Further exploration in Hanoi

1. The One Pillar Pagoda - Exactly as described and highly unusual.
2. Ho Chi Minh complex - The huge Ho Chi Minh mausoleum of, a museum dedicated to his life and work (very strange inside, not much in English and lots of interpretative "art" - very confusing). Unfortunately, his stilt house where he was meant to have actually lived a simple life was closed for a long lunch break.
3. Parliament, state building and St Joseph’s cathedral.
4. The beautiful Hanoi opera house
5. Lo Hao (Hanoi Hilton) prison - The French built this prison to hold both male and female political prisoners. Pretty awful place and disgusting conditions. Torture was the norm and an imported French guillotine for executions. A lucky few escaped over the years. The almond tree (still there) provided shade during the 45min yard time and leaves and fruit to chew and make medicinal compounds from. The Americans captured during the war were also kept here when it was referred to as the Hanoi Hilton!Read more