This photo of Bao An Pagoda was taken by French photographer Émile Gsell during the 19th century. Photo courtesy of Dong A Books
Gsell was one of the first French photographers visiting and capturing the scenery and people in Vietnam.
The pagoda, built around 1842 using the funds raised by Hanoi General Nguyen Dang Giai, was located by Sword Lake before being demolished in 1892. The only vestige of the pagoda is the Hoa Phong Tower, which is now located on Dinh Tien Hoang street.
“Viet Nam Van Hoa Su Cuong” was first published in 1938 and is considered one of the most systematic historical books about Vietnamese culture ever since.
Together with former minister of education Nguyen Van Huyen’s book “Van Minh An Nam” (The Civilization of Vietnam), the two books set the foundation for modern Vietnamese cultural studies.
