Long Bien Bridge - a Living Historical relic

Long Bien bridge may be seen as the symbol of courageous capital in wars.The bridge, hence, is not only a traffic construction, a nice architecture, but also a living historical relic.

“Hanoi” - the name means “surrounded by river” is the city of ponds, lakes, rivers and bridges. If Hoan Kiem Lake with special green water and the red bridge named The Huc is the symbol of an elegant and charming ancient city; Red river and Long Bien bridge may be seen as the symbol of courageous capital in wars.

Long Bien Bridge

History of Long Bien bridge

 The Long Bien Bridge was constructed from 1989 to 1902 during French’s occupation of the country. Though the bridge was designed by French, it was built directly by Vietnamese workers with indigenous construction materials like woods from Phu Tho, Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa province, cement from Hai Phong, Long Tho lime from Hue.

 The bridge was formerly named Paul Doumer by the French, but Vietnamese have called it Long Bien or Cai River Bridge for a long time, and Long Bien becomes the most popular name of the bridge. Originally, Long Bien had 19 spans and it was the first steel bridge across Red river in Hanoi, and one of four greatest bridges in the world at the time it was built.

Long Bien Bridge 's Construction

 Long Bien was considered the pride, symbol of architecture in the Far East. The bridge was a connection point to transport tons of rice from Northern and Northern Central area of Vietnam to Dien Bien Phu battle, and contributed to the win of Vietnam army against French, 1954.

 More than 100 years with decades of war, Long Bien Bridge was bombed many times by air attacks by American army in 1967, 1972; and many spans of the bridge were destroyed. The left spans still remaining today remind us of an unforgettable past. The bridge, hence, is not only a traffic construction, a nice architecture, but also a living historical relic.

Beautiful sights of Long Bien Bridge

Today, Long Bien is only one of the five bridges crossing the Red river of Hanoi. However, it may be the most special bridge with unique historic, architectural, and cultural value. It is the only bridge in Hanoi where all the riders have to go in the left hand side, where tourists can take a walk and taste mouthwatering desserts offered by vendors (see 5 street vendors you should not miss out in Hanoi), where Hanoians can buy fresh vegetable or fish for the dinner from the small afternoon market on the bridge.

Long Bien Bridge at the sunset

 Many people living and visiting Hanoi said that Long Bien Bridge is the best place to look at the sunrise or the sunset and taking nice photos of alluvial patch. Many brides and grooms choose Long Bien Bridge as nice background in their wedding albums. Many tourists come here to visit a historical construction and view nice scenery. Many youngsters, teenagers take nice photos to keep memories of youth on the bridge or in the middle of alluvial patch with full of green tree. Many vendors and housewives still come here every afternoon for an open air market.

And many trains pass the bridge each day.

 That way, Long Bien – the oldest bridge in Hanoi is still living and sharing the daily life with Hanoians silently. If you have a chance to visit Hanoi, do not forget to take a walk on Long Bien Bridge for sight seeing, feeling the daily life of Hanoians, and enjoying peaceful moments at the present but not forgetting memorable past.

How to get there

You can rent a motorbike and remember go on the left hand side of the bridge, or walk from the centre of Hanoi to here ( just more then 1km from the Old Quarter to Long Bien bridge).

If tourists in Vietnam Travel have chance to visit Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is a must-see place that should not be missed!

Love for Hanoi ancient streets

Hanoi is the capital and also the center of politics, culture and tourism of Vietnam. Hanoi has a rich and long history with so many cultural architectures and famous vestiges, which make it to be the greatest destination of tourism for foreign guests. Tourists will be impressed not only by the hidden beauty of this ancient city but also by the elegant and taciturn aspects of 36 old streets in Hanoi.

Some one says that Hanoi is so small, but no matter people can get tired of walking around 36 old streets, they can’t go through all of these old street, taste all delicious foods and profound spice of special things like people’s emotion. ..

Hanoi old streets – where some little silent algae are remained in small quantum that no sunlight can stand over, where the roads are crowed by people and vehicles that no footprints are left, Hanoi people are still proud of memorable old streets as the special taste remained and deposited of a fast-growing city.

Narrow and old streets

Hanoi ancient streets should be loved by everything deepened in our own minds; in our hearts that why when people are vibrated of it, they can’t easily go off because Hanoi is characterized by a very special aspect of Vietnamese which can’t be mixed or mistaken by any beauty of other places in the world.

