After the Trees: Hanoi Perspective Adjusted

Friday, January 10, 2014

Hanoi Perspective Adjusted

January 10, 2014

Breakfast at the Elegance Emerald Hotel

Typical mode of travel in Hanoi

Inner City River

Kids playing in a park

After two days in Hanoi, we have a slightly different take on what seemed at first to be utter chaos in the streets. The blaring horns are not about road rage; they simply let oncoming traffic know: "I am coming through, so be prepared to go around me as I cross your path." There is a flow that seems to work pretty efficiently. Red lights at the intersections seem to slow traffic only briefly, while pedestrians skitter across in crosswalks.
Our walk along the streets of downtown Hanoi mid-day yesterday provided a closer look at the local neighborhood activity between street and shop vendors and foot traffic. We stopped in at a few galleries and shops after having a scrumptious noodle lunch accompanied by local beer.
Today, we spent most of the morning at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (www.vme.org.vn)
The museum's website is provided, so you too can take a closer look at the 54 largest ethnic groups, which belong to 5 ethno-linguistic families found in Vietnam. The museum provides beautiful displays which provide a wealth of information about languages, customs, rituals, traditions, music, art, spiritual practices, garments and housing of the various etnic groups.