Hanoi

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Arrived in Hanoi, decided to get the hostel to pick me up, probably cost more than usual, but i've heard that some taxi drivers just take you to another hostel as they get commission from certain hostels. Sat in the front seat wanting to take in the surroundings, but to busy focusing on the roads as bikes just flying around everywhere, people beeping on a constant basis. Bascially on dual carriageway the cars drive down the left and bikes down the right with many just weaving. The closer we got to Hanoi the more bikes appeared and it was just absolute chaos. Dumped my things at the hostel and decided to have a little wonder around and have a look at the Hoan Kiem Lake. I then encountered my first road crossing. Everywhere you look are bikes, luckily it was so jammed i was able to skip through the traffic and I safely crossed. As I was walking around, there were many banners every where as Hanoi was having a 10 day celebration as Hanoi was turning 1000 years old. So the traffic was worse than normal. Headed back to the hostel as they were giving out free beer for an hour so was a great way to meet fellow travellers. After several glasses we headed to a bar which was selling Larger Tiger beer 500ml for 10'000 dong which is about 33p. You could have got the local beer for 5'000 dong, but I think it was less volume.

Next day I thought I'd try and learn abit of the Vietnamise history, so headed to the history museum, waste of time. Nothing in ENglish apart from the description of the item 'fossil found 5 years ago' pathetic, so headed back to the hostel for a rest before trying to find the war museum, didn't find it, didn't really put up a fight and just headed to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. I didn't know that they shipped his body to Russia from october to December, so it was closed, took a few pictures and then headed back for the free beer and then out for a few more beers (starting to manage the taste).

Next off to Ha Long Bay for 3 days 2 nights. After visiting Hanoi for 3 days had enough of the fumes, the city just smells of fumes, bad sut all over the pavements. On a constant basis you have guys asking you if you want a lift somewhere. The funny thing is you always say no, but his mate will still try, gets really annoying but you have to try and remember the are only trying to make a living.

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Photos

Hanoi
Chaos

Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh Palace Entrance

Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Hanoi
By Night

Hanoi
Temple of Literature

Hanoi
Inside Temple of Literature