Phu Quoc - The Island of Pearls

Phu Quoc Island, also called Island of Pearls, is the biggest island in Vietnam. Phu Quoc lies in an archipelago which completes a district of Kien Giang province, includes 22 islands in Gulf of Thailand. The total area of the archipelago is similar to Singapore’s area. The coastal biosphere reserve of Kien Giang and this archipelago were recognized by UNESCO as the World Biosphere Reserve in 2006.

Phu Quoc is famous for its pristine beaches and many specialties such as fish sauce, pepper, seafood. Phu Quoc was projected and designed for tourism with different service area. One of the outstanding attractions in Phu Quoc is Phu Quoc National Park. The park reserves not only many endemic species of floral and sea animals for the world’s biography but also the long stunning beaches for tourism development.

Phu Quoc Island

The highlight of this area is the dense coral reefs around the islands, which comprise up to 41% of the total ocean area.

Among the famous tourist spots, Dinh Cau is one of the highlights. The temple is in worship of Long Vuong (King of Ocean) situated on the rocks on the seashore. It was built for people to pray for peace and productive fishing for the anglers when they embarked. The shape of the rocks and the story about the temple make it become mysterious and fascinating to the visitors. The temple is surrounded by water below and the long golden coast in front make it as an miniature in a pond.

Everytime people mention about Phu Quoc, it will be definitely the pristine beaches to mention. Bai Sao or Star Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc with white sand and pure blue water. At the end of the beach, there are many odd-shaped rocks, where the swallows come to nest and lay eggs.
Bai Dai or Long Beach is also among the most stunning beaches on the island which orginates from Ganh Dau Cape stretching 15 km to Chao Mountain.

It is enclosed by the green virgin forest and Bai Dai Mountain Range. Lately, Bai Dai has been recognized as one of 100 most beautiful beaches in the world by CNN. This recognition will make further expectation of increasing tourists traveling to Phu Quoc.

Ganh Dau Cape is an ideal place for sun-sea-sand relaxation as well. There is a tough and lumpy rock protruding to the northwest, is situated on a primitive white beach leaning on the virgin forest behind.
Apart from the ravishing beaches, tourists can enjoy picturesque scenery seemingly like aquarelle. Tranh Stream attracts many tourists because of its stepped waterfall flowing from high to low making a foggy stream. People come here to swim in the pure and clear sweet water flow and take adventure of climbing up the waterfall.

Beside enjoying the fabulous and pristine beaches, tourists can also visit agriculture farm and fishing villages on the islands. The Pearl Farm, Pepper Farm, Fish sauce factory and Ham Ninh fishing village are the most popular spots to visit on the island. The products branded Phu Quoc have become well-known throughout the country and international.

Ho Chi Minh City (Sai Gon)

Ho Chi Minh city is the most populated and the economic, educational center of Vietnam. It developed to become the most important economic area of Vietnam as well as is the leading city in other industries, such as tourism, agriculture, etc.

In 1968, Nguyen Huu Canh built Gia Dinh Palace as a remark the foundation of this city. When the French came to Indochina, they established Sai Gon city to serve their political objectives. It grew quickly in economics and became one of two most vital cities of Vietnam, also considered as the pearl of Indochina. It was the capital of Indochina Federation in the period of 1887-1901. After reunification in 1975, Sai Gon was renamed to Ho Chi Minh City after the greatest president of the country.

Regarding tourism, Ho Chi Minh is well-known for historic sites, the most famous building is Reunification or Independence Palace. It was built in 1868 after the French army conquered 6 provinces in the South. The construction was laid on the area of 12 ha, including a big palace with front face of 80 m, the living room can hold up to 800 people and a garden in front. Most of the materials were shipped from France.

Ho Chi Minh City

After its completion in 1873, it was named Norodom Palace after the contemporary Cambodian King Norodom. It was used for Cochinchine Governors, later it was employed for Governors of Indochina-France. In 1945, it was used by Japanese Governors for 6 months until the French returned to conquer. On April 30, 1975, the tank of Vietnamese Communist crashed through the gate of the palace, which remarked the end of the war and the unification of the North and the South.

