Ngoc Son Temple, Sword Lake

For ages, the Lake of the Restored Sword (also called Sword Lake) has been considered to be one symbol of Hanoi

Geologists believe that the lake was once a section of the Red River before the latter changed its course. The change took place a thousand years ago but the name “Restored Sword” (Hoan Kiem) was given only five centuries ago. In the past, the lake was called Luc Thuy (Blue Water) because the water was always blue. In the 15th century, the lake acquired its present name which is closely connected with the following legend: "In Lam Son village, Le Loi was given a sword which he always brought along with himself during the ten years of resistance against the Ming invaders.

After he had defeated the enemy, he settled in Thăng Long. One day, while King Le Loi was boating on Blue Water Lake, one turtle suddenly emerged on the surface. He took out his sword and pointed it at the turtle ’who snatched the sword and dived immediately. Lê Lợi thought that God had given him the sword to from the early 16th century onwards, the Le Kings and Trinh Lords had the lake beautified considerably.

Around 1739, Lord Trịnh Giang set up Khanh Thụy Palace on the Pearl Island as a place for him to enjoy summer breezes. His younger brother, Trinh Doanh, had a mound built on the eastern side of the lake and named it Đoc Ton in memory of his success in suppressing peasants’ uprising in the Doc Ton region, near the Tam Dao mountain range. In 1786, King Le Chieu Thong ordered his soldiers to burn down Khanh Thụy Palace and the Trinh Lords’ Palace. In the 19th century, a pagoda dedicated to the Buddha was built on the foundation of Khanh Thụy Palace.

Later, this pagoda was turned into a temple dedicated to Van Xuong, a legendary figure, who was in charge of literature and examination affaks, and to Tran Hung Dao, a Vietnamese hero who defeated the Yuan-Mongolian invaders in the 13th century. In the temple there is a statue of Kwan-wu, an elite General famous for his loyalty, and a statue of Lu Zu, a famous herbalist; both were Chinese and deified.

In 1865, Nguyen Van Siêu, one of Mà Nộị’s great men of culture took responsibility for the repairs of the entire area. On Độc Foil mound, he had a stone tower built whose peak resembles a writing brush (Brush lower). On the tower’s body are engraved three words Tả Thanh Thiên (Writing on the Blue Sky).

Ngoc Son Temple, Sword Lake

Passing through Brush Tower, you come to Nghiên (Ink Slab) Tower. It is an inkstone shaped like a half of a peach placed on an arched gate. On the body of the inkstone is engraved an essay on the usage of inkstones from the philosophical viewpoint. Passing Nghiên Tower, you come to The Hue Bridge, (“Perch of Morning Sunlight”). At the other end of the bridge is the Moon House (Dac Nguyet Lau), which is at the same time Ngoc Son Temple’s gate.

Hoan Kiem Lake

The temple has three main buildings, the front one is the great ceremonial hall, the middle one is dedicated to Van Xuong, and the back is dedicated to Tran Hung Dao. In front of the great ceremonial hall is Tran Ba Dinh (Wave Preventing Pavilion).

The Huc Bridge

A little afar from that pavilion on the southwest of Sword Lake, there is Turtle Tower mound which was built at the end of the 19th century. Indeed, it has no historical and aesthetic value, but since it has stood there for around one century, it has become familiar to many Hanoians and foreigners.

It is notable that there are many parallel sentences in Ngoc Son Temple. They were composed by famous Confucian scholars and are valuable literary works.

The Unique Flowers of North Vietnam Spring

1. Peach Flower - The must-have element of North Vietnam Tet

Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal. The earth reawakens from her slumber, flowers bloom and explodes with new life.

Spring would mean little to people in northern Vietnam if there is no peach flower, a native variety. It blossoms at the time of Tet (Vietnam`s traditional lunar new year festival). As is the custom, every Vietnamese family, rich or poor, has to get a branch of peach blossoms in the house. 

