Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral – Nha Tho Duc Ba Saigon
For 125 years, Saigon's Notre-Dame Basilica, officially known as the immaculate conception Cathedral Basilica, has survived as stunning and splendid in its sacred atmosphere. The cathedral was originally built as a spiritual and cultural representation of the French presence in the orient. It is a place for catholic congregations to perform services and celebrate ceremonies. As the biggest catholic masterpiece in Vietnam, the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, together with the Central Post Office, municipal theatre, and hospital of pediatricts 2, are today recognized as the distinctive icons of the Saigonese.
Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica - One of the first Catholic Cathedrals in Saigon
The church together with Catholicism first appeared in Vietnam in the 16th century. Not until the 19th century, however, did it flourish nationwide. Following the French conquest of Cochinchina and Saigon, the Roman Catholic Church established a community and religious services for French colonialists. The first church was built on today’s Ngo Duc Ke Street. On the site there had originally been a Vietnamese pagoda, abandoned during the war. Bishop Lefevre decided to make this pagoda site into a church.
The church together with Catholicism first appeared in Vietnam in the 16th century. Not until the 19th century, however, did it flourish nationwide. Following the French conquest of Cochinchina and Saigon, the Roman Catholic Church established a community and religious services for French colonialists. The first church was built on today’s Ngo Duc Ke Street. On the site there had originally been a Vietnamese pagoda, abandoned during the war. Bishop Lefevre decided to make this pagoda site into a church.
The first church was fairly small. Thus, in 1863, Admiral Bonard decided to build a larger wooden church on the bank of the Charner canal. Lefevre placed the first stone during the construction of the church on 28 March 1863. The construction was completed two years later and was called “Saigon Church”. At one point, when the wooden church was damaged by termites, all church services were held in the guest-chamber of the French Governor’s Palace
In August 1876, the Governor of Cochinchina, M. Duperre’, held a design contest for a new cathedral. Aside from creating a religious building for the Catholics, the cathedral was also meant to display the might of Christianity and the greatness of French civilization. The chosen design of architect J. Bourad defeated 17 others. It was a revised Roman style mixed with Gothic elements, and the design would make the church the most beautiful of all churches in French colonies at that time. After design competition, bids were accepted for construction. Again J. Bourad was the successful bidder and became supervisor of the construction. Originally, there were three proposed sites for construction: on the site of the former test school (today, this is at the corner of Le Duan Boulevard and Hai Ba Trung Street), at Kinh Lon (current Nguyen Hue Boulevard), and at the present site (on Paris Square in centre of District 1) where the cathedral is situated.
On 7th October 1877, Bishop Isidore Colombert laid the first stone in an inaugural ceremony. The construction of the cathedral took three years. On Easter Day, 2nd April 1880, a blessing ceremony and ceremony of completion were solemnly organized in the presence of the Governor of Cohinchina, Charles Le Myre de Vilers.
On 7th October 1877, Bishop Isidore Colombert laid the first stone in an inaugural ceremony. The construction of the cathedral took three years. On Easter Day, 2nd April 1880, a blessing ceremony and ceremony of completion were solemnly organized in the presence of the Governor of Cohinchina, Charles Le Myre de Vilers.
The total cost of 2,500,000 French francs (the price at that time) was covered by the Governor of Cochinchina. Therefore, at the beginning, the cathedral was called “State Cathedral” as a reflection of the source of the construction funds.
Changes over time
In 1895, two bell towers were added to the cathedral, each 57.6 m high with six bronze bells with a total weight of 28.85 metric tons. The crosses installed on the top of each tower were 3.5 m high, 2 m wide and weighed 600 kg. the total height of the cathedral to the top of the Cross is 60.5 m.
In the flower garden in front of the cathedral, there was a bronze statue of Pigneau de Behaine (also called Bishop of Adran) leading the Prince Canh, the son of Emperor Gia Long, by his right hand. The statue was made in France.
In 1895, two bell towers were added to the cathedral, each 57.6 m high with six bronze bells with a total weight of 28.85 metric tons. The crosses installed on the top of each tower were 3.5 m high, 2 m wide and weighed 600 kg. the total height of the cathedral to the top of the Cross is 60.5 m.