The replica of the tank still remain on the lawn outside. The palace today is used as a Museum to exhibit all the remained original equipment, facilities and furniture of the Indochina-French Governors. There is also a photo gallery and a propaganda film showing how the South Vietnamese supporters and American imperialists surrendered to Ho Chi Minh’s indomitable revolutionary forces and they were forgiven to live a peaceful life.

War Remnants Museum was open in less than 5 months after the fall of the South Vietnamese regime. The museum displays the US military hardware in the war, such as tanks, jets, helicopters, howitzers outside of the building. In the interior, it displays American cruelty to Vietnamese people in the past, including the gallery of gruesome photos, the “tiger cage” prison and jars of deformed foetuses attributed to contamination by Agent Orange. On the third floor, there is an exhibition of the stories of the journalists from all over the world who documented and died during the Vietnam War.

Ho Chi Minh City

Another important buildings attributing to history of Sai Gon are the City Hall or People’s Committee Hall on Nguyen Hue Street, Museum of Vietnamese History in the intersection of Le Duan and Nguyen Binh Khiem street and Ho Chi Minh Museum on Nguyen Tat Thanh street (the name after his birth name).
In addition, when visiting Ho Chi Minh city, Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica or Notre-Dame Cathedral is a place that tourists should not miss. It was designed and finished in 1880 by French; and all of the materials made of the cathedral were shipped from France. The bricks used on the outer surface of the cathedral were made in Marseille, France and still remains the bright red color.

The architecture of the building followed Roman style with some Gothic features. The statue of Maria was located in front of the cathedral many years later in 1959 after the priest ordered it from Italy and shipped it to Vietnam. The statue is considered the spirit of the whole complex because of the its original objective to be put there. The priest made a ceremony of prayers for peace that he supposed Maria would bring. The cathedral has become the cultural and social center of the citizens thanks to its unique and outstanding architecture and the commodious space in front of the buiding.

Another typical religious buildings of Sai Gon is Central Mosque, where was initially constructed for worshipers from southern India, but now Muslims from as far as Pakistan and Indonesia come to pray. The symbol of Buddhism in Sai Gon is Thien Hau pagoda, which dedicated to the sea goddess. She left two giant turtles to keep an eye on things in her absence. On 23rd March in Lunar Year, there is an annual festival in honor of her contribution and protection of people. The pagoda remains the fascinating sculptures and engravings from its birth. In addition, Quan Am and Phung Son Tu pagoda are also popular buildings of Buddhism within the city.

Beside the historic and religious old buildings, Sai Gon has many modern buildings that reach the world standard. The landmark of the city is Bitexco Financial Tower, the most exciting commercial property development undertaken in Vietnam to date. The world renowned American architect Carlos Zapata, the creative mastermind of Bitexco Financial Tower, was inspired by the National flora of Vietnam: the lotus.

The lotus, to Vietnamese and many Asia countries, is a symbol of purity, commitment and optimism. The image of the building conveys the message of the ascending development of the city yet preservation and respect to tradition. The Observation Deck (Saigon Skydeck) on level 49 of the tower offers sweeping fantastic view of the whole city and Saigon River; especially at night the whole city seems sparkling in the darkness.

Popular Attractions In Halong

Halong Bay includes more than 1900 islands and islets which were formed into many special shapes though millions of years.

The name “Halong Bay” literally means “Descending Dragon”. This came from a legend. It was said that in the past when there were invaders from the North to Vietnam, The Lord assigned a Holy Mother Dragon with her junior dragons down to the land to defend and protect the country. The Dragons fired to ruin the whole fleets of invaders sailing towards the land and poured the pearls which became defending walls preventing the conquerors to approach closer. After defeating the enemies, the Dragons found this place so peaceful and welcoming that they decided to stay here to protect this place eternally. Where the Mother Dragon landed was called Halong Bay, and the Junior Dragons stayed was call Bai Tu Long.

