Hanging out in Hanoi

We have spent the past few days milling around Hanoi, we visited the Vietnamese Museum of Ethnology and generally just soaked up the atmosphere. Now tuned in to the constant revving of bikes and beeping of horns we're crossing the roads like locals.

People are constantly trying to sell you something; oranges, bananas, lighters, hats, wallets, hammocks, books, postcards, CDs, DVDs, conical hats, hanging conical hats, all from the back of their bike or over their shoulder. And you have to haggle for EVERYTHING. The average big bottle of water is around 10,000 dong (approximately 30p) now if someone tries to sell you one for 15,000 dong you find yourself haggling down; weary and exhausted you purchase your water for 10,000 dong realising you have spent the last 10 minutes haggling over pence. You are also pestered constantly being asked if you want a ride from xe om (motorbike) riders and rickshaws. It's always done with a smile though so actually it isn't too over-bearing. We're being all old and sensible and have opted not to ride on the back of a xe om, although a lot of westerners do and it's a really good way to get around.

There are lots of lovely silk shops here too; however the place to go for tailor made clothes is Hoi An, where we'll be heading so we may well stock up, especially as you can get dresses made for $15 or less.

Food is fairly cheap; we ate a really nice Vietnamese meal; steamed curried pumpkin, sweet and sour tofu, rice and spring rolls, 2 glasses of wine (not that great) and 2 Halida beers for the grand sum of £2.90. If you eat at street cafes and vendors you can eat for a lot less.

This evening we catch an overnight sleeper bus to Hue, in Central Vietnam.

Oh and people in abundance here wear their pyjamas outside at all times of day and night.