Thang Long Royal Citadel

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At the edge of the Thang Long Royal Citadel is the old Flag Tower.  Even today, it still flies the flag of Vietnam.

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An important fellow.

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Barb wire from the old days.

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Big tree-lined boulevard.

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Into the Thang Long Royal Citadel.

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Old military equipment left over from the recent unpleasantness with the United States of America.

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The main building from times long ago.

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Big bell.

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Steph really wanted to ring the bell.

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Famous dragon stairs.

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Inside the museum.

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A map of attack plans from the recent troubles with the USA.

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In the room where the big shots planned how to kick out the French, the Americans, and a few other countries as well.

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The stairs down to the bunkers.

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Through double blast doors.

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Old radio equipment from the Soviet Union.

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Small staircase!

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An old citadel gate.

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Up above the gate.

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An interesting window screen made out of rock.


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An old piece of equipment from the recent American problems.

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A phone used to call in orders to field commanders.

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The man himself, Ho Chi Minh.


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Another big bell.


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A really neat water feature.

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Old and new together.

Hanoi Shambling

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Upon arriving in Hanoi, Vietnam after our flight from Malaysia, we hit the streets to see the sights.

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There were motorbikes everywhere.

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A monument recognizing the reunification of Vietnam.

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A vegetable salesperson.

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An outdoor eatery.

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We found a cafe in which to eat.

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Language barrier?  No problem!  They just brought us some Pho to eat and it was good.

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An odd load on a motorbike.

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Haphazard construction.

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Another outdoor eatery.

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Roadside business.

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Another outdoor eatery.  This guy is cooking meat on some bucket grilles.

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Motorbike parking. There was an attendant working the area making sure bikes got to their proper owners.

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Carrying produce.

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Outdoor sales.

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A pots and pans and other things shop.

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Bulk foods.

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Millions of dried shrimp.

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Clothes market.

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The strawberries looked pretty good.

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Christmas decorations for sale.

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Flower shop.

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An out-of-place Christmas tree.

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This place makes metal cages and other metal things.

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Another metal thing store.

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Birds in bird cages.

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More outdoor eateries.

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Outdoor dishes.

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A side alleyway.  The doors all have ramps going up to them for motorbikes to ride up for nighttime storage.

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Lots and lots of balloons.

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A Catholic church from the days of French occupation.

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Boys playing soccer in front of a statue of someone famous.

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An excellent way to mark off an open manhole.

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Steph looking out our hotel room window over Hanoi.

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This shop specializes in making fake paintings.  No clue why someone in Vietnam would want a painting of a European.

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Steph eating lunch.

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An old city gate.

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A military installation that I probably wasn’t supposed to photograph.

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Random jet aircraft from the American troubles.

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A temple in a lake.

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Don’t forget this guy!  He is important.