Ever wondered where the name of a Hanoi ward comes from? It is Buoi Ward. The story of Buoi Ward begins with its famous market. This market wasn’t just any marketplace.
Buoi Market’s name came from its location. It sat on a lush grapefruit flatland. This expanse met where the Thien Phu and To Lich rivers converged. People called it “Buoi market”. “Buoi” means grapefruit in Vietnamese. Merchant boats from the highlands once docked here. They came via the Red River. They brought fruits and forest goods to Thang Long.
Doan Hung grapefruit from Phu Tho made its way here. It scattered and grew becoming a local favorite. From then on the area was known as “Ke Buoi”. That means Buoi townsfolk.
Buoi Ward wasn’t just about trade. Its hamlets had famous crafts. Weaving and poonah paper production thrived here. This created strong bonds between the hamlets. These bonds extended beyond work. They shared customs religion and festivals. Villagers celebrated together. They carried the sedan chair in turns.
The area’s history links to West Lake and the North Delta. The terrain features hills from the To Lich River to Nghia Do. One notable hill is Long Tang. It means Dragon’s forehead. Place names echo historical events. Bat Thap hill reminds us of two princesses. They were King Ly Nam De’s daughters. They killed a monster to reclaim West Lake land.
De-Cung fields in Trich Sai village once hosted Ly Kings. They practiced archery there. Phuong Dao hill served as a guerilla base. General Tran Cong Tich fought against Tong invaders here. This was under Le Hoan’s rule. King Ly Nam De built a stronghold on the To Lich River. It protected Van Xuan’s independence.
Geomancers saw each hamlet as a special animal. Trich Sai was shaped like a horse. Du Ngu hill in Vong Thi resembled a traveling fish. Long Tang hill was a dragon’s forehead. Qui Doi hill looked like two tortoises.
Ly Kings chose this scenic land to build temples and palaces. Over 60 relics surround West Lake. Twenty-four of these relics are in Buoi Ward. This area holds many Ly Dynasty cultural vestiges. Temples and shrines honor patron deities. They also honor gods who helped Ly Kings. Dong Co temple worships the god of Dong Co mountain. He helped Prince Ly Phat Ma defeat the Chiem enemy. Mau Thang Long temple honors Thuy Tinh princess. She helped defeat enemies.
Thien Nien pagoda in Trich Sai village is the oldest. It dates back to Ly Nam De’s time. Other pagodas include Thanh Lau Thanh Tho Vinh Khanh Mat Dung and Chuc Thanh. These sites are set in gardens with lotus ponds. All Buoi hamlets have communal houses. They worship their tutelary spirits there.
Buoi villages still cherish festivals. The greatest festivals were in Dong Xa and Ho Khau. They took place in April. The principle of remembering one’s roots is key. Each family has an ancestral altar. Each village has a communal house. There they show gratitude to gods. Today Buoi villages continue these traditions.
Buoi Market once had 15 stalls. They sold paper from Ke Buoi villages. Yen Thai Village offered tissue paper. Ho Khau Village sold inferior tissue paper. Dong Xa Village had litmus paper. Yen Hoa Village provided xe paper.
The market also sold farming tools. Ploughs hoes and spades were available. An Phu malt Xuan Dinh confectionary and Vong green rice flakes were popular too. Hanoi store owners came to buy goods. Candy from Lu Village was a favorite. Children loved keo bot keo vung and keo lac. An elderly lady with black teeth sold these.
Other goods included shrimp and fish from the Red River and West Lake. Vegetables came from nearby villages. Fruit trees flowers and ornamental plants were highly sought after. Seedlings of roses lilies and fruit trees were available.
Buoi silk from Trich Sai Village was favored. Only the best silkworm yarn was used. The silk was light and soft. It kept its shape even when crushed. One piece of silk required several people to weave. Only the wealthy could afford it. Vu Thi Minh Hoang revived Buoi silk. She learned from artisan Phung Van Thiem. Thiem’s silk was recognized in 2008. His shop Lua Ha sells Buoi silk today.