After reunification, Hanoi became the capital. Our next day was given to exporing it on foot.
Our brilliant guide Thiep
Am: in spacious parkland, sits the Mausoleum for Ho Chi Minh, the revolutionary leader hugely respected by many Vietnamese & viewed as the nearest most have to a god. Elderly people who fought in the war make a pilgrimage here before they get too infirm. We went around and into it, where I imagine the setup is similar to e.g. Lenin’s in Moscow, with long queues forming to enter to see his embalmed body on a central pedestal inside glass. We were watched and very strictly corralled by guards in white uniforms, who enforced its rules: e.g. no phones, no hats, no hands in pockets & certainly no smiling ... In contrast, when a frail old Vietnamese couple went in, two guards very gently helped them up, around and down the steps at the other side – a striking example of their respect for their elders.
The grandiose mausoleum built for Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh‘s house where he lived till death – simple but elegant
Water lillies in a pond outside
Saw several children finely dressed with makeup, who readily took up poses for photos, apart from the girl in white who looked only about 10 & seemed uncomfortable at being asked to pose for person with her.
The Temple of Literature used to be the leading university, but is now used just for special occasions like graduation. Beautiful curved roofs with carved finials of dragons, clouds etc.
the Temple of Literature
During afternoon, some of us tasted egg coffee, a Hanoi speciality made with raw egg yolk in coffee over tealight burner.
Delicious - more like a dessert
The next day, we were taken out of the city to a more rural area, but not without long, slow urban drive first.
Huge accommodation blocks for workers coming into Hanoi
Waist-high jars of soy beans being fermented into sauce.
Another request from village kids for photo – who could resist this lovely bunch!
Back in town the next day, there was a surprising range of shops
Only for a wealthy few?
