Hanoi-Vietnam-All Hale Ho Chi Manh

Yesterday, i awoke early to do a walking tour of Hanoi, which was supposed to start at 10:00 am every day. But because the tour guide had a prior commitment, it was due to start at 3:00 pm. I didn't want to wait that long-so after the great free breakfast at the hostel I took a walk to the Presidential Palace, which included a carp pond, a house on stilts which he actually lived in (he didn't live in the palace-for reasons I didn't get), but did visit people from around the world there. I saw the cars which he used to use, and the beautiful landscaped garden. While I was able to wander around, the guards didn't let me, or anyone else, loiter. They kept encouraging us to continue walking until we left the grounds,

Then I saw the Ho Chi Manh Mausoleum, which is huge, and was guarded. I accidentally walked too close and the guard blew a whistle.

i then went for noodles for lunch, and walked back into the heat for the Ho Chi Manh Museum. (I wanted to go after the Mausoleum, but the museum is only open from 9-12 and then from 2-5 (or 6)). I arrived at 11:45, and it was already closed, so I had lunch and went later.

From what I learned, Ho Chi Manh seems like a ok guy. He convinced everyone to succeed for the good of the country: Farmers supposedly increased their yields for the good of the country. Factory workers increased production, and students studied harder. Soilders fought harder and everyone was more successful, and that is why they conquered the Americans. IT also said he was a pacifist, and hated war.

After a while, I walked back to the hostel, and took a nap. Then I went back to the lake from the previous day.