Your Hanoi Lifestyle Journal www.thetayhotimes.com
October 2016 Edition
There is a famous poem that states, “In the pond, nothing is more beautiful than the lotus, the flower of dawn”. For the Vietnamese, the lotus flower holds plenty of significance and meaning.
Iran and Australia to name a few. It has been deemed a sacred flower in the Middle East and Asia for thousands of years and is consistently seen in Buddhist and Hindu art and literature. The flower became a symbol of new growth and immortality. People noticed that they continued to grow from dried up pools.
The flower embodies purity, commitment and serenity. It grows on dirty, muddy waters and yet rises above the surface and blooms with elegance and beauty when dawn arrives. The flower closes and sinks under water at night thus being untouched by impurity.
The people of Vietnam have a strong relationship with water. From the past to the present, farmers and fisherman have made their livelihood from the rivers and streams that stretch across the country. The lotus’s need for water therefore coincides with that of the Vietnamese.
The Vietnamese apply this to themselves. They have faced hardship and troubled times but they strive to rise and grow both strong and beautiful. In addition, just like the lotus, they too should bring beauty and grace to turbid situations.
Late president Ho Chi Minh’s hometown ‘Sen Village’ which translates to ‘Lotus Village’ was known for having many lotus ponds. Images of Ho Chi Minh are often portrayed alongside children and lotus flowers.
The Lotus Symbol
An image you might be familiar with is the symbol on Vietnam Airlines- a golden lotus flower. Here, it represents perfection, simplicity and nobility.
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It’s not just in Vietnam where the lotus is favoured. It is native to India, Bangladesh, Japan, Malaysia, China,
Quang Ba Flower Market Au Co - Tay Ho Taking refuge from the stifling smoke and the deafening daytime noise Quang Ba flower market is regarded as Hanoi's answer to a night-time oasis. For decades the flower village of Quang Ba, located in the Nhat Tan area of Tay Ho, has been known for its flower gardens. Flower growers from Quang An, Nhat Tan and other communes came here to sell their flowers. Now, Quang Ba holds the largest flower market in Hanoi. Your alarms need to be set the evening before as the most popular time to go is said to be between
2:00am and sunrise. In the midst of the morning, fresh flowers arrive from many places such as Quang Ba, Nghi Tam, Sapa and Dalat. Flowers from overseas also arrive at Quang Ba. You'll notice beautiful irises and tulips from the Netherlands being sold here. In the earlier hours of the morning, most business is to commercial wholesale buyers while later, there are more sales to individuals- both Vietnamese and tourists gather at the market. Quang Ba is the perfect place for those looking to buy flowers for celebrations and offerings. An ideal time to experience the magic of Quang Ba would be the build-up
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towards Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) but be wary that the price of flowers increases around this time of year. Unlike many markets, the flowers at Quang Ba are sold separately by species but you can have bouquets made at certain stalls with an assortment of flowers. People simply enjoy wandering around Quang Ba to absorb the atmosphere and forget daily stress. The fresh, cool night air with the combination of colours is a calming experience for all. Join Walking Tours Hanoi Tour at 4am. This 2 hour tour takes you to Quang Ba and the wet market close to the Old Quarter. Bookings - walkingtourshanoi@gmail.com