Bắc Ninh, Province in Red River Delta, Vietnam
Bắc Ninh is a province in the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam, bordering Hanoi and several neighboring provinces. The landscape consists of lowlands with scattered hills, crossed by rivers such as the Cầu and the Đuống that irrigate the territory.
The area hosted the ancient trading city of Luy Lâu, which served as an important exchange point with Chinese and Southeast Asian merchants between the 2nd and the 10th century. Later, in 1077, the first independence poem of Vietnam was recited here on the banks of the Cầu, sealing resistance against foreign powers.
The region is the birthplace of Quan họ folk songs, where men and women exchange melodic verses while sitting in traditional costumes on boats or at festivals. Many villages host spring gatherings where visitors can hear the singing live and understand the connection between music and agricultural cycles.
The provincial capital is easily reached by road from Hanoi and offers access to several pagodas and craft villages in the surrounding area. Visitors can explore the region year-round, with spring being particularly appealing due to village festivals.
The woodblock prints from Đông Hồ village are made with natural colors and often show humorous scenes from everyday life, a craft passed down for centuries. These prints traditionally decorate homes during New Year celebrations and can still be seen in workshops where artisans continue the technique.
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