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The contrasts between Hanoi and Saigon are significant. The former is much more reserved and quiet a city, while the latter is much bolder and brasher. It is clear that the Saigon of the south has more readily embraced free-market ideals. But the sleepiness of Hanoi holds its own charm, together with the French colonial architecture, tree lined streets, and conduct of daily life. If only the sun would come out!
Along the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake, one of the several lakes which grace the urban landscape of Hanoi, Hieu, Trung, and Mrs. Janzen pose for a photo.
A small pagoda (one of the symbols of Hanoi) sits upon a similarly small island in the southern end of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Sadly, it came time to say goodbye to our Vietnamese family. Here, our driver, Be, and Rich thank one another for the good times and say goodbye....hopefully not forever. The two handed shake is one seen throughout much of Southeast Asia, and is indicative of respect.
A farewell shot of the group: Be, Rich, Hieu, Mrs. Janzen, Kelly and Trung. Bo and Heidi had flown out the day before. After this photo was taken, Mrs. Janzen and the crew headed back south toward Saigon.
Throughout Hanoi, and particularly around Hoan Kiem Lake, you can see small groups of men huddled closely together around checker boards as they watch two opponents battle one another. How men of advanced years can squat for such extended periods of time in the cold of Hanoi is beyond us.
To the left is a monument to the Soviet and Communist icon, V. Lenin, found in central Hanoi. To the right is the Vietnamese and Communist icon, Ho Chi Minh (which can be found in the Ho Chi Minh Museum). What Lenin and Uncle Ho also share in common is that each is eternally preserved for display by their admiring public. In Hanoi, we visited Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, together with thousands of adoring Vietnamese. We all solemnly filed by the stiff, two by two, looking at his dimly lit body laying within a coffin of glass. Unfortunately, we thought better of trying to smuggle a camera in to capture a shot of the old man, so you'll have to go see for yourself.
Workers along a Hanoi street.
A common sight throughout Vietnam; a woman with her cargo of produce which she hopes to sell upon the city's streets.
We spent one evening enjoying a highly entertaining water puppet performance. An art form that originated in north Vietnam, the stage is literally water. The puppeteers manipulate the partially submerged puppets (and are themselves partially submerged) from behind a screen.
Following the performance, the puppeteers (waist deep in the stage) come from behind the screen for warm applause from the appreciative crowd.
Although we were ready to leave Hanoi after one week, we were very sad to leave Vietnam. We found the landscape and the people of Vietnam to be very beautiful. However, it was time to move on to India (via Bangkok) and see our friends, Paul and Mike.
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