Australia and Vietnam Revisited 2025 – Hanoi day 2

The weather was a bit brighter today as were we.

We managed to complete a short workout in the gym early this morning and rewarded ourselves with a big breakfast.

I forgot to mention our visit to Train Street yesterday. You may well have seen videos of this – a narrow train track that is lined either side with cafes and shops. The train rattles through and comes crazily close to the people sitting outside. It’s very much a tourist draw. Apparently there used to be very deprived people living so close to the railway, they had nowhere else to go. Then the area got publicised as a trendy place to visit, the poor people made a bit of money selling their shacks to local entrepreneurs, and a whole tourist industry emerged. The authorities close it down occasionally but it pops back up again. We didn’t wait to see the train go past but it makes for an interesting stroll. Can’t help thinking it’s an accident waiting to happen though.

After breakfast, we went for our massages. They were incredibly relaxing and we literally floated out of the spa.

Next stop, the women’s museum. This was far more interesting than yesterday’s museum. Much of it centred on the many hill tribes that exist in Vietnam and how their lives progress through marriage ( usually arranged) , childbirth and general life. Some of the women have very hard lives, moving to the cities and becoming street vendors in order to help support their families when they cannot provide enough from their land. You can see why they save up money to send the elder children to the UK illegally in the hope that they will become wealthy and provide for them. Sadly as we know, this rarely happens and if it does, it’s usually means doing something illegal and/or unpleasant.

Lunch was late but worth waiting for. We each had a delicious bowl of pho. Love this, it’s so tasty and also nutritious.

Tonight we had drinks at “the Shelter”. A very stylish looking bar, my margarita was sadly un drinkable- except by Steve, who also had a glass of wine and beer. He’s such a dustbin.

Tomorrow lunchtime we are heading off to Ninh Binh to experience some of the countryside of this area. I must say, I’m looking forward to this and hopefully some fresh air. Weather hopefully perking up after the weekend.