Posted by admin on July 26, 2011 under Halong Attractions | 
Núi Bài Thơ or Bài Thơ (means Poem) mountain is 610ft (186m) high. It runs along the coast of Hạ Long Bay, half on land and half in the sea. In the old day, sailing in the bay, one or two hundred meters from the mountain, one can see a poem carved on a flat stone cliff, but now the view is blocked with houses.
In 1468, during his inspection tour to the eastern region, King Lê Thánh Tông stopped here. Inspired by the stunning beauty of Hạ Long, the King wrote a poem and had it carved into the southern side of the mountain, hence its name Bài Thơ (Poem). In 1729, Lord Trịnh Cường composed a poem in response to that of King Lê Thánh Tông and also had it carved near the former. The mountain features other poems by Nguyễn Cẩn and some other poets.
Atop Bài Thơ Mountain, you feel surprised at the magnificent landscape of Hạ Long Bay. In the background of immense emerald waters, of rock bobbing, of high sky, of surrounding flowers and trees, you can figure out the tiny images of boats. Bài Thơ makes up one of the beauty spots of Hạ Long.
Tran Quoc Nghien Temple
The temple is situated in an elevation at the foot of Bai Tho Mount, in the area of Bến Đoan – Hòn Gai, Hạ Long City, Quảng Ninh Province, looking to the sea.
The temple is dedicated to Trần Quốc Nghiễn, one of Trần Hưng Đạo’s sons and a brave, talented general in the resistance against the Yuan-Mongol invaders.
Trần Quốc Nghiễn was also famous for his filial piety, and Bài Thơ Mount together set up a temple dedicated to him.
The temple has a three-compartment Ceremonial Hall, and a Back Sanctuary. The Holy Mother Temple lies to the right of the main temple. Inside the main temple, the middle altar is dedicated to Trần Quốc Nghiễn. The other two altars on the right and left sides are dedicated to the First Lady and Second Lady respectively. The Temple has a set of eight ornamental weapons, and various worshipping objects. It has undergone many restorations.
The captivating Temple is also famous for its sacredness. It has become a tourist destination in Hạ Long City.
Long Tien Pagoda
The pagoda is situated at the foot of Bài Thơ Mount in the Long Tiên Street, near Hạ Long Market, in Quảng Ninh Province.
Built in 1941, Long Tiên is the biggest pagoda and a well-known historical place in Hạ Long City.
The pagoda has original and unique architectural style of the Nguyễn Dynasty. Atop the three-gate entrance stands a statue of Buddha in a sitting position. Below is a bell tower, featuring three words Long Tiên Tự (Long Tiên Pagoda), flanked by two parallel panels. The main altar is dedicated to Buddha. The altar on the right worships generals of the Trần Dynasty, while the altar on the left is dedicated to the Holy Mother of Three Palaces.
It is very convenient for tourists to come there as the pagoda lies in the heart of Hạ Long City. In the past, the festival of Long Tiên Pagoda opened on the 24th day of the third lunar month. At present, every day is a festival. Tourists and Buddhist followers from near and far visit the pagoda for sightseeing, or presenting their offerings to Buddha. The pagoda gets extremely crowed on the 1st and the 15th day of each month and during Tet traditional holiday./.
(Source: QNP)
Posted by admin on July 20, 2011 under News |
Thanks to its unique value, Ha Long Bay may be recognized as the World’s Geological Park, said specialists in the annual conference on heritages sites, biosphere reserves and global geological parks in Việt Nam on July 19.
According to experts, Ha Long Bay has outstanding global geological value. The total area of Ha Long Bay is 1,553 sq. km with 1969 islands of various sizes, of which 989 have been named. Most of the islands on Ha Long Bay are limestone and were formed over 500 million years ago, and are massed in the southeast and southwest. The schist islands scattered in the southeast have an average height of between 50-200m, and have a rich covering of flora.
The evolution of the karst in this bay has taken 20 million years under the impact of the tropical wet climate. The process of nearly full erosion and weathering of the karst created the unique Hạ Long Bay in the world.
In addition, historical research surveys have shown the presence of prehistoric human beings in this area tens of thousands years ago.
According to the Head of Ha Long Bay Management Board Ngô Văn Hùng, the system of interesting and magic caves, lakes and bays is one of the important features that help Ha Long Bay to become a global geological park.
Within the islands of the Bay there are hundreds of beautiful caves of different shapes and sizes, including many famous names such as Thiên Cung, Đầu Gỗ, Sửng Sốt, Tam Cung and Bồ Nâu, etc. Some of them are archaeological sites retaining tangible archaeological evidence, such as Đầu Gỗ, Bồ Nâu, Sửng Sốt, Soi Nhụ, Tiên Long, Mê Cung and Trinh Nữ caves.
Thus, Quang Ninh is planning to build a geological park in Ha Long Bay which is expected to be admitted to the UNESCO Global Geo-parks Network (GGN) in the near future, said Mr. Hùng./.
(Source: QNP)
Posted by admin on July 18, 2011 under Halong Festivals |
Place: Yen Tu historical site and beauty spot, Uong Bi Town, Quang Ninh Province.
Time: From the 10th day of the first lunar month until the end of the third lunar month.
Objects of worship: Sakyamuni Buddha.
Participators: People from all walks of life.
Characteristics: Pilgrimage in respect of Buddha, going sightseeing.
Yên Tử Festival commences annually on the 10th day of the first lunar month and lasts three months. Tens of thousands of pilgrims begin their journey after a solemn ritual held at the base of Yên Tử Mountain. After the three-hour trekking along winding path, going through forests of pines or bamboos, tourists reach the Bronze Pagoda atop the mountain. Upon getting up there all visitors feel like entering Nirvana.
The complex of historical sites and beauty spots in Yên Tử features various pagodas, shrines or stupas now appearing now disappearing under the thick foliage of the primary show their belief, or doing away with all sorrow and sadness. Others go to Yên Tử to do sightseeing and to enjoy the pure atmosphere of a mountain region. Foreign visitors come to Yên Tử to witness a famous beauty spot, a mysterious tourist attraction.
Anyone who makes all the way to the Bronze Pagoda feels the magnificence of Yên Tử and forests. Atop Yên Tử Mountain, one feels like standing by the Heave Gate shrouded in white cloud. On clear days one can have a partial view of the northeastern region.
During the festival the people near and far flock to Yên Tử. Some pilgrims go to Yên Tử to know the reasons why our ancestors chose to lead a religious life in Yên Tử./.
(Source: Quangninh.gov.vn)
Posted by admin on July 9, 2011 under Halong Festivals, News |
The 14th Trà Cổ Festival was organized from June 30 to July 6 (or from the 30th day of the fifth lunar month until the sixth day of the sixth lunar month) in Móng Cái city.
The procession of the King to the sea
Trà Cổ Communal House was built nearly 600 years ago to commemorate the tutelar genies of the village. The festival held every year also aims at memorizing the merit of the tutelary genies of the village and prays good lucks to villagers.
This year’s festival included a wide range of traditional and attractive activities. The festivities began with the procession of the King to the sea accompanied by an armed troop, an orchestra, a strong and young man chosen by the village people holding the flag and carrying palanquin.
After the ritual procession, there were agricultural contests, such as a pig-breeding competition. The animals receive intensive care many months before from their masters in hopes of getting the first prize.
A cooking contest was held from June 3-5. After the contest, the best cooks acquired fame throughout the village.
The festivities ended on June 6 with a flower dance. In this rituals, the people prayed to the genies to allow them to catch more fish, to have good lucks to their trading activities and to have prosperous lives./.
(Source: QNP)
