School children, Hanoi, Viet Nam

 Viet Nam, 2014

Hanoi is considered the cultural heart of Viet Nam. It is a bustling city with non-stop traffic of mostly mopeds, and motorcycles, and bikes. They somehow manage to avoid collisions at uncontrolled intersections. All sorts of merchandise and  four riders on a two-wheeled vehicle is not unusual.  Hard working vendors ply their wares while others relax on restaurants eating pho, a national dish. A highlight of Hanoi is the well-curated museum of the ethnic peoples of Viet Nam. The countryside offers a different view of lush scenery, terraced rice paddies, and humble dwellings. Most of all, Hanoi seems to welcome Americans despite the devastating war of the 70s.