The Heritage of Vietnamese - The museum at Cau Go (part 2)

4. Coal iron 
During the period of governmental subsidy, there was an assumption that only rich people can own a coal iron. Such priceless utensil was utilized day and night; especially at the time Chinese New Year is closed by, it was shared among several families to help ironing the most beautiful clothes for Tet.

Only rich people can own a coal iron

5. Radio 
Before and up to the period of governmental subsidy, updating the news or listening to music through a radio is indispensable spiritual activity for so many people. To own a radio, one has to spend a few ounces of gold and so it usually appears only in wealthy families, the household business or government officials.

6. Butterfly Sewing Machine
Butterfly Sewing Machine originated from China. During the 70s of the 19th century, it appeared only in wealthy families and was the " dowry " dream of all girls who prepared to get marriage. At that time , only this machine had reverse gear. Therefore, it was famous for possessing superior technologies Vietnam than any other sewing machines ..

Butterfly Sewing Machine originated from China

7. Calor fan

Originated in France, the Calor fan was introduced to Vietnam under French occupation (the 30s of 19th century). Only the rich people and the one who is working for French Government can buy it. After the August Revolution, the Vietnamese people still kept them for utilizing.

Calor fan was introduced to Vietnam under French occupation

The Heritage of Vietnamese - The museum at Cau Go (part 1)

The museum at Cau Go

1. “Thống Nhất” bicycle (Unification bicycle)
1.1. This is a bicycle of famous Vietnamese brand “Thống Nhất” (in the 70s of 20th Century). During the period of governmental subsidy, such thing used to be a fortune for any Vietnamese family at that time (worth around 1.2 ounce of gold). As a result, the government had required each owner to register and update the situation/ location of their bicycle for regular supervision.

“Thống Nhất” bicycle (Unification bicycle) 

1.2. This bicycle used to belong to the defunct grand-father of the investor. It reminds him a lot of his childhood and his grandpa, who used to carry his grandson to school with his old bicycle. (1987) (It is a piece of precious memory about the respectable grandfather and the difficult childhood of the investor).

A piece of precious memory

2. Bát Tràng chinaware
The pottery village of Bat Trang was fist renowned in the 15th Century under King Tran’s reign with its own speciality “ivory-like enamel, crackleware”. In praise of the skills from Bát Tràng artisans, there was a pair of parallel sentences: From “Bạch Bát”, through the skills, mud turns into precious. Firing stove, through tempering, earth turns into gold.

“ivory-like enamel, crackleware”

3. Western oil lamp
Western oil lamp (or American oil lamp) was presented to Vietnam by the end of 19th Century – beginning of 20th Century – by the American oil company – Shell. These days, in the remote area where people haven’t been provided with electricity.

American oil lamp

The Old Hanoi - Vietnamese Oil Lamp

Vietnamese oil lamp was a must for every family

Hundreds of years ago when electronic and candles had not come to Vietnam, Vietnamese oil lamp was a must for every family to have substantial light for night time. Every oil lamp has three parts which is the lighting head, the oil body and the base.
The first oil lamp was made from pottery. After that, there is an improvement in oil lamp producer when glass and ceramic could be made in some handicraft villages. The lighting head is made by glass so that the light spreads wider and brighter and it protects the little fire inside from wind while the oil body and base are made by ceramic for better durability and more beautiful appearance.

The first oil lamp was made from pottery

There is a special thread at can absorb oil connecting the oil containing in the body and the lighting head. Since the oil is still available, the thread is always wet can easily burnt when touched with a little fire.

Special thread at can absorb oil

Vietnamese oil lamp is a beautiful image of Vietnamese people as in many pictures and poems, it often goes with hard-working student or great mother who awake during the night for studying or sewing. Nowadays, electronic lamp has replaced this traditional one and you hardly find an oil lamp in the market.

Vietnamese oil lamp is a beautiful image of Vietnamese people

At Cau Go Vietnamese cuisine, we want to remind patrons about the Old Hanoi with many traditional artifacts among which oil lamps with beautiful and romantic lighting for dinner is a highlight. Even in a windy night, the oil lamp can still be bright and bring you to a charming Hanoi in the past.
Come to Cau Go Restaurant someday for dinner and enjoy special atmosphere from every corner of this unique restaurant!

The Heritage of Vietnamese - "Dó paper"

Menu on Dó paper at Cau Go Vietnamese Cuisine

Nowadays, thanks to high technology, paper is not a rare product like it was centuries ago. We have many paper choices of different thickness, brightness, color and even smell. However, some pieces of Do’ paper, a Vietnamese traditional one always make me delighted as they remind me about my childhood when my grandfather showed me his precious books and beautiful paintings on such kind of paper that until now I have still kept as a private treasure. I was told about the story of Do’ paper by our beloved grandpa long time ago and I always love to share it to my Vietnamese especially foreign friends when we talk about interesting Vietnamese heritage. And as usual, I’d love to share my story to you via this cozy blog.

