Vietnam - same same but different

Tam biet

2008-06-06T12:01:00.001+10:00

Rice paddies - Sapa

Street seller - Hoi An

Keeper of the lanterns - Hoi An

Wet day - Minh Mang Tomb - Hue

High flyer - Halong Bay

Old lady in doorway - Hanoi

Elephant - Dalat

This 10 month-long photographic blog, which was created after my family's holiday to Vietnam in September/October 2007, is done.

I still have a couple of photos on my computer (which is out of action)
and I am off for another week's work
so.....

"The time has come," said the Vietnamese walrus!!

I will leave you all with a series of published photos and the invitation to visit this amazing place and its wonderful people through my blog.

Cam on

Tam biet

(Thank you and goodbye )

or Chao

(if this is your first visit!!!)

Hue's Thien Mu

2008-06-06T00:01:00.001+10:00

I still have no computer, so another photo from my laptop. View of Thien Mu (Celestial Lady Pagoda) built by Nguyen Hoang in 1601, from the Perfume River. The seven tiers of the temple's octangonal tower represent a different reincarnation of Buddha.

Lady with hat

2008-06-04T06:56:00.005+10:00

My computer, with all my photos is still out of action, and I only have a couple of my Vietnam photos on my laptop.

This photo, which is one of my favouites, was taken from my hotel balcony in Dalat.

Elderly street seller

2008-06-02T17:42:00.003+10:00

My computer has died and is still at the hospital and only have a few photos on my laptop - most of which I have already posted.This photo of an elderly woman in Dalat is one that is our most poignant photographs.

My daughters were terribly worried about her being out on the street in her condition - she was very bent over and stiff. They wanted to know why she wasn't at home being looked after. Maybe this is what she wanted to do? But I'm sure if she had someone to care for her, they would have. The Vietnamese people honour and look after their old.

Inside The Reunification Palace.

2008-05-25T07:28:00.010+10:00

The five-storey 95 room palace and all its contents remain intact as it was found that day – to their credit!! And it is now a memorial to a past way of life.

...........................................................................

I’m off again for work, this time to Mt Hagen up in the Highlands of PNG, for a week. I used to travel through here when we lived in Tabubil in the late 1990s, so am looking forward to going back.

I will leave you with these interiors of the palace while I am gone and post again next weekend.

The Reunification Palace

2008-05-22T23:08:00.001+10:00

Of all the places I saw in Vietnam this is the one that held the most vivid memories for me. I have seen this building so often over the years and it was so important that I visited it on our trip.

This is the former Presidential Palace of South Vietnam today known as Dinh Thong Nhat (The Reunification Palace). On 30 April 1975 communist tanks crashed through the palace’s wrought iron gates and overthrew the South Vietnamese Government.

In the park-like grounds is a tank similar to the one that crashed through the gates. The original one is now in Hanoi.

Saigon Lights

2008-05-21T06:37:00.005+10:00

The square on the intersection of Le Loi and Nguyen Streets is the hub of Saigon. Included in this square are:

The famous Rex Hotel, home to American servicemen during the Vietnam War.

The stunning City Hall - People's Community Building,

....and diagonally across from that is Vietnam Airlines.

Faces

2008-05-18T11:50:00.005+10:00

People are my favourite subject when I travel.

Notre Dame - Saigon style

2008-05-15T21:07:00.008+10:00

Notre Dame (Duc Ba) Cathedral with its 56 m bell towers that hold six bells weighing nearly 30 tons, rises over Paris Square in downtown Saigon. It stands across from The Post office (last post). French architect Jules Bourand designed the cathedral and it was completed in 1890 .

You can still see bullet holes in the facade, and in 2005 people flocked to the square with rumours the Virgin Mary was shedding tears.

This young couple had their photos taken outside the church.

Saigon Post Office

2008-05-13T06:55:00.005+10:00

On Paris Square across from the Notre Dame Cathedral (next post) in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), stands the impressive Post Office. Designed by Gustav Eiffel’s firm, the building was built between 1886 and 1891 and looks more like a railway station, with its stunning vaulted ceilings and skylights.

