Tam Coc

Alongside Tam Coc is a river which runs between flooded rice fields. Large limestone hills jut out of the earth and sometimes form tunnels over the river. The experience is very managed. After driving from Hanoi for two hours through villages in which people live above and behind their shop front or workshop you arrive at a large gate, like the arc de triumph. Between the gate and the river shops and tourist restaurants line the street. At the river’s edge you are shuffled into an awaiting row boat. A farm woman rows the boat with her legs. This is additional income for local farmers. Along the way she offers items for sale. It is a beautiful area.

Finally reunited in Hanoi

Vietnam’s Tube houses developed in the Le dynasty to fit as many shop fronts as possible in a street. The houses are often only 2 metres wide and sometimes 80 metres long and are now called rocket buildings since they were still confined by the original land area, but expanded into hight.

Hanoi, one of the best cities I have visited