Thu Hong bamboo and rattan craft village

Many years ago, when talking about furniture, the residents in the old imperial capital of Thang Long (present-day Hanoi) had a saying “Wooden houses by the Khmer and bamboo houses by Hong Village’s artisans” to praise the traditional craft of making bamboo and rattan products that has existed for 300 years in Thu Hong Village in the commune of Xuan Thu, Soc Son District, Hanoi.

 

According to history books, the people in Thu Hong Village (present-day Thu Thuy), located near the Ca Lo River, have practiced the traditional craft of making bamboo furniture since the reign of King Le Canh Hung (1740-1786).

At that time, over 30% of the village’s households engaged in building houses and making tables, chairs, beds and other interior decorations from bamboo.

According to Nguyen Van Ky, the owner of a bamboo furniture workshop in the village whose family has, for many generations, been creators of the traditional crafts, the villagers often buy the bamboo materials in the provinces of Bac Can, Hai Duong and Cao Bang.

Sometimes, they even travel to villages to select each cluster of bamboo to ensure the quality of the materials.

The bamboo trunk is used to make the beds’ legs and chairs while bamboo twigs are used to make bamboo splints and fine art articles.

With secret techniques on chiseling handed down by their ancestors, the villagers have made different beautiful and durable products which are the favourites of customers from Germany, Russia and the US.

Over the years, the traditional craft has strongly developed in the village and many small workshops have now become large enterprises specializing in bamboo and rattan products for export.

One of them is Bong Mai Bamboo and Rattan Co. Ltd. Phan Van Mao, Director of the company, said that the company has provided the market with diverse categories of bamboo and rattan products, such as settees, tables and chairs, which are made in both modern and traditional style, meeting the requirements for quality, durability and colour.

Besides traditional products, the village is famous nationwide for bamboo paintings which bring the locals a considerable source of income.

With a desire to preserve and develop the traditional craft, the local authorities have created favourable conditions for the villagers to make high-quality products for export and encouraged the establishment of large-scale private enterprises to help the trademark of Thu Hong bamboo products affirm its position in the market.

A “Bat Giac” (eight sided) house is made from bamboo. Thu Hong Village’s artisans make unique houses from bamboo. Thu Hong Village’s artisans are well-known for making houses from bamboo. Making bamboo furniture. Many housholds invest hundreds of million dong in machines for producing. Bamboo paintings made by Thu Hong villagers.

Bamboo painting  with the theme “Hanoi Old Quater”  is sought much after by foreign tourists.

 

Thu Hong bamboo and rattan craft village

Le Mat Snake Festival

Over the years, Le Mat Village in Viet Hung Ward, Long Bien District, Hanoi has been famous nationwide for not only snake catching and breeding, but also its distinctive festival.

 

The festival is annually held on March 20-24 of the lunar calendar to worship the village’s tutelary god of the Hoang Family.

Legend has it that one day while the daughter of King Ly Thai Tong (1072-1127) was on a pleasant boat cruise with her maids on the Duong River, a big snake, which was considered a water monster, overturned the boat and caught the princess.

The crew could do nothing to protect the unfortunate princess. But a young man in the Hoang Family from Le Mat Village dove into the water, fought against the monster and, in the end, succeeded in killing it and saving the princess.

King Ly Thai Tong was deeply impressed by the young man’s feat and gave him a reward in gold and court titles. But the hero graciously rejected the reward and, instead, requested the King to allow him and a number of poor people to reclaim land in the areas west of the capital in Thang Long.

As the King gave his assent, the young man led the poor to reclaim their land and established 13 prosperous and famous agricultural settlements in the neighbourhood of Thang Long. When the man passed away, the locals honoured him as the village’s tutelary god and every year organize a festival to commemorate him.

Le Mat Village Festival consists of many unique rites and folk activities, such as the water offering ceremony, the snake killing dance – one of the ten ancient dances in the imperial capital of Thang Long and the rite of catching carp in the village well.

With many ancient cultural features, Le Mat Village Festival is one of the most unique festivals in the country, attracting a large number of tourists.

The rite of offering water to the village’s tutelary god. Catching carp in the village well is one of the most typical rites in Le Mat Village Festival. 13 young men, representatives from 13 former agricultural settlements, are selected to catch carp in the village well to offer to the village’s tutelary god. Carp are placed on a bronze tray to offer to the village’s tutelary god. The tray of offerings is carried by the Hoang Family elders in the village. Carp in the village well is a strange species which has a natural red stamp on its head. On March 23 of the lunar calendar, the villagers in 13 former settlements flock to Le Mat Village’s Communal House to offer incense to the village’s tutelary god. Hoang Van Dau, the village elder, has participated in the festival for 80 times. Enjoying traditional dances in the festival. Enjoying the performance of the young man killing the snake and saving the princess as in the legend. It is one of the ten ancient dances of the imperial capital of Thang Long.

