After a very nice buffet breakfast at the hotel we stepped out into the busy street and headed, once again, towards Hoan Kiem Lake. As before we found that all the streets around the lake were closed off and pedestrianised allowing people of all ages to wander freely enjoying their Sunday without danger from traffic while young children and young people played games such as street hockey in the middle of the wide roads. Many little children were having fun riding remote controlled cars, and all the brides and grooms were out having their photos taken. In spite of all the people there were many, many mopeds and motor scooters in all directions, often riding on the pavements, but we didn't see anyone run down! Over the entire weekend we never saw a policeman anywhere, either controlling traffic or keeping watch in any way. We think that, in Hanoi, they must give all the policeman the weekend off!

We walked along the side of the lake in the direction of the Old Quarter watching all the people enjoying their Sunday. There were many stalls selling food of all kinds, fruit and ice cream. There were also many artists by the lake drawing portraits for the tourists. We came across a monument with people clambering all over it and right next to it was the entrance across a red bridge to a small temple in the middle of the lake.