December, 1996
Negotiate Traffic On Hanoi Streets
Walking across the Hanoi streets was an alarming experience. During the rush hours, there was a constant stream of traffic on the Hanoi streets, with hundreds of bicycles, small motor bikes and taxis. It seemed that the only way was to say a short prayer before you started, walk steadily across the Hanoi streets, and hope you reached the other side in one piece. That is what the locals did; Trung and I copied them, and here I am to tell the tale.
Reconstruction In Hanoi; Colonial Legacies Survive From Occupation
|
The Hanoi streets close to our hotel were full of intriguing sights, commonplace to the local inhabitants, but wonderful in the eyes of a new visitor. Although there was much reconstruction under way in some areas of Hanoi, colonial legacies from the past still survived. The facade of a first floor flat, on the balcony of which a man was checking his laundry, looked very attractive in the sunlight, and from that vantage point there would have been a wonderful view of the bustling Hanoi streets below, but of course the man would have seen it all before.
|
|
|
Hanoi Streets With Competing Stall Holders
|
|
|
Some Hanoi streets led to local markets where there was far less traffic to contend. There were many Hanoi streets devoted to single markets, ie.; chicken market, fish market, flower market, fruit and vegetable market, all very convenient for the shopper, who could be sure of some very keen prices, with so many competing stall holders. I quickly gave up on the Vietnamese currency, the Dong, as even a cup of coffee was priced in thousands, so Trung did all the buying and paying bills at the Hanoi hotels and restaurants.
|
|
Vietnam Home.......
Go Back.......
Go To Next Page
|
Send Email.
