Exploring Vietnam

Hanoi
(22/25 Mar 1999)

		With a population of around 1 million people Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam.
		The French influence is a remnant of the colonial days, and can be seen in the grandiose buildings and tree lined boulevards which circle the old part of town.

The old quarter itself surrounds and focuses on the North Eastern sides of Huan Kiem lake.

Step back from the lake and the narrow streets each specialise in a particular trade.

Despite being constantly busy Hanoi has a relaxed sort of atmosphere with life going on at a fairly sedate kind of pace.

Except when crossing a road! Weaving your way through the bikes can be pretty scary, even though there are not many cars.

There are quite a few temples and pagodas which are worth visiting.

This man was sitting at a table in a room at the back of a temple and I wanted a picture. I felt obliged to ask first and this was the result...

The one pillar pagoda is within the grounds of the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum.

Huge crowds queue every morning to see the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh himself lying in state.

The old university was once outside town but has been consumed as the city has grown.

They have some beautiful bonsai's in the gardens, some of the best in Vietnam.

The water puppet theatre beside Huan Kiem lake in Hanoi is world famous.

These pictures cannot do it justice. If you ever visit Hanoi then do not miss this stunning event.

From Hanoi we head East, following Highway 5 towards Haiphong. Then turning North we wind our way across country until reaching Halong.

There are plenty of rice paddies to see on the way.

And quite a few vegetable gardens as well.

Halong Bay, Van Lak, Hue, Hoi An, My Lai, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong delta.

If you have any comments or suggestions about these pages then drop us a line.

If you are interested in Vietnamese Food then why not visit Sue's Recipe Server, our other Web site.

South India Overland is the record of our journey through Southern India during January and February 1997.

North India & Nepal is the record of our journey from Delhi to Kathmandu during January 1998.

		The old quarter itself surrounds and focuses on the North Eastern sides of Huan Kiem lake.
		Step back from the lake and the narrow streets each specialise in a particular trade.

		Despite being constantly busy Hanoi has a relaxed sort of atmosphere with life going on at a fairly sedate kind of pace.
		Except when crossing a road! Weaving your way through the bikes can be pretty scary, even though there are not many cars.

		There are quite a few temples and pagodas which are worth visiting.
		This man was sitting at a table in a room at the back of a temple and I wanted a picture. I felt obliged to ask first and this was the result...

		The one pillar pagoda is within the grounds of the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum.
		Huge crowds queue every morning to see the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh himself lying in state.

		The old university was once outside town but has been consumed as the city has grown.
		They have some beautiful bonsai's in the gardens, some of the best in Vietnam.

		The water puppet theatre beside Huan Kiem lake in Hanoi is world famous.
		These pictures cannot do it justice. If you ever visit Hanoi then do not miss this stunning event.

		There are plenty of rice paddies to see on the way.
		And quite a few vegetable gardens as well.