Central Vietnam

We spent 2 1/2 days in Hanoi. Saw the water puppets did the cyclo tour and went to HaLong Bay spending a night on the boat. We had a traditional Vietnamese dinner all 5 courses and more soup, this one more of a gelatin broth. I am really souped out and we haven't even gotten to China yet   Hanoi is a large city and with one more morning before we fly to Hue and central Vietnam we took a 2 hour cyclo tour which included the other side of the lake which is filled with large upscale stores such as Prada, Guess, Boss etc and then went down into the French section. All this in a cyclo in morning traffic. When all is said and done I was happy to head to the airport and the "calm" of central Vietnam.

Hue is the Imperial capital and surrounded with many tombs shrines. We are staying in a little boutique hotel on a dirt road cross street. The hotel is great, the location is safe, but getting to the hotel is crazy. We had upgraded our room and there was an elevator. Our total cost in USD is what makes Vietnam a destination. Your dollars go a long way, maybe not your Dongs.  At this location we had an upgraded room, cooked to order breakfast, fresh fruit and juice on arrival and after our day tour,  our laundry done,  pick up at the airport, full day tour including a 5 course lunch, a private car and driver for a 3 hour trip to Hoi An and a 2% service charge for using a credit card. And the grand total in USD  $230.  I even double checked the math.

We have decided we will not negotiate with the local shopkeepers since the difference in cost of things is probably 5-10 dollars and they can use that money more than we will miss it. We also continue to leave some sort of a tip although one of the hotels say not to do so for fear of upsetting the balance financially

We went out to explore old town which is basically shop after shop but Dan managed to befriend a shop keeper who offered to sell him some of his old tools, all this accomplished by google translator and a call to his daughter. Then he offered to take Dan to a place he could buy more tools. I guess that means he would have to close the shop. Dan did decline but asked for information on buying more tools in Hoi An our next stop.

One of the differences in Vietnam when compared to Thailand is the number of street people selling things to you. It is a lot like Mexico when the vendor will approach you if you are eating, walking or standing.  Also everyone has multiple jobs, if you have a boat you sleep and eat on the boat and any tourists you take you offer to sell them drinks or other souvenirs. The Vietnamese seem to be hard working people that need several activities to be able to live and provide for their families.