It is the busy Hang Gai street, the gentle and quiet Hang Hom street, the colorful Hang Ma street and Hang Bac, Hang Buom streets which strongly foot in front of fast-growing lines of time that make up the beauty of ancient streets. It is the shaked yellow sunlight by the windows, the ancient aspects of old tiled roofs in Hang Bong, Hang Dao street, the condensed perfume of blackboard trees in nights, the charming beauty of girls in “ao dai” Vietnam that hang on the steps of tourists. 

You can ride a bike along ancient streets in early morning full of fogs and reward yourself  a bowl of Hue vermicelli and beef in Hang Dieu or in Hang Than street. Hanoi old streets are normally called “Hanoi 36 streets” which is the unique architectural complex combined withcharacterized cuisine culture. Cuisine culture of Hanoi Ancient Street is the various combinations between European-Asian traditional foods and between the luxurious style and commonly-street one…

People often say, when mentioning Hanoi should mention ancient streets because it is the rule that is also like when you love a girl, you should love her soul in advance. And, that ancient street is the soul of Hanoi.  People are still busy at work; ancient streets are still quiet as the paces of modern life can’t touch to the deepest alleys in it. People in the ancient streets can live in the narrow houses where 3 generations share daily common activities, the low living style and refined style made only by Hanoi people when some flowers bought from early mornings are along ladies and girls in markets and food stalls in street packages have become the simple beauty of Hanoi. Ancient streets are narrow but it can also hold enough spaces for many people, it is small but it can hold “special Hanoi style” which can’t be mixed. Old and small streets which may be large enough for one people to move through hidden ancient café stores that when people peck at the special cup of coffee they can comfort themselves by relaxing and finding images about Hanoi through films smeared by time. Hanoi people often say when travelling to Hanoi everyone should taste café in ancient streets which isn’t strong but the space there can make them much warmer.

The street of lovers

 Streets are also one of the beauties of Hanoi. Hanoi streets have large pavements with many big trees and flowers. When you walk on Phan Dinh Phung Street, you can fell the cool from the shade of big trees. Hoang Dieu Street is quiet. It is named "The Romantic Street" or "The Street of Lovers". Many couples like walking on it because of its beautiful scenes. The most beautiful one is Thanh Nien Street which is in the middle of two lakes Ho Tay and Ho Truc Bach. Like other streets in Hanoi, Thanh Nien Street has s lot of tall trees and a bunch of colorful flowers. Riding bicycle or motorbike on this street, you can smell the fragrance of blackboard trees and fly your soul to feel the atmosphere in a place considered as the most peaceful destination in the world. The extraordinariness of these ancient streets are "Tunnel Houses", those with narrow width and deep length. These houses sometimes open at the back into another street which is different from that of the front door. All houses are similarly designed the room serves as the place where goods can be manufactured and sold. After the front room is a small open courtyard built to let the light in. It is usually decorated with ornamental rocks, small pool with a variety of fishes, plants, and flowers. The backroom is used as living quarter with the dining room and bedrooms. Most houses have one floor, few have the second floor. This second floor is generally low and has small or no windows and you can have benches to take a rest or to enjoy the beauty of the lakes there.

Hanoi old street's cuisine is the combination of various cuisines. The sophisticate aspect in Hanoi cuisine is expressed in the way of processing, tasting and the truthful emotion of givers and receivers. Each food has it own spice, beauty and tradition in the way of tasting; it is not only common foods but also the art of cuisine. That’s why a writer said that Hanoi foods have agitated people-away-home and tourists who first come to Hanoi.

 

Could I love these thousand-year old streets much more a little? For winds to bring me flower perfume, to listen to unfinished songs, to recall memories of someone in the sensational emotion?

SPARKLING CAT BA BEACH

Coming to Cat Ba beach, you can hire a boat to travel around Lan Ha Bay, visiting beautiful beaches such as Cat Co beach, Ben Beo beach, Co Tien beach, etc or caves such as Trung Trang, Hoa Cuong, Thien Long, and then stop at any small isle to fish and enjoy fresh seafood. 

