Hanoi, Vietnam

We arrived in Hanoi on 24 September and spent three days checking out the sights in the "Old Quarter" before traveling to Sapa.  We returned for one night before moving on to the coast on 1 October.  Hanoi is home to several significant museums with Vietnam's take on the Vietnam War and nearly 100 years of French colonialism.  We enjoyed Hanoi.  However, it's an incredibly chaotic city with 5 million scooters with their riders all feeling the need to take turns beeping their horns to the point of driving us crazy. (Paul)

Another country with good beer.  This particular "bia hoi" is only 25 cents a glass. The only Vietnamese we know - too easy - "bee ah".

Keg of bia hoi at one of the many sidewalk restaurants.

Hey comrade Lenin, how do you feel about all the Fords and Chevies being imported into Vietnam? Politically, it's very visibly a communist country. However, economically, it feels like the epitome of capitalism and entrepreneurship.

Soldiers everywhere you look.

"Uncle Ho" - Ho Chi Minh.  I'd guess his approval ratings are close to 100%

Uncle Ho lies embalmed in this mausoleum for visitors to pay their respects.  Appears to be a tradition for all the big communist leaders - Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Kim Il Sung, and Hugo Chavez. (Hugo Chavez!?!?) We happened to walk by during the changing of the guard, but we didn't have an opportunity to get a glimpse of Uncle Ho since it was closed.  Nevertheless, there is a giant museum honoring the life and times of Uncle Ho.  

A plaque inside the "Hanoi Hilton" where many US pilots were held for years during the Vietnam War.  One of them, Senator John McCain, spent over 5 years there.  His recollection is a little different than the resort-like conditions depicted in the many pictures of the POW's smiling, playing basketball, and celebrating Christmas.

John McCain's flight suit and parachute on display in the Hanoi Hilton.

The Vietnam Military History Museum is very extensive.  Lots of US "trophies" from the Vietnam War.  Behind this US M-48 tank is an artistic compilation of US airplane parts from several downed aircraft.

Gotta respect them for calling it like it is.

Another near hit by a crazy scooter rider driving through an outside eating area.  If it's physically possible to ride a scooter through any space, they will.

I think the 5 million scooter estimate may be low.  The sidewalks are scooter parking lots forcing pedestrians to fend for themselves in the streets.  Crossing a busy two way street with cars and scooters buzzing and beeping by is a real test of will.  Just start walking confidently into the middle of the stream of cars and scooters and they will drive around you. That doesn't make it any less unnerving.  One time I had Kassie's fingernails dug into my right arm and a little old Vietnamese granny's fingernails dug into my left arm.

If there aren't scooters parked on the sidewalk, there will be a restaurant.  Tiny footstools are the seating of choice for these fine establishments.

And the restaurant dishes are washed in the street as well.  If you need to use the toilet, the family restaurant owners will let you into their home that is attached to their restaurant.

Some ladies doing some gardening in one of the public parks.  I have got to figure out how to bring back some of those hats!

No shortage of produce in Vietnam!

"Weasel Coffee" is the shit!  Literally.  Legend and marketing has it that weasels select the finest coffee berries and the undigested beans make the best coffee.  I may never know.  However, a quick math calculation of the amount of this coffee I saw for sale in the Old Quarter would probably require a billion fat weasels eating coffee berries constantly.

Vietnam is the world's second largest producer of coffee - largely for instant coffee.  Nevertheless, they even have a unique way of preparing coffee with these cool little filters.  They also prepare it with condensed milk.  I normally don't like contaminants in my coffee, but it's actually pretty good.