Because of its exceptional beauty, Halong Bay became The World’s Natural Heritage in 1994 and was selected as one of the New 7 Natural Wonders in the world in 2011. The important attributes to this success were the fanciful grottos and amazingly-carved lime stones from natural creation, such as: Surprising Cave, Heaven Grotto, Hen and Cock Stones, Titop island and many other islets.

1. Surprising Cave

Sung Sot Cave is one of the most famous and beautiful among hundreds of caves in Halong Bay. When the French first came here, they were strongly surprised by the magnificence of the cave. That was how the cave was named. Later on 1999, the cave was installed with electricity and colored light bulbs and a walk lane was built for tourists to visit.

Surprising Cave

You have to pass steep stair steps to reach the cave. It is nestled within trees and foliage. The path to the cave’s chamber is wet because of water dropping from the ceiling. The mineral water drops took thousands of years to create the stunning stalactites with different shapes within the cave. The first chamber has hundreds of stalactites hanging from the ceiling and lightened with many bulbs. The second chamber is huge and has many amazing shapes of stalactites and stalagmites.

This chamber takes about 10 minutes to walk around and admire the magnificent creatures such as a clear pond, stone garden, finger stone, heart shape, monkey, Bodhisattva stone, turtle stone. The chamber absorbs natural light from the exit of the grotto, where visitors can have a panoramic view of spectacular and legendary Halong.

2. Thien Cung Cave

The cave is considered the most beautiful grotto in Halong Bay. Even though the cave was discovered in 1999, the legend says there used to be a wedding of a beautiful girl name May (Cloud) and a Dragon Prince here. The creatures from the stalactites and stalagmites stand for the participants celebrating the wedding happily in the past.

Thien Cung Cave

There is a small passage leading to the grotto, covered by foliage and bushes. However, breathtaking scene will be opened up when visitors enter the cave. On the eastern wall, there is a majestic picture of fairy tale characters as sophisticatedly carved by human artisans.

In the center of the grotto is 4 big pillars supporting the roof of the heaven which were engraved with fauna and floral patterns. On the north wall is the scene of dancing and singing fairies in honor of the wedding. Behind that stunning picture is a natural curtain of glistening stalactites. Sometimes the wind blowing though the stone cracks and cliffs magically generates the drum sound.

At the last part of the grotto, the colorful lights combined with outstanding carvings of Mother Nature creates marvelous palace. There’s a stream flowing though and 3 small ponds in the bottom. It was said that Mother May (Cloud) used to bath her 100 children and grew them up. A small path lead to the exit is considered as the way that Mother May took her 50 children out for discovering new land. The left 50 children stayed with the father contributed to the motherland.

3. Other attractions

Titov island: well-known for its a white-sand beach in moon shape. It is a stop-over for visitors to swim and have a sightseeing of the whole bay from the mountain top.

Hen and Cock Stones: are shaped in a male and female chicken and became the tourism symbol of Halong as well as Vietnam. It’s near to Dinh Huong Islet and 5 km from Bai Chay Wharf.

Dau Go Grotto: It was said as a place that Tran Hung Dao and his soldiers hid the wooden stakes used to defend the enemies from the China. People also say that the name was due to its shape from outside.

This grotto has 3 chambers and features natural sculpture with fascinating images of animals, royal patterns like dragon and phoenix, a huge stalagmite pillar and a clear well at the end.

Luon cave: located in the northeast of Bo Hon Island.

This cave is very short, has low ceiling and only can be reached by kayak or small boat. Going though the cave, tourists reach a lake formed as a small water stadium because of steep limestone cliffs above. In spite of small area, the fauna and flora system here are quite diverse, including orchids, fern and golden monkeys.

Sapa And Its Allurement

Sapa is a small town in the Northwest of Vietnam and about 38 km from Lao Cai city and 376 km from Hanoi Old Quarter. It takes about 8 hours by train from Hanoi to Lao Cai station and 1 more hour by car to Sapa.

