Hanoi’s relic sites reopen to visitors

On the first day of reopening (February 15), pandemic prevention work was ensured. At the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature Complex) relic site, staff members were arranged to guide visitors how to use QR codes and disinfectant sprayers, and ensure an appropriate distance. Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam is one of the most popular relic sites and tourist destinations in Hanoi and the country at large. Built in the 11th century during the Ly Dynasty (1010 – 1225), it is also among the most important Confucian symbols in the country. The complex consists of Van Mieu, a temple dedicated to Confucius, as Confucianism used to be a popular religion in Vietnam in feudal times, and Quoc Tu Giam, the first national university in the country. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The capital city’s relic sites shut down from May 3, 2021 to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. With the reopening, visitors are encouraged to have received at least two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine or test negative for the disease within 72 hours using RT-PCR method, before going to the sites. The municipal Department of Culture and Sports has asked localities to strengthen preventive measures at relic sites and their reopening has to strictly follow the health guidance of relevant agencies and the city. All historical and cultural sites are also asked to build plans and prepare equipment for COVID-19 prevention and control. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Students and their parents standing outside the Van Mieu–Quoc Tu Giam site and praying for good exam results ahead of the 2021 high school graduation examination, when the relic site was closed. Quoc Tu Giam, the first national university in the country, taught disciples about the Confucian way of life and revered Chu Van An, one of Vietnam’s most respected scholars. Between 1076 and 1779, Quoc Tu Giam educated thousands of talented men to serve their country to the best of their abilities. Before examinations, students in Hanoi often come to the Temple of Literature to pray for good results. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The relic site attracted a lot of visitors on February 15. Many students said that they feel delighted to be able to visit the Temple of Literature and seek calligraphic words from elderly scholars. The tradition of collecting letters has become part of Vietnamese culture whenever Lunar New Year arrives. The calligraphic works, which can be romanised Vietnamese, Han Chinese or Nom (Vietnamese ideographic) scripts written by elderly scholars, express the Vietnamese people’s respect for knowledge. A word is a spiritual present from the calligrapher, often a Confucian scholar, and conveys New Year wishes to the recipient. The most preferred words symbolise blessing, happiness, longevity, peace, virtue, and prosperity. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

After the relic site reopens to visitors, the tradition of asking for calligraphic words is also resumed, but with only one booth. The calligrapher writes words behind an anti-splash screen and adheres to the rule of wearing a mask when "giving words". In addition to using traditional brushes, red paper and Chinese ink, calligraphy is now done on other materials such as wood, stone, bamboo and silk. The Confucian scholars include not only old men in traditional long dresses and headgear but also young people and women. Each word embodies the soul, knowledge, and personality of the calligrapher. According to calligrapher Cung Khac Luoc, seeking calligraphic words from elderly scholars is an act of showing people’s desire for a peaceful, lucky and prosperous year. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

These university students have just returned from their hometown to the capital city, choosing the Temple of Literature for both sightseeing and praying for luck. They expressed their interest in experiencing the automatic narration system by scanning QR codes on their mobile phones. According to experts, Industry 4.0 technologies can be used to create an AI-based virtual tour assistant system and new exciting 360 virtual reality tours, 3D tours and 3D user interaction, among others, giving visitors a new experience of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam. Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam is one of the most popular relic sites and tourist destinations in Hanoi and the country at large, attracting millions of visitors every year. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Pandemic prevention and control work is ensured at the relic site. Dissemination posters and stickers are arranged in many places on the site. Visitors are encouraged to have received at least two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine, or tested negative for the disease within 72 hours of arrival using the RT-PCR method, before going to relic sites. The municipal Department of Culture and Sports has asked localities to strengthen preventive measures at relic sites and their reopening has to strictly follow the health guidance of relevant agencies and the city. All historical and cultural sites are also asked to build plans and prepare equipment for COVID-19 prevention and control. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

People pray at the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam relic site. Built in the 11th century during the Ly Dynasty (1010–1225), Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam is among the most important Confucian symbols in the country. The complex consists of Van Mieu, a temple dedicated to Confucius, as Confucianism used to be popular in Vietnam in feudal times, and Quoc Tu Giam, the first national university in the country. It taught disciples about the Confucian way of life and revered Chu Van An, one of Vietnam’s most respected scholars. Between 1076 and 1779, Quoc Tu Giam educated thousands of talented men to serve their country to the best of their abilities. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