The grand central pavilion is flanked by two wings where tourists can buy souvenirs and friendly staff play with the toys and musical items.

In the pavilion, huge maps decorate the side walls and....

…..an imposing portrait of Ho Chi Minh stares down on tourists and locals alike from the back wall.

Sunday Morning at the Opera House

2008-05-11T09:56:00.006+10:00

This free Sunday morning concert on the steps of the 800-seat Municipal Theatre, in Lam Son Square Ho Chi Minh City was enthusiastically applauded.

Built as the Saigon Opera House in January 1900, this colonial- style building once housed the South Vietnam National Assembly. It was restored in 2000 and is now used for its original purpose.

The concert is free but not the newspapers! This lady selling newspapers had a captive audience.

House boats

2008-05-08T06:48:00.008+10:00

Not far from the outskirts of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) these Cambodian refugees have made a life for themselves on the river. They have been here since the American War, as it is called in Vietnam.

Vertigo

2008-05-06T18:14:00.004+10:00

Scaffolding in Vietnam is quite an art form....

but not for the fainthearted.

Rocky Mountain High with two calves.

2008-05-04T13:48:00.009+10:00

This small village is situated between Dalat and Ho Chi Minh City.

It is built around these amazing rocky outcrops.

The photos were taken from the window of a moving vehicle so aren't too bad considering the contortions I had to get into to take them.

Street scenes - Dalat

2008-04-24T21:16:00.004+10:00

Colourful Cho Da Lat (Central market) is filled with some of the local ethnic minorities who come to sell their produce.

Will be back on 3 May so until then I have posted some photos from the streets of Dalat.

Prenn Waterfall

2008-04-23T10:08:00.007+10:00

Prenn Waterfall, situated 5 km south of Dalat, descends 15 metres across the mouth of a cave and is accessible from a small bridge..

Popular with Vietnamese honeymooners it is surrounded by a small kitschy theme park with elephant and pony rides, shoot-em stalls, crocodile pool, souvenirs etc

Bamboo Forest Meditation Centre

2008-04-20T08:23:00.011+10:00

Set in a bamboo forest on the outskirts of Dalat, Thien Vien Truc Lam (Bamboo Forest Meditation Centre) was built in 1993 with donations from Vietnamese living in other countries – mainly America.

It is a Zen Buddist monastery with 90 monks and 100 nuns in residence.

A large hall contains a statue of Buddah holding a lotus flower, and the alter is covered in lotus paraphernalia.

Sitting on top of a hill overlooking Paradise Lake it is very peaceful.

Ede People

2008-04-18T10:20:00.007+10:00

The Ede people, a minority group living in the Southern Highlands near Dalat, lead a very meager existence.

The government tried to rehouse these people in a nearby town, providing them with new accommodation with running water and sewage but nearly all of the houses remain empty, as these proud people prefer to live their traditional life herding animals and living off the land.

The people and the scenery look very South American; I kept having to remind myself I was in Vietnam.

Flower Gardens of Dalat

2008-04-16T08:04:00.007+10:00

Vuon Hoa Da Lai (The Flower Gardens) are a quiet retreat from the bustle of Dalat’s central business district.

Established in 1966 they are filled with flowers and a stunning array of bonsai.

We were the only visitors that day and the horses that were hitched ready for tourist rides were resting.

Le Petit Paris

2008-04-14T07:05:00.005+10:00

No you aren’t seeing things.

This isn’t the Eiffel Tower but a telecommunications tower erected in Dalat in 1997.
The top of it was covered in mist this night.

In the heyday of French colonialism, Dalat was known as Le Petit Paris.
The town has many old French villas, and is the honeymoon capital of Vietnam.

Doorway and reflections

2008-04-12T11:59:00.005+10:00

I sat waiting for someone to come out and sit on this chair but no one did.