Sapa has temperate and subtropical climate which make it comfortable weather all year round. It can be seen four seasons within a day here: spring in the morning, summer at noon, autumn in the afternoon and winter in the evening. Average temperature is 15 °C. In the summer, the town is less hot than other areas in the North at temperature from 20 °C – 25 °C for day time and about 13 °C – 15 °C for night time. The winter here, on the other hand, is colder than other areas, the temperature even goes down to 0°C; there’s snow and freezed rain drops sometimes. This type of weather makes Sapa become a winter highlight for domestic tourists.

Sapa was discovered by French in 1903 and established as a “summer leisure paradise” from 1920 when the railway from Hanoi to Lao Cai was set. About 300 summer villas were built at that time, but after wars, the majority of buildings were ruined. In 1990s, Sapa was reinforced to serve as a tourist destination and many types of accommodation and tourism services were … Sapa nowadays attracts hundred thousands of domestic and international tourists.

Because of increasing tourism development in Sapa, it is easy for tourists to take tours to visit its popular tourist attractions from travel agents or themselves by hiring motorbike and local guide. Tourism services are quite adequate and easy to reach.

Sapa is comprised of many natural attractions and landscape magnificent. Among of those is Thac Bac (Silver Waterfall), which is about 200 m high and the headwater of Muong Hoa River. Above this river is Cau May (Cloudy Bridge), which can be reached from a small path about 3km from main road. Standing on the bridge, tourists can feel like floating on the cloud because of water evaporating from the Muong Hoa river. Also in Muong Hoa Valley, there’s an ancient Stone Garden where contains hundreds of engraved stones with many different patterns of human activities, roads, staircase, handwriting, etc.

These patterns are still mysterious about their meaning, yet prove the existence of ancient people and rich culture of this place. Heading towards more 2 km, tourists can reach the Heaven Gate - the only spot can be reached by a built road to open a view to Fansipan Mount and to the rice field valley. Ham Rong is a historic site and emplaced with many plants and flowers, especially many endemic orchids.

Sapa Tours with Vietwind Travel

Fansipan Mountain has 3,143m in height and belongs to Hoang Lien Son Range. Hiking on the peak of the mountain has become an adventure tour that attracts many young people. It’s not only about sightseeing the beauty of the landscape but also about experience to conquer the roof top of the Indochina.

Hoang Lien Son itself is also a natural treasure of Sapa as it is the habitat for many endemic species of fauna and flora, 37 species of fauna among them were recorded in Vietnam Red Book for strict preservation.
Ancient Cathedral of Sapa is another popular tourist spot within the town. The cathedral was built at the beginning of 20th century and built entirely from stones. The architecture was inspired by Gothic style and completed with sophisticated construction techniques. It has become the religion center and a symbol of the town.

Last but not least, the distinctive trait of Sapa perhaps goes to the minority ethnic groups with their unique costumes and distinguished traditions. The local festivals and market best describe these characteristics. Mong people have “Sai San” (Opening Season) Festival, held in the beginning of the year, on January of Lunar Year; this festival is celebrated with many Mong’s folk games and folk music performance.

Giay people’s “Roong Poc” is celebrated to aspire for fruitful harvest and harmonious weather for cultivation. “Tet nhay” (Dancing Festival) of Dzao people is also a special treatment to those who are interested in discovering ethnic culture. Sapa is also well-known for Cho Tinh (Love Market), a place for ethnic people to socialize and seek for their perfect match. It is organized only on Saturday night and has become a typical trait of this small town. Trekking tours are usually organized to some ethnic communities to visit these people including trekking through Giang Ta Chai village of Red Dzao, Cat Cat, Sin Chai village of Mong, Ta Van village of Giay people.

Furthermore, because of its comfortable climate, Sapa is a paradise of subtropical fruits, flowers, vegetables and other agricultural products. Especially, peach, plum, roses, salmon, sturgeon are the specialties of this productive land. In spring time, the blossom of wild cherry, plum-trees and flowers which become a picturesque scene will definitely fascinates anyone coming here.

