Hanoi, the land of Ho Chi Minh

Hanoi offers a slightly different view of Vietnam than we have experienced over the past two months. To start with it is certainly cooler and more expensive. The city itself if beautiful and has a magnificent history. We found it very easy to get lost in the many narrow and winding streets that are filled with shops that exhibit everything from Buddha statues and water puppets to old propaganda posters and cloth wall-hangings.

Ho Chi Minh commonly referred to as Uncle Ho, the second father for Vietnam citizens. His Presidential Palace and grounds hold a museum that is a major tourist attraction. Both were quite impressive and depicted the elegant but simple manor in which this very important individual in Vietnam's history lived and ruled. The highlight of Hanoi for me was Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Similar to the old communist Russian leaders, Uncle Ho has been preserved for millions to visit. The Mausoleum is a huge granite structure that reminded me of an impressive bank vault. Viewings are only allowed from 8:00am to 11:00am. I guess even in death this great leader needs his rest and solitude. This provided an interesting obstacle for Katie and I. With such a short window during the day many people arrive early to participate in this privilege. What we did not know is that the line to see Uncle Ho starts at one end of a huge compound almost out of sight of the Mausoleum itself. One could not just show up at the park of the Mausoleum and make our way to the line, as we tried. The entire section of the city is shut down during the viewing times and you have to walk an extra five blocks in order to get to the ticket counter.

The guards for this queue up ritual were quite impressive. We entertained ourselves during the wait by watching tourists trying to cut in line behind the guards when there backs were turned. It was truely amazing to witness the patience and determination that the guards displayed as they caught every dishonest tourist. We were even lucky enought to experience the changing of the guard. This is a amazing display of poise and reverence. It reminded me of the changing of the guard ceremony I witnessed as a boy at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unkown Soldier.

Hanoi is also our last place to visit in Vietnam. It is hard to believe that we have been here two months and it is already time to move on. We will cherish the relationships and memories we have had during our stay. It truely is a beautiful country filled with beautiful people.