Photos  -  Vietnam

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, although far quieter and nicer than Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City in the South. Hanoi proved to be a relaxing place to walk around, down wide tree-lined avenues and past the french archiecture.

A Hanoi street

The main market in Hanoi. Yes, those hats are real!

BEER! Home brewed and pouring like a waterfall at twenty five Aussie cents a mug. Does anybody feel bloated? Oops, I spilt some beer.

Cat Ba island, north-east of Hanoi. I made an overnight tour here. It was drizzly yet nice, but the real bummer was I can't stand travelling in tours, with a planned and patronising routine. It's the worst way to travel! There is no adventure and no fun.

Some of the literally thousands of islands, on the return to the mainland.

A temple in Hue, after travelling along the abysmally poor national highway, badly damaged from last year's flooding.

China Beach. The kids around here and nearby towns were just adorable.

Hoi An, my favourite spot in Vietnam. Just lovely, including the super-friendly people.

The main river in Hoi An. I was paddled around on a boat just like this by two Vietnamese women.

I remember the beach, but not the name.

Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City. Two cities in one, and crazy at that. I only stayed here the night so did not have time to explore.