This elderly gentleman was doing what I was doing - watching the passing parade of people on the street below.

Street stalls Dalat

2008-04-08T22:06:00.009+10:00

On the street below our hotel, lively commercial stalls were set up each morning.

The cool highland climate enables a wide range of fruit and vegetables to be grown.

Some stalls are so small they can fit on a large cane tray.

The street sellers of Dalat

2008-04-07T06:20:00.009+10:00

In Dalat I sat on our small hotel terrace and photographed the street sellers. It is one of my favourite pass times when traveling.

As you can see these hard-working people are all women.

Drive to Dalat...with legs crossed.

2008-04-05T13:22:00.004+10:00

The long drive from the coast to Dalat in the southern highlands is filled with stunning views.

Road-stop conveniences are few and far between though.

PS Good to be back.

Gentle Giants

2008-03-07T17:18:00.008+10:00

It breaks my heart to see these majestic animals used as tourist rides but I guess if they weren't there may be even fewer of them around. What must they be thinking?

This is also the last post I will be doing .........

for a month as I have to travel to Lae and Port Moresby for work, and then to Australia for holidays. It is too difficult putting down 30 or so drafts with phone lines they way they are at the moment and my graphic card problems, so this blog says au revoir not goodbye, for the time being.

Many thanks for all your support - see you on April 5.

Solemn Sign

2008-03-05T16:09:00.003+10:00

Sign outside Dai Hung Temple in the grounds of Chua Thien Mu (Celestial Lady Pagoda), on Perfume River, Hue.

Sung An Temple

2008-03-03T16:16:00.009+10:00

These photos were taken in and around the Sung An (Temple of Infinite Grace), in Minh Mang's Tomb, Hue. This temple held his most prized possessions and the Chinese inscriptions on the stela detailed his merits and accomplishments including his 142 children.

These photos below are a view of the temple through the Hien Duc Gate.

You can gather by now how much I love doorways and windows!!

War Image

2008-03-01T14:18:00.005+10:00

There are a number of images from the Vietnam War that are burned into our psyche - the girl burnt with napalm running down the road, the helicopter evacuating Vietnamese from the roof of a CIA building during the fall of Saigon and the Buddhist monk who set fire to himself to protest the anti-Buddhist measures enacted by the South Vietnamese Catholic leader, Ngo Din Diem.

This is the egg-blue Austin sedan that ferried Thich Quang Duc to the Saigon intersection where he set himself ablaze in 1963. In this car was seen in the background of that horrific picture (as seen on the back of the wall behind the car)

This emotive relic is garaged in one of the monk's apartment buildings at the Thien Mu Pagoda outside Hue where he lived.

Pavilion of Light - Minh Mang Tomb

2008-02-28T16:49:00.010+10:00

From this pavilion Minh Mang watched the building of his tomb.

Minh Lau (Pavilion of Light) reached by Trung Dao Bridge.

Views from Pavilion of Light across Thong Minh Chinh Truc Bridge (in yesterday's post).

Thong Minh Mang

2008-02-26T17:05:00.008+10:00

In my opinion this is the most stunning of the Ngyen tombs outside Hue. Minh Mang reigned from 1820 to 1841

Three thousand soldiers and laborers worked on the tomb in 1840. After he died his son enlisted 9 000 soldiers and workers to finish the job. The King had 142 offspring so I guess he was quite pleased to eventually be lying in peace.

A 10 ft/3 m high wall runs around 40 buildings in a beautiful park setting.

This is Thong Minh Chinh Truc Bridge over the Ton Nguyet Lake.

Views across the lake from the Stela Pavilion

Painted ceiling of the Stela Pavillion

New shoes??

2008-02-24T10:33:00.005+10:00

It's not only tourists who get sore feet in the quiet highland town of Dalat, in Southern Vietnam.

Mountains of Marble

2008-02-22T17:09:00.009+10:00

South of Da Nang towards the coast, stand five large hills called Ngu Hanh Son - Marble Mountains.

