Hanoi, like no other!

What a city! Hanoi prides itself on being a mix of many cultures, and delivers in spades! Sure, it is hot, dirty, noisy and crowded, but it manages to combine an Asian sensibility with some stunning European touches. Blame the French (the Vietnamese certainly do!) , blame the Americans (ditto), blame the hordes of Europeans here, with a few expat Aussies, but walking Hanoi's streets you could be excused at times for thinking you were in the boulevardes of Paris. Except then you see this:

Or this:

Or fine dining like this:

And you know this is another way of  thinking altogether.
The Viets have been dominated by different nations for more than a thousand years- they are nothing if not patient! They think the Chinese are poised for another try, and of course Korea is just around the corner.
More later....