In the flower garden in front of the cathedral, there was a bronze statue of Pigneau de Behaine (also called Bishop of Adran) leading the Prince Canh, the son of Emperor Gia Long, by his right hand. The statue was made in France.
In 1945, the statue was, but the foundation remains. In 1959, Bishop Joseph Pham Van Thien, whose jurisdiction included the Saigon parish, attended the Holy Mother Congress held in the Vatican and ordered a Peaceful Notre Dame to be made of granite in Rome. When the statue arrived in Saigon on 16 February 1959, Bishop Pham Van Thien held a ceremony to install the statue on the empty base and presented it with the title of “Regina Pacis”. It was the same bishop who wrote the prayer “Notre-Dame – bless the peace in Vietnam”. The next day, Cardinal Aganianian came from Rome to chair the closing ceremony of the Holy Mother Congress and solemnly chaired the ceremony for the statue, thus the cathedral was from then-on called Notre-Dame Cathedral.
In 1960, the Vatican founded the Roman Catholic dioceses in Vietnam and assigned archbishops to Hanoi, Hue and Saigon. The cathedral was titled the Saigon Chief Cathedral. In 1962, the Vatican anointed the Saigon Chief Cathedral and conferred it with the additional name basilica. From this time on the cathedral was called Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. This honor is saved for cathedrals or holy lands that have age, historical influence, and spiritual significance for the Roman Catholic diocese.
Thien Hau Pagoda
Commonly known as Chua Ba or Lady’s Pagoda, this pagoda is dedicated to Thien Hau, Goddess of the Sea and Patroness of Sailors. Built in the early 19th century by the Cantonese congregation, this is one of the most popular and richly embellished pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City.
The front courtyard is surrounded by high walls, topped by intricate friezes and carved tableaus. The entrance ceiling is more complex, with woodwork and gilt reaching halfway down to the floor.
Moving inside, the atrium, with its exquisite friezes and reliefs, features giant censers billowing fragrant smoke. The spacious central room has a display case of what seem to be brass clubs with Chinese inscriptions. In fact, these are the nozzles of the fire hoses used to extinguish a fire that threatened the pagoda in 1898. The walls of this room are covered with prayer flags-red strips of paper on which devotees write their prayers. It is believed that as the breeze rustles the paper, the prayers waft to Thien Hau.
Banks of hanging incense coils grace the main sanctuary ceiling, while three statues of Thien Hau, each franked by two attendants, preside at the altar. Also hanging from the ceiling is a carved wooden boat that recalls Thien Hau’s connection to the sea. To the right is an image of Long Mau, Goddess of Mothers and Newborns.
Vietnam Mekong River Delta
Vietnam has two big deltas, the Red River delta in the North, and the one we talk about here is Mekong in the South, this Mekong delta region is formed by the various tributaries of the mighty Mekong River which begins its journey to the sea in Tibet and winds its way for 4500 km through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Southern Vietnam.
The Vietnamese name for the Mekong is Cuu Long which means "nine dragons" and this is represented by the nine exit points of the Mekong River as it flows into the sea. The land of the Mekong Delta is renowned for its richness. Known as Vietnam 's breadbasket, it produces enough rice to feed the entire country with a sizable surplus leftover. Take a sampan ride that meanders through small villages and experience the simple lives of the Mekong people.
Can Tho - Mekong Delta
Being the capital of the Mekong delta Vietnam , Can Tho is a thriving metropolis with huge streets, little action and loads of mosquitoes. Although Can Tho has its own market by the riverside, where you can get excellent ice-cream, the principal attraction would have to be the nearby floating markets. Being rather industrious, the centre of Can Tho is quite busy and noisy with motorized cyclos roaring up and down the streets combined with throngs of people going about their lives. The riverside can have its quiet moments, but Can Tho is also a burgeoning are a number of pagodas worth visiting, and for the trivia fans, Can Tho is the home to much of Vietnam ’s fish sauce.
Being the capital of the Mekong delta Vietnam , Can Tho is a thriving metropolis with huge streets, little action and loads of mosquitoes. Although Can Tho has its own market by the riverside, where you can get excellent ice-cream, the principal attraction would have to be the nearby floating markets. Being rather industrious, the centre of Can Tho is quite busy and noisy with motorized cyclos roaring up and down the streets combined with throngs of people going about their lives. The riverside can have its quiet moments, but Can Tho is also a burgeoning are a number of pagodas worth visiting, and for the trivia fans, Can Tho is the home to much of Vietnam ’s fish sauce.
