Ngoc Island “blossoms”
According to history books, Ngoc Island - Ngu Xa, located in the West of Thang Long Citadel, was famous for bronze casting, one of the four elite crafts of the capital. The island is on Truc Bach Lake. On the island, there are Than Quang pagoda and Ngu Xa communal house, two historical and cultural relics. It is close to many famous landmarks such as Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Quan Thanh temple, Tran Quoc pagoda, Hanoi flag tower, One Pillar pagoda, and Hanoi Old Quarter. Ngu Xa is also famous for its street food with its own unique character of Hanoi. Culinary services have become a brand, a highlight of this area now.
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The elderly come to “Truc Bach night” to remember their vibrant youth. |
Chairman of Ba Dinh district’s People's Committee Ta Nam Chien said that the local authorities consulted with local households on the project to organize a night food street combined with a pedestrian street in Ngoc Island - Ngu Xa area and 97.6% of the people consulted agreed. Ngoc Island - Ngu Xa truly “blossomed” when the Hanoi Department of Tourism and Ba Dinh district’s People's Committee jointly organized a series of “Truc Bach night” 2024 activities on Truc Bach pedestrian street to promote night tourism and tap local tourism potential.
Reappearing an old Hanoi
“Truc Bach night” program took visitors to a space imbued with the old, memories-recalling Hanoi through “Hanoi Street Museum,” artistic performances, exhibition, and introduction to food.
“This is a special occasion for generations in the family to be more connected and for young people today to learn more about and love the past of their grandparents and parents, and appreciate what they have in the present,” said Thinh. She added that the night with sparkling lights, bringing the breath of history through every corner of the street, was a unique model that helped visitors discover a very different Hanoi - a charming, poetic and profound Hanoi.
Renting a house on Truc Bach street for many months now since he loves the atmosphere and scenery here, as well as delicious pho rolls and beer, Wesley Green, a visitor from the U.S, said that he was lucky to get the chance to experience a “Truc Bach night” different from usual. That made him love this place even more. The event helped him understand more about the country of Vietnam. He commented that the older generations in Vietnam were very resilient. “They can adapt to any situation, love life, and are full of faith. Perhaps that is why Vietnam is a truly beautiful and safe country,” Wesley Green said.
Freshly-graduated from the Marketing Department of the National Economics University, Tran Khanh Linh found out that the marketing way of the event was worth learning. The space featuring the subsidy period was recaptured beautifully and subtly with reminders of the past difficulties during the nation’s renewal process. Through activities here, she understood more about her grandparents' generation, the value of the present to appreciate the past, and the family bond.
Emphasizing the significance of the “Truc Bach night,” Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Dang Huong Giang said it helped affirm the city's efforts and role in focusing on developing the night-time economy through tourism products to tap the city’s potential in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.
Chairman of Ba Dinh district’s People's Committee Ta Nam Chien confirmed that the Ngoc Island - Ngu Xa night food street coupled with pedestrian street will be a new culinary cultural space in the district; a place to promote products of the One Commune One Product program, tourism gifts of Hanoi and Ba Dinh district; and a place to introduce and honor the traditional bronze casting profession.
Translated by Mai Huong