Hue

We are now in Hue central Vietnam, staying at La Residence hotel, the splendedly maintained art deco style ex French Colonial Governor's residence which overlooks the Perfume river and beautifully maintained gardens.

We  met our new guide who took for a tour of another Pagoda before visiting the Citadel which is the heart of Hue. The citadel was constructed in the early 19th centuary for the last Emperors, who were eventually deposed in 1945 by the new communist government. The buildings were damaged and some destroyed during earlier periods of French colonisation and later during the American Vietnam war in the 1970's. Much restoration work is underway to regain its former glory.

After leaving the citadel we took a rickshaw ride though the heavy late afternoon traffic back to our hotel.

Halong bay, back to Hanoi

Last night we had a fabulous sunset viewed from our boat moored in Halong Bay. This morning started early with Thai Chi on the top deck at 7am, follwed by a trip accross to an island and a treck up to the top of the hill affording panormaic views of the bay. After a swim in the sea to cool off we were given a hearty breakfast prior to our departure.

Following a four hour drive back to Hanoi, involving a stop at a local market, we are now in the airport waiting for our flight down to Hue (pronounced Hwey).

Halong bay overnight cruise

We left Hanoi early this morning for a 4 hour drive to Halong bay. Thanks to our very skilled professional driver we arrived safely; the roads are crowded busy and fast, with frequent accidents.

Halong bay is spectacularly beautiful. Once again the photos dont really convay the sheer beauty of these rock formations and islands which spread for many many miles. There are nearly 2000 islands in the bay! In the late afternoon we were taken on a boat tour around a floating fishing village where whole families live and work permanantly.

Hanoi day 2

We had a really busy day today sightseeing. A full day with our guide, started in the morning with visits to a Pagoda which was over 1000 years old and several temples.

We then walked past the government buildings which are mainly ex colonial French archecteture, viewed Ho Chi Min's house / living quarters and his massive mausoleum.

By lunchtime we were very hot and sticky so were pleased to stop for a beer and some food in a cafe recommended by our guide. He must have been on a retaier as the food wasnt great.

In the afternoon we visited the museum of ethnology where we learnt about the many different ethnic Vietnamese  groups and viewed some of their traditional housing. We visited a laquer factory and saw how the traditional methods of manufacture are still being used.

Late in the afternoon we took a walking tour through the old quarter. Walking through the streets is quite challenging as you are competing with the constant flow of cars motorbikes and other pedestrians. The best way just seems to be keep walking at a steady pace along the middle of the road and let everything else dodge aroud you.

The day was completed with a water puppet show. This is a traditional Vietnamese entertainment not found anywhere else.

Hanoi

We have now left Singapore and flown to the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi. We were met at the airport by our very helpful guide Hung. The first task was to pay for our visa, which proved difficult as payment was requested in US dollars cash only. After a bit of negotiation we managed to scrape together enough sterling and Singapore dollars to keep the official happy. So with a stamp in our passports we were into The Peoples Republic of Vietnam.

The second task was to get Vietnamese currency from an ATM, a withdrawl of 2 million dong takes some getting you head around, but this converts to only about £59!

We were then driven through Hanoi to our hotel in the old quarter. The roads in Hanoi are crazy with absolutely no rules, with cars motorbikes carts cycles and pedestrians all competing on equal terms. The junctions are just a free for all, it's amazing we didnt see any collisions. However we did see a dachshund riding pillion on a motorbike. No crash helmet of course.

Bizarrely this evening in the hotel was a christmas party for the local orphanage and a ceremonial switching on of the christmas lights. Hearing Jingle Bells sung in Vietnamese in temperatures in the high 20's was very strange.

Tomorrow our guide picks us up early for a tour of the city.