The 800-page book, Pho Hien, was compiled a 20-strong-member team ledby Dr Nguyen Khac Hao, Vice Secretary of the Hung Yen Party’sCommittee, and Dr Nguyen Dinh Nha, former Director of the PublishingDepartment.
It illuminates differences betweenPho Hien and other same-time cities as well as wide-ranging impacts onthe ancient street’s growth.
The work explores deeply the birth of the street and its trading activities during its heyday and low-point time.
Tangibleand intangible cultural values, especially architectural features, heldby the trading port, together with restoration and preservation work,also form crucial parts of the book.
The book isexpected to be a valuable reference for restoration and promotion ofthe cultural and historical value of the street, making it a touristdraw for Hung Yen province.
Pho Hien reliccomplex 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.
PhoHien was second to the Imperial capital city of Thang Long as a tradingpoint. It was well-known among foreign traders, especially those fromChina, Japan and the Netherlands.
Thearea is home to more than 100 cultural and historical relics, includingHien 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 Hienrelic sites on April 26, featuring traditional rituals, games, artperformance, bringing alive the history, spirituality and culture of thestreet.
The complex will receive a Certificate of Special National Relic Site the same day.-VNA