Best tour destinations for family holiday in Vietnam

Vietnam no longer is the land of curiosity, stepping out from the pain of wars, Vietnam is now a country of peace and safe destination for all nationalities to Vietnam. If you have a plan for family holiday, just go, Vietnam as everything to satisfy your family. Vietwind Travel is pleased to send you the best tour destinations for family holiday in Vietnam as bellows:

1. Hanoi- the capital of Vietnam, a 1000 year old city is where you can get the overview of Vietnam’s culture and understand about Vietnam.

Hanoi City Tours

Activities in Hanoi are many such us walking around the old quarter, trying streets foods. Enjoying water puppet show and visit many historical and cultural sites

2. Sapa, the most beautiful mountain town where you will have opportunities to meet some ethnic groups who still wear their traditional dresses and keep traditional life. In Sapa, you can also trek down the villages in the bottom of Muong Hoa valley to enjoy wolrd’s most amazing rice terrances and see daily life of the local. In summer, Sapa is considered as an air conditioner. Great break for during your Vietnam holiday

Sapa Tours

3. Halong Bay, simple the best Vietnam tour destination, the beauty and values of this Unesco heritage make your Vietnam tour unforgettable. In Halong, your family can walk to visit: Sung Sot cave”, fishing villages, swim or explore hidden places with kayak.

Halong Bay

4. Hoi An, highlight of any holiday in Vietnam, loved by ever tourist for the charming beauty. Hoi An is perfect stop during your Vietnam travel where you can enjoy walking around the ancient streets and shopping, drinking, having delicious meals or bilking to experience countryside, swimming at Cua Dai beach…a lot of things to do for your family vacation in Hoi An

5. Ho Chi Minh City ( Saigon) , to be the most exiting city to visit in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is the first or last stop of your Vietnam tour, and a base to launch wonderful trips to Cu Chi tunnel, Mekong Delta Da Lat, Mui Ne beach, Nha Trang beach, Phu Quoc beach...

6. MeKong Delta, the rice producing region and also the spotlight of many Vietnam tour packages. Mekong Delta offers exiting life on water with floating villages, market, massive rice fields, fruit gardens...

7. Nha Trang Beach, the heavyweight champion of Vietnam. Nha trang has been knocking out visitors for years. True, the town is brazen and brash, but the beach is bold and beautiful and a gateway to a cluster of quitter islands. Nha Trang is really a nice break during your holiday with family

8. Mui Ne. It’s a perfect place to end you Vietnam family holiday. Mui Ne sets on a seductive swathe of sand. It is a absolute charmer with swaying palms and towering dunes. Get pummeled on the beach by a masseurs or pummeled by the waves with water sport- this place blends action and inertia to perfection

9. Phu Quoc, simply the most beautiful island in Vietnam. It is great to relax at the and of your family holiday tours. Phu Quoc is liberally sprinkled with picture- perfect white- sand beaches and cloaked in dense impenetrable jungle. Long beach is sophisticated, Ong Lan beach romantic and Bai Sao simply irresistible

THE NORTH of Vietnam

Our journey through North Vietnam begins in Hanoi, the ancient capital of Thang Long, today’s political capital. Visitors to Hanoi will encounter the cultures of both east and west.

In this bustling city, the changing fortunes of history are reflected in the architecture of its many traditional temples and pagodas, and the lingering presence of the French remnants of its colonial past.

Leaving Hanoi and its populous suburbs we enter the picturesque provincial regions with their

Chequer-board patterned paddy fields. Green belts of trees and bamboo enclose villages where traditional communal houses, pagodas and temples remain hidden from view beyond the roadside fields.

Hanoi Old Town

Little mechanization is evident. Men, women, children and buffalo toil together in the fields seven days a week in all weathers. The scene is one of tranquil beauty, but the hardship of this life is obvious.

