VietNam Travel

Friday, January 7, 2011

Museum at the home of a hero

A tourist takes pictures of the statue of King Nguyen Hue at the museum’s main gate. The building in the background has exhibits about the Tay Son Movement and Emperor Quang Trung. There are also two other buildings with displays about Nguyen Hue’s family, martial arts and music.

About 45 kilometers north-west of Quy Nhon City of Binh Dinh Province there is a museum full of information and exhibits about Emperor Quang Trung and the Tay Son Dynasty in the late 18th century. The Tay Son Dynasty refers to the period of united Vietnam ruled by three brothers from the village of Tay Son (Tay Son brothers).
Nguyen Hue was one of the brothers and he took on the reign name, Quang Trung, when he became emperor.

During a four hour visit to the museum we learned about the history of the famous king and Binh Dinh Province, which is the cradle of Vietnamese martial arts. Here some pictures of our trip to the museum.

The well that Nguyen Hue’s family used. The museum is set on the site of Tay Son Village where the national hero, Nguyen Hue, grew up with his two brothers Nguyen Nhac and Nguyen Lu. While we were there, a woman drank and washed her face in the water believing that it has healing properties.

The Tay Son Martial Arts show has 12 drums with three phases of military engagement: going into battle, battle engagement and triumph. After the drum performance instructors perform Tay Son martial arts. - Photos: Minh Duy

A young girl views the gongs and weapons from Tay Son Dynasty. The museum holds tens of thousand objects and historical documents from the period.

Love Valley Lost

Da Thien Lake in Love Valley in Dalat City

I went back to Dalat for the first time in many years and made my way to one of my favorite haunts, Vong Canh Hill, to look across Love Valley. When I saw how much it had changed I remembered my friend saying “In the old days, each corner of Dalat was a poem. But now…” It certainly wasn’t poetic anymore and I wished I could turn back the clock to see Dalat as it was, romantic, natural and quiet.

I do not know how beautiful Vallee D’amour was when it was given its name. But eight years ago when I came here for the first time, I realized why the French named it Love Valley. I stood on the hill peak, listened to the wind whispering, and looked down at Da Thien Lake reflecting the magnificent misty Lang Bian Mountain. The scene makes people need a lover beside them.

The romantic spot holds so many memories of love for so many people, that several girls have committed suicide there taking the leap after losing their relationship. In the stillness I imagined their tears falling in the lake.

A gardener waters flowers at Love Valley - Photos: Kinh Luan

On Wednesday the romance has gone – replaced by modern technology and human greed. Concrete fences, old military jeeps and a statue of Mickey Mouse holding a greeting board are recently added eyesores. What place does the karaoke room and playground for kids have there?

I just wanted to scream “Leave nature alone” but when I saw people playing around, I could see that nature and humans are friends. To be fair the managers have done a good job planting many kinds of flowers and ornamental trees.