Hoan Kiem - Hanoi - Island Temple

China and Beyond XII -Hanoi - Vietnam - First Day

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August 11th 2009
So...after wandering a bit on my first night, I discovered that Hanoi was not the lawless, bag-snatching Hell hole I had been led to believe. Though the hawkers were a bit of a pain in their tenaciousness to sell you a hat or a fan or a multitude of other relatively simple and limited use items, no one tried to rob me or take my shoulder bag or steer me down a blind, dark alley to mug me. In fac ... read more

Asia » Vietnam » Northeast

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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