The next day, we are welcomed in Hanoi to a cool breeze thanks to a rainstorm the day before. This city is the second largest in the country, and looks much like Ho Chi Minh but less populated.
We spend a few days in the city: exploring the local temples and museums, roaming around the city’s central lake, shopping at the local markets, visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and watching new movie releases. The city has a relaxed vibe; people just go to the park and sit or people-watch while eating 25 cent ice cream bars.
On the last day in Hanoi, we catch a ride to visit the grand Bai Tinh Temple, the largest temple in Southeast Asia and a small village called Tam Coc, about a two hour drive from Hanoi. At the village, we go down a long, flowing river on a small boat rowed by locals. This village is popular for this tourist attraction, and it’s an important way of how the locals make a living.