Hanoi delights

Books! This morning we started the day by checking out Trang Tien street, which has multiple bookshops selling foreign books, as I cleverly noticed on the taxi ride to our hotel yesterday. (We caught the Jetstar bus most of the way, then had a short taxi ride once in Hanoi). At the end of the street is the Hanoi Opera House, a magnificent building. We then took a turn around the lake (Hoan Kiem) and had a look at Ngoc Son temple. There were a number of bridal couples getting photos taken around the lake, including one bride in a racy red number, causing a sensation.

Bride in red

After a rest back at the hotel, in the late afternoon we went out to check out the night markets on Hang Dao Street. We were too early for the markets (they don't start until about 7.30pm) so we went to Little Hanoi for some refreshments.

Safely inside Little Hanoi

We had a couple of cocktails and some spring rolls Imperial Hue style. Like this:

We love a pineapple

Our pineapple caught fire soon after this pic, but the spring rolls were fab. After dining, it was time for the night markets. Along with the usual market fare, there were a couple of stalls selling handmade cut out cards. I bought a couple for 30,000VND (about $1.50) - absolute works of art, from Hyuen (sp?), who told me she makes them all herself and only sells them at the market. This girl needs a distributor!

We also had some lovely street food: chicken skewers cooked over coals, and for dessert, green jelly with coconut and peanuts. We think. Tasted great.