Peach flower - the unique flower of North Vietnam Spring

Peach flower - the unique flower of North Vietnam Spring

Peach flower - the unique flower of North Vietnam Spring

From time immemorial, the flower growing village of Nhat Tan in Hanoi has been known for its many kinds of peach flowers: dark purple, pink, bonsai peach, etc. In the northern mountainous regions, the peach trees grow naturally into forests, giving the Spring a beautiful scape. After defeating the feudal Chinese invadors of the Ming empire in the well known battle of Dong Da in the Spring of Ky Dau (1789), Quang Trung sent an emissary to Phu Xuan, southern Vietnam, carrying a blossom of peach flowers as gift to his wife, Princess Ngoc Han.

 Peach flower - the unique flower of North Vietnam Spring

Northern people say that peach flowers blossom in spring – during Tet holidays while most other flowers still stay silent, symbolizing the strong vitality and a brave heart. Moreover, the pink colour of peach flowers shows the love and joy spread among people in this unique time of the year. 

 Peach flower - the unique flower of North Vietnam Spring

2.  Plum flower - The symbol of spring in Northwest Vietnam 

Peach flower has 2 kinds: light peach with light pink colour and Nhat Tan – Ha Noi’s specialty peach with dark pink colour (nearly red).

Plum flower - the unique of Northeast Vietnam region in Spring

Plum flower - the unique of Northeast Vietnam region in Spring

Visiting the northern mountain places of Vietnam such as Moc Chau, Sapa, Ha Giang, in the early days of the lunar New Year, tourists enjoy a dream-like landscape of immense forests of plum trees in blossom. During this time, the area seems to be covered by a beautiful white shawl and shows a new vitality. Here, tourists also see children joyfully playing together under the canopy of plum trees  while their parents diligently working on the terraced fields.

Plum flower - the unique of Northeast Vietnam region in Spring

With its spectacular flowers and watercolor scenery, it’s easy to see why tourists are flocking to this delightful little town.

3.  Marumi kumquat - The speacial elememt for Tet 

Marumi kumquat bears different story. A tree with all 5 characteristics: full of fruits, flowers, leaves, branches and roots is a symbol for wealth and happiness for the new year. 

Marumi kumquat

Marumi kumquat

The tips for choosing a good plant are generated accordingly: the tree must have both ripe and green fruits, mature leaves and new bud - which represents wealth and luck brought to the family in the new year.

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Vietwindtravel

List of Favorite Hanoi Restaurants

Hanoi Food

It would be impossible to get starved in Hanoi - the centre of sensational cuisine. No matter where you come from, an array of restaurants providing foreign fares and Vietnamese cuisines are always ready to serve all your needs. Even vegans also find Vietnam an ideal destination for an appetizing vegan meal. It is not hard to find a high end Vietnamese and foreign restaurants that could offer you either local specialties or cuisines of your home country either. But perhaps, as part of the adventure, why don’t you enjoy authentic Vietnamese fares as the way the local does, trying squat stool places at street side and humble restaurants in narrow alleys? This is the best way to belly up to real local cuisine and enjoy your trip the most. Plus, nowhere in Vietnam could you easily savor delicious cuisine from three main regions of Vietnam as Hanoi and nowhere in Hanoi could you easily find a decent restaurant as the Old quarter.

Get lost and find your own local favourite, and do not forget to share with me too.

1. Bún Chả from Bún Chả 34 Hàng Than

Luckily, the address is right there in the name (fairly common in Hanoi, thankfully).  The place is full of scooters at lunchtime, and they even valet-park your two-wheeler if needed!  The tree in front studded with nails and hung with keys is a good way to check that you're in the right place.

Bun Cha

Bún chả is perhaps the greatest of Hanoi's dishes.  You'll get a bowl of beautifully grilled pork, some in patty form wrapped in a leaf and some as sliced grilled meat.  This will be floating in a rich fish sauce that also contains some slices of either green mango or green papaya.  You'll also get a large hank of rice noodles that will likely be at least partially stuck together, and an assortment of fresh herbs.  (This dish wouldn't be very Vietnamese without the pile of herbs!)