The eastern tour explores the rural landscapes, ancient temples and pagodas of Hai Hung and Thai Binh provinces, the busy port of Haiphong and the stunning scenery of Halong Bay in Quang Ninh Province.

The tour west of Hanoi begins in Ha Son Binh Province with its many beautiful old pagodas, sanctuaries and grottoes, and encompasses the plateaus and mountains of Son La and Lai Chau provinces.

The northern tour from Ha Bac, a province full of historical sites, temples and pagodas, continues into Vinh Phu Province, the cradle of the ancient Hung Lac civilization and Kingdom of Van Lang.

Further north lie Bac Thai Province and the provinces of Hoang Lien Song, Ha Tuyen, Cao Bang and Lang Son bordering China in the north. This mountainous region is home to many minorities, yet remains largely inaccessible to foreign visitors due to border disputes between China and Vietnam.

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.

Kim Lien Pagoda

This pagoda was built on a strip of silt land by Hanoi West Lake in Nghi Tam village. Today it is in Quang An village, Tay Ho district.

Kim Lien Pagoda

According to legend, the pagoda was built on the foundation of the former Từ Hoa Palace built in the Ly Dynasty. Princes Tu Hoa, daughter of King Ly Than Tong (1128-1138), and her attendants came to this area to grow mulberry, raise silkworms and establish the Tam Tang (silkworm and mulberry farm). This farm was later renamed Nghi Tam guild.

The pagoda was built in the 17th century. According to a stele erected in 1868 in the pagoda, the latter’s name was Dai Bi and it was built in 1631. Seven years later, with people’s donations the pagoda was enlarged. In 1771, Trinh Lord ordered Bảo Lâm Pagoda in the west of the Capital to be removed here, and he renamed it “Kim Liên”. The repairs in 1792 gave the pagoda the present architecture.

Kim Lien Pagoda

It is now composed of three halls, each of which has two roof layers whose comers are gently curvy. Among the Buddhist statues, one deserves very much attention of historians. It depicts a middle-aged man with three- tufted beard, in a Buddhist frock, holding a card in his hand and weaving a mandarin’s hat. Some hold that he was one of the Trinh Lords but some think that he was a Buddhist monk who led his religious life in this pagoda after serving in the Trinh Lord’s Palace.

The statue is estimated to be over 200 years of age. Besides, in the central hall of the pagoda, there is a wooden lacquered board engraved with two Han characters Hoang Uan (meaning “widespread morality”, which was made in 1870. Another board engraved with the characters Liên Hoa Hai Hoi (scene of the happy life in the land of the Buddha) was made in 1930. Apart from its nice disposition, the pagoda has a gate of sophisticated, elegant and intricate architecture.

One Pillar Pagoda

This complex includes a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square lake. It was officially called Dien Huu Pagoda - Lien Hoa (Lotus) Turret. Later, it was given the popular name of Mot Cot (One-pillar) Pagoda. It is square in shape; each side is 3m long will a curved roof and supported by a cylindrical stone pillar.

The pillar, 1.2m in diameter and 4.0m high (excluding the underground section), supports a system of wooden beams which serve as a strong framework for the turret. The whole thing resembles a blossoming lotus stretching up out of a square pond which has a surrounding brick-wall. The wall has an opening through which a path runs to a nice ladder leading up to the turret.

Over the entrance of the turret, there is a wooden board carved with Chinese characters “Lotus Platform”. It is written in one historical document that: “King Ly Thai Tong (1028-1054), in his dream, saw Avalokitesvara (Kwan-yin) sitting on a lotus-shaped tower to which the King was led. Later, the King told the mandarins about his dream and sought their advice.

One Pillar Pagoda

Some of them advised the King to build a pagoda with a lotus-shaped base on a stone pillar in the middle of a pond just as the King had dreamt. After that, Buddhist monks were asked to perform rites to pray for the King’s longevity. The One Pillar Pagoda was consequently called Dien Huu (Prolonged Happiness).

