DAILY PHOTO: On the Perfume River (Sông Hương)

Taken on December 25, 2015 in Hue.

Taken on December 25, 2015 in Hue.

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Sông Hương is called the Perfume River because in the autumn flowers that fall into the river give it a sweet scent. I discerned no notable scent, but we were there in December–so maybe we missed it. 

DAILY PHOTO: Balancing on the Keshava Plinth

Taken on January 26, 2016 at Keshava Temple

Taken on January 26, 2016 at Keshava Temple

DAILY PHOTO: Lantern Market

Taken on December 23, 2015 in Hoi An

Taken on December 23, 2015 in Hoi An

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DAILY PHOTO: The Eyes Have It

Taken in December of 2015 in the Mekong Delta

Taken in December of 2015 in the Mekong Delta

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In the Mekong Delta, the ships have eyes. Well, many of them do anyway. The eyes painted on the bow of boats and ships are to ward off evil. Interestingly, the one class of boats that typically don’t have eyes are fishing vessels. Fishermen fear the eyes will scare away the fish, and they’re willing to take their chances with evil. Plus, we all know that evil fish are the most tasty.

DAILY PHOTO: The Sun Sets on South Karnataka

Taken on January 26, 2016 in Southern Karnataka

Taken on January 26, 2016 in Southern Karnataka

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DAILY PHOTO: Self-Immolation Park in Saigon

Taken on December 22, 2015 in Saigon

Taken on December 22, 2015 in Saigon

DAILY PHOTO: Junk Boat in the Bay

Taken on December 31, 2015 in Bai Tu Long Bay

Taken on December 31, 2015 in Bai Tu Long Bay

DAILY PHOTO: Masks

Taken on December 27, 2015 in Hanoi

Taken on December 27, 2015 in Hanoi

DAILY PHOTO: Hue Citadel Fortifications

Taken on December 24, 2015 in Hue

Taken on December 24, 2015 in Hue

 

This was the capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 – 1945.) Inside there is a Forbidden City that, while not as large and impressive as Beijing’s, is beautiful and worth visiting nonetheless. (A Forbidden City is territory in which only royalty were allowed to tread.) Much of the Citadel has had to be rebuilt or repaired because in 1968 it was targeted after extended fighting in and around the city. (Initially, the Citadel was not fired upon because of its importance as a historic site, but eventually the battle became so intense that its protection was deemed no longer an option.

DAILY PHOTO: Fisherman on a Still Lake

Taken on December 23, 2015 in Hoi An

Taken on December 23, 2015 in Hoi An