Setting foot on Thanh Nam land, visitors will be lost in the peaceful old town of Nam Dinh with many features of the South Red River region with rustic architecture, as simple as the people here.
In addition to the rich cuisine, owning a unique church architecture known as “European sky in Vietnam”, the land of Thanh Nam leaves an unforgettable impression in the hearts of tourists about the old town of South Vietnam. Dinh is rustic, simple in a nostalgic space in front of many changes of a pompous and vibrant city.
Old town on Thanh Nam land
About Nam Dinh Old Quarter
And if Hanoi owns 36 streets, the land of Thanh Nam also has more than 40 old streets. Although not yet classified as a historical relic, this is also an interesting destination for tourists from all over the world to return here to visit and learn about the history and culture of ancient Vietnam in addition to national monuments such as: : Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoi An Ancient Town, Pho Hien, Dong Van.
Nam Dinh Ancient Citadel or Nam Dinh Old Town are both different names when talking about Nam Dinh Old Town. Moreover, the old town is a collection of small streets adjacent to the ancient citadel. It stretches along the banks of the ancient Vi Hoang River (Dao River, also known as Nam Dinh River). The two sides of the south and east wall of Nam Dinh citadel during the Nguyen Dynasty were associated with nearly 800 years of development of the Southern Citadel and the Ho, Le, Tran, Mac, Tay Son, and Nguyen dynasties, during the French colonial period.
And certainly for those who join the trip and like to discover the old historical value, besides learning about the ancient architectural art, they will understand more about the old town of the South. This has become the center of culture and religion of Vietnam since the 13th century. In 1262, the Tran Dynasty built Thien Truong Palace and set the first milestone for Nam Dinh city later. This rich land has been changed with many other names such as: Vi Hoang, Thien Truong, Son Nam, Thanh Nam and until now named Nam Dinh.
Old Town of Thanh Nam Ancient Town
Discover the beauty of Nam Dinh old quarter, past and present
The names of the old quarters in Nam Dinh will mostly be named after the items sold here. This is the similar naming of other old quarters. Before the August Revolution in 1945, Nam Dinh had 35/38 Hang streets, 4 Ben streets, and 4 Cua streets. The old quarter consisted of more than 40 streets, of which 35 began with the word “Hang” such as: Hang Dong, Hang Sat, Hang Giay, Hang Candy, Han Ruo….
Discover the beauty of Nam Dinh old quarter, past and present
Today’s old streets in Nam Dinh mostly no longer retain the old name inherent in the old quarter of Hanoi, no longer selling traditional goods as before. But today, Thanh Nam old town is still subtly with ancient architecture and still remains the busiest trading center in Nam Dinh city. Although born after the old quarter of Hanoi during the Ly – Tran dynasties, when it comes to Nam Dinh old town , people also think that this neighborhood is as beautiful and bustling as the capital. Thanh Nam Old Town is the intersection between classical Vietnamese architecture, Chinese architecture and French architecture.
Ancient architecture with pure Vietnamese style
If you have ever been to Thanh Nam ancient town, you will surely imagine a corner of the sky covered with rice flowers – a tree symbolizing the bravery and steadfast will of the people of the heroic city burning in the hot weather. May ban along Van Mieu Street, the intersection of Cua Dong and Vi Xuyen Lake. The current Do Quan bridge replaces the old Do Quan wharf connecting the two banks of the Dao River, opening the prosperous development of a spacious and large city on both sides of the river.
Ancient architecture with pure Vietnamese style
Streets that keep their old names such as: Hang Tien, Hang Thao, Hang Dong, Hang Level… still have the shadow of old houses with pure Vietnamese style with old tile roofs covered with moss, or wooden doors have faded with the passage of time. The ancient architecture is still harmoniously interwoven with today’s modern architecture. Although there are few ancient Vietnamese-style houses, it is still an extremely valuable foundation of ancient architecture. And that is also a valuable source of material in the process of studying the history and culture of ancient Vietnam that many people want to learn. And the remaining old streets are also an inspiration for those who love to explore and find this place.
French style architecture
Prominent ancient architecture in Nam Dinh Old Quarter, Hang Dong Quarter must be mentioned – the street has been renovated, but still retains the typical French architecture features with curved domes interwoven with unique patterns. unmistakable look. Experiencing the traces of time, houses with ancient French architecture have faded, between the bright yellow paint is the appearance of mossy molds covering the old walls, or The mortars keep falling to form an old mark of the nostalgic old town, simple but no less bustling.
The houses still retain the old French architecture
Streets cuisine
Nam Dinh always attracts tourists by colorful street food with extremely affordable prices. And arriving in the old quarter too, street delicacies are available at the stalls with super soft prices such as Hai Ba Trung street, Bac Ninh, Ngong Ngang market, Dien Hong….with dishes like : sticky rice, beef noodle soup, Banh cuon from Kenh village, bun cha, banh xiu pao… all have added to the brilliance, bustle and serenity of the old town here.
Beef noodle soup
Entering the new century, many streets have been stretched longer to merge, renamed, retaining only a few old names such as: Hang Level, Hang Thao, Hang Dong… However, the general appearance of Thanh Nam old town. not changed too much compared to the past when the houses with tiled roofs painted with yellow paint are still retained. Or there are still families who continue to trade in traditional goods such as sewing flags, making corrugated iron, selling Siu Chau confectionery…
And if you have the opportunity to return to the beloved land of Nam Dinh, remember to visit Nam Dinh Old Quarter to be immersed in pure Vietnamese architecture, or old French-style houses covered with moss.
Source: Collected internet.