An order of fried crab spring rolls (nem cua bể) are a traditional accompaniment that you can take or leave. We take.

 To eat, grab some noodles and herbs and mix them into your fish sauce pork.  Add pickled garlic or chiles, if you'd like. Eat. Add more herbs and noodles. Eat. Et cetera. Fun and interactive, with each bite being a different combination of crunchy, funky, herby, spicy, meaty, and crisp. 

Bún Chả 34 Hàng Than, 34 Hàng Than, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi.

2. Phở Tái Nạm from Phở Gia Truyền

Hanoi Phở is very different from that of Saigon.  It's lower on the veggies, and the broth isn't generally as heavy on the sweet spices.  Basically, I didn't think I was going to like it very much.  Phở Gia Truyền (which seems to mean "old-style Phở") proved me wrong.

Pho

 Small menu, usually a great sign in places like this. Your choices: Beef soup. Rare flank steak (tai nam). Rare steak (tai). Or well-done steak (think brisket - chin). Add a chicken egg, trung ga, if you want.  Yes, again, we want.  Also, they had the pot of broth going over these coals when we walked in. 

And the Phở?  Delicious. Perfect ratio of broth to noodles to meat. I love a good stocky soup in the morning. Kick it up with some chilies to get a good healthy sweat going, perfect if you may have overimbibed the night before.

Phở Gia Truyền is on 49 Bat Dan St,  Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi. Careful, as this is an early in the day dish; they can sell out by noon.

3. Bánh cuốn from Bánh cuốn gia truyền

Bánh cuốn are one of my favorite Vietnamese dishes.  They're free-form dumplings, or tiny rolls, made with fresh rice paper stuffed with a ground pork and mushroom mix.  Each tapas-size sharing plate comes topped with dried shallots and fresh sprigs of cilantro, and you can (and should) order some meats on the side to add texture.  We chose a small plate of Chinese sausage and shrimp cake.

Banh cuon

 Read more about Salted or Sugared Dry Fruits - A specialty of Hanoi

Bánh cuốn gia truyền does these beautifully. The rice paper is perfectly formed and perfectly fresh, just strong enough to hold the fillings together while being soft enough to offer your teeth very little resistance. Their nước chấm, or fish sauce dip, is one of the best we tasted in our three weeks in Vietnam; perfumed with ca cuongextract (I'll go into that more later) and with just the right amount of citrus.

We went for dinner, but I'm pretty sure they're open for lunch as well.

Bánh cuốn gia truyền is at 14 Hàng Gà, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

4.  Miến Lươn from Nhà Hàng Miến Lươn

Lươn means eel in Vietnamese, and that's what you'll get here - teeny fried eels served in a variety of ways, from soups to porridges to atop glass noodles. The menu is short and sweet, like many of the places we enjoyed in Hanoi.

Mien luon

Logan and I both ordered the Miến xào lươn, on Gastronomer's brilliant recommendation. This is glass noodles, topped with fried tiny eels, bean sprouts, and egg, garnished with those savory fried/dried shallots, fresh cucumber, and purple shiso.  It also came with a side bowl of rich, thick broth.

Nice and eel-crunchy and fresh and herby and soft with noodles - and of course with lots of side sauces and fruits to customize your dish! 

Nhà Hàng Miến Lươn is at 87 Hàng Điếu, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi.

5. Bun Rieu and Bun Oc

Bun rieu

These slightly sour/sweet/spicy, crab or snail soups are very popular on the streets of Hanoi. They make a good breakfast, full of revitalizing liquid and just enough protein to start your day off right.

I just didn't care too much for the version we had. Too much fishy crab pastey, not enough sour spicy - the balance seemed a bit off to me.  But it's worth a try at one of the many places that line the streets. Please let us know if you find a version you really like!

