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Published: October 10th 2017
Ha Noi Vietnam
Over 6km of wall made from mosaics show the history of the city and countryHi readers,
Yesterday we had a really lazystart as not selling to sleep before 1am. We missed the breakfast so we all ordered lunch in room service then met by 1pm for a tour I’d organised a large 7 seater car and English speaking guide to give us a tour around the city as it was our only time free here to see what was around the main city. We saw plenty of traffic and the standard motorbike which is just over $1000 USD so it’s the most popular mode of transport in Vietnam our guide was telling us. If your out walking along the street you need to walk around the cars and bike as they park on the foot path. It’s like the footpath we use as a walkway is actually a car or bike parking area. We do it all the wrong way ha ha. With the millions that live here how do they drive around with no apparent road laws and no accidents seen anywhere we have been so far in Asia. The lane as you drive on the right side of the road could be anywhere as bikes jostle for room and squeeze through the
Ha Noi Vietnam
More wall mosaics cars and buses here. Some street scenes I took were chaos which seems to work. the mass of motorbikes head to the front leaving the cars waiting for the road to clear at times.
Walking around the city wasn’t as bad as I expected where we were. The guide told us you step slowly onto the road and hold you hand up to stop and just keep walking and only slow if a car doesn’t feel like stopping for you other wise the bikes just go around. It just works.
We went to the Hanoi museum and wandered around the grounds where history is represented in the different styles of housing around the country and a water puppet show was happening in the gardens. Due to our short time frame we then moved on to drive around some more. We were looking for an ATM to get US cash out but didn’t know that no ATM here gives that out only local Dong currency. We had the local cash but our tour wanted USDollars. And anyone that exchanges will only do it one way not back into USD. Hopefully it sorts its self out on the trip. Next
we toured some streets with different architecture from French to Chinese who have the closest influence here. We visited a lacquer ware business that makes pictures, vases, trays and many other trinkets. Modern and traditional work with the egg shell art my Favorite style. They prefer duck eggs as they are harder and easier to work with.
The last place we visited was very special as it’s the first university of Vietnam. It’s based on the teachings of Confusious and has a strong Chinese basis. On this day was graduation for this years students and no matter the uni they attend the celebration is always held in the courtyard here at the oldest Uni. So the students in long flowing gowns which are the traditional outfit was worn. We saw many being photographed to mark their day. This place has the oldest Bell tower and Confusious Temple. Many pics attached.
We returned to the hotel by 5 as we had a meet and great with our tour guide and meet the rest of our tour group. 16 I believe is the total on this tour and we are the lower half aged bracket for the group which was
Ha Noi Vietnam
Views around the lake nice. All was discussed for the trip ahead and then the evening was ours. We dined in the hotel and went up on the room for a look at the night skyline. All packed for an early start
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