Cai Rang floating market is situated about 8 km from Can Tho by road or a 20 km loop by boat. This market is quite nice and sells a variety of fruit and vegetables and operates from 5 am to 11 am, though the markets are better the earlier you can get there. A cyclo from Can Tho will take about 15 minutes to get to Cai Rang Market. Another market, Phung Hiep market, is 31 km from Can Tho. This is the snake market, selling a plethora of living, wriggling and often poisonous snakes. Pythons and Cobras are sold here by people from the countryside who have caught them by hand, whilst others have come to purchase snakes for restaurants, medicinal reasons or personal consumption. This market is open from 5 am to 5 pm. If traveling by boat, you can add a dimension to your day by stopping and visiting some of the fruit gardens, which sell pineapple, rambutan and papaya amongst many other fruits.
Chau Doc - Mekong Delta
One of the very beautiful place of the Mekong delta - Chau Doc, as close as you can get to Cambodia without being in it. The Bassac River flows through the town and is a border crossing for river borne traffic, and the small Sam Mountain has an excellent view of the flat plain on the other side. It’s an attractive, busy place with a good hotel and several interesting attractions.
One of the very beautiful place of the Mekong delta - Chau Doc, as close as you can get to Cambodia without being in it. The Bassac River flows through the town and is a border crossing for river borne traffic, and the small Sam Mountain has an excellent view of the flat plain on the other side. It’s an attractive, busy place with a good hotel and several interesting attractions.
It became part of Vietnam in the middle of the 18th century as a gift, a reward for helping the Cambodian monarch to put down an insurrection. Unsurprisingly, it has a high proportion of ethnic Kh’mer people among the population here, easily identifiable by their darker skins and a chequered scarf instead of Vietnam ’s ubiquitous conical hat. There’s also a fair number of ethic Cham and Chinese people, and enough Christians to fill a local cathedral, making up a rare pot-pourri of cultures and religions.
There’s a large market selling local products and commodities. As might be expected, there’s also plenty of smuggled goods changing hands in both directions. Deep in the market, the Quan Cong (a Chinese character) Temple is a rewarding visit. It’s a flamboyant Taoist structure with good murals and effigies dominated by a ruddy-faced Quan Cong. Further along the riverfront there are several traditional stilt houses.
A short boat trip across the Bassac takes you to several floating fish farms and villages. They’re modified house-boats - a trap-door in the floor provides access to nets under the boat where the fish are grown. A little further takes you to the other bank and a Cham community. Once you’ve tip-toed across the stepping stones to avoid the mud, you walk through the stilt house village to the mosque.
Although sharing the same linguistic and historical tradition, the Cham are divided into two quite distinct religious communities, the Hindu Chams and the Cham Bani, or Muslims. The latter live mainly in the Chau Doc region and are easily distinguished by the men's preferred headgear - a crimson fez with a long golden tassel, or white Muslim prayer cap.
Mountain Sam
The mountain is a tourism destination in its own right. Everest it isn’t, although the pancake-flat plains of the Mekong make it look higher than it is. It’s a ‘holy’ mountain, full of caves, shrines and temples. The most significant in religious terms is the Ba Chua Xu, dedicated to the ‘Lady of the Region’. Her festival is held in the spring. It attracts huge numbers of devotees and, of course, swarms of vendors hoping to make a killing.
The mountain is a tourism destination in its own right. Everest it isn’t, although the pancake-flat plains of the Mekong make it look higher than it is. It’s a ‘holy’ mountain, full of caves, shrines and temples. The most significant in religious terms is the Ba Chua Xu, dedicated to the ‘Lady of the Region’. Her festival is held in the spring. It attracts huge numbers of devotees and, of course, swarms of vendors hoping to make a killing.
Less important, but more interesting, is the Tay An Pagoda. It’s architecture is sometimes described as Hindu/Muslim, which is a bit fanciful. However, there’s a definite Chinese and Islamic influence, and the interior contains a small army of colorful effigies. Further along, the Cave Pagoda isn’t really worth the climb for ones with no interest in pagoda.
