Wake up to a filthy day in the former Imperial City but nevertheless head off on a walking tour, first taking in the walled Imperial City.
After quick look at the inside of the citadel we come to the conclusion that, in the absence of any information in English we really need a tour guide. Discover that all guides had gone off for lunch ( that's public servants for you!) but we manage to tag onto a guide hired by a family from Perth.
It turns out that the guide, Mr Tong, had worked as an interpreter for both the Aussie and USA forces during the war and unsurprisingly was victimised by the North Vietnamese Gov't.
In any event he was a superb guide who refused the money which we offered to him. ( we solved this by giving the money to the Perth couple for them to hand over to him later)
After the Citadel Craig decides to spend more time looking round the Imperial City while Mr Tong takes uds off to the Temple and Tomb of Tu Duc who had 104 concubines but failed to produce an heir! All that effort for nothing!
We all eventually arrive back at the hotel totally drenched but dry off enough by the time we set off for the airport.
Wealthy still terrible and we are informed at the airport that the 7.10 pm flight has been cancelled due to bad weather. Suspect that Vietnamese Airlines have combined two flights and we duly take off at 10.00 pm.
Slightlly bumpy flight to Hanoi, arriving at 11.30 pm
Long drive to hotel which is perfectly situated in the old part of the city. Very friendly staff and comfortable if small rooms.
The Obese Ferret
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