We had our bun oc and bun rieu at 34 Cầu Gỗ, Hoàn Kiếm District.

6. Xôi from Xôi Yến

Xoi Yen

Xôi is a super simple dish - it's meats of your choice on a bed of sticky rice.  I liked the Xoi Xeo, which is topped with mung bean paste and dried shallots as well as meat.

Simple, cheap, and filling, and while we were there a mobile karaoke dude set up in front, adding just that little extra touch of special.

Xôi Yến is at 35B Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi.

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Vietwindtravel

Hanoi's Traditional Dishes

Hanoi people are famous for the simple but subtle cuisine. As time goes by, the capital’s food is more and more affirmed its important position in Vietnamese culinary culture. Besides the variety, the cuisine of Hanoi still keeps its traditional feature.

The following introduce 10 simple and delicious dishes of Hanoi which are existed for a long time.




1. Pho - Hanoi Noodle

Pho

First thing to remember when talking about Hanoi is “Pho” or noodle soup. “Pho is a special gift ofHanoi, not just only in Hanoi, but because only in Hanoi that it is delicious”, Thach Lam wrote.

The traditional Pho of Hanoi is famous for the soft noodles, pure and sweet broth, the tender and flavor beef. There are many delicious booths of Pho in Hanoi, such as: Pho Suong - Dinh Liet St, Traditional Pho - Bat Dan St, Pho Thin - Lo Duc, Pho Cuong - Hang Muoi St…

2. Bun Cha (vermicelli with grilled meat)

Bun Cha

“Bun cha” (vermicelli with grilled meat) is known as a particular gift which Hanoi sent to all over the country. It is the delicious of the well-grilled meats and the sweet-and-sour sauce that grab every guest’s footstep. Bun cha in Dong Xuan market lane, 14 Hang Than st, 81alley Lac Long Quan st or pavement at the intersection of Nguyen Du and Ba Trieu st… is some good address for this dish.

3. Bun thang (vermicelli in chicken soup)


With nearly 20 ingredients, “bun thang” (vermicelli in chicken soup) is the dish that the cooking method requires the scrupulousness, care and sophistication of the cook, and also is one of the typical dishes containing innumerable quintessence of Hanoi’s culinary. 

Bun thang

Vermicelli is put in large bowls, ornamented on the surface with thin omelet, lean meat pie, chipped pork… then poured with hot consommé. Some recommended addresses: Hang Hanh st, Cau Go st, 11 Hang Hom st, 11 Ha Hoi st…

4. Cha ca La Vong (La Vong fried fish dish)

Cha ca La Vong

Read more about 4 saint temples protect Thang Long- Hanoi
“Cha ca La Vong” (La Vong fried fish dish) is the perfect combination of typical Vietnam’s spices such as: saffron, fennel, shrimp paste and fish sauce. All of those mix together into a unique, incredibly delicious and attractive dish. Cha ca La Vong is always in the list of foods that can’t be ignored by foreign visitors once coming to Hanoi. The famous restaurant is located at 14 Cha Ca st.

5. Banh Cuon Thanh Tri (rice rolls)

Banh cuon 

“Banh cuon Thanh Tri” (rice rolls) is a traditional dish which is made of rice-flour. It has the very thin and light roll covered by a yellow fried-onions layers, dipped in the tasty sauce with some roasted cinnamon porks (“cha que”). Nowadays, you can eat “banh cuon” in everywhere, but those made in Hanoi, especially “banh cuon Thanh Tri”, still have their specific characteristics.

6. Cha Ruoi


“Cha ruoi” is a scarce speciality of Hanoi, because the nereididae sandworm only can be found in a short season.

Cha ruoi

“Cha ruoi” which is crispy outside, soft inside, greasy and the delicious smell pervades all the guests is often sold at O Quan Chuong, in Lo Duc st and Gia Ngu st.

