Discover Hung Yen: Temples, Festivals and Cuisine

Hưng Yên offers various ways to explore its history: temples and pagodas, stone records of earlier scholarship, recurring festivals and memories of Phố Hiến as a former trading port. Cuisine is also part of the discovery. You can shape your trip around the subjects that interest you most—from architecture and religious traditions to festival days and regional specialties.

Temples, a lake and the history of Phố Hiến

Đền Mẫu is on Bãi Sậy Street in the Quang Trung urban district. Bán Nguyệt Lake lies in front of the temple, with the Red River dike in the distance. The temple grounds are also home to a remarkable tree: Đa, Sanh and Si have grown together and are estimated to be more than 700 years old. According to tradition, the three trees form a three-legged structure that spans the temple. Nature, a religious site and the surrounding landscape come together here in a single visit.

Phố Hiến was once a famous trading port. Merchants from more than ten countries, including the Netherlands, Japan, Spain, Portugal and China, traded there, bringing together different architectural and cultural influences. The specially protected Phố Hiến national heritage area includes 16 significant monuments. A visit to the buildings offers a chance to reflect on this history without reducing Phố Hiến to its former role as a port.

Steles, pagodas and living traditions

At Văn Miếu Xích Đằng, nine stone steles preserve the memory of successful candidates from the former province of Sơn Nam: eight steles were erected in 1888 and another in 1943. Together, they record 161 candidates. During a spring visit and religious tour, you can ask older calligraphers to create calligraphy and experience Ca trù, a traditional form of singing.

The pagodas also display a range of architectural influences. Chùa Chuông is known for its historic architecture and collection of distinctive old statues. At Chùa Phố on Trưng Trắc Street, the Thiêu hương hall stands out in particular: its architecture is strongly influenced by Catholic churches, and its roof is vaulted. The history of Đền Mây spans from the Đinh period to the early Lê period; it was restored during the Nguyễn period. The temple is dedicated to Phạm Bạch Hổ, a distinguished military commander and Vietnamese national hero. Đền Kim Đằng is dedicated to General Đinh Điền and his wife Phan Thị Môi Nương, while Đền Trần is dedicated to Hưng Đạo Đại Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn.

A more than 300-year-old longan tree stands on the grounds of Chùa Hiến. Its variety has thick flesh and especially fragrant fruit, which was once offered to the emperor. The tree thus connects a distinctive feature of the landscape with a culinary memory.

Festivals and regional cuisine

In the third lunar month, two annual festivals offer different opportunities to get to know Hưng Yên. The festival at Đền Mẫu takes place from the 10th to the 13th day of the month and includes, among other events, a water procession from the Red River. The Phố Hiến folk culture festival begins on the sixth day. Its program includes tug-of-war, dragon and kite flying, and the game Đi cầu Kiều. Traditional ceremonies are also reenacted on site. If you plan to time your trip around one of the festivals, keep the different dates in the lunar calendar in mind.

At the folk culture festival, visitors can sample Hưng Yên specialties such as Bún thang and lotus tea with longan, and watch them being prepared. Other culinary experiences in Phố Hiến include longans, eel Bún thang, lotus tea, and simple dishes made with river fish, river prawns or field crabs. What is available may vary by season and provider.

When looking for a holiday apartment, you could start by considering whether your trip will focus mainly on festival days, cultural sites or regional food. A planned festival visit depends on the lunar calendar; the historic buildings and culinary discoveries offer other themes to consider when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Thôn Đào Viên.

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