On February 15, the Hoa Lo Prison relic site welcomed around 60 visitors, mainly pupils and students. Hoa Lo Prison was constructed between 1886 and 1901 and was originally named Maison Centrale. It was considered one of the three most savage prisons in Vietnam, along with Con Dao and Son La prisons. Hoa Lo was designed to hold around 500 prisoners; however, by the 1930s, the number of prisoners had soared to approximately 2,000. Most of them were political prisoners. Between 1964 and 1973, the prison was used to house hundreds of American pilots aboard aircraft which were shot down during bombing raids against North Vietnam. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

From early on, the relic site has stretched ropes to separate visitors, ensuring distance while they waited for ticket checks, and staff reminded them to scan QR codes. Hoa Lo Prison, which has also gone by the monikers 'Hell on Earth'; 'The School for Patriots' and the 'Hanoi Hilton', is located at No. 1 Hoa Lo street in the centre of Hanoi. The prison gained notoriety as a French prison for political prisoners. There is a memorial monument dedicated to the Vietnamese patriots and revolutionary fighters who were interned at the prison. This is also a 'Red Address' to educate Vietnamese people from all walks of life, especially the younger generations, on the patriotic and revolutionary traditions of those who sacrificed for the sake of the nation’s independence and freedom. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Visitors strictly obey pandemic prevention and control regulations. Many patriots and revolutionary leaders of Vietnam were imprisoned in Hoa Lo, such as Phan Boi Chau, Luong Van Can, Ho Tung Mau, Nguyen Luong Bang, and five General Secretaries of the Party including Nguyen Van Cu, Truong Chinh, Le Duan, Nguyen Van Linh and Do Muoi. From August 5, 1964, to March 31, 1973, part of the prison was used to detain American pilots aboard aircraft which were shot down during bombing raids against North Vietnam. In this period, the prison was euphemistically called the “Hanoi Hilton” by the prisoners in detention. “Alumni” of Hoa Lo include Douglas Peter Peterson, who later became the first US Ambassador to Vietnam, and John McCain, a late US senator. In 1993, the Government retained a part of Hoa Lo Prison to transform it into a historical relic. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Ngoc Son Temple on the morning of February 15. Visitors to the relic site are asked to wear face masks, wash their hands with sanitiser, and have their body temperature checked before entering. The temple is one of Hanoi’s must-see destinations. Built in the 19th century, the building was originally called Ngoc Son Pagoda, but was later renamed Ngoc Son Temple. This temple is dedicated to Van Xuong De Quan, considered to be one of the brightest stars in Vietnam's literary and intellectual circles. National hero Tran Hung Dao, who was renowned for his bravery in the battle against the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century, is worshipped here as well. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Disinfectant spraying and QR code scanning are guaranteed both outside and inside Ngoc Son Temple. Visitors to the relic site are encouraged to have received at least two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine or test negative for the disease within 72 hours of arriving through RT-PCR testing, before going to the site. The Department of Culture and Sports of the capital city has asked localities to strengthen preventive measures at relic sites and their reopening must strictly follow the health guidance of relevant agencies and the city. All historical and cultural sites are asked to build plans and prepare equipment for COVID-19 prevention and control. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Knowing that many people take off their face masks when taking photos on The Huc Bridge, the Ngoc Son Temple Management Board has assigned staff to remind them continuously. The Huc is a small bridge on Hoan Kiem Lake, which connects the bank with a small islet where Ngoc Son Temple is located. It is painted red, a colour symbolising longevity, happiness and prosperity. It has become a symbol on Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of the capital city of Hanoi. Many people like taking photos here. However, to ensure safety, they are asked to wear face masks all the time. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

On the bridge, there are instructions to regulate the flow of visitors so that they can pay attention to moving in the right direction and the right lane to reduce crowds when stopping to take pictures. Visitors are encouraged to have received at least two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine or test negative for the disease within 72 hours using the RT-PCR testing method, before going to relic sites. The Department of Culture and Sports of the capital city has asked localities to strengthen preventive measures at relic sites and their reopening has to strictly follow the health guidance of relevant agencies and the city. (Photo: VietnamPlus)