After offering incense to the village’s tutelary god, the representative of each settlement asks for an incense burner to worship with the hope of receiving good luck in the New Year.

Le Mat Snake Festival

Top ten tourist attractions in Vietnam seen by Touropia

 Most travellers to Vietnam are attracted by the country’s wonderful natural beauty: From the green rice fields in the north to the fascinating bustle of the Mekong Delta in the south. Vietnam however is also a country with a long history and ancient traditions. It has many historic attractions and old temples.

 

The Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue is the tallest pagoda in Vietnam. — File photo

Following is an overview of the most amazing tourist attractions in Vietnam by touropia.com, a travel list website that features the most amazing sights around the world divided into various “best of” lists.

10. Nha Trang

Nha Trang is Vietnam’s most popular seaside resort town located along the second most beautiful bays in the country. It features beautiful beaches with fine and clean sand and clear ocean water with mild temperatures. The city has about 300,000 inhabitants and is more lively and urban in character than other beach destinations like Mui Ne and Phu Quoc. It’s also a major scuba diving centre of Vietnam.

9. Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located about 70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City centre. The tunnels, measuring 200km in total length, were used by liberation soldiers as hiding spots during the Vietnam War, and were the base of operations for the Tet Offensive in 1968. The tunnels have become a popular tourist attraction, and visitors are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the tunnel system.

8. Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is the region in southern Vietnam where the river approaches and empties into the sea. It is a very rich and lush area, covered with rice fields, that produces about half of the total of Vietnam’s agricultural output. Subsequently, life in the Mekong Delta revolves much around the river, and all the villages are often accessible by river rather than by road.

7. Mui Ne

The formerly little-inhabited beach south of the fishing village of Mui Ne has seen some serious development in the last 15 years. Due to strong sea breezes it is a popular destination in Vietnam for kite and windsurfing. No trip to Mui Ne is complete without a trip to the famous sand dunes located a short distance north of the town. The vast sandy expanse provide some great panoramic views especially during sunset.

6. Sa Pa Terraces

Sa Pa is a town in northwest Vietnam not far from the Chinese border. Rice terraces can be found in the Muong Hoa valley between Sa Pa Town and the Fansipan Mountain, on a backdrop of thick bamboo woodlands. Local mountain people, the Hmong, Giay, Dao, Tay, and Giay, grow rice on these paddy terraces, along with vegetables.

5. Phu Quoc Island

Located in front of the Cambodia coast, Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam. Phu Quoc is what Phuket would be if it hadn’t been overrun by development. The island features pristine tropical forests, undamaged coral reefs and great beaches. One of its beaches, named Bai Dai (Long Beach), was chosen by the ABC News as one of five beautiful and clean beaches. Phu Quoc is famous for producing the best nuoc mam or fermented fish sauce in the world.

4. Hoi An

This fishing-village-turned tourist attraction is situated on the coast of the East Sea. Hoi An has been an international port from the 16th century although the serious shipping business has long since moved to the city of Da Nang. The heart of the city is still the Old Town, full of winding lanes and Chinese-styled shops. It is sometimes called the “Venice of Vietnam” because of the narrow canals that cut through part of the town.

3. Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi)

Located in the historical heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as the locals’ favourite leisure spot. Hoan Kiem means “returned sword”, and the name comes from a legend in which King Le Loi was given a magical sword by the gods, which he used to drive out the invading Chinese. Later he returned the sword to the Golden Turtle God in the lake.

2. Thien Mu Pagoda (Hue)

With seven stories, the Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue is the tallest pagoda in Vietnam. The pagoda overlooks the Perfume River and is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the former imperial capital. The temple was built in 1601 during the rule of the Nguyen Lords. The initial temple was very simply constructed, but over time it was redeveloped and expanded with more intricate features.

1. Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is situated in north Vietnam round a 120km-long coast line and is literally translated as “Bay of Descending Dragons”. The top tourist attraction in Vietnam, Ha Long Bay features thousands of islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves, others islands include lakes and some support floating villages of fishermen.

Top ten tourist attractions in Vietnam seen by Touropia

Tet – a summary of the biggest traditional holiday in Vietnam

The traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) is the biggest and oldest festival in Vietnam, bringing its people together to celebrate the sacred and meaningful annual event.

Tet is an occasion when members of a family, no matter where they are and what they do to earn a living, get together and pray in front of the ancestral altar. Their return to home in celebration of Tet is regarded as a journey back to their birthplace.

For most Vietnamese, Tet actually begins with the “Ong Cong – Ong Tao” (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) ceremony on the 23rd of the last month of the lunar year, which fell on January 23 this year.

