) and the Pavilion against Waves (Dinh Tran Ba) in order to make a unique project with historical meaning. In temple, people worshiped Saint Van Xuong, considered to be one of the brightest stars in Vietnam’s literary and intellectual circle and national big hero Tran Hung Dao who had led the Vietnamese people to victory over the Yuan aggressors. Besides, the Buddha was also worshiped to show the conception of three religions at the same time. In the time, the contemporaneous culture caught the unwholesome waves, thoughts, so Van Sieu had Dinh Tran Ba built with a view to preventing it from dirtying. Furthermore, he wanted to keep a studious tradition, a straight character living forever.

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LONG BIEN BRIDGE

 Escaping of bustle and hustle of Hanoi in rush hours, we will together go for a walk on Long Bien bridge and feel breezing wind blowing through our hair. In the afternoon, the twilight sight on the Red river is wonderful and romantic.

 This is the oldest bridge built by the French at the end of 19^th century. It has existed for thousands of years and witnessed the up and down of history of Vietnam nation. With the classic architecture of the west, the bridge likes central character in poetic natural picture of Vietnam. On the smoothy river with slight ripples on the surface of water, there are some of fishing boats of fishermans living along the banks of river. A peaceful landscape appears making anyone also enjoy and contemplate. And we drink a cup of coffee and listen to interesting stories about bridge as well as its association with Hanoian. Let your journey finish in here and in perfect space by checking in some memorial photos.

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THE ONE PILLAR PAGODA

The one pillar pagoda is one of the most special architectures in Vietnam. The pagoda is situated next to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, right in the center of Hanoi. You can catch the image at the behind of 5.000VND coin.

The pagoda was constructed under dynasty Ly in 1049 because of the dream of the king. The legend goes that Ly Thai Tong was childless and dreamt that he met the bodhisattva sitting on a lotus and leading him to a similar building. Then the queen gave a birth to a male child. He was advised by Thien Tue monk to build the pagoda supported by only one pillar to resemble the lotus seat of his dream in the honor of the Bodhisattva. Everyyear, when it came to April 8^th in lunar calendar, the king came to the pagoda for Buddha bathing ceremony and setting free.

In 1105, Ly Nhan Tong extended the pagoda and added Linh Chieu bond. It means to enlighten and awaken the pure soul of people. The pagoda was built of wood on a single stone pillar and it designed to resemble a lotus blossom, which is a Buddhist symbol of purity, since a lotus blossoms in a muddy pond. The pillar pitched deeply into pond like to transfer vitality of heaven to make bumper crop and fertile soil. Three years later, Y Lan queen had the copper bell cast. However, the bell was too large and heavy to hang. As it could not be tolled while left on the ground, it was moved into the countryside and deposited in farmland adjacent to Nhat Tru temple. When the Minh invaded in 1426, they ordered to smelt the bell to take the copper using for manufacturing weapons. So a great works disappeared at the time.

In 1954, the French forces destroyed the pagoda before withdrawing from Vietnam. Afterwards it was rebuilt basing on initial style by Nguyen Ba Lang architect.

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HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM

2/9/1969 is day our country suffered from the biggest pain and loss in history. It is that the uncle Ho passed away forever. In his will, Ho Chi Minh wanted to state his wish to be cremated and to have his ashes scattered in the hills of north, central, and southern Vietnam, so that land can be saved for agriculture production. However, according to the wish of the whole people, the nation decided to preserve his body in good condition. So the construction is against his will.

With the aid of staffs of Soviet, the mausoleum was built in 1973 and was first open to the public in 1975. The construction was inspired by Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow but incorporates distinct Vietnamese architectural elements. The structure is 21.6m high and 41.2m wide and made of grey granite, black and red polished stone. The materials that constitute the building, from exterior granite to interior wood, were contributed by people from all over the country. Even the garden around the mausoleum with nearly 250 different species of plants and flowers was donated from all regions in Vietnam. The Uncle Ho is closed to nature and the design based on his hobbies when he lived. 79 cycad trees on one line symbol for his ages and 2 bamboos was grown in the north and south of mausoleum. Surrounding has small pond, flowers garden and green grass areas.

The design lasted two years. The mausoleum was designed particularly for high durability, protection against bombs and earthquake magnitude up to 7 on the Richter scale. There is also special protection-flooded works in case Hanoi broke dyke. In addition, glass of coffin had to make from special type withstanding high mechanical impulses. Besides, the mausoleum was designed a special chamber to keep the remains in place in the event of war.

The mausoleum is normally open daily from 9:00 A.M to 11:00 A.M. Visiting is free of charge but comply with a set of strictly enforced regulations. Not bring cameras into the mausoleum.

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HO CHI MINH MUSEUM

Mentioning to Vietnam, people think about the greatest president - Ho Chi Minh. The Uncle Ho died when the nation was not still independent and two parts South and North were not connected. His only wish was the Vietnamese must have been free and Vietnamese nation must have been independent. Nowadays, each of times visiting Ho Chi Minh Museum, we both commemorate about him and remember background he found way to save nation.

The Ho Chi Minh museum is one of the largest museums in Viet Nam, located Ngoc Ha in Hanoi. Ho Chi Minh museum was erected in 1985 and was inaugurated on May, 19^th, 1990 on the occasion of 100^th years of his birth.  The museum stores more than 12 thousand documents, artifacts, original films about the life and revolutionary career of President HCM. So this is an invaluable asset of the Vietnamese in the education of patriotism, moral of President HCM.

The building is 20m tall, has square shape inspired from white lotus flower. Four edges of roof are curved like four petals. The stylized four square blocks links the architecture of the structure with natural landscape. As you might know, Lotus flower is the symbol of his simple, integrity. Moreover, it’s national flower of Viet Nam, representing the traditional beauty of a nation. 

The museum opens from 8 to 11 A.M and 1:30 to 4:00 P.M on from Tuesday to Thursday and also on weekends. When coming into, visitors can’t bring bags or cameras.

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"PHO" - THE BEST FOOD IN VIETNAM

It is not natural that Pho is considered as the best food in Vietnam. For a long time, Pho has become a dish containing a core value of Vietnamese spirit and has still remained  the original flavor up to now. To remark how is a good bowl of noodle and beef, you have to be a gastronomer and understand the Vietnamese culture. While enjoying pho, all your senses are awaken like taste, smell and sight. Why don't you taste it when visiting Hanoi.

Pho is ranked in 20 top-the most delicious breakfast dishes on the world. And it is always proud course of the Vietnamese people. Wherever and whenever you want to enjoy a pho bowl, you are able to find a store selling pho easily. Since pho appears at everywhere, from poor countries to large cities and along bent streets or narrow alleys. Furthermore, you can find the pho restaurants in other countries such as America, China and Thailand. Pho is commonly eaten for breakfast, although many other people would have it for their lunch or dinner. Anyone feeling hungry in the small hours of the morning can also enjoy a bowl of hot and spicy Pho to fill their empty stomach. Pho also needs its special taste and smell. The particular flavor of soup is the thing everyone likes the most. The source for pho is made by stewing the bones of cows and pigs for a long time in a large pot. Having several types of pho and their names depend on the kind of meat used. For examples, pieces of fillet mignon together with several slices of ginger are reserved for a bowl of Pho Bo Tai (rare fillet) and slices of well-done meat are however offered to those less keen on eating rare fillets, while Pho Ga is made by stewing together chicken and pig bones.

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Have a good time in Hanoi!

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