7. Banh Ran- (fried cake)

Banh ran

“Banh ran” (fried cake) is a popular cake in Hanoi, but “banh ran luc lac” or shaken fried cake is a traditional dish of Hanoi’s people. Its outer shell is made from glutinous rice flour, covered with roasted sesame. Especially, the filling made from sweetened mung bean paste is separated from the shell so that when you shake the ball cake, you can feel the rattled of it inside the shell. You can buy “banh ran luc lac” at 21 Le Dai Hanh st or 16A Ly Nam De st.

8. Bun Oc (Cold snail noodle)

Bun oc

Cold snail noodle (Cold snail noodle) is particular dish of Hanoi. It’s not easy to find the place where served this dish and not so many people can cook it well. Its consommé is a little sweet, fresh, sour and salty enough with the fragrant of ginger, the pungent of chili. You can find it at 202F Doi Can st or at O Quan Chuong.

9. Cha Nhai (frog omelette)

With Hanoi’s gourmets, “cha nhai” is a special food of Hanoi alone. 

Cha Nhai

The frog is chopped both meat and bones, crushed well, mixed with spices, chili, citronella, lime leaves… and deep fried in boiling oil pan. Then, we have a fragrant food that is a favorite dish of many people. The most delicious “cha nhai” is sold at Khuong Thuong st.

10. Com ( grilled green rice)


When the autumn wind comes is also the time that “Com” (grilled green rice) is appeared in many streets in Hanoi. 

Com

“Com” is made from green sticky rice that is harvested in blossom period, roasted in many times, crashed and sieved. When eating com, you must eat slowly and chew very deliberately in order to appreciate all the scents, tastes, and plasticity of the young rice. Com is used in many specialities ofVietnam, including com xao (browned com), banh com (com cakes), che com (sweetened com soups), etc. You can find “com” everywhere in Hanoi, but the most delicious “com” is processed in Vong Village, where com making has been a professional skill for many generations.

There are many tasty dishes you should enjoy when visiting Hanoi. Come here, and feel the soul of Hanoi’ cuisine!

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 Vietwindtravel

Salted or Sugared Dry Fruits – A Specialty of Hanoi

Salted or sugared dry fruits

1. A specialty of Hanoi 

Ô mai” (Salted or sugared dry fruits) has always been recognized as a famous Vietnamese snack. It is favored by a lot of Vietnamese people, especially women. It is a perfect combination of the sour taste of apricot, the saltiness of sour, the spicy of ginger and the natural sweetness of liquorices. “Ô mai” is always used during Tết Holiday (aka Lunar New Year) and is a favorite gift for Vietabroaders. “Ô mai” has a lot of flavors to serve your preference. 

Maybe, no where in the world can find the special nosh more delicious than in Capital city of Hanoi, Vietnam with “O mai”. For the past years, “o mai”, salted or sugared dry fruits, was a favorite not particularly with Hanoian. Time is passing through and this speciality is now becoming a popular snack and an expected gift for all Vietnamese people, Vietnamese oversea also.

Salted or sugared dry fruits

The oldest and most famous type of “Ô mai” ever known may be apricots, following dracontomelum, star, tamarind, kumquat, pineaple, canari, lemon, mango. As increasing demand and different taste of customer, o mai makers are now adding more fruits from all regions to adapt from traditional recipe.

2. Where to buy salted or sugared dry fruits in Hanoi.

Salted or sugared dry fruits

Read more about 5 Places to celebrate Christmas night  in Hanoi

The variation of flavor of O mai from sour, hot, salted, to sweet has enchanted many visitors to Hanoi. Nowadays, coming to Hanoi, after a visit to Hanoi Old Quarter, you should get the Hàng Đường (Hang Duong) or Hang Ngang, Pho Hue where the most delicious and wonderful ô mai are sold. Interestingly, at these shop, you can feel free to tast all kind of o mai before paying for the most favorite. Ô mai is a delicious affordable gift for your friends each time you came to Hanoi.

