Our final stop in Southeast Asia was Hanoi, Vietnam’s busy capital, after a long bus ride down from the mountains. This is a shorter update than usual because we didn't do as much here—it ended up being a bit of a pitstop.
Dan came down with a stomach bug (one more for the road) and rested up while Chelsea clocked up the kilometres wandering the Old Quarter and visited the enormous taxidermy turtles in Ngoc Son Temple. Once Dan had recovered, we went past Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (closed for the day!) and explored the Temple of Literature (of course). It was 34ºC and the weather app said ‘feels like 44ºC’ which we could well believe 🥵. We improved our situation on Beer Street, and meandered round Hoan Kiem Lake. One day was spent reading, writing, and doing some admin ahead of the Japan chapter. We rounded out the Vietnam month with a final few servings of spring rolls, banh mi, and stir-fried morning glory, topped off by generous pours of ‘happy water’ by over-enthusiastic staff.
Vietnam has been the most inexpensive country in Southeast Asia, and clearly the fastest developing nation we’ve visited. We saw huge changes in landscapes, food and architecture as we made our way from south to north. It’s easy to travel and there’s a lot of change coming for this scrappy country.
The final stop in Hanoi ended up being a good microcosm of all our good and bad Southeast Asian experiences: crazy roads, ornate temples, street trash, dirt cheap food and drink, mad markets, stomach bugs, tourist traps, stonking heat, tiny rooms, and much more. All in all, a fitting place to finish in.
We'll do a full review of the region in another post in a couple of days. But there’s more of the world to see, and we’re doing a big jump now to our next destination. More to come soon!Read more
TravelerI was frogmarched in to see Uncle Ho’s embalmed body the day it arrived back from Russia in Jan 2017. However, up until I entered the building I had no idea why I’d been shouted into a queue and marched across the parade grounds by guards in blinding white uniforms. I had just been walking along the empty avenue, and thought I was in trouble! Once inside, you’re required to keep walking fairly quickly round the open tomb while peering down at a waxy Ho, and I had to exert extreme control not to laugh with relief (and at the absurdity of the situation), very tense guards on high alert.
VietnamHà Nội21°2’8” N 105°51’13” E
VietnamHà Nội21°2’8” N 105°51’13” E
Traveler
I feel this creature
Traveler
I'd love to know what was weird about it, when/if you have time.
TravelerI was frogmarched in to see Uncle Ho’s embalmed body the day it arrived back from Russia in Jan 2017. However, up until I entered the building I had no idea why I’d been shouted into a queue and marched across the parade grounds by guards in blinding white uniforms. I had just been walking along the empty avenue, and thought I was in trouble! Once inside, you’re required to keep walking fairly quickly round the open tomb while peering down at a waxy Ho, and I had to exert extreme control not to laugh with relief (and at the absurdity of the situation), very tense guards on high alert.