The Kitchen Gods are believed to comprise of two male and one female spirit, who bless the household and keep up the kitchen fire, making every member of the family happy and prosperous.

According to legend, the Land Genie and the Kitchen Gods will ride carps to Heaven on the 23 rd to deliver an annual report on the household’s activities to the God of Heaven.

As the gods make their journey on the back of fish, it is traditional to release live carps into lakes or rivers, which is considered a kind-hearted deed to pray for good luck.

On that day, people also burn joss paper clothing, including hats, robes and boots, intended for use by the genies on the trip.

After the Kitchen Gods go to Heaven, families begin tidying and decorating their houses to usher in the New Year as they believe that a clean house represents a fresh start.

A year-end praying ceremony will be held in the evening of the lunar December 30. Offerings to ancestors are indispensable, especially a tray of five fruits which symbolise hope for abundance and prosperity.

Before and after the holiday which will usually last for seven days, the Vietnamese have different customs, depending on each locality.

Northerners will offer their ancestors a bunch of bananas, a grapefruit, oranges or tangerines, persimmons and kumquats while southerners will give a coconut, a papaya, custard apples, green mangos and a piece of twig.

Folk paintings, calligraphy, peach blossom and kumquat trees are very popular in each family in the northern region while apricot blossom is prevalent in the south. They represent affluence, good luck and happiness.

It is also their custom to clear up all debts and conflicts to look towards a new year of full harmony.

On the Eve of the New Year, each family holds a ceremony to welcome deities, ancestors to their house – a meeting between humans and heavenly spirits.

In front of the altar with spiralling incense smoke and sparkling candles, they clasp hands and pray in deep respect.

According to their belief, the God will appoint new mandarins in charge of the earth during this moment. That’s why they must prepare a tray of offerings to see off old spirits and welcome new ones, in a hope for a year of peace and well-being.

Source: VNA

Tet – a summary of the biggest traditional holiday in Vietnam

Five-fruit tray sends Tet traditional flavours

A “Mam Ngu Qua” (five-fruit tray) on the ancestral altar during Tet holiday symbolizes the admiration and gratitude of the Vietnamese to their ancestors, also demonstrates their aspiration for prosperity.

 

 

For a long time, together with horizontal lacquered boards engraved with Chinese characters, parallel sentences written on crimson paper, ornamental kumquat and peach trees, and popular Hang Trong and Dong Ho pictures, the five‑fruit tray prepared for Tet has transcended its material value to become a spiritual symbol, an original national product in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese.

At present, while many of the ancient spiritual values have sunk into oblivion, the custom of arranging the five‑fruit tray on the altar during the lunar New Year days is being jealously preserved as a fine legacy of Vietnam’s traditional culture. The buying of votive offerings and the decoration of ancestral altars during the traditional New Year days are closely connected with the rituals of worship practiced by the Vietnamese towards their ancestors.

During these New Year days, in addition to such national dishes and products as “Fat pork, salted onions, parallel sentences written on red paper. Long bamboo poles planted upright, strings of fireworks, and square glutinous rice cakes”, it is indispensable for each Vietnamese family to display a five‑fruit tray on the ancestral altar for Tet.

One theory says that the five fruits are symbolic of the five basic elements of oriental philosophy – metal, wood, water, fire and soil. Other theories regard the tray as symbolic of the fruits of a family’s hard work throughout the past year, which are consecrated to heaven and earth and their ancestors as sign of respect and gratitude.

The custom of displaying the five‑fruit tray as votive offerings at the holy place of the house has been reflected in many popular legends and tales. It has originated from ancient popular beliefs observed from one generation to another in their worship towards their forefathers. To this day, the Vietnamese still observe a long‑standing custom of placing the first ripe fruits harvested from the home garden on the altar and burning incense sticks in memory of their ancestors.

The “Mam Ngu Qua” in Tet Festival represent the quintessence that Heaven and Earth bless humans. This is one of the general perceptions of life of the Vietnamese, which is “Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây” (“When taking fruit, you should think of the grower”)

Five-fruit tray sends Tet traditional flavours

Ca tru club preserves traditional music

An old man passionately plays a three-string lute, while another man beats castanets and a young woman sings classical songs.

 

 

Pulling strings: Old musician Nguyen Van Mui performs with members of his family’s Ca Tru Thai Ha Club.

Ca tru, also known as hat a dao, is an ancient type of music featuring female vocalists. It originated in northern Viet Nam and was, like many traditional music genres, a form of entertainment for the royal court.

Many of 83-year-old musician Nguyen Van Mui’s ancestors were singers and instrument players who served the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945). Since he was a young boy, Mui followed his father, Nguyen Van Xuan, a renowned player of dan day (a plucked lute with three strings, a trapezoidal wooden body and a very long wooden neck with ten raised frets) to participate in ca tru performances.