The mountains are a valuable source of red, white and blue-green marble, and at the foot of the marble skilled carvers chisel out a huge number of objects for the house and garden. Marble from here was used to build Ho Chi Min's Mausoleum in Hanoi, see my previous post.

Have bike - will travel

2008-02-20T18:48:00.013+10:00

There are thousands of bicycles in Vietnam. We saw these on the streets of Hoi An.

Inside Khai Dinh's Palace, Hue

2008-02-17T16:15:00.010+10:00

Inside the palace it is a visual feast compared to the less-inspiring blackened exterior of the mausoleum. Colourful floor tiles, a huge dragon-in-the-clouds mural that was painted by artists using their feet adorns the ceiling of the middle chamber, and bright frescoes of inlaid ceramics and glass depicting the four seasons, cover the walls.

Nine metres below a life-size bronze statue of Khai Dinh made in France in 1922, the king's remains are entombed

More views from Khai Dinh Tomb - Hue

2008-02-15T18:24:00.008+10:00

Lacking the tranquil calm and colour of the other Nguyen Dynasty Tombs, Khai Dinh's exterior is quite austere and monotone, especially in bad weather.

Khai Dinh's Tomb - Hue

2008-02-13T16:41:00.006+10:00

On a steep hillside outside Hue, in Central Vietnam, this grandiose dragon staircase leads up to the entrance gates and the first courtyard of Khai Dinh's Tomb.

Entrance gates to the first courtyard. The tomb climbs the hillside in terraces of cement, slate and marble, and was 11 years in the making.

The first courtyard is filled with stone statues of elephants, horses and civil and military mandarins. Khai Dinh reigned from 1916 to 1925

A load of rubbish

2008-02-12T07:54:00.000+10:00

This rubbish bin on the footpath across from our hotel in Hanoi took my eye.

I even find rubbish bins photogenic!!!

Sick as a Vietnamese cat

2008-02-09T09:49:00.000+10:00

Jules is holed up in bed sick and can't post.

Will have to sit on the bed and keep her company.

Benson the Cat

Views through bamboo

2008-02-07T20:16:00.000+10:00

A stand of bamboo in the gardens of the Truc Lam Pagoda outside Dalat in the highlands of Southern Vietnam

More of Hoi An

2008-01-23T08:34:00.000+10:00

Hoi An is a trading port renowned for its timeworn merchant’s homes, grid of river front streets and Chinese assembly halls. It is purported to be the best preserved port of a bygone era in Southeast Asia prompting UNESCO in 1999 to inscribe the site on its World Heritage List.

You can see the Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and French influences in the buildings.

I fly out to Brisbane tomorrow for a couple of weeks so this blog will return on February 7. Thanks for all your support - see you then!!

Reflections

2008-01-21T08:52:00.000+10:00

Just a quick photo today from the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An, as phone lines are still not terrific.

The Lantern Shop - Hoi An

2008-01-17T08:07:00.000+10:00

This gentleman was baby-sitting his little boy while looking after his lantern shop on the esplanade, Hoi An.

More from the streets of Hoi An

2008-01-13T09:24:00.001+10:00

The Streets of Hoi An

2008-01-11T08:45:00.000+10:00

People on the streets of Hoi An going about their daily activities.

More next post.

Tuc Do's Tomb III

2008-01-09T08:28:00.000+10:00

Last look around Tuc Do's Tomb Complex in Hue, Central Vietnam.

Tuc Do sired no children despite having 103 concubines. He did not die of exhaustion as you would expect, but of small pox.

Tuc Do's Tomb II

2008-01-07T08:08:00.000+10:00

More photos from around Tuc Do's Tomb outside Hue. See 27 December post on this page for earlier photos.

Typhoon hits Lang Co

2008-01-03T08:12:00.000+10:00

Lang Co is normally one of Vietnam's most spectacular holiday beaches, but on this day it was far from... "azure placid waters lapping tropical sandy beaches."

The resort was in lock-down.

Minutes after this photo was taken the glass door shattered .

