Category Archives: History

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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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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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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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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The Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Matthew Masur

While in Hue we also visited the tomb of Minh Mang, the second Nguyen Emperor.  Minh Ming designed his own tomb and it, too, is symmetrical and is intended to harmonize with the natural environment.

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The Imperial City

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Matthew Masur

Hue was the capital of Vietnam and seat of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 until 1945, when the last Nguyen Emperor abdicated the throne.  Our first stop in Hue was the Imperial City, which was consciously modeled on the Forbidden … Continue reading →

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Hue

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Matthew Masur

Hue from the airplane The contrast between Saigon and Hue is striking.  In Saigon we had a brief rain shower one evening.  In Hue it was overcast and it rained for much of the day.  It was also quite cold … Continue reading →

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Ben Thanh Market, War Remnants Museum, and Presidential Palace

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Matthew Masur

In the morning I walked over to Ben Thanh Market near the middle of Saigon.  If you are looking to buy some organ meat or plastic baggies filled with pig’s blood, this is definitely the place for you! Cody and … Continue reading →

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