Sightseeing in Hanoi

We arrived in Hanoi and found the temperatures much more to our liking than down south.  It was considerably cooler to walk around the city which was a pleasant surprise.  Also less humid than down south.

We started the day at 8:30am with a visit to the Women's Museum.  Some of the traditional Vietnamese costumes on display.

A rice grinder which was amazingly difficult to handle.

Janet demonstrating a much more pliable work tool, a double sided carrying basket.

We next visited the Hoa Lo Prison which was a central prison built by the French in the heart of the city.  It was regarded by the Vietnamese patriotic soldiers as a school of hardship where communist cadres passed information and knowledge to fellow inmates.  Later, it was named the Hanoi Hilton by the US pilots who were shot down and arrested during the Vietnam War.

Some of the foods seen in the streets.  Pickled vegetables.

Dried mushrooms.

Buddha's hand.  This fruit is used only as an offering at temples, not eaten as a normal fruit.

We went to the Lotus Water Puppet show which was accompanied by Northern Vietnamese folk music.

Two views of the Hanoi Opera House.

A temple.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Vietnamese Parliament.

Our day ended with a rickshaw ride back to our hotel at 6:00pm.  A long day but a very enjoyable one.