Feb 16-19: Vietnam:Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – huge open space in front of the mausoleum – very tight regulations – line up in 2 lines, no talking, hats off, no shorts, need sleeve shirt, move slowly, guards every corner – only open for a couple of hours a day, huge lines (we got there right at closing), you shuffle through a darkly lit halway into the viewing chamber (no cameras allowd) and lo and behold – there lies the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh – quite surreal experience. They usually take him out once a year to Russia to get re-embalmed.
Hanoi, Vietnam The Paradox: liberal capitalism with socialistic politics
We arrived here a little breathless and unplanned after our all night bus ride and visa issues in Thailand. So when we took a taxi from the airport into downtown Hanoi, we had no idea where we were going or where we were staying, other than that we wanted to be in the Old Quarter. Upon arriving in the Old Quarter, we could see that walking around looking for a hotel, with five of us trundling our backpacks along was going to be impossible. The streets are incredibly narrow, and FULL, (and I mean FULL, from one side of the street to other!) with motorcycles – all of them beeping their horns! I hope our pictures can show this, although pictures can never capture the cacophony! We decided to have the taxi drop us off at a hotel we’d read about in our guidebook. When we pulled up to the hotel, someone ran out, asked if we had a booking, and hearing we didn’t, told us they were full. But, what do you know, they had another hotel that had space! We realized later we were being had by the oldest trick in the book, but this other hotel worked out great – soft beds, warm comforters, clean …and $15US per room! We’ve seen sights in Hanoi, but my favorite sightseeing is just watching the city go by. It’s amazing it all works! The streets are literally full of cars and motorbikes all day long. Shops spill out onto the “sidewalk” and shopkeepers and their friends or family (?) sit out on the sidewalk on these little plastic stools that would fit about ONE of my buns (no comments please!) At night, there are wide swatches of sidewalk set aside as “bia hoi” stalls, where men mostly sit and drink warm beer in ice-filled glasses, all perched on these little plastic stools.
It feels strange to think that technically we’re in a “Communist” or at least socialist country. Capitalism is alive and well here, as evidenced by all the stuff that’s offered for sale! But there are still a fair number of billboards with a hammer and sickle, and the Vietnamese star. Ho Chi Minh is still revered and referred to as “Uncle Ho.” We went to see his mausoleum, which could almost be called a “pilgrimage” to Vietnamese, at least here in the north. It was quite an experience in Social Studies!…
We also went to see Hoa Lo Prison, which is where John McCain was held and was known as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the war. The Vietnam War war here is called the “American War,” which makes sense if you think about it. Not much of the prison is left standing. It’s been razed to build a skyscraper called the Hanoi Towers. However, they did preserve the main gate and a section of cell blocks which has been made into a museum. There really wasn’t a lot about the American prisoners here. Most of the museum was about the Vietnamese who were incarcerated here during the French colonization of Vietnam. The prison was originally built by the French to incarcerate hundreds of Vietnamese revolutionaries who were fighting for freedom from the French. There was only one room dedicated to the American soldiers who were held here during the war, and it definitely had a certain slant to it, as it was depicted as a really quite pleasant place to be!
Governors residence of IndoChina
Ho Chi Minh REsidence – he like the simplicity of life – not in the big mansion above – Frank Loyd Wright would have liked the wood work
French leftover – church – not kept up very well, but there is a thriving Catholic Community here
Temple of Literature: This was basically a university for the study of philosphy, law, and literature dating back to 1070. They studied Confucious teachings for feudal society in the orderly flow and ethical behavior of gentlemen – with respect to education self, organizing family, governing state, and ruling all nations. And he wrote this back in 50 BC. A fabulous place to think of all the “learning going on”.
These are called stelea – basically like a PH Diploma – it has there name, what they studied, etc on it once they passed their exams and the final exam given by the king. There were 13 thousand students that passed. The turtle is an important symbol with the Vietnamese people.
The Phoenix is also an important symbol and is represented in the temples.
Museum of Enthology – explains all the different people groups, language, culture, dress, occupations – outside they had these huge models set up that showed how they lived. This was the meeting hall.
HaLo Prison – aka – “Hanoi Hilton” as named by the US prisoners of war – the prison camp that the US airmen were housed in – including Senator John McCain. This prison was built by the French and where they kept Vietnamese prisoners that were fighting against the French. Most of the prison exhibits described the fight for Vietnamese independence from the French and the atrocities that they committed. My camera gave out so we did not get many pictures including the guillitine. What you see is only a portion of the prison that was saved for historical purposes, but the other half there now sits a hotel – ironically named Hanoi HIlton Towers. Vietnam has a long history trying to get their independance – from the Chinese and the French – Ho Chi Minh was first trying to unify Vietnam by getting rid of the French – he actually wrote to 2 US presidents for help but got no reply – had communistic leanings – when independance was declared he was the ruling party in the north, but there was a catholic president in the south who did not want to become communist – there lies the fighting and US involvement. Vietnam has always in their history had a north – south type of split.
Didn’t mean for this to come right after the prison pictures – Just Sayings –
This sign is showing those individuals that have not used a “western” toilet how to do it. The kids are liking Vietnam because they have western toilets (not squat pots or sometimes referred to as starting blocks), and they all have toilet paper rather than the perverbial hose with water.
