A once-thriving Pho Hien (Hien street) in Red River Delta Hung Yen province is documented in a book released on April 24.
The 800-page book, Pho Hien, was compiled a 20-strong-member team led
by Dr Nguyen Khac Hao, Vice Secretary of the Hung Yen Party’s
Committee, and Dr Nguyen Dinh Nha, former Director of the Publishing
Department.
It illuminates differences between
Pho Hien and other same-time cities as well as wide-ranging impacts on
the ancient street’s growth.
The work explores deeply the birth of the street and its trading activities during its heyday and low-point time.
Tangible
and intangible cultural values, especially architectural features, held
by the trading port, together with restoration and preservation work,
also form crucial parts of the book.
The book is
expected to be a valuable reference for restoration and promotion of
the cultural and historical value of the street, making it a tourist
draw for Hung Yen province.
Pho Hien relic
complex lies in Dang Chau village (Lam Son district) and Ne Chau village
(Hong Chau district) in Hien street.
The site was a bustling commercial port on the Red River with its heyday recorded in the 17 th -18 th century.
Pho
Hien was second to the Imperial capital city of Thang Long as a trading
point. It was well-known among foreign traders, especially those from
China, Japan and the Netherlands.
The
area is home to more than 100 cultural and historical relics, including
Hien Pagoda, Mau (Goddess) Temple, May (Cloud) Temple and Chuong Pagoda.
Eighteen of them have received national recognition.
The annual Pho Hien Cultural Festival is to open in all Pho Hien
relic sites on April 26, featuring traditional rituals, games, art
performance, bringing alive the history, spirituality and culture of the
street.
The complex will receive a Certificate of Special National Relic Site the same day.-VNA