Hue

Hue was a nice town on a river. There were other tourists around but not too many in some parts of the town. I spent two nights there and saw a number of old buildings and ruins. Thery were a bit expensive (that's what you get when they are UNESCO World Heritage sites!), but interesting. It was just s shame that I was on a boat trip and had to rush through the two I paid to go in and see. It would have been better to go out myself and hang out for a while, sitting by the lakes in the old tombs and reading a book in the sunshine. They really felt very peaceful and quiet!!

Last night was New Year's Eve - TET! The place was buzzing and everyone was out and about. There was a stage with people singing patriotic songs about Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam. Those are the moments when you can really sense you are in a communist country! Everyone was happy and excited. It seems to be traditional to buy a plant and there was a large flower market where lots of pots and cut plants were being sold. The trees must all be set up in the houses already. We ate dinner in a good family run restaurant where they were all really friendly, we went back for breakfast today and they were all giddy and excitable. Kind of like a feeling of Christmas day about. Everyone was dressed up and going to visit friends and family. There were fireworks by the river!

I am now being thrown off the computer because the people here are wanting to go and celebrate Tet with their family. Fair enough - but they could be a bit friendlier!!