Busy streets of Hanoi
November 6, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌙 75 °F
Got to our hotel in Hanoi and set out for a walk. The streets are filled with cars and motorcycles. We were told that to cross the street just walk out slowly but do not stop, they won’t hit you.Read more
Hà Nội
November 6, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌙 75 °F
Walked to Hoan Kiem Lake and saw the entrance to the Ngoc Son Temple built on a small island on the lake.
Hà Nội
November 6, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌙 75 °F
The colorful lighted bridge over to the Ngoc Son Temple.
Morning Breakfast
November 7, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Breakfast at our hotel. Getting ready for a full day of sightseeing.
Hi Chi Minh Mausoleum
November 7, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 75 °F
We toured Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and grounds.
Presidential Palace
November 7, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 73 °F
The presidential palace near Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum.
One pillar pagoda
November 7, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 75 °F
On the grounds of the presidential palace.
Street sweepers
November 7, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 75 °F
Keeping Hanoi clean.
The Temple of Literature
November 7, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 75 °F
The entrance to the Temple of Literature complex.
Temple of Literature
November 7, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 75 °F
Important historical information is found in the third courtyard. The courtyard is flanked on each side by 2 rows of stone stelae on pedestals shaped as tortoises representing permanence. The stelaeRead more
Temple of Literature
November 7, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 77 °F
At the Buddhist pagoda.
Hanoi Hilton
November 7, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 77 °F
Visiting the prison made known during the Vietnam war. Over 400 US pilots were held here including Senator John McCain. Built by the French colonists, it was used to house political prisoners. TheRead more
Water Puppet Performance
November 7, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
We took in a local water puppet show. Water puppetry or "Roi Nuoc" in Vietnamese began as early as the 10th century and was further developed during the re-generation of arts, which flourished duringRead more
A narrow street
November 7, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 75 °F
A small narrow street in Hanoi has a working railroad track running down the center. Life goes on once the train passes.
City Sidewalks
November 7, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 75 °F
The sidewalks are full of merchants preparing and selling their wares. Here, one lady is cooking for hungry customers. The others hoping to sell produce they have carried in to sell.
Motorcycles Everywhere
November 8, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 77 °F
Some of the 6.4 million motorcycles in Hanoi. The city has a population of about 10 million.
Cruising Through Ha Long Bay
November 8, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
We cruised around the bay within the Gulf of Tonkin. The rock formations were very unique and stretched on as far as we could see.
Low Headroom
November 9, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
We set off on bamboo boats to explore the dark and bright caves of Ha Long Bay. These caves have been created by erosion over millions of years now exposing stalactites and stalagmites. Everyone leanRead more
Hai Phong
November 9, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
Back on land we stop for lunch in Hai Phong before boarding a plane to Saigon. While there we walk past the statue of General Le Chan, a general that fought against invaders early in the history ofRead more
Early Morning Cycle Ride
November 10, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
Up early for a ride around the city of Saigon.
Saigon Coffee
November 10, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F
Even though I don’t like coffee, I had to try Saigon coffee. Iced coffee with sweet condensed milk. At a sidewalk cafe near a city park.
A Wet Market
November 10, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F
A visit to a wet market in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Customers either walk up or ride up on a motor bike, pick out what they want, it is weighed and then paid for.
Street Sweeper
November 10, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F
Keeping the streets of Saigon clean.
Secret Bunker
November 10, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F
A secret bunker set up to store weapons for the Vietnam War. Built in the lowest level of a structure (house/business). Wooden doors were carved to hide weapons.
Pho for you! (Actually for me!)
November 10, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 90 °F
A bowl of sensational beef pho at a local restaurant. Bill Clinton came to the cafe for the pho. Really.