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Source: Vietwindtravel

Typical Dishes for Vietnamese Tet

Tet is the biggest and most important holiday to Vietnamese. It is the chance for family union and enjoy the traditional dishes. In this aticle, Vietwind Travel would like to introduce you some typical Vietnamese Tet dishes. If you visit Vietnam on Tet holiday, don’t miss the chance to enjoy and make it for yourself to wholeheartedly experience the atmosphere of Vietnamese Tet.

Chung cake

1. Chung cake

Banh Chung" (Chung cake) is a traditional and irreplaceable cake of Vietnamese people in the Tet Holidays.For the Vietnamese, making "Banh Chung" is the ideal way to express gratitude to their ancestors and homeland. In the ancient conception, the Earth is square, hence Chung cake's shape is square, too, to reflect the Earth shape. Besides, it emphasizes the important role of rice and nature in water rice civilization.. Main ingredients are sticky rice, pork meat, and green beans wrapped in a Dong leaves that will give the rice a green color after boiling. Making Chung cake is time-consuming and requires the contribution of several people.  In making bánh chưng, all members of the family gather with different tasks, from washing the dong leaves, mixing the pork with spices, preparing the green beans and most important wrapping all ingredients in square form . Boiling the cakes takes about 6-8 hours. When sitting around the warm fire, all members in the family tell one another the past stories and are ready for a New Year with wishes of best things. It is always the typical memory to each Vietnamese about Tet.

2. Vietnamese sausage (Gio Cha)

Vietnamese sausage

Gio Cha is a very traditional fine dish of Vietnamese cuisine. Although culinary taste differs from the North, the Middle and the South of Vietnam, people have a common dish on a traditional Tet menu. Gio Cha  is a must have item. It is served along with Chung cake in almost dining table of Vietnamese families

Vietnamese sausage is made from very simple ingredients but in fact it requires lots of experience to select the finest ingredients.

3. Vietnamese Pickled onions ( Hanh muoi)

Vietnamese Pickled onions

Picked onions is the dish sour, fresh and low-calorie to balance among the various dishes on Tet especially Tet in Northern Vietnam . And for many Vietnamese generations, pickled onions have been a cannot-be-missed dish during Tet holiday. Vietnamese pickled onions also serve as a natural medicine for better digestion after high protein meals. The typical aromatic, crispy and sour taste of pickled onions going with fat jellied meat and tasty sticky rice cake awakens the Tet atmosphere in every family dinner.

 4.  Vietnamese Dried pig skin (canh bong)

Vietnamese Dried pig skin

It is a kind of soup in Vietnam which is made from dehydrated fried pork skin soaked in a broth sweetened by dried mushrooms, prawns, and fresh vegetables.

5. Spring roll (Nem ran)

Since long time ago, Spring roll has been a familiar dish on the menu at all household during Tet. Its ingredients comprises mince pork, sea crabs, eggs, vermicelli noodles, mushroom, dried onions, pepper, salt, fish sauce. The mixture is then rolled in flat rice cakes and fried in a pan until crispy. Spring rolls are eaten hot with fish sauce is diluted slightly with a splash of lime juice, sugar, chilies and garlic. Papaya and a few fresh scented vegetables are added.

 6.  Dried Bamboo soup

Dried Bamboo soup

It is an indispensable dish during the feast for Tet of people in northern Vietnam. The dish shows the culinary cultural features of Vietnamese people who often make dishes from materials found in the forests and mountainous areas.

7. Candied fruits- Mut

 Candied fruits

Mut Tet (Tet jam) is not a food to serve in a meal during Tet holiday, but more like a snack to welcome guests in this special period. Mut is always kept in beautiful boxes and placed at the table in the living room, and it is the main food for the owners and guests to taste when they’re talking, enjoyed over a cup of tea.

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Source: Vietwindtravel