“I went to school during the day and followed my father to perform every evening at many different places, so the sounds of drums, castanets and the dan day, as well as the tunes of ca tru,ø became part of my life,” the musician said.

By the time he grew up, however, this genre no longer had a place in society. The family’s Thai Ha guild disbanded and the artists of their clan had to seek other ways to make a living.

Mui, however, wanted to preserve his family’s ancestral heritage.

So they held singing sessions in their houses and invited legendary singers and musicians such as People’s Artist Quach Thi Ho, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Phuc, singers Pho Thi Kim Duc, Nguyen Thi Pham, Tran Thi Ngo, Pho Dinh Ky, and Dinh Khac Ba. They also brought music researchers like Ngo Linh Ngoc, Nguyen Xuan Khoat and Chu Ha to review family memories, teaching their children to take responsibility for preserving the tradition.

Mui also sent his children to the famous artists, encouraging them to learn how to play instruments and sing ca tru. His two sons, Nguyen Van Khue and Nguyen Manh Tien, became musicians and his daughter, Nguyen Thuy Hoa, became a singer.

Passing it on: Mui aims to transfer ca tru skills to the younger generation.

In 1991, overseas Vietnamese musician Ton That Tiet from France came back to Viet Nam to bring ca tru artists overseas. Mui’s family had their first concert in France, followed by tours around France, Belgium, Netherlands, England, Japan, and Switzerland.

These tours and their love for the art convinced the family to found the Ca Tru Thai Ha Club, with members are descendants of the family.

With two performances per week on Hang Buom Street, as well as events on Hang Bo, Tran Hung Dao and Nghi Tam Streets, the club has helped bring back the traditional art form.

In 2000, the Ford Foundation and the Arts and Performance Department’s sponsorship helped the club train members of nearly 30 local clubs from the central province of Quang Binh northward to northern delta provinces such as Bac Ninh and Vinh Phuc.

Ca tru was recently recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.

“When Viet Nam prepared records to submit for UNESCO recognition, the researchers who made the profile such as Professor To Ngoc Thanh and researcher Dang Hoanh Loan came to us,” Mui said proudly. “My family provided them many songs that only exist in our clan. We also traveled with them to many places to study the art and make videos to submit to UNESCO.”

Despite his great contributions to preserving ca tru, however, Mui’s only recognition is the title of “Folk Artist” bestowed on him by the Folk Arts Association. He has not received any honour or financial support from the State.

Like Mui, thousands of other artists who have been quietly preserving the priceless cultural heritage of the nation do not receive the attention they’re due.

When asked if he wanted a title or honour, Mui said: “I preserve ca tru because I feel strongly about the priceless art forms of the nation, not titles or money. You see, artisans like me could barely make a living even if they wanted to.

“The State should offer more policies to support and assistance to veteran artists so they can be motivated and have more passion to teach the arts to younger generations. This should happen soon, as only a few old people of the ca tru genre are still alive, and they will not be able to wait much longer.”

Source: VNS

Ca tru club preserves traditional music

Hanoi’s Tet in the old time

Tet atmosphere of the 1990s was so simple, warm and fun through the lens of two foreign photographers Steve Raymer and Nevada Wier.

Peach blossoms of the New Year.

In Hanoi, everyone wanted to buy a peach branch for Tet.

Making pork-pie for Tet.

Visiting Buddhist temples in the New Year to wish a lucky and peaceful year.

All families buy ornamental trees for the New Year.

Guests are welcomed with tea and confectionery.

Fruit jams for Tet.

Many families made square glutinous rice cakes but they could also buysquare glutinous rice cakes.

Going out at Tet.

Hang Ma Street was crowded and bustling with traditional red color.

Going to a temple to wish for luck for the whole year.

New Year came on peach branches.

Hanoi’s Tet in the old time

Spring flowers on Hoang Hoa Tham Street

The traditional market for flowers and ornamental trees on Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Hanoi, is increasingly hectic and bustling several days before the lunar New Year.

 

Hoang Hoa Tham Street Flower Market is one of three well-known Tet flower markets in Hanoi. Compared to the Hang Luoc and Quang Ba flower markets, the Tet atmosphere here comes sooner. This flower market opens all year round but it is the busiest before Tet. Orchids are the most popular flowers here. The prices vary, from several tens to thousands of USD. Flowers and ornamental plants are displayed along the road, catching the eyes of passers-by. Red flowers are favored because Vietnamese people believe that red color is the color of luck. White apricot trees. Daisy is also favored because it lasts long. Mini flower pots. Kumquat. New flower varieties. Green ornamental trees. There are not only flower stores but also flower vendors at this market.

Spring flowers on Hoang Hoa Tham Street