When you already live on a tropical island we kinda agreed this was more exciting!!

Dogs Galore

2008-01-01T15:16:00.000+10:00

We saw lots of dogs in Vietnam - many were pets.

Night Lights for the New Year

2007-12-31T09:27:00.001+10:00

Night lights from Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) to help celebrate the New Year.

Hope you have a good one.

Cycling on water

2007-12-29T09:57:00.002+10:00

The typhoon raised the level of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An, flooding Bach Dang - the esplanade.

King Tu Duc's Pavillion, Hue

2007-12-27T09:28:00.000+10:00

This pavilion, in the tomb complex of the King Tu Duc (1848-1883), outside Hue in Central Vietnam, was used in the 1992 movie Indochine.

This is where the king wrote poetry and relaxed, as he looked over the tranquil Luu Khiem Lake.

Saigon Wedding

2007-12-24T11:59:00.000+10:00

My computer has a problem so I have had not posted here for a while. These photos from Vietnam I found on my laptop.

Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon was designed by Frenchman Jules Bourand, and the cornerstone laid in 1877, with stained glass and bricks imported from France. Two matching bell towers rise 56 m above Paris Square Cong Xa Paris). Visible from afar, these towers are famous landmarks of the city.

On the facade you can find bullet holes from the War.

While we were at the front of the Cathedral we came across this couple having their photos taken after their wedding. They happily posed for us too.

Hue's Ancient Citadel

2007-12-20T20:24:00.000+10:00

The overnight train from Hanoi arrives in Hue, the ancient city of the Nguyen Kings, early in the morning. Hue, on the banks of the Song Huong (Perfume River), is situated midway between Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) in the south.The city is not only historical rich, but charming and cultured.
On the river's north bank is the ancient Citadel, inside which are found the stunning and resplendent Forbidden Purple City, Yellow Enclosure and the fabled Imperial City, which follows the same layout as Beijing’s Forbidden City. The Citadel is a 4 sq km fortification of 6.5 m walls, ramparts and bastions.

One of the ten gates through the wall is the 57 m wide Ngo Mon (Noon Gate) which was once reserved for the private use of the Emperor.

The second typhoon in as many weeks descended upon Hue the afternoon we arrived and the visit to this amazing place was eventually abandoned due poor light and wet everything. The next morning it was no better so this is all we managed to see.

Goodbye Hanoi

2007-12-19T08:27:00.000+10:00

Last views of Hanoi before heading south.

Crossing the Red River with views of the 1 682 metre long Long Bien Bridge. This bridge, we were told, was designed by Eiffel (as in the Eiffel Tower fame) and was heavily bombed during the war. It was the northbound access for all vehicles out of the city until 1983 but these days it is only used for trains, cyclists and pedestrians.

View of the same bridge from the roof-top of our Hotel.

Last minute shopping in Hanoi and the only way to beat the heat is to go by rickshaw.

Furniture and funny trucks

2007-12-17T08:00:00.000+10:00

On the way back to Hanoi from Halong Bay we stopped at an industrial area which specializes in furniture

............and funny trucks.

Boats on the water

2007-12-15T09:40:00.000+10:00

There are many different types of craft that ply the waters of Halong Bay.

Hang Dau Go

2007-12-13T21:57:00.000+10:00

In Halong Bay is the very famous Hang Dau Go Grotto.

Halong Bay Vistas

2007-12-10T05:57:00.000+10:00

More photos from Halong Bay, where you can take one to four day tours.

Halong Bay Fishermen

2007-12-08T07:48:00.002+10:00

In Halong Bay we came across fishermen living and working from house boats.

We went on board and took these photos.

The fisherman was shy and didn't want his photo taken.

Halong Bay I

2007-12-06T10:56:00.000+10:00

The sun breaks through the early morning haze over Halong Bay.

Heading out...

Halong Bay in northern Vietnam is a series of 2 000 islands that rise hundreds of feet over the warm tropical waters. A UNESCO World Heritage designated site, it covers 1 553 square kilometres and is one of Vietnam's most popular tourist haunts and hundreds of boats travel the waters, taking people on day and overnight trips.

