Arrived today in Hanoi, the capital of the unified Vietnam. We got here at 9:30 AM this morning (Saturday because of crossing the International date line out over the Pacific). It was a long trