My OperaHANOI – THE CITY OF A THOUSAND YEARS
Wednesday, October 6, 2010 8:59:47 AM
~for the Occasion of Hanoi’s 1000th Anniversary~
By Hoang Thu Huong – CIMAS HR/Admin Department
Hanoi – a Thousand-Year City at a Glance
Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, will solemnly celebrate its 1000th Anniversary this autumn 2010. The millennial history of Hanoi can be traced back to year 1010 when King Ly Thai To, the founder of Lý Dynasty, moved the capital of the country Dai Viet (Great Viet, one of the official names of Vietnam at that time) from Hoa Lư to the Đại La citadel. Consequently, the King Ly Thai To changed the name Đại La to Thăng Long (today referred to as Hanoi) since he claimed that he saw a dragon ascending the Red River. Thăng Long literally means “ascending dragon” which denotes the will and desire of Vietnamese for peace and prosperity. Over dynasties under assorted names, this place remains the capital of Việt Nam (Vietnam) thanks to its geographic convenience for transportation and economic activities.
In 1831, the name Hanoi was first given to the capital by King Minh Mạng of Nguyen dynasty to replace its preceding name Thăng Long afterwards. Hanoi may be translated as “between rivers” or “rivers interior” since this city is surrounded by citadel system and three main rivers: Red River, To Lich River and Kim Ngưu River.
Through ten centuries, Hanoi has evolved and expanded vastly to become a metropolitan city. Hanoi is also the second-largest city of Vietnam with population nearly 6.5 million in 2009. To meet its 1000-year anniversary celebration, the authorities have been speeding up quite a number of mega projects, including Hanoi Museum, The Peace Park, Thanh Giong Monument, Porcelain and Ceramic road along Red River, Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower (upon completion by 2010, it will be the highest skyscraper in Vietnam and the 17th in the world), and more others. Many new urban zones with beautiful European architectures has made the city with a brand-new look. Urbanization, on one hand is an exposure to civilization, but on the other hand, inevitably causes impacts on the society. Despite all inconvenience and chaos under construction, Hanoi residents understand that this is a vital stage toward a modern city.
Hanoi – a City Known for Elegance, Peace, and Cultural Legacy
Hanoians are always proud of their elegance and courtesy. Such traditional characters are deemed as one of Hanoi’s cultural values, shown in their art of cuisine and literature, living style, social behaviors, and daily activities. With a rich vocabulary and through cross-cultural nurture, Hanoians know how to use proper words in certain circumstances, which makes them polite and outstanding as well. In social relations, Hanoians always offer their hospitality with sincerity, warm but not offensive, ardent but not undisciplined.
Hanoi nowadays is crowed with cars of famous brands on streets. Numerous amenity buildings make life in Hanoi more comfortable. However, there still remain tiled houses somewhere in the old quarter, the antique architecture of Long Bien Bridge over Red River, ancient pagodas and temples inside the city and many relics, which were preserved as tourist sites.
Trees and flowers are also considered the distinctive characteristics of Hanoi. People say that flowers are one of the necessaries of Hanoian’s life. Colorful flowers carry the beauty of nature to every corner of the city. In Hanoi, flowers are not only sold in luxurious stores but also on mobile shops. Just take a look at busy streets, you can easily find out bicycles loaded with flowers. Some writing states that the owners of bicycles loaded with flowers are “the ones who convey seasons into city” – carrying beauty, love and peace into every home. It seems that they are in a hurry to decorate the city almost everywhere from houses, offices to shops. Flowers help Hanoians start their days with fragrance, glory and hope.
Festivities of Hanoi’s Millennial Anniversary
To commemorate the Millennial Anniversary of this capital city, festive events have been organized and launched in 2010. The major festivities of Millennial Anniversary will be held officially for 10 days from October 1 to October 10, 2010 with more than 30 significant cultural activities and festivals. Among them, the most featured ones are the Opening Ceremony on October 1, as well as the meeting and military parade in the morning of October 10, and the cultural and art gala in the evening of October 10. Besides, the recognition of Thăng Long Imperial Citadel as world heritage, the ao dai (a Vietnamese national costume for women) fashion show, culinary festival, and more others will also be the highlights during such period. These activities are all well-prepared to solemnly show Vietnamese affection and gratitude to their ancestors, and to display traditional historical and cultural values of Vietnam.
Additionally, Hanoi is expecting to meet with many distinguished guests across the world, including the UNESCO (The United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) representatives, Mayors of the cities twinned with Hanoi, Mayors of the capital cities of ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and the ones of China, Mayors of capitals aged 1,000 years up, as well as the chief representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations in Vietnam. Moreover, foreign countries also joined us with multi-cultural & art activities, and rendered precious gifts to convey their congratulations on this significant occasion.
It is envisaged that Hanoi will be entering into a new era, more booming and thriving following its Millennium Anniversary. This capital city will also be renowned as a world-class masterpiece on which historical, cultural and aesthetic essence converged, not only to be a source of inspiration for artists, but also a potential destination of foreign investors. Whenever and wherever I go, Hanoi in my soul is always full of profound beauty inherited from its long history, diversified culture and passionate people. A few lyrics of a Vietnamese song by Hoang Hiep, to some extent, can depict the feelings of those who love Hanoi
"Wherever I go,
Hanoi is always in heart;
my beloved Hanoi,
a time in war,
a time in peace...”
A non-Hanoian who first comes to Hanoi may find this city noisy and disorder. However, if foreigners spend some time exploring and experiencing Hanoi, they will enjoy this city and look forward to visiting her someday in the future.
By Hoang Thu Huong – CIMAS HR/Admin Department
Hanoi – a Thousand-Year City at a Glance
Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, will solemnly celebrate its 1000th Anniversary this autumn 2010. The millennial history of Hanoi can be traced back to year 1010 when King Ly Thai To, the founder of Lý Dynasty, moved the capital of the country Dai Viet (Great Viet, one of the official names of Vietnam at that time) from Hoa Lư to the Đại La citadel. Consequently, the King Ly Thai To changed the name Đại La to Thăng Long (today referred to as Hanoi) since he claimed that he saw a dragon ascending the Red River. Thăng Long literally means “ascending dragon” which denotes the will and desire of Vietnamese for peace and prosperity. Over dynasties under assorted names, this place remains the capital of Việt Nam (Vietnam) thanks to its geographic convenience for transportation and economic activities.
In 1831, the name Hanoi was first given to the capital by King Minh Mạng of Nguyen dynasty to replace its preceding name Thăng Long afterwards. Hanoi may be translated as “between rivers” or “rivers interior” since this city is surrounded by citadel system and three main rivers: Red River, To Lich River and Kim Ngưu River.
Through ten centuries, Hanoi has evolved and expanded vastly to become a metropolitan city. Hanoi is also the second-largest city of Vietnam with population nearly 6.5 million in 2009. To meet its 1000-year anniversary celebration, the authorities have been speeding up quite a number of mega projects, including Hanoi Museum, The Peace Park, Thanh Giong Monument, Porcelain and Ceramic road along Red River, Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower (upon completion by 2010, it will be the highest skyscraper in Vietnam and the 17th in the world), and more others. Many new urban zones with beautiful European architectures has made the city with a brand-new look. Urbanization, on one hand is an exposure to civilization, but on the other hand, inevitably causes impacts on the society. Despite all inconvenience and chaos under construction, Hanoi residents understand that this is a vital stage toward a modern city.
Hanoi – a City Known for Elegance, Peace, and Cultural Legacy
Hanoians are always proud of their elegance and courtesy. Such traditional characters are deemed as one of Hanoi’s cultural values, shown in their art of cuisine and literature, living style, social behaviors, and daily activities. With a rich vocabulary and through cross-cultural nurture, Hanoians know how to use proper words in certain circumstances, which makes them polite and outstanding as well. In social relations, Hanoians always offer their hospitality with sincerity, warm but not offensive, ardent but not undisciplined.
Hanoi nowadays is crowed with cars of famous brands on streets. Numerous amenity buildings make life in Hanoi more comfortable. However, there still remain tiled houses somewhere in the old quarter, the antique architecture of Long Bien Bridge over Red River, ancient pagodas and temples inside the city and many relics, which were preserved as tourist sites.
Trees and flowers are also considered the distinctive characteristics of Hanoi. People say that flowers are one of the necessaries of Hanoian’s life. Colorful flowers carry the beauty of nature to every corner of the city. In Hanoi, flowers are not only sold in luxurious stores but also on mobile shops. Just take a look at busy streets, you can easily find out bicycles loaded with flowers. Some writing states that the owners of bicycles loaded with flowers are “the ones who convey seasons into city” – carrying beauty, love and peace into every home. It seems that they are in a hurry to decorate the city almost everywhere from houses, offices to shops. Flowers help Hanoians start their days with fragrance, glory and hope.
Festivities of Hanoi’s Millennial Anniversary
To commemorate the Millennial Anniversary of this capital city, festive events have been organized and launched in 2010. The major festivities of Millennial Anniversary will be held officially for 10 days from October 1 to October 10, 2010 with more than 30 significant cultural activities and festivals. Among them, the most featured ones are the Opening Ceremony on October 1, as well as the meeting and military parade in the morning of October 10, and the cultural and art gala in the evening of October 10. Besides, the recognition of Thăng Long Imperial Citadel as world heritage, the ao dai (a Vietnamese national costume for women) fashion show, culinary festival, and more others will also be the highlights during such period. These activities are all well-prepared to solemnly show Vietnamese affection and gratitude to their ancestors, and to display traditional historical and cultural values of Vietnam.
Additionally, Hanoi is expecting to meet with many distinguished guests across the world, including the UNESCO (The United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) representatives, Mayors of the cities twinned with Hanoi, Mayors of the capital cities of ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and the ones of China, Mayors of capitals aged 1,000 years up, as well as the chief representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations in Vietnam. Moreover, foreign countries also joined us with multi-cultural & art activities, and rendered precious gifts to convey their congratulations on this significant occasion.
It is envisaged that Hanoi will be entering into a new era, more booming and thriving following its Millennium Anniversary. This capital city will also be renowned as a world-class masterpiece on which historical, cultural and aesthetic essence converged, not only to be a source of inspiration for artists, but also a potential destination of foreign investors. Whenever and wherever I go, Hanoi in my soul is always full of profound beauty inherited from its long history, diversified culture and passionate people. A few lyrics of a Vietnamese song by Hoang Hiep, to some extent, can depict the feelings of those who love Hanoi
"Wherever I go,
Hanoi is always in heart;
my beloved Hanoi,
a time in war,
a time in peace...”
A non-Hanoian who first comes to Hanoi may find this city noisy and disorder. However, if foreigners spend some time exploring and experiencing Hanoi, they will enjoy this city and look forward to visiting her someday in the future.
