Hanoi PS Photos
Up Hanoi 2014 Postscript Hanoi PS Photos Sapa Vietnam
 

Postcards from:


Las Vegas Nevada
Bangkok Thailand
  Bangkok photos
Ayutthaya Thailand
Halong Bay Viet Nam
   Halong Bay photos
Hanoi Vietnam
  Hanoi Postscript
   Hanoi PS Photos
 Sapa Vietnam
  Sapa Photos
 Guilin-Yangshuo China
 Haikou China
 Sanya China
Bangkok2 Thailand
 Darwin Australia
 Port Moresby - Papua New Guinea
 Brisbane Australia
 Istanbul Turkey
Tunis Tunisia
  Hammamet Tunisia
Las Vegas Home

 

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: This is the entrance to the Khai's Brothers Restaurant, so highly touted by tour organizers in Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: This is a decorative piece found in the courtyard of the Thai's Brothers Restaurant. Public reviews of the restaurant usually are positive. It definitely is a unique experience, but might appeal more to people who enjoy doing tourist things. It did not feel like the luxury dining experience the high price suggested it would be, but that is just my own lopsided opinion. While I dined a tour group of about ten entered and bubbled with enthusiasm... one in the group smoked cigarettes defiantly!

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: One of the decorative features on the walls surrounding the open air dining courtyard at the Khai's Brothers Restaurant. Soft ambient lighting complimented the tasteful selection of harp music while I munched away.


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: One of the decorative features along the walls surrounding the open air dining courtyard at the Khai's Brothers Restaurant. Soft ambient lighting complimented the tasteful selection of harp music while I munched away.
 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: This is the diners presentation table setup at the Khai's Brothers Restaurant. The fancy blue plates are just for show and are whisked away as soon as the 18:00 starting time for the buffet arrives. At that same time a glass of paper napkins is brought to the table! Returning to the table with my first course selections I discovered a cloth napkin had been brought to me. Very little understandable English is spoken so I had a hard time figuring out what the staff was up to.
 

Hanoi Vietnam 2014: This is the Khai's Brothers Restaurant, so highly touted by tour organizers in Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: These unique chandeliers hang from the ceiling inside the enclosed part of the Khai's Brothers Restaurant, adding an elegant ambience to the room.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: This is the sushi table at the Khai's Brothers Restaurant. Behind the counter is a small selection of sashimi which the chef will cut (tiny portions) and bring to your table. I ordered two portions and still would have liked more, but raw fish apparently is in short supply at this restaurant.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: One of the decorative features on the walls surrounding the open air dining courtyard at the Khai's Brothers Restaurant.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: These table setup are just for show at the Thai's Brothers Restaurant. Diners are instructed to take one of the plain white plates for selecting items from the sea food buffet tables.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: This is one of the interior dining areas at the the Khai's Brothers Restaurant.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: This is the salad array for the seafood buffet at the Thai's Brothers Restaurant, so highly touted by tour organizers in Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: This is some of the decoration on the walls of the dining courtyard at the Khai's Brothers Restaurant, so highly touted as a tourist attraction.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: This is the salad selection offered by the Khai's Brothers Restaurant in their nightly 388,000++ dong ($24) seafood buffet in a courtyard cooled by fans (The fans had misters, but they were not in operation!).

 

 

 
End of column.

 

 

 
 

 

15 January 2015

 

Greetings again from Hanoi

This page contains most of the photos I've taken of the four kilometer long commemorative mosaic wall marking the Millennial Anniversary of Hanoi. As the "Great Wall of Hanoi" serves as a motorway barrier as well as the dyke holding back Red River flood waters, getting photos between swarms of traffic became problematic. Try as I might, some sections refused to be photographed without something getting in the way. Still, all and all, most of the four thousand meters of art is captured. 

It took three photo sessions to get it all. After the last shoot I walked down to the bank of the Red River to see how much it would have to rise in a flood before breaching the top of the dyke. My guess is ten to fifteen meters! One of my local informants tells me the river floods EVERY year! The land between the dyke and the river bank is heavily built up. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of multistory dwellings are inundated annually. "What happens to the inhabitants when the water rises?" I asked my informant.

"They either move out until the water level drops... or, they move to an upper floor. I have seen people on the roofs camped out during the flood." he adds nonchalantly.

"Why would anyone live with such regular hazards?" I wondered out loud.

"None of those buildings have 'Red Books' which means there is no legal ownership. Those properties never get bought or sold; originally occupied by squatters they just pass down from generation to generation." he notes.

This is not an insignificant situation. There must be thousands of people affected. Land is expensive and if you have possession of a piece, I can see how there would be a huge incentive to hang on to it, legal or not. I'm reminded of the Favela situation in Brazil I saw during my 1992 visit, not unlike that here. Several informants have told me corruption is rampant at all levels. Big money transactions, both public and private commonly include bribes being paid to someone. The squatters property situation no doubt has a significant corruption component.

The Communist Party is aware of the situation and has made an attempt to do something about it. Bankers convicted a year ago of stealing millions have received the death penalty. Contrast that with the American Bernard Madoff who got away with a hundred times as much money and only received life imprisonment! China has been doling out death sentences for financial crimes, too. As I think about the differences between our justice systems it becomes clear the oligarchy which runs our country has manipulated the system and public opinion to make financial crimes appear less heinous than other forms of deviant behavior... and thus, deserving less harsh punishment. I am not a lawyer, but as a natural philosopher I question that logic. The Asians may have evolved a more effective philosophy when it comes to dealing with unbridled, premeditated greed than we have.

 

Peace,

Fred L Bellomy

 

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: This is at the northern end of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: These plaques are embedded in this part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate the anniversary of the thousand years since the city of Hanoi was founded. As I began my walk of the 4km long mural I tried to take long shots and soon discovered how much detail is lost with this perspective approach. So, I crossed the busy street and waited for breaks in the traffic to take each shot from then on.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 

Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another shot of a traffic passage through the city dyke wall showing the pair of vertical slots that in an emergency can be used to install barriers to close the traffic openings.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Another part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 

 

 

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: One of the traffic passages through the city dyke wall on which the four kilometer long mosaic commemoration is  created. Wondering  how high the river needed to rise before it could breach the dyke I walked down the road to the left to the river's edge. It currently is a good 30-50 feet lower than the dyke's top. Notice the pair of vertical slots visible in the photo. In an emergency beams can be laid across the road closing the openings in the dyke wall.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: This is the last panel at the northern end of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: This plaque is embedded in this part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: The Sofitel Hotel sits across the street from the northern end of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: The Hong Ha Hotel is the starting place for a bus trip from Hanoi to Nanning PRC. The four KM long mosaic wall starts a short distance south of this hotel.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: Part of the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate  the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi.

 


Hanoi Vietnam 2014: While walking the four kilometer long mosaic wall created to commemorate the anniversary of the thousand years since the founding of the city of Hanoi I spotted this sparkling new shopping center and interrupted the art walk to investigate. Since my arrival in the city I've been unsuccessfully searching for a modern shopping center. The Old Quarter, not surprisingly has none. The Thien Son Plaza located directly opposite the Hong Ha Hotel, near the place where the Nanning Bus boards twice each morning, has a large modern supermarket and a seafood buffet, which I enjoyed before loading up on hard to find snacks for evenings in the hotel.

 

 

End of column.

 
Reference photo: author
  August 2002		   Next Postcard