Your energy is best saved for the ascent of the mountain. This is a gentle stroll rather than mountaineering. The road winds gently past the new offshoot of the Victoria Hotel (the main building is down in the town) and culminates in a Vietnamese Army lookout post. Thoughtfully, there is a path on the left that allows you to look across at Cambodia and back to Chau Doc and the Mekong Delta – both as flat as a board.
My Tho - Mekong Delta
My Tho is a delightful town, situated about two hours by bus south west of Ho Chi Minh city. Sitting on the bank of The Mekong River, My Tho is divided into two parts by a tributary of the river. From here you can take a number of short boat trips to various islands and floating markets within the surrounding area. It is also a good place to catch the overnight long boats to a variety of locations including Chau Doc and Long Xuyen. A quiet evening in My Tho can be spent on your veranda watching the sun set and the fishing fleet unload after dark. During the day you can spend hours in a nearby café simply watching life go by, or on the river, cruising the day away. The My Tho experience is enhanced by the fact that the streets are generally extremely quiet. In My Tho, you will not have to worry about the challenges of bikes for there are not many. It is very relaxing.
My Tho is a delightful town, situated about two hours by bus south west of Ho Chi Minh city. Sitting on the bank of The Mekong River, My Tho is divided into two parts by a tributary of the river. From here you can take a number of short boat trips to various islands and floating markets within the surrounding area. It is also a good place to catch the overnight long boats to a variety of locations including Chau Doc and Long Xuyen. A quiet evening in My Tho can be spent on your veranda watching the sun set and the fishing fleet unload after dark. During the day you can spend hours in a nearby café simply watching life go by, or on the river, cruising the day away. The My Tho experience is enhanced by the fact that the streets are generally extremely quiet. In My Tho, you will not have to worry about the challenges of bikes for there are not many. It is very relaxing.
Along the 30 thang 4 street is an amazing demonstration of the bizarre Vietnamese taste for really tacky photos. Rather than have their photo taken with the background of the flowing Mekong River, photographers have erected all manner of cardboard backings with snow scenes, stuffed deer and to add that final touch of authenticity, their assistants are dressed as pandas. Just a bit further down the street from the strange photographic practices, there is a quiet little park where you can savour a baguette and watch the sun set.
Con Phung island
This island is also known as the Island of the Coconut Monk named after a monk, Ong Dao Dua, who meditated on the island for three years during which time he ate nothing but coconuts. An active supporter of the reunification of Vietnam, he strongly believed that reunification could be achieved by peaceful means. In the early 1960s, he founded a community in support of this ideal, and as a result was imprisoned by President Diem on a number occasions. At his time, the island became a sanctuary for those who were attempting to escape the ravages of war. Ong Dao Dua also headed his own sect, which was a bizarre mix of Christianity and Buddhism. The large cross that you may stumble upon in his sanctuary is not a swastika, but actually a sign of his victory over a communist community which he dissolved. You can reach Con Phung island by boat from My Tho in about 30 minutes.
This island is also known as the Island of the Coconut Monk named after a monk, Ong Dao Dua, who meditated on the island for three years during which time he ate nothing but coconuts. An active supporter of the reunification of Vietnam, he strongly believed that reunification could be achieved by peaceful means. In the early 1960s, he founded a community in support of this ideal, and as a result was imprisoned by President Diem on a number occasions. At his time, the island became a sanctuary for those who were attempting to escape the ravages of war. Ong Dao Dua also headed his own sect, which was a bizarre mix of Christianity and Buddhism. The large cross that you may stumble upon in his sanctuary is not a swastika, but actually a sign of his victory over a communist community which he dissolved. You can reach Con Phung island by boat from My Tho in about 30 minutes.
Snake farm
If you enjoy having enormous pythons wrapped around you, this is the place for you as snakes are bred at the Snake Farm for anti-venom and medicinal purposes. If snakes do not turn you on, then maybe the turtles will. The Snake Farm is home to two yellow turtles, the only two living of their species known to the human race. They live up to 1,000 years and as these two turtles are only 200 years old, they have another 800 years to look forward to. The Thai government offered $ 250,000 US for the turtles, but the Vietnamese authorities declined the 'generous' offer.
If you enjoy having enormous pythons wrapped around you, this is the place for you as snakes are bred at the Snake Farm for anti-venom and medicinal purposes. If snakes do not turn you on, then maybe the turtles will. The Snake Farm is home to two yellow turtles, the only two living of their species known to the human race. They live up to 1,000 years and as these two turtles are only 200 years old, they have another 800 years to look forward to. The Thai government offered $ 250,000 US for the turtles, but the Vietnamese authorities declined the 'generous' offer.
Ben Tre - Mekong Delta
Ben Tre is composed of seven districts with Chau Thanh being the main city, surrounded by many islands that are covered with coconut trees. Ben Tre is known throughout Vietnam for its masses of coconut palms, and during the war the coconut oil was used as a valuable substitute for kerosene. This area is relatively untouched by tourism and this is even more evident by the fact that NOBODY speaks English in Ben Tre. . Even the tourist office has trouble communicating in English. Communication problems aside, you will find the people of Ben Tre to be exceedingly friendly and the countryside is beautiful. There is also a daily fresh produce market that is extremely colorful and worth visiting. Due to the limited exposure to tourism, Ben Tre can leave you with a purely cultural experience.
Ben Tre is composed of seven districts with Chau Thanh being the main city, surrounded by many islands that are covered with coconut trees. Ben Tre is known throughout Vietnam for its masses of coconut palms, and during the war the coconut oil was used as a valuable substitute for kerosene. This area is relatively untouched by tourism and this is even more evident by the fact that NOBODY speaks English in Ben Tre. . Even the tourist office has trouble communicating in English. Communication problems aside, you will find the people of Ben Tre to be exceedingly friendly and the countryside is beautiful. There is also a daily fresh produce market that is extremely colorful and worth visiting. Due to the limited exposure to tourism, Ben Tre can leave you with a purely cultural experience.
Vinh Long - Mekong Delta
The town of Vinh Long is set on the edge of its principal attraction, the Mekong River. It is from here that you can set out to visit the many beautiful surrounding islands. Vinh Long is uncharacteristically large town as compared to other communities on the Mekong Delta. It has an abundance of tall buildings and Karaoke bars to tempt your vocal chords. At one stage in Vietnam's history, Vinh Long was at the center of a Christian stronghold. Although Christians no longer dominate in the area, there is still a cathedral that is worth visiting.
The town of Vinh Long is set on the edge of its principal attraction, the Mekong River. It is from here that you can set out to visit the many beautiful surrounding islands. Vinh Long is uncharacteristically large town as compared to other communities on the Mekong Delta. It has an abundance of tall buildings and Karaoke bars to tempt your vocal chords. At one stage in Vietnam's history, Vinh Long was at the center of a Christian stronghold. Although Christians no longer dominate in the area, there is still a cathedral that is worth visiting.
Most people that visit Vinh Long use it as a base to explore the islands which are home to people that grow local exotic produce. One of the more popular islands to visit has several rambutan and bonsai tree gardens with many different fruits and flowers.
Ben Thanh Market – Cho Ben Thanh
One of the most recognizable landmarks in the city, this prominent shopping center was built in 1914 by the French, who named it Les Halles Centrales or the Central Market Hall. The main structure that houses the market is made of reinforced concrete and occupies an enormous area. Its most famous feature is the massive clock tower that dominates the neighborhood.
Home to several hundred shopkeepers, the market offers an amazingly extensive and varied selection of merchandise, ranging from food and leather goods to household items and clothing, as well as hardware and livestock. The atmosphere here is one of high energy and tremendous bustle as products arrive from around the country and, throughout the day, merchants sing out their wares, customers haggle, and tourists wander in search of great deals.
On entering through the main portal on Le Loi Boulevard, general merchandise is on the left. To the right is closing and textiles. Moving farther in, to the right are dry goods, such as tea, coffee, and spices, as well as packaged foods. Halfway in, fresh foods are on the right and food stalls, where meals are available, to the left. The eateries here are famous for both quality and price. Since the signage is in English as well as Vietnamese, patrons can point to the posted menu to order.
Vietnam War Remnant Museum
Located in the former US Information Service building, this exhibition was once known as the War Crimes Museum. The films, pictures, and other items on display here document atrocities committed by American, Chinese, and French soldiers in grim detail. Events are told from a Vietnamese perspective and are both moving and thought-provoking.
