VI
EN
Text and photos:Nguyen Hong Nhung
Arriving in Istanbul one autumn afternoon, I climbed the Galata Tower, the city's tallest ancient structure, just as the sun was setting. A light afternoon shower didn't obscure the setting sun. All around me stretched majestic mosques. The chanting of the Quran echoed throughout the city of over 13 million people. Just like when listening to Buddhist scriptures, the teachings on life, though completely incomprehensible, filled me with a sense of peace, a feeling of divine protection, and a sense of spiritual purification.
Islamic influence
The day before, I had another visit to a famous and incredibly interesting landmark – Hagia Sophia. Located in the heart of Istanbul, it's a massive temple with a blend of Christian and Islamic architecture. Besides the stained-glass windows and frescoes characteristic of Christianity, a large Islamic window, slightly below, points directly towards Mecca. That day, we happened to meet a religious scholar. He told us that the church once belonged to the Roman Empire. After the conquest by Sultan Mehmed II in 1453, the church was converted to serve Islamic ceremonies.
Although this is a land where Europe and Asia meet, I was more impressed by the grandeur of the Eastern influences, which have made Turkey an inseparable part of Asia. This is evident in the architecture of the mosques and towering, elaborately decorated palaces in Istanbul. The city has a total of 64 beautiful mosques, and it's difficult to visit them all in a short time. Among these are some famous landmarks such as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), with its colorful ceramic mosaic details, built during the golden age of the Ottoman Empire, in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Overall, Ottoman architecture is a synthesis of traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern architecture, reaching a very high level of sophistication. The Ottomans mastered the art of constructing spacious interiors within large domes, achieving perfect harmony between interior and exterior spaces, as well as the arrangement of light and shadow. Mosque spaces, often narrow and dark rooms with walls, were transformed under the Ottomans through a dynamic architectural language of vaults, domes, semi-domes, and columns… into solemn, refined mosques that preserved a balance between aesthetics and technique, while evoking in visitors a sense of transcendent energy from the earth and sky.
The colors of a Persian marketplace
Istanbul is a city with many famous landmarks, one of which is the Grand Bazaar, the world's largest indoor market. It has been the setting for many famous films such as 007 - Skyfall and Taken. I walked from Hagia Sophia to the Grand Bazaar and had what could be described as a magical shopping experience. It's worth noting that the gold, jewelry, and currency exchange shops in the Grand Bazaar offer the best rates in the city. The enormous market is filled with everything from jewelry to antique maps, intricately woven carpets, and even a magic lamp from Aladdin's collection!
I was amazed to find myself lost in a Persian market straight out of One Thousand and One Nights. The Grand Bazaar is so vast that visitors can easily get lost without a map. I blended in with the crowd and made sure to buy a few small souvenirs before leaving.
Kebab, tea, and shisha
When discussing the culinary culture of Türkiye in general and Istanbul in particular, it's impossible not to mention kebab, tea, and shisha. Traditional kebab, consisting of grilled beef or lamb served with rice or wrapped in a flatbread, is known worldwide as the national dish of Turkey.
In addition, hot teas called "Cay" are ubiquitous throughout the city, from street stalls to upscale restaurants. Sitting down to drink tea, smoke shisha, and chat with locals on the sidewalk or at the harbor is a great way to observe and learn about life in Istanbul.
From my perspective, most of the people living here are devout Muslims. They are faithful, honest, cheerful, and don't hesitate to throw away pieces of bread they're eating to feed the pigeons. They're willing to guide and help strangers like me, and even lend me their fishing rods. This gives me a different impression from the Islam I've heard about, which often focuses on the negative aspects of bloody holy wars and extremist terrorists.
I had a wonderful time in Istanbul, under the sweet Mediterranean sun, the golden lights on the small cobblestone streets, and the unforgettable feeling of watching fireworks over the Bophorus harbor, where the train connects Europe and Asia.
On my last night in Istanbul, listening to the bustling train whistles on the harbor, with the ocean on one side and the majestic Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia on the other, I suddenly remembered Richard Anthony's famous song, "Et j'entends siffler le train" (I Hear the Train Whistle): “Nous quitter sans un adieu -Et j'entends siffler le train et j'entends siffler le train - Ja'entendrai siffler ce train toute ma vie” (“We may part without a word of farewell. But I will hear the train whistle, that train whistle for the rest of my life”). I left a part of my heart in the beautiful city of Istanbul, where the memories of this enchanting journey will remain forever in my soul.
Additional information:
+ Movement:
Currently, Turkish Airlines has daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Istanbul at 20:25. Visit their website.www.turkishairlines.comAlternatively, you can contact the airline's office directly for more detailed information.
Turkish Airlines Office
Room 4, 8th Floor, AB Building, 76A Le Lai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 8 39 360 360
E-mail:saigon@thy.com.vn
+ Visa:
Currently, in addition to applying for a visa in person at the Turkish Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnamese citizens can also apply for an e-visa online via the following link:https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
+ Tour :
With daily direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Istanbul and vice versa, many travel companies are now offering tours to Turkey. One of the first companies to professionally organize Turkish tours is Huong Giang Travel Company - 194 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: +84-8-39 330 111 Ext. 117 Fax: +84-8-39 302 148
In Istanbul, and in Muslim countries in general, Muslims pray five times a day: in the morning, at noon, in the afternoon, at sunset, and near night. The times for prayer are indicated in mosques, and at the appointed time, the Quran is recited aloud throughout the city.
Tourists should refrain from visiting mosques during prayer times. Everyone is requested to remain silent, refrain from eating or drinking, remove their shoes, wear long clothing, and women should wear headscarves. At tourist sites, visitors will be provided with their entrance tickets and must return the headscarves upon departure.
Filming and photography are permitted; however, visitors should show respect by not pointing their cameras at people who are praying.
+ Hotel: It's recommended to choose hotels in the central Sultan Ahmed area for easy access to most of the popular attractions. One such option is the Ferman Hotel, which is quite affordable at around 70 Euros per night and boasts a fantastic location with a large terrace offering panoramic views of the city, including the Mediterranean Sea.
Muslims abstain from certain foods: pork, alcohol, and fermented substances. (Pigs are associated with origins: development is thanks to livestock farming – “Halal food” you see in some Middle Eastern restaurants means no pork is served).
