It was easy to get around on the gravel roads, paths and among the fields.

We also got to visit a school and two ethnic minorities to see how they lived. Very interesting. Nice people all.

Vietnamese food is very good. (As far as I can recall, in this village was the only place where we were offered to eat dog if we wanted.) And whereever we went, there were never any problems with getting food. But in the remote areas, finding bottled water to have on the trips wasn't easy. A sure sign no tourists go there.

Last day at the village was market day. I really found it interesting to see technological innovations only beeing used where really useful. Instead of bellows, the smiths were using centrifugal hand powered fans. And the only engine powered machinery at the market were saws in a few sheds. Most other work was performed in what you could call the traditional way.

In the pre-trip information, it was stated that US dollars would be good everywhere. Not so! In the north areas further from the coast than Ha Noi it couldn't be used. But there were no problems exchanging them.

Near the Chinese border

This town had been abandoned during the 1979 war and people only permitted to return a couple of years ago. I was quite impressed by how much they'd built in the short time since then.

All ferries in northern Viet Nam was of this small size, but it matches the condition of the roads and bridges.

Across the river, one could see the Chinese town Hekou. Beeing foreigners, we couldn't cross over like the natives were doing in a never ending stream.

Commerce was brisk, like in most places in Viet Nam.

Last modified 1996 Sep 09 by Urban Fredriksson