We stood in line outside the building for an age. One guy in front was taken to task by the supervising staff for having his hands in his pocket.

He was American. Loud and a little beery. Initially he started to protest – but his partner nudged him – and pointed out two more of the guards colleagues walking leisurely towards them. He quietened down, took his hands out his pockets and the guards walked off with a sniff.

Back in the old town and again, around the lake which, as you guys know, dominates the city centre, we too watched the people cooking tea on the pavements while finding the courage to attempt another crossing of the street.

Have to say – left a bit of my heart in Hanoi

Nice post. The only item I’d vaguely take issue with is the penultimate paragraph and the dirt and grimness.

I reckon that Hanoi is cleaner than most comparable developing countries. As for grim – I can see your point in terms of poverty but I think the place is absolutely gorgeous. Although during those days of rain that might be harder to tell.

It’s a shame you can’t see it in the autumn.

I recently returned to Hanoi after a year living in Cameroon. In comparison I love how people here pay attention to the purely cosmetic and they care how things look. From beautifully tended flower displays in parks to carefully maintained pagodas.

That said – these past few days, weatherwise, have been a bit bleak.

Good luck with the rest of your trip.