Taken on December 30, 2015 in Hanoi
The scaffolding was a stage erected for New Year’s Eve festivities. I assume the flowers and lights were part of that function as well, but my experience is limited; I only saw the Opera House before and after New Year’s Eve. (We were on a junk boat over the holiday itself.)
Taken on December 25, 2015 in Hue.
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.
Taken in December of 2015 in the Mekong Delta
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.
Taken on December 22, 2015 in Saigon
Taken on December 31, 2015 in Bai Tu Long Bay
Taken on December 27, 2015 in Hanoi
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.
Taken on December 23, 2015 in Hoi An
Taken on December 20, 2015 in Saigon
This room, featuring lacquered furniture and artwork, is located in the Independence Palace (a.k.a. Reunification Palace) in Saigon (i.e. Ho Chi Minh City.) The palace had been the home of the leader of South Vietnam during the war years, and its fall to the North Vietnamese Army in April of 1975 signaled the unambiguous end of the war. This room was used for meetings with high level dignitaries, Ambassadors, and the like. It’s arguably the most impressive room in the Palace.
Tiger Riding for Beginners 