Among the most disturbing exhibits are the formaldehyde-filled jars containing fetuses deformed as a result of the chemical defoliants used during the Vietnam War. Also displayed here are photographs showing the effects of torture, a video of a prisoner being thrown from a helicopter by Vietnam’s aggressor, along with many American weapons, military vehicles, and even a French guillotine.
Address: 28 Vo Van Tan street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +848 3930 2112
Open Time: 7:30 – 11:45am, 1:30 – 5:15pm daily
Tel: +848 3930 2112
Open Time: 7:30 – 11:45am, 1:30 – 5:15pm daily
Cu Chi Tunnels – Tay Ninh Province
Cu Chi tunnels are a symbol of Vietnam's continual fight against foreign incursions. The tunnel system covers close to 200 km including under what was once a US air base. The tunnels once spanned an area stretching from close to the Cambodian border to the city limits of Ho Chi Minh City. They are a symbol of Vietnamese ingenuity, loyalty, hard work and determination. They were originally constructed to fight against the French in the 1940s. Their purpose was to provide the peasant army with a means of communication between villages while remaining undetected.
In 1960 the Viet Cong repaired and added to the tunnels to fight against the South Vietnamese and American forces. The Commander of the American forces in the region was of the opinion that the Viet Cong who were responsible for digging these tunnels were "human moles". Although the tunnels were mainly designed with a fighting role in mind they also contained a wide array of chambers including field hospitals, meeting rooms and even private offices and sleeping quarters for senior officers. To repel attacks and infiltration, the tunnels contained many elaborate booby traps including concealed pits with bamboo spikes at the base, along with mines and crossbows which would be triggered by trip wires. When you visit the tunnels, your guide will point out some of these traps. You should look back once you are by them and try to decide how many of those you would have triggered or located by yourself! Some of the tunnels even went under water, with a primitive S-Bend effect where the tunnel would open just under the surface of a river. This allowed the Viet Cong to leave the tunnels virtually undetected.
Before entering the actual Cu Chi tunnels, you will see a screening of a film with some amazing footage about the tunnels . You will then be guided around the tunnels by an English speaking guide. You will only visit some of the tunnels which have been preserved in a state not dissimilar to how they were during the war including those areas used as a field hospital, meeting room and other official quarters.
Before entering the actual Cu Chi tunnels, you will see a screening of a film with some amazing footage about the tunnels . You will then be guided around the tunnels by an English speaking guide. You will only visit some of the tunnels which have been preserved in a state not dissimilar to how they were during the war including those areas used as a field hospital, meeting room and other official quarters.
It is also possible to fire an AK - 47 for $1 US per bullet. The firing range closes at 04:30 PM, while the tunnels close at 05:00 PM.
Reunification Palace
Reunification Palace – Former Presidential Palace: Set on well-maintained and spacious grounds, pf this historic building is a prominent symbol of the country's political history. During the 19th century, the Reunification Hall was the site of the Norodom Palace, former residence of the French governor general.
It was later occupied by South Vietnam's President Ngo Dinh Diem, and named the Presidential Palace. In 1962, much of the structure was destroyed when Diem's own air force bombed it in a failed assassination attempt. The building was rebuilt soon after, but Diem was killed before he could move in.
It was in this former palace's International Reception Room that succeeding President Van Thieu received potentates and presidents, until he boarded a chopper from the rooftop helipad and fled before North Vietnamese troops took over Saigon. In 1975, the South surrendered to the North, and the palace gates were knocked by a North Vietnamese army tank. The photograph of this event has become emblematic of the reunification of Vietnam.
Today, the interior remains largely unchanged, with high and wide corridors that open onto cavernous lobbies and reception rooms. The living quarters, built around a sunny atrium, are lavishly furnished with glittering chandeliers and elaborate antiques. Also not to be missed are the elephants' feet in the "presidential gifts display" and the large lacquer-work piece depicting scenes from the Le Dynasty.
In the basement is a bunker and military operations center, with radio transmitters and maps. Oddly, one of the floors also features a gaming room. Adjoining the Reunification Hall is a park with trees that offers a place to relax.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét