Hanoi and Nagoya Project: Hanoi festival

As you know, Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam. It has just celebrated its 1000^th anniversary. As far as I’m concerned, there are a few capitals that have a long history like this.

My article will begin with the brief history of Hanoi from the beginning till now. Nobody knows when Hanoi set up, however it has been always a prosperous land. After the “Đinh” Dynasty ended, “Lý Công Uẩn”, a head general of Đinh army, was voted to be the King named “Lý Thái Tổ”. Once when he took a trip to his hometown, he came across “Đại La” – Hanoi now. Therefore, in 1010, he decided to move the capital from “Hoa Lư” to “Đại La”. This was because “Hoa Lư” was mountainous while “Đại La” was a huge plain region that suitably extended. It is said that he saw a dragon flying into the air in his trip around “Bán Nguyệt” (half-moon) Lake – Sword Lake now, so immediately he named ‘Đại La” after “Thăng Long” (dragon flying). Later, the “Trần” Dynasty, the “Lê” Dynasty chose “Thăng Long” as their capital. Some dynasty chose different land the capital. It was until 1945 when Vietnam officially established that President “Hồ Chí Minh” chose Hanoi as the capital of Vietnam up to now. Hanoi has many different names through different periods of time such as “Đông Quan”, “Đông Kinh”, “Đông Đô”, “Tràng An”.

The 1000^th anniversary “Thăng Long – Hà Nội” were just celebrated from 1 to 10 October (10/10 is the Independent day of Hanoi from the French army) with so many interesting activities. All streets were beautifully decorated with colorful neon and symbols of Hanoi. Chinese lanterns were hung in some streets in the Old Quarter. Lotuses (artificial) were, too.

There are some photos following of Hanoi during this time