Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Two-ton sapphire turtle presented to Hanoi | Look At Vietnam

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Two-ton sapphire turtle presented to Hanoi | Look At Vietnam - Vietnam news daily update

A sapphire turtle made by DOJI Group was presented to the Hanoi People’s Committee as a gift for the city’s millennial anniversary on October 3.

LookAtVietnam - A sapphire turtle made by DOJI Group was presented to the Hanoi People’s Committee as a gift for the city’s millennial anniversary on October 3.

The giant sapphire turtle has spiritual meaning as a symbol of longevity and peace, said DOJI general director Do Minh Phu.

Its natural blue and reddish brown colours give it a unique beauty. The two-tonne turtle, made from a monolithic sapphire, took artisans 200 days to complete.

Legend says a turtle helped King An Duong Vuong build Co Loa Citadel in the 3rd century BC while King Le Thai To (1385-1433) returned a precious sword to a tortoise in Hoan Kiem or “Returned Sword” Lake after using it to defeat invaders.

The sapphire turtle in photos:

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“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.