On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
This week we have a 5-part Auntie Anne series from Vietnam.
Albatrossity returns next Monday, as usual!
Auntie Anne
The last country we visited was Vietnam, and in particular, northern Vietnam (Hanoi and a village in the Red River Delta).
On an autobiographical note, I was born in 1961, so the Vietnam War was a background thread through my early childhood. My parents did not expose us to much that was going on; in my childish eyes, Hanoi was definitely A Bad Place, Ho Chi Minh was somehow vaguely evil, and North Vietnam was An Enemy. As an adult, I know better, but I think I expected Hanoi to be a colorless, drab place; it is actually a vibrant city and one which I thoroughly enjoyed.
And we asked our tour guide, Cong (age 30), what his father and grandfather thought of Americans and what happened during the Vietnam War. His grandfather fought and died for the NVA. His father told him that Americans were led astray by their leaders – he knew, as did most north Vietnamese, that many Americans protested against the war. He summed it up by saying, “I forgive, but cannot forget.”
The pictures in this post are taken from our trip to the countryside to Halong Bay, and within Hanoi itself.
Leaving the city, on the way to Halong Bay
Hanoi is a city of 13 million or so people – the best estimate is that the city contains 7 million motorbikes. What people carry on these motorbikes is unbelievable! This guy is carrying a live pig.
Fields outside Hanoi
Juxtaposition of a modern building with a more traditional home/business
City street view. Note the large basket on back of the motorbike
This is the rear of one of our group’s cyclos. We took a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. I will also say that the air pollution is so bad in Hanoi that you had to wear a mask – otherwise, your throat burned.
Street view showing businesses with apartments above
Walking through the Old Quarter – Tet was approaching so note the lanterns and flags to mark the occasion
Exterior of the restaurant in the Old Quarter where we took a cooking class
War for Ukraine Day 1,137: Another Day Another Bombardment
eclare
Great photos! I have always wanted to go, doubt I ever will, so thanks for letting me tag along with photos!
Martin
We have a version of this for utility cyclists called the Carry Shit Olympics. Basically, a ‘hold my beer’ against all of the people who insist they need a 4 ton SUV to get a toaster home.
Also, obligatory, generally considered the best Top Gear episode ever, when they rode across Vietnam.
raven
@Martin: This is Korea but would get a special mention!
Trivia Man
The french influence peeking through in that shot of upper level residence buildings.
Mike in Pasadena
Thank you for these street pics of the shops and people of Vietnam. Excellent.
arrieve
Another place I’ve never been and may never get to–I used to love Vietnamese food, but developed a shellfish allergy so can’t have fish sauce anymore. But maybe I could do a quick trip and eat plain rice and vegetables! I love those colors.