Hoan Kiem, with the bridge to the island in the background

Vietnam: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Hoi An

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September 30th 2008
I loved, loved, loved Hanoi. Staying in the old French Quarter, every building had an ornate balcony and every street was full of shops and women selling products via two baskets strung to a pole carried on their shoulder. Visiting Ho Chi Minh's museum, house, and mausoleum was an eye-opening experience and I'm forever grateful for seeing the Vietnam War and Vietnam's complex history from thei ... read more

Asia » Vietnam » Red River Delta » Hanoi

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The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Independence was declared after World War II, but the French continued to rule until 1954 when they were defeated by Communist forc... ... read more