Vietnam

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It was just a 2 hour flight from Hong Kong to Hanoi but although both are Asian cities they are worlds apart.

We'll let the photos do the talking - the experience of trying to walk down sidewalks and cross the road safely are impossible to describe. Our personal guide, Tony, got between us and traffic before striding out into a mass of motor scooters, imperiously waving them aside - miraculously they parted as they came to us and flew by on both sides. By the end of the 4 day stay we were actually crossing without Tony!

The people are great - friendly, happy and hard working. Walking the streets alone we always felt safe.
None seem to suffer from road rage despite the crazy traffic - we saw scooters u turn and come back into oncoming traffic, up on sidewalks to cut corners and parked anywhere they could fit.

The Viet people have experienced centuries of civil war and conflicts with China, France and of course the US. It seems that all that is behind them and they are all working hard to get by.

Nominally a Socialist country, free enterprise is rampant - everyone is selling something - usually on the sidewalk.

We had a great meal at a restaurant near the hotel - 6 courses and a bottle of wine - bill came to 405,000 Dong (yes, Dong!) - which amounted to $20.

Halong Bay had been recommended by Aussie friend Paul Gunning - it really was spectacular - we had a junk all to ourselves with a lunch of local seafood cooked aboard for us.

For anyone contemplating a trip to Asia - don't miss Vietnam - we only experieced a little corner of the country but loved it!
The only negative was the thick smog combined with smoke from the farmers burning off their rice chaff.

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Photos

Hanoi home
this is a typical home - the family business is set up on the ground floor - selling almost anything imaginable - family groups live above with maybe a rental or two as well

electrician's nightmare
try tracking down the short in this collection of wires!

chili choppers
preparing hot chilis to go with the steamed ducks in the background

flower shop
like most shops this one spills over onto the sidewalk and street - the 'delivery boy' is about to head out with a wreath

charcoal refills
these are used as fuel to cook sidewalk meals for passers by

Uncle Ho
the mausoleum of revered leader Ho - the body was in Russia for restoration ....ok with us

Lake Ho
with personal tour guide Tony in the grounds of Ho's residence until his death in 1969

House of Ho
he lived simply in this small residence

balloon seller
note the legs below the cluster - hoping to not lift off

Confusius
the Vietnamese share many popular Hero Gods with the Chinese who ruled here for many years before the French took over

Hanoi Hilton
this infamous prison was built by the French to house Vietnamese who opposed their rule - later the Viets used it to accommodate downed US airmen (John McCain was one)

not just croissants...
the French introduced many things to Vietnam including the guillotine - they liked to display the heads in baskets after the chop

nice lunch!
we love Vietnamese cooking - many small courses, delicately spiced

paper street
this is the street in Hanoi to come to if you need any paper decorations

towel street
nothing but bath towels and bathroom stuff - all now made in China

shoe street
mostly small sizes to fit the locals

street seller
a common sight on Hanoi streets - with an amazing variety of things for sale - not just food

motorscooter mayhem
very few traffic lights worked - it didn't matter as they were ignored anyway

mugs for sale!
imagine the mess if this bike got in an accident

potter
basic tools but real craftsmanship

Comments

[Donna Denny]

Amazing Photos and Scripts
Love all that you take the time to share with everyone. Photos are amazing! Your journey appears to be one of the most rewarding of many of the last years. Keep having fun and sending reports that brighten our days.

[Heidi]

What a great collection of shots; it definitely gives someone who hasn't been there a clear feel for what you saw. Ken is working on our "winter stick" for the boat mooring today, but I can't wait to show these to him. He was in Vietnam in 1964, 1965.

[Garry and Yola Grant]

vietnam visit
HI