Banyon Tree in the middle of Old Town

A Visit with Uncle Ho

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July 30th 2006
Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, had a different feel than Saigon, which was more hectic and more developed. The city center is right at Lake Hoan Kiem, which is only about a square mile. Just to the north of the lake is Old Town, a series of streets named for the different shops that line each one, like "Silk Street" on "Hash Steet" all in Vietnamese of course. I spent my first afternoon on a self guide ... 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