Many of the streets in the old part of Hanoi are tree-lined -- a pleasant urban environment |
Hanoi old quarter overview -- residential air conditioning and water tanks are common in Hanoi |
Many make a living through a thriving informal sector street economy |
Mobile food market |
One sign of increasing independence -- a large proportion of motorscooters are owned by women |
Scooter culture |
Rain showers were frequent during our stay in Hanoi -- but scooter and bicycle riders are always prepared |
An early shower does not discourage this man from his morning exercise |
Badminton is a popular form of outdoor exercise |
Badminton under the benevolent eye of Uncle Ho |
Reading the newspaper -- another common form of public relaxation |
Students on the 'Sunbeam bridge' across Hoan Kiem Lake |
Bridge to Den Ngoc (Jade Mountain) temple on an island in Hoan Kiem lake |
Hoan Kiem lake is a cultural icon for the Vietnamese, linked in legend to their resistance against Chinese domination |
Praying at the statue of revered Ly Thai To, founder of Ly dynasty (11th century) |
Where are the cars in Hanoi? |
In Hanoi, much of everyday life is lived outside on the sidewalks |
There are many reminders of Ho Chi Minh, founding father of modern Vietnam |
Modern technology on the crumbling facade of a colonial era building |
A chat while relaxing alongside Hoan Kiem Lake |
Hundreds of people, many of them elderly, exercise at Hoan Kiem Lake each morning |
Begin the day with Tai Chi at the lake |
Traditional music alongside Hoan Kiem Lake |
One motorscooter, one rain poncho -- enough for a family of four |
Small informal sidewalk food stalls with plastic stools for seating are very common in Hanoi |
Inexpensive taxi service |
Chaos of electric and phone wires |
The only technology more common than a motorscooter -- cell phones seem almost universal |
Many female street hawkers carry their goods on a shoulder pole, sometimes with significant weights. |
Open air food market in the Old Quarter of Hanoi |
Another family of four |
Teenage scooter girls chatting as they ride |
Sidewalk barber shop near the Sofitel Hotel |
The new Hanoi |
Sofitel Metropole Hotel |
Motorscooters often transport cargo as well as people. This tiny scooter is carrying two people as well as 200 kg in the bags. |
Monument in park near Hoan Kiem Lake |
Dance performance as part of a large environmental action festival |
Dance performance as part of a large environmental action festival |
Environmental exhibit in front of Thap Rua temple in Hoan Kiem Lake |
Is Ho Chi Minh still secretly alive? |
Zooming to the future |
Another young family on a scooter |
Temple of Literature -- founded in 1070 AD in honor of the Chinese philosopher Confucius |
Temple of Literature |
Temple of Literature -- the turtles represent famous scholars of the past, students touch for good luck |
Temple of Literature -- the turtles represent famous scholars of the past, students touch for good luck with their exams |
Temple of Literature |
Temple of Literature |
Temple of Literature |
Temple of Literature |
Temple of Literature |
Water Puppets at Temple of Literature |
Two eminent scholars at Temple of Literature |