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| The northern region's wintry weather discouraged us from trekking. We returned to Hanoi's parks, lakes, and shaded boulevards. |
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| The Hanoi Hilton, a euphemism for the most famous prison camp during the Vietnam War, partially stands downtown. The rest of the prison has been taken over by a highrise hotel that squashed old cell blocks with its gargantuan foundations. The government converted the prison remains into a museum and propaganda. The propaganda isn't always subtle. A plaque reads: "Though having committed untold crimes on our people, American pilots suffered no revenge once they were captured and detained." |
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The Vietnamese Terps: statues of turtles
in Vietnam's Temple of Literature. Here, scholars founded Vietnam's first university
in 1076. The stelae carried by turtles display the names of graduating classes
since 1442. |
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Serving
soup with a smile...well, almost a smile. |