According to the legend the bay formed when a dragon plunged into the sea whipping its tail from side to side in a frenzy, carving up the region.

More over the next few days.

Japanese Bridge II

2007-12-04T22:27:00.000+10:00

More photos of the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An.

China Beach

2007-11-25T17:48:00.000+10:00

This photo of my daughters was taken on China Beach, Da Nang, Central Vietnam is one of my favourite Vietnam photos.

Tomorrow I fly out for the big smoke Port Moresby, the capital of PNG and I won’t be able to post, so will see you on Sunday with my Vietnam bridge photos.

Van Mieu 3

2007-11-24T06:02:00.001+10:00

Still in Van Mieu, The Temple of Literature in Hanoi - it covers an area of 14 acres, so there is a lot to see.

The Gate of Great Success leads to the Courtyard of Sages in which is found.....

The Great House of Ceremonies......

where a statue of Confucius is kept flanked by his four closest disciples.

More from inside the Great House next post.

Van Mieu - 2

2007-11-21T05:58:00.000+10:00

More photos from Van Mieu, the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, see previous post for deatils.

The 82 stelae (on which the names of the scholars who passed their exams are listed) are resting on the backs of stone tortoises. The stelae were entombed in sand and concrete to protect them during the American War (as they call it in V

ietnam

). After the war they were exposed to the elements in the garden and were cracking and sinking, but American Express funded their preservation in eight elevated pavillions.

This is The Great Middle Gate which leads into the Garden of the Stelae.

In this garden is the Well of Heavenly Clarity.

Bonsais outside The Great House of Ceremonies

Streets of Bat Thrang Pottery Village

2007-11-17T08:06:00.000+10:00

These photos were taken in the streets of Bat Thrang Pottery Village.

Chua But Thap

2007-11-13T14:00:00.000+10:00

Goddess of Mercy Quan Yin with her thousand eyes and arms to see all and help those in need.

Wooden statues of Buddha dating from 17th century, recognized as some of best in Vietnam.

This wooden prayer tower from the 17th century, is built in the form of lotus petals.

Chua But Thap

2007-11-11T13:28:00.002+10:00

Located outside Hanoi, near Dinh To village, is the ancient Chua But Thap, built in the 13th century. Seven houses align on a 100 metre axis flanked by 32 long corridors of 26 column bays.

This pagoda has the finest examples of Buddhist statuary in the country, so will show you some of them in the next post.

Last look at Sapa

2007-11-10T09:52:00.000+10:00

The French instigated a building boom in the 1930's as an escape from the coastal heat. The weather was wet the entire time so photos were very difficult.

Looking over the wall into someone's vegetable garden.

This restaurant, built on the side of a hill has an interesting walkway up to it.

A break in the weather - so lets have a parade.

2007-11-09T09:46:00.000+10:00

The rain cleared enough one afternoon in Sapa for these men to practise their marching for a parade.

We never did find out what they were celebrating, but it was very colourful and brightened up what had been a very wet, muddy day.

Sapa's hill tribe people

2007-11-07T22:26:00.000+10:00

The people from the hill tribes surrounding Sapa, are well known for their heavily embroidered fabric and costumes.

Not only are their costumes colourful, but so are some of their names – White Dao, Flower H’mong and Black H’mong.

School Days

2007-11-06T20:53:00.000+10:00

While walking in the country-side near Sapa, we happened upon this village school. The children in one classroom were quite excited to see us; they don't have much but they seemed a happy lot.

Great weather for ducks and buffaloes

2007-11-05T12:48:00.000+10:00

Ducks like the wet and so do water buffaloes. In the rice paddies around Sapa water buffaloes are invaluable to the farmers, and unlike the farmers don't mind being out in the rain..

Views around Sapa

2007-11-04T14:42:00.000+10:00

The countryside around Sapa is stunning and rain adds another dimension to the landscape.