That event took place in 1049. Thus, originally, the pagoda and the lotus turret were built at the same time. The former’s size is not known but the latter is described in an ancient stone stele as follows: “Linh Chieu Lake was dug, in the middle of which was erected a big stone lotus-flower with thousands of petals on which was placed a blue pavilion. A statue of Kwan-vin was situated in that pavilion.

There was a corridor surrounding the lake. Bich Tri pond was dug behind the lake. An arched bridge ran from the front of the lake through the turret to the lake’s back. The front yard of the bridge was flanked by two towers decorated with emeralds.

One Pillar Pagoda

So, the original Lotus Pagoda in the Ly Dynasty was far bigger than the present pagoda. It had more incorporated architectural structures.

The present One-pillar Pagoda has undergone numerous changes and repairs. On 11th September 1954, before their withdrawal, the French army mined and destroyed the Lotus Turret. When Vietnamese soldiers took over Ha Noi, the Government rebuilt the pagoda in accordance with the reconstruction was completed in April 1955.

Close to the pagoda is a Bodhi tree which was presented to President Ho Chi Minh by Indian President A. Prassad on the occasion of the former’s visit to India.

Quan Su Pagoda

It lies halfway along the street bearing the same name and numbers 73. The entire pagoda compound is the ancient village of An Tap. At this place at the beginning of the Lê Dynasty (15th centurv).

A house called Quan Su was built to receive ambassadors from Laos, Chiem Thanh, etc. when thev visited Thang Long. Since these ambassadors were all Buddhists, a pagoda was built near Quan Su for them to practise the religion. Later, Quan Su was destroyed but the Quan Su Pagoda was preserved.

Quan Su Pagoda

At present, there are some stone steles in the pagoda; the most noteworthy one was made in 1842 on which the following paragraph is found: “The pagoda is in An Tap village, Tho Xuong district where the Buddha was worshipped in the front ceremonial hall, and Ly Quoc Su (an erudite Buddhist monk who lived from approximately 1100-1141 and was considered the patriarch of the craft of bronze casting) was worshipped at the back. In the early reign of King Gia Long (1802-1820), the Thang Long Citadel was renamed Bac Thanh (Northern Citadel) and several military stations were built. The pagoda was located next to the Hau Quan Station.”

Quan Su Pagoda

In 1934, the Tonkinese Buddhist Association used this pagoda as its headquarters. In 1942, the pagoda was rebuilt in its current architecture and interior decoration. In 1958, Viet Nam’s United Buddhist Association was founded, making the pagoda its head office.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

This pagoda may be one of the oldest in Viet Nam According to legend; it was built during the reign of King Ly Nam De (544-548). Originally, the pagoda was built adjacent 10 the bank of the Cái River (the Red River) and called Khai Quốc (Founding the Nation).

It was renamed by King Lê Thái Tông (J 434- 1442) An Quốc (Safeguarding the Nation). In the reign of King Lê Kính Tông (1600-1618), the river bank broke. The Tran Quoc Pagoda was moved to Cá Vàng Island in the middle of West Lake (i.e. its current location) where the Lý Kings had Thúy Hoa Palace built and the Trần Dynasty had Hàm Nguyên Palace constructed. King Le Hy Tong (1680-1705) renamed the pagoda Tran Quoc (Protecting the Nation).

Tran Quoc Pagoda

In about the 15th or 17th century, people built the Co Ngu dyke and a path connecting the dyke and Cá Vàng Island. The present pagoda still maintains its unique architecture so different from others. At the front is the great ceremonial hall; in the middle is the main sanctuary. At the rear are two corridors and the bell tower. Inside the pagoda there are various beautiful statues, the most noteworthy of which is the wooden gilded statue of Sakyamuni in Para Nirvana. There are also many stone steles.

The oldest of them was created in 1639 011 which Dr. Nguyen Xuan Chinh wrote the history of the major repairs to this pagoda in that very year. there is a luxuriant Bodhi tree in the pagoda’s compound, which is the present of the President of India, who paid a visit to the pagoda in 1959.