Cat Ba Beach is nominated as one of top 10 tourist attractions. Cat Ba is the largest island in total 1,969 islands in Ha Long Bay. Cat Ba is at the height of 70 meters over the sea level. On the island, there is Cat Ba town and 6 communes: Gia Luan, Hien Hao, Phu Long, Tran Chau, Viet Hai, Xuan Dam. Cat Ba has many beaches: Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2, Cat Dua, Cat Ong, Cat Trai Gai, Duong Danh, etc with smooth white sand stretching endlessly. The road  going through Cat Ba island is 27 kilometers in length with many slopes and wonderful scenery.  Coming to Cat Ba, tourists can swim, enjoy seafood and visit Cat Ba National Park. Cat Ba National Park has an area of 15,200 hectares with 9,000 hectares of forest, 5,400 hectares of sea. Besides, travelers can visit mysterious caves such as Trung Trang cave that is 15 kilometers from the town with a lot of natural stalactities. Cat Ba was recognized as the world biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2004. The total area of Cat Ba biosphere reserve is more than 26,000 hectares. It includes tropical rainforest on limestone island, mangroves, coral reefs, especially cave system. Cat Ba is a wonderful place for relaxation in the summer. If you have a chance to visit Cat Ba island, you should not miss interesting activities such as swimming, scuba diving to see coral reefs, walking on beach in the evening, and visiting Lan Ha bay.

Vinh Hung Ancient Tower- Ancient Architecture Vestige

Vinh Hung Tower was originated from Angkor period of Khmer people and until now is it still preserved. Visiting the tower, tourists in Vietnam travel will see the only ancient architecture vestige in the Mekong River Delta.

Vinh Hung tower is located in Vinh Hung A commune, Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province. The tower is the only ancient architecture vestige in the Mekong River Delta, originated from Angkor period of Khmer people, which is still preserved till nowadays.

Following the National highway No.1A from Bac Lieu towards Ca Mau, after driving 5 kilometers visitors in Vietnam tourism will reach Sap bridge; then turning towards the direction of Vinh Hung market, the visitors will reach Vinh Hung tower. 

Vinh Hung Ancient Tower

The tower was discovered in 1911 and at that time, it was listed as one of the historical sites in southern Vietnam. The tower is also known as Luc Hien or Bhah Dhat tower.

In the 20^th century, archeologists a stele carved with Sanskrit scripts, which clearly states the 814^thmonth or the 892th year (BC) in a pagoda next to the tower.

The 8,9 meter-high Vinh Hung tower is built on a hill with simple structure. In the tower, there are a Buddha’s hand made of copper; a lower body part of the Goddess; a statue of the Goddess made from green stone, statue of Goddess Brahma; a Buddha’s head made from copper and many worshipping items. 

Vinh Hung Ancient Tower

Monks in the tower pagoda chant twice a day at 4:00 am and 4:00 pm. Every year, local residents organize an anniversary on the 15th day of the first lunar month at the tower. A large number of Buddhists inside and outside Bac Lieu Province pilgrimage to the pagoda to pray for good things.

If you, tourists in Vietnam travel, want good things to come to you, don’t forget to go to the pagoda and pray for them.

BAN GIOC WATERFALL – THE LARGEST IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

In famous tourists attractions in Cao Bang, Ban Gioc waterfall tourist area is considered as the fourth largest waterfall in the world. It is also the largest natural waterfall in Southeast Asia.

Ban Gioc waterfall, the most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam, is one of invaluable gift of the nature for Cao Bang. It is located in the border of China and Vietnam in Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district that is 89 kilometers from Cao Bang city. On the way to go to Ban Gioc from the city center, you can contemplate imposing and charming beauty of rivers, streams and forests. Ban Gioc waterfall lies on Quay Son river rising from China and flowing through communes in Vietnam such as: Ngoc Khe, Phong Nam, Ngoc Con, Dinh PHong, Chi Vien and Dam Thuy. It is 53 meters in height and 300 meters in width. In the foot of the waterfall, Quay Son river is flat as a mirror, reflecting the clear and blue sky into water. Visitors can hire a bamboo raft to travel around the foot of the waterfall to contemplate its stunning beauty. Coming to Ban Gioc, tourists have a chance to see Tay people’s houses on stilts. In order to develop tourism in Ban Gioc, in 2012 December 8th, Saigontourist Company began construction of high-class Ban Gioc Resort with an area of 31 hectares. It will include a hotel with 60 rooms, 24 high-ranking villas, restaurants, entertainment and spa area and areas for camping and outdoor activities. The project is expected to complete in late 2013. The total expenditure is about 170 billions dong. In 2013 June 15th, Cao Bang province People’s Committee and Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam began construction of “Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc pagoda” in Dam Thuy commune. The pagoda is a significant construction to serve people’s need of spirituality and religion in Ban Gioc.