Beasts of Burden

2007-11-03T13:25:00.001+10:00

Horses are still used extensively throughout Vietnam to haul loads.

Victoria Hotel - Sapa

2007-11-02T16:09:00.001+10:00

Sapa is reached by an overnight train trip from Hanoi and then a bus trip through stunningly steep mist-covered mountains with rice terraces clinging to their sides.

Staying at the Victoria Hotel eases any discomfort you may have had getting there.

Blue as the sky - xanh da troi

2007-10-31T19:55:00.000+10:00

Thought I'd do xanh da troi (blue) today as this is the theme on our Daily Photo Blogs for the first day of thang muoi mot (November).

These photos were taken in the old town centre of Hoi An, Central Vietnam.

Busy streets of Hanoi

2007-10-29T21:07:00.005+10:00

The streets of Hanoi are full of people, motorbikes, rickshaws and bicycles - day and night.

Early morning exercise

2007-10-28T17:58:00.000+10:00

Early morning in Hanoi and its residents stop on their way to work to play badminton, run and partake in taiqi quan and calisthenics.

Lang Chu Tich Ho Chi Minh

2007-10-28T09:20:00.000+10:00

In Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh delivered Vietnam's declaration of Independence in 1945, his embalmed corpse lies in state in the massive marble and granite mausoleum.

Inscribed prominently on the mausoleum is Ho's famous maxim "Nothing is more precious than freedom."

Ho Chi Minh wanted to be cremated and his ashes spread in a number of places around his beloved country, but he is displayed in a glass casket in a cold room within this monumental tomb.

Chua Mot Cot - One-Pillar Pagoda

2007-10-27T08:20:00.000+10:00

Originally built in 1049 the wooden pagoda sits on a single concrete pillar rising out of a lotus pool. I t was reconstructed after the departing French soldiers destroyed it in 1954.

Water puppets

2007-10-25T11:19:00.001+10:00

In the 11th century, before the dikes were built to hold back the annual Red River floods in the delta, the farmers created a unique form of art - water puppetry.

The puppeteers stand in water up to their waist, behind a screen and manoeuvre the puppets on long bamboo poles. The performances consist of a dozen or more small acts which retell Vietnamese myths.

Musicians provide background music.

Hanoi's women at work

2007-10-24T19:53:00.000+10:00

A tribute to the working women of Hanoi.

Sunday - Hanoi style

2007-10-23T22:13:00.000+10:00

Fishing on the edge of Truc Bach Lake.

Drinking very strong coffee with friends.

Watching the world go by.

Working at Chau Long market - same job, different day.

Shades of green

2007-10-22T17:11:00.000+10:00

Hanoi has many tree- lined streets which help deflect the hot sun.

Hanoi seniors

2007-10-21T12:21:00.000+10:00

In Vietnam the elderly are respected by all, and their age is seen as a sign of wisdom.

Hanoi with a French twist

2007-10-20T11:57:00.001+10:00

The struggle to gain independence from the French took many years, but the French influence in Hanoi can still be seen in its architectural heritage, with green shutters and mustard rendered walls in abundance. People still call you Madame and wonderful French pastries are available.

Vietnam - same same but different

2007-10-19T17:26:00.000+10:00

Why the name? In Vietnam we saw this on T-shirts everywhere and it made us smile because in PNG we say same same too!!!

I'll post a photo everyday with just a very short comment. I don't want to appear to know all about the place, but will add anything I think you might find interesting. I will work consecetively through the photos from the beginning of the trip to the end picking those I think are worthy. Many were taken by He-Who-Doesn't-Blog. We encountered some very wet, cloudy and smoggy weather so his expertise was wonderful. All of the photos except for a couple had to be taken manually because the weather conditions kept tricking the camera.

This was one of the first photos taken. You know that exciting feeling when you open up the window and look out on a city you have never been to before. I crawled out through the window onto a tiny balcony looked down onto the street and there she was - a Hanoi flower seller.