VIETNAM! Or, my first trip off the peninsula to see something other than Korea

Day 1: May 27 - Hanoi

Cyclos are popular!

First day in Vietnam and I am so excited! Also, first day in a) the 3rd world and b) Communism. Have already seen so much:

This could be Europe

1. Flying in over red tiled roofs that reminded me more of Florence or Slovakia than anything in Asia

One of MANY propaganda posters

2. Propaganda EVERYWHERE! Wonder what it says...

3. Scooters EVERYWHERE! No signals for crossing, so just walk at will and with care and people generally stop. But be prepared for horns.

I got a great shot of being alnmost hit by a cyclo in the  middle of the crosswalk! For my mother's sake, this is not it:) 

4. Wandering market square - shoes, silks, bags and beggars
5. Meeting street urchins who speak 4 languages

NOT the lady who accosted me with her pineapple, but the same baskets

6. Spring rolls here are not exactly what I expected
7. Shabby chic, dilapidated but beautiful Hanoi that is green as well as red, and still showing off it's French colonial influence

Hanoi streetscape

8. Accosted by a pineapple lady with her over-the-shoulder carrier - good pics, but railroaded into buying fresh fruit
9. 800,000 dong in my pocket and a market full of inexpensive goods!

Day 2: Halong Bay
A busy and LONG day, as it's 4 hours by SLOW bus east to the Sea. Stopped off in a mountain village for a National Geographicesque trek down a river. Pics of the countryside speak for themsevles...

Countryside - see the mountains in the background??

Um, yes, that is an ad at a restaurant for cat, dog, rabbit, and, oh yeah, chicken!

Where we boated

I think this is what I was expecting from Vietnam

Day 3: Halong Bay, part 2
5 hour boat trip through Halong Bay, trek up 500 stairs to amazing views, a dip in the sea to cool off, and caving (complete with neon lights?!). Dinner and night marketing.

Boats in Halong Bay

The Kissing Rock

View from above

Day 4: Back to Hanoi
Steeped in Communism today - Lenin, War museum, Hanoi Hilton, and Ho Chi Minh's tomb. Enough propaganda in English at Hanoi Hilton to make me tired and ready to go home.

Vietnam war memorial

"Uncle Ho"'s Tomb

An example of the propaganda in the Hanoi Hilton - made me a bit nauseous

A cell in the women's prison

Marketing and more harassment by beggars If you come to Vietnam, expect to be taken advantage of - one vendor even ripped the price tag off a package of dried fruit and charged me twice what the other packages were marked. But being ready to head home is a good way to end a trip.

Marketing in Hanoi. Jimmy: I tried to bring back a drum but they didn't ship from there and I could not bring it back! Never fear, I'll get you one from China. As our tour guide told me, "Everything's made there anyway." :) 

It was great to get off the peninsula and see new things. But once we hit the clean(er, relatively) air of Korea, I was happy to be back home. And sleep! :)

I look ridiculous, my little head in this big hat!

For all of my Vietnam photos, you're welcome to explore the full album!