Sights of Hanoi in the old quarter – each street is named for the wares that are being sold on that street – totaly a crazy place with no traffic rules – we finally got the hang of how to cross a street -don’t stop, they will go around you – bicylces, cars, motorbikes – 2.5 million motorbikes in Hanoi with only a population of 4 million – following pictures are just street life – the most fascinating aspect of Hanoi (capital of Vietnam)
The favorite pasttime – sitting around on little stools eating, but mostly drinking cheap beer in plactic glasses with ice. –
Tags: Travel
citing dissertation apa thesis dissertation doctoral dissertation writing help
Many thanks, I value it.
the best essay writers https://helpwithdissertationwriting.com e dissertation https://researchproposalforphd.com
You’ve made your position extremely well..
99 thesis stated thesis thesis statment thesis in research paper
ropinirole without prescription requip generic trandate 100mg drug
With thanks! I enjoy it!
reddit writing service political science essay writing service how to advertise resume writing service writing a community service essay
buy generic tadacip buy amoxicillin online trimox sale
buy tadacip online cheap clopidogrel 150mg drug trimox drug
Position clearly used..
helping others essay https://quality-essays.com how to write an essay about your self https://essaytyperhelp.com
Very good data, Appreciate it!
writing a proposal for your dissertation dissertation help service binding mba dissertation help dissertation service
Thanks. I enjoy this!
pay someone to write my essay for me portrait of a writer essay can you do my essay do my essay for me for free
You actually said this perfectly!
coursework help uk i need to do my homework you can be my teacher i ll do homework will you do my homework for me
Helpful facts. Thanks!
how to write an about me bio for blog the essay writer writing essays for money write the essay for me
Nicely put, Thank you!
free essay writing service paper writing service reddit management essay writing service admission essay services
Thank you, Quite a lot of data!
write paper who can write a paper for me essay writer website write my term papers
ivermectin for children buy stromectol rabbit ear mites ivermectin
fenofibrate 200mg uk viagra 50mg pills for men purchase viagra online
very exciting. Just read this article for the first time. thanks for sharing thanks ดูหนังใหม่พากย์ไทย
You actually reported it well.
dissertation typing services uk phd thesis proposal dissertation proposals i need someone to write my dissertation
Kudos! Numerous advice!
what to write an essay on https://essaywritingserviceahrefs.com custom essay cheap https://writingpaperforme.com
Very well expressed really! .
help writing a speech https://writingresearchtermpaperservice.com custom essay writer https://studentessaywriting.com
buy fenofibrate 200mg pill buy fenofibrate 200mg pills order generic viagra
Very good material. Kudos!
do my research paper pay someone to write a paper for me research paper writers online research paper writer
order generic fenofibrate 160mg sildenafil 50mg canada viagra next day delivery
Cheers. Useful stuff.
help dissertation essay dissertation professional dissertation help dissertation service uk
Very good information. Many thanks!
university personal statement writing service last minute paper writing service master thesis writing service using essay writing service
Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics. Best and news about drug.
buy amoxicillin 500mg canada
zithromax cost uk
Cautions. All trends of medicament.
Incredible quite a lot of very good material!
need help writing scholarship essay https://buyanessayscheaponline.com how to write a critique essay https://essaywritingservicebbc.com
safe and effective drugs are available. Read information now.
https://clomidc.fun/ buying generic clomid without dr prescription
can i order generic clomid without rx
Commonly Used Drugs Charts. Read now.
This is nicely put. !
dissertation def best dissertation writing dissertation proposal writing help writing my dissertation
Thanks a lot! I like it!
order of arguments in an essay best site to buy college essay pay for essay online pay for essay online
You said it adequately.!
coursework writing services i don t want to do my homework reddit do my math homework do my math homework word problems
Terrific information. With thanks!
help writing an essay for college custom essay writing help essay about helping others help with an essay
Seriously tons of beneficial knowledge.
dissertation help uk help with literature review dissertation dissertation writing help mba dissertation writing services uk
Thanks, Very good information.
how to write a nonfiction essay https://helpwithdissertationwriting.com famous essay writers https://service-essay.com
tadalafil 20mg pills buy trimox 250mg pill brand amoxicillin 250mg
Nicely put, Thanks!
marketing writer https://paperwritingservicecheap.com how to write a scholarship essay about yourself https://argumentativethesis.com
You said it perfectly..
buy essay writing online medical thesis writing service india top rated essay writing service best online resume writing service
Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions. earch our drug database.
prednisone brand name in usa
What side effects can this medication cause? Everything information about medication.
Great stuff. Appreciate it!
write a thesis for me write my essays online do i italicize the title of my essay ai essay writer
algorithms-aviator-game-en.space
Know reviews, compare alcohol ratings, look at screenshots and learn more less World Casino King. Download Men Casino Ruler and dig on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
algorithms-aviator-game-en space
You said that really well.
essay on helping poor people https://payforanessaysonline.com how to write a essay https://buyanessayscheaponline.com
sebastian gorka dissertation phd dissertation writing service dissertation conclusion
Very good info. Many thanks!
essay writing skill https://helpwritingdissertation.com writing college essays https://domyhomeworkformecheap.com
best research paper writing service reviews reliable paper writing service korean writing paper pdf
Wonderful info. With thanks!
best dissertation writing service review research proposal help write my dissertation online dissertation writing service
paper writing meme stationery writing paper sets turkey writing paper
You actually revealed this exceptionally well!
college term paper writing service need help writing research paper proposal writing help writing research proposal
generic nexium 20mg order biaxin 500mg generic furosemide pills
dissertation crossword examples of dissertation referencing a dissertation
vavada-casino-reviews-skspace
TOPMOST 10 Online Casinos 2023! Reviews of the first-class online casino sites with unimpeachable fellow support, fast payouts, the foremost games and bonuses.
vavada-casino-reviews-sk space