Beautiful paintings on Dó paper

Dó paper is made from the bark of Dó trees traditionally produced in many villages in Northern Vietnam and mountainous areas. The paper material is soft but really durable. It is surprisingly estimated that the paper could maintain its quality upon 500 years old. Moreover, When drawing or writing on Dó paper, the drawing lines are not blurred, but contrarily quite sharp that’s why the paper was preferably used for paintings or royal documents in ancient time.

When drawing or writing on Dó paper, the drawing lines are not blurred

Dó paper is simply handmade and Dó papermaking is very sophisticated and time costing. It takes about 3 months for the bark soaked in limewater before it can be used for making paper fibers which adhere to the mold in a thin sheet that is then pressed, dried, rolled, and dried again until the final product – Dó paper- is soft, light, and durable enough according to strict standards. As such, Dó paper symbolizes for Vietnamese people’s hard working, patience and creativeness.

Dó paper symbolizes for Vietnamese people’s hard working, patience and creativeness

Today, the paper is widely used in painting, writing or valuable decorations.

Famous painting on Dó paper from a famous handcraft village of Dong Ho - Hanoi

The idea of showing our menu on Dó paper at Cau Go Vietnamese Cuisine Restaurant came into my mind long time ago since I dream about opening a special restaurant which not only offering exquisite cuisine with fabulous views but also present a sophisticated Vietnamese traditional décor reflecting in every details. I am very happy that Cau Go Restaurant is the first restaurant in Vietnam create a menu on Dó paper that becomes a delight to our prestigious patrons.

A sophisticated Vietnamese traditional décor reflecting in every details

Whenever Vietnam is in our heart, every small piece of it becomes special and valuable to us!

The Heritage of Vietnamese - Impression of French architecture

Wall decoration at Cau Go Restaurant reflects the influence of French achitecture on buildings of Indochine Colonies

Hanoi used to be the capital of French Indochine from 1887 to 1954. During that time, the French attempted to rebuild and transform it to an European style city which was supposed to reflect the power of France in the Far East . Hanoi was previously inundated with little lakes; many of these were drained to prevent malaria that is also a reason why the wooden bridge – the symbol of Cau Go street which connected Hang Dao Street to Hoan Kiem District disappeared.

Hanoi achitecture reflects the power of France in the Far East

60 years has passed, however, many of the French art and deco styles are still imprinted in the architecture of Hanoi. Although Vietnam did not lose its traditional color but it has absorbed inevitable perspectives from a modern France. It is not surprised that the tree lined boulevards, villas, churches, hotels, and grand government buildings under French architecture still dominate the city and contribute significantly in creating a unique, magnetic and charming Hanoi with its elegance and nobility.

Many of the French art and deco styles are still imprinted in the architecture of Hanoi

Since French architecture penetrated into Hanoi, a large number of buildings has been revised or built upon different styles such as Art Deco Style, which is designed with simple shapes, Neo-Gothic Style for churches and Rural style for villas with memory of French of their homeland. The combination of French format with other architectural culture of Vietnam and China was also a highlight.

The combination of French format with other architectural culture

A type of rectangular wooden window painted in green is typical for Art Deco Style that reflects in many governmental buildings and private houses in Hanoi in the 1900s. At Cau Go Restaurant, we put it on the wall inside together with precious pictures about the Old Hanoi in black and white as well as valuable ceramic plates which are over 100 years old.

A type of rectangular wooden window painted in green at Cau Go  Restaurant is typical for Art Deco Style 

Come to Cau Go Restaurant to experience and learn about the charming Hanoi at its true identity !

The Old Hanoi - Cau Go Street

Cau Go is one of the most famous ancient streets in Hanoi Old Quarter. The name ‘Cau Go’ means ‘Wooden Bridge’ as it used to have a small bridge connecting Hang Dao Street and Hoan Kiem District and during that time, this street was a popular student residential area. In the French colonial period, Cau Go was the main street of Old Hanoi specialized in selling paints and oils with all houses built in the same design with one floor and a mezzanine.

All houses built in the same design with one floor and a mezzanine

 Nowadays, Cau Go Street still retains its ancient charm while becomes more bustling with a little bit of everything from sleepwear to flowers. Interestingly, this street is a place for local food-lover and visitors who want to explore authentic Vietnamese cuisine with a wide selection from famous Hanoian street foods by vendors and small business to both popular and less-known specialties prepared by Vietnamese cuisine experts in a beautiful restaurant.

Place for local food-lover and visitors who want to explore authentic Vietnamese cuisine

 Once you are in Hanoi, you definitely should take your time to explore Cau Go Street for your eye-opening journey into the heart of Vietnam.