Admire the beauty of Stork Island in Hai Duong

The stork island that is located in Chi Lang Nam commune, Thanh Mien district and stays about 25km far from Hai Duong city, is an ideal place for nature lovers.

Explaining the name, local people said that the village has a small island located in the middle of broad lake with ten thousands of storks and herons residing and nesting. With an area of more than 3,000m2, the stork island is home to 15,000 storks and more than 5,000 herons of various kinds and such rare and precious birds as pelicans and teals residing together.

Signpost to Stork Island

According to the legend, this area was sunken and the island was formed in the 15th century after the dyke of the Red River collapsed because of a big flood. Then, "birds perch good land", each herd of storks, herons and water birds come here from everywhere. Gradually, it became the home of different varieties of storks, herons and birds.

Many storks on the tree

Every year, in September of the lunar calendar when the north-east wind blows, thousands of storks, herons and birds from other places fly to the island. They get together to nest, lay eggs and nurse their babies. The tourists are more excited to see young storks with immature legs on soft bamboo branches. They often stay there until April of the following year. Therefore, the island becomes a destination of tourists and an environmental education centre is there to help raise awareness of environmental protection.

Sunset on Stork Island

The tourists will witness an interesting "chorus" of families of storks and herons. The stork island is excited with sound like a natural chorus tearing a quite atmosphere of a Vietnamese village.

Tourists who come to the stork island in the season need only one day to visit the whole island. A small boat, arranged so as not to disturb living environment of the storks, will slowly take the tourists around the lake and see the life of storks.

Visitors on boat to explore stork island

The best time to visit Chi Lang Nam Stork Island is at sunrise or sunset. At that time, visitors will have a chance to behold a beautiful painting with white storks and herons flocking out of and into the lake. In addition, tourists will enjoy a spacious and greenish space with the peaceful landscape of a rural area. It is wonderful to mingle with nature and be away from our busy lives.

Explore the magic of rocky stream at the foot of Tam Dao

Visitors to Vinh Phuc often climb the top of Tam Dao Mountain but a few knows the majestic beauty of Tam Dao in other side.

Our group had stunning trip on foot. We followed the crystal-clear stream that flows over magic rocks of Dai Tu District, Thai Nguyen.

Nearly 100km far from Hanoi, from the town of Ba Hang ( Pho Yen Commune) on National Highway 3, we turned a small asphalt road  and went straight about 30 km along green mountain, we reached the foot of Go Mieu.

At the foot of Go Mieu

With just 100.000 VND, visitors can rent a boat for a 5-6 person group to explore the lake of Go Mieu.

Go Mieu lake is like a giant trough to contain water from dozens of stream, waterfalls from the top of Tam Dao. Every season, water of lake is always blue in color as picturesque scenery.

Sometimes, we saw the white clouds flying very low, it seemed to be across our boat. Small boat glided slowly on the surface of lake and took us into a canyon.

Between the blue of mountain, rocks with various shape and colors were looming our view. Being in the hot summer, everyone felt comfortable and cool when coming to the stream at the foot of Tam Dao. Going upstream, we seemed to be lost in a matrix of magic rocks.

Some rocks looks like heavy truck, other is like teddy bear…It is so interesting!

Giant rock

Crystal-clear water 

After then, we continued our journey at Noi Dong bridge. Here is a small and clear lake that is surrounded by yellow stones. Next to the lake is ancient si tree on giant rock. Next places we stopped were Coi beach, Da Coc. Explaining the name of those, the local people said that there are many sharp rocks around the area that are like piles.

After exploring magic rocks, people can bath in clear water to relax. If visitors want to stay for lunch or overnight, you can hire motel or stay at home’s resident near Go Mieu lake at cheap price. In particular, you will have a chance to enjoy grilled fish.

Visitors can go fishing here.

The most attractive here to visitors is go fishing at stream. After then, visitors can relax and enjoy the delicious dish of grilled fish.