This is our last day in Vietnam. I can't believe how quickly time has passed. We left on the 8th and now its already the 24th. We fly out tomorrow. But we still have some sight seeing to do! We did a half day tour of the Red River Delta.
The Thầy Pagoda is an important one in the Red River Delta. stands for 'Master' and so it is also known as the Master Pagoda. It is a Buddhist temple. It was established in the 11th century by a Buddhist Monk by the name of Từ Đạo Hạnh. It is amongst the oldest Pagodas in Vietnam.
The road to the Pagoda was picturesque once we left the city limits. There were rows and rows of paddy fields. The farmers were busy tilling the earth preparing the plant the first crop during this Tet (New Year) festival in Vietnam.
Paddy Fields on the way to the Thầy Pagoda
The Pagoda is about 19 miles from Hanoi. It is situated on the bank of an artificial lake that the monk had gotten built. The monk was versatile. He was an inventor, having invented the art of water puppetry which is uniquely Vietnamese. In fact we witnessed a water puppetry show yesterday in Hanoi. He had a structure built in the middle of the lake and presented the very first water puppetry show in Vietnam, way back in the 11th century.
The Structure in the Middle of the Lake for Water Puppetry show
Another view of the Lake
The Pagoda is divided into 3 parts. The first part is a community hall where the community prays. The second section is dedicated to Buddha of whom there are several statues of Buddha and 'Protectors'. The third part contains statues of the monk.
Finally we visited the village So. This is a village where villagers live in the traditional manner of rural Vietnam. We first visited the home a 82-year lady who is currently one of the few women in Vietnam who have 'blackened' teeth. Blackening of teeth was considered a sign of beauty for women up until the French arrived in Vietnam. The saying was that only dogs had white teeth--beautiful women were supposed to have black teeth. After the advent of the French this tradition died away. Everyone now of course has white teeth. It is only women 80 and older who continue the tradition of black teeth. Take a look at the pictures from the village below.
Typical Home in So Villa
Lady with the 'black' teeth
The Thầy Pagoda is an important one in the Red River Delta. stands for 'Master' and so it is also known as the Master Pagoda. It is a Buddhist temple. It was established in the 11th century by a Buddhist Monk by the name of Từ Đạo Hạnh. It is amongst the oldest Pagodas in Vietnam.
The road to the Pagoda was picturesque once we left the city limits. There were rows and rows of paddy fields. The farmers were busy tilling the earth preparing the plant the first crop during this Tet (New Year) festival in Vietnam.
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Pagoda is about 19 miles from Hanoi. It is situated on the bank of an artificial lake that the monk had gotten built. The monk was versatile. He was an inventor, having invented the art of water puppetry which is uniquely Vietnamese. In fact we witnessed a water puppetry show yesterday in Hanoi. He had a structure built in the middle of the lake and presented the very first water puppetry show in Vietnam, way back in the 11th century.
The Structure in the Middle of the Lake for Water Puppetry show
Another view of the Lake
The Pagoda is divided into 3 parts. The first part is a community hall where the community prays. The second section is dedicated to Buddha of whom there are several statues of Buddha and 'Protectors'. The third part contains statues of the monk.
 |
 |
The Community Hall
Statues of Buddha in the central section.
(Note the image of Buddha with a beard and mustache--this is supposedly the Indian Monk who spread Buddhism to Vietnam)
Statue of the Monk himself in the last section
Finally we visited the village So. This is a village where villagers live in the traditional manner of rural Vietnam. We first visited the home a 82-year lady who is currently one of the few women in Vietnam who have 'blackened' teeth. Blackening of teeth was considered a sign of beauty for women up until the French arrived in Vietnam. The saying was that only dogs had white teeth--beautiful women were supposed to have black teeth. After the advent of the French this tradition died away. Everyone now of course has white teeth. It is only women 80 and older who continue the tradition of black teeth. Take a look at the pictures from the village below.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Lady with the 'black' teeth
No comments:
Post a Comment