Hoa Phong Tower

 

Hoa Phong Tower stands on the bank of Hoan Kiem Lake and it was there for over 200 years. It's the historical witness of the up and down of Hanoi. Hoa Phong Tower was the gate to a much more bigger pagoda, name Lien Tri ( or Pond of Lotus ). When French army came there, they pulled down all the pagoda, only the gate, now is called Hoa Phong, remained.

This picture I have got when walking around that famous lake. Enjoy :)

Ps: Happy Valentine's Day.

Calligraphy.

A calligraphy work in my friend's house

Vietnam has a joint border line with China- a big country with various cultural traits. Calligraphy is one of the remainings of Chinese when being swept out of Vietnam after 1000 years unable to defeat this small neighbours.

As usual, Vietnamese often come outside, look for the "ông đồ" ( or calligraphy mentor ) and ask for words. The mentor will say something neccessary about the words people want, and then write it, slowly and beautifully, on the red paper. The word you can see above is "Shine", and interestingly enough, it's my name- Minh :)

Here is another picture I captured when a mentor was writing his work. People gather around and wait for their turn to get a word. It's now take about 2$ for one word on the red paper.

Fireworks.

Lunar New Year Firework.

This image I had when seeing the fireworks performance in the sky of Hanoi, right under the Hoan Kiem Lake.It's not technically beautiful, but I think it's good enough to feel like what I saw. Happy new year!!!

Firework is the only chance for Hanoians to admire the scene of coloful and tasteful performance, when the handy firework was banned in Vietnam since 1994. Every Lunar New Year, at the time between old and new year, the color feast gets started. It lasts 15 mins or less. 

This year is the second time I go outside to enjoy the firework. In the past, I stayed at home watching TV or seeing from my house'balcony. This year is a big difference!!!

After the fireworks, people come back home, usually write their resolutions in a new book or notebook (in this cyber times, we can use Facebook or Twitter at hand). In the way back home, we buy 2 sugarcanes or pick a tiny bud, as lucky gift from New Year.