Day 1: Hanoi - a quick tour

Travelling with a group of people of wide interests and backgrounds. Many are from the Wagga Wagga area but not exclusively. Some are from Albury, others Narrandera and even Melbourne and Coffs Harbour. This photo was taken later but I feel we need a group photo at this stage. (Looks a bit small. May have to revise pic later)

Perhaps this one??  Also taken later.

Ready to go at Hanoi airport. Just landed and about to board the bus. The orange hats were not our choice, but they make the group easy to see. 

Stopped at a small restaurant for lunch. If the bus driver needs to block the side street to drop off passengers, he does it. 

Then we headed for the Ho Chi Minh precinct in Hanoi.

The Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is very impressive. We didn't have time to go inside to see HCM 'lying in state', and it was not an option at that time anyway, but I guess he would get too tired if he's 'on show' for too much of each day.

The large, grand building which housed the French governor of Indochina from the early 1900s was too grand for Ho Chi Minh when he became leader of North Vietnam so he had a smaller, simpler building constructed nearby for his use. The large ornate building is now used to accommodate visiting dignitaries, but we didn't get the invitation! Must be lost in the mail.

HCM's smaller residence nearby.

The furniture and fittings are plain and not ornate in the least.






There was a 'summer house' built across the lake nearby. Again it was furnished simply. 

The meeting space underneath the 'summer house' features in some historical photos of meetings with other 'Heads of State' during HCM's time.

The 'One Pillar Pagoda' is where HCM is reputed to have spent much time in prayer and reflection. Now it is a much-photographed part of the precinct.

Back on the bus!  We took the opportunity for a rickshaw tour of the old Hanoi quarter. Great views! We were up close and personal with the traffic of all types; the scooters and the pedestrians, not to mention a good old dose of traffic fumes as well. An interesting experience.

Then off to the first of many banquets! We were taken by bus (hence location is a bit hazy) to a large space catering for hundreds with market-style food, the Sen Market (I think). We paid a base price then wandered and selected whatever food we wanted in a buffet or smorgasbord setup. Very nice food and I probably over-ate, along with everyone else.

There was entertainment outside with an open air stage. Seemed like high-quality artists ranging from gymnasts or acrobats (probably called dancers), to fire-eaters to musicians.