Life & English: “Hanoi - two thousands years”

Hanoi, October…

October 2010,Vietnam country and Hanoicity celebrated one thousand years of Thanglong-Hanoi. Year continued years. Spring passed, summer passed, then autumn came…and October just came.

One thousand yeas were long time enough for travelers admiring visit to history. However Hanoi history had many more.Hanoiwas a favourable terrain and a united people in long, long, time beforeHanoibecame Thanglong capital of DaiViet country. That was two thousands years ago…

FromHanoicenter, along Red River dike, it was called “ceramic road” from Hanoi thousand years festival, we moved towards west about five miles then saw historical vestige of Hanoi two thousands years: Chem village.      

Chem was ancient Viet village. Its legends had relation withRed riverand Tuliem area. Scholars of language and nation researched about name of the old village. They supposed that Chem was pronounced B-lem or T-rem or T-lem by ancient language. That pronouncing was changed and became Tuliem. It meant that original name of current Tuliem district was from ancient name of Chem village.

Long time ago, Chem was prosperous village with alluvium, fish and aquatic products, gifts from Red river. People of Chem village did a special famous work, they made tasty Gio (galantine of lean meat paste). Their tasty product Gio became famous. An ancient Viet party could not be without four foods “Gio - Nem - Ninh - Moc”. Gio was usually first food in the menu. Other villages also made Gio. However Gio made in Chem was special tasty. Only gourmets with enough money pocket could feel about special tasty of Gio made in Chem . Then Gio Chem went into folk-song:      

“Deluxe party need Nem Ve, Gio Chem

Pounded and wraped, he and she  made charm” 

Country renewed, economic was developing. Many new house, new villas were built in Chem village. Gio made in Chem was reduced but old stone mortars were staying somewhere under trees, beside courtyard or at the end of a garden. Old stone mortars were worn flat but enduring and solid. They were prideful vestige of not far time. It was the pride of Chem village which not many villages got that.

Also, Chem village was famous by hero Ly Ong Trong and his temple. More two thousands years, he helped King Hung to fight against enemy at west and south borders. When King Hung transferred throne to Thuc Phan, he and other generals helped King Thuc Phan to defen country from attacks of enemies. Ly Ong Trong was famous general in history. In historical book of Chem temple, the first his temple was built from more two thousands and two hundreds years. Chem temple was special architecture with the dike stood behind andRed riverflowed in front of gate. It was rebuilt many times. A special event of rebuilding was “raised Chem temple” in 1916. They used levers and bricks to remove the temple step by step to higher position 2.4 metres. It was great initiative of craftsmen in early 20 century.

On opposite side, inside the dike, many new houses were built. These houses, new or old, always kept a ground, a garden, a place for green trees. Hurry could be kept somewhere outside these houses. More two thousand years, the village kept ancient charm, special charm of Chem, Hanoi.

Author: Hien Minh

Editor: Ted Engelmann