Our first taste of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam was the crazy, raucous, overcrowded old quarter of the capital, Hanoi. The narrow streets teemed with people, motorbikes, cars, and minibuses , everyone shouted all the time, and those who had horns honked them constantly. It was exhausting just to walk to the nearby restaurants, dodging the traffic and the hundreds of people preparing, cooking and eating food while squatting on the pavement.
An endearing little bar in the old quarter, its name allegedly inspired by a Liverpool pub called "Half Man, Half Biscuit".
Me and Uncle Ho. On a drizzly day in Hanoi, what could be better than visiting the impressive Ho Chi Minh Museum and absorbing a little bit of history about this recently war-ravaged country which is now successfully re-building its economy thanks to the vision of a great leader?
We were so pleased too that we took the trouble to file past Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body where he lies in state in his mausoleum (even though his last wish was for a simple burial). The experience was strangely moving, maybe due in part to the solemnity of the columns of mainly local people walking past and respectfully paying homage to this remarkable man. Armed soldiers directed the line of visitors - no talking, no touching each other, and especially no smiling; cameras to be left at the entrance.
Happy Brian with Hotei, the Happy Buddha.
Had to take a job for a few days to bring in a few readies to last us till payday.
The daily nightmare traffic scenario. Six million people live in Hanoi, and I swear everyone of them has a motor cycle. Where are they all going?
According to the guide books the French quarter is an area of leafy, tree-lined, wide boulevards, perfect for an enjoyable stroll. Hahaha. You can't get near the pavements for the scooters parked on them!
Don't know what this Sunday afternoon parade was about, but it made a colourful photo.
A pretty bridge in the centre of Hanoi.
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