Hanoi

One-pillar pagoda - Hanoi

Chua Mot Cot, or the One-pillar Pagoda, was built in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong in the shape of a lotus, inspired by a dream of of the King in which the Goddess of Mercy appreared to him, sitting on a lotus. The pagoda now is a replica of the original one, which was destroyed by the French army as they were leaving Hanoi in 1954.

Flag Tower - Hanoi (continued 01)

Flag Tower - Hanoi

The construction of the flag tower of Hanoi started in 1805 and completed in 1812 as part of the construction of the Hanoi Citadel under the Nguyen Dynasty. Still standing tall today, it is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city.

Viet craftmen (continued 01)

Viet craftmen

Viet people (continued 05)

Viet people (continued 04)

Viet people (continued 03)

Temple of Literature (continued 02)

Temple of Literature (continued 01)

The Khue Van Pavilion, located in the temple concourse, contains 83 stone stelae which bear the names of successful candidates in national examinations held over a period of 300 years (1484-1787), whilst artefacts on display in various buildings illustrate the history of the temple.

Temple of Literature

Hanoi's largest and most important temple complex was founded in 1070 by the Ly dynasty in honour of Confucius. By the 15th century the temple had become an important centre for the training of the mandarin class and it remained the spiritual and intellectual centre of the kingdom until well into the 18th century. Despite the removal of the royal court to Hue in 1802, Confucian examinations continued at the temple until the early years of the 20th century, when they were stopped by the French in response to the emergence of the mandarins as an increasingly hostile force to colonialism.

Viet people (continued 02)