Monthly Archives: January 2011

Hanoi Miscellany

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Matthew Masur

The posted rules at Hoa Lo prison (the “Hanoi Hilton”).  Notice #3. Two gentlemen having a smoke in the Ho Chi Minh Museum.  Notice the sign on the wall. Getting my haircut on the street.  You can see the traffic … Continue reading →

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Halong Bay

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Matthew Masur

Yesterday we took a boat ride on Halong Bay.  The 2000 limestone rocks jutting out of the water create a unique natural setting.

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Historic Sites in Hanoi

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Matthew Masur

During our tour of Hanoi we visited Hoa Lo Prison, better known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” that held American POWs during the Vietnam War.  Before the Vietnam War, the French had used the same facility for incarcerating Vietnamese dissidents. The … Continue reading →

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Motorbikes

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Matthew Masur

The streets of Vietnam are filled with motorbikes, cars, buses, bicycles, and pedestrians.  The traffic can be very, very intimidating for visitors.  Often the only way to cross a street is to wade into the mass of vehicles and let … Continue reading →

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The Electrical Grid

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Matthew Masur

I’m fascinated by the power lines that run through Vietnam’s cities.  At busy intersections in Ho Chi Minh City the cables form a tangled web. And electrical workers (or perhaps just neighborhood residents) seem perfectly comfortable to climb up the … Continue reading →

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Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Matthew Masur

Ho Chi Minh is probably the most revered historical figure in Vietnam.  His face is on all denominations of the currency and the largest city in the country bears his name.  In Hanoi, his image is especially ubiquitous.  Today we … Continue reading →

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Chilly in Hanoi

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Matthew Masur

We arrived in Hanoi on Wednesday.  It is cold here, but unlike most of the United States there is no snow.  Everyone is wearing heavy winter clothing: jackets, gloves, earmuffs, hats.

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Dragon Fruit

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Matthew Masur

My son wanted a picture of dragon fruit. Here is a whole box. You can see the flesh in this fruit salad.  It is the white fruit with black seeds.

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Around Hoi An

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Matthew Masur

Cloth lanterns. The town is also subject to flooding.  The chalk marks in this house show the height of the water in 2009 and 2007.  They moved their furniture to the first floor using pulleys. House for sale.  

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Hoi An–Japanese Covered Bridge

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Matthew Masur

Another historic site in Hoi An.  Here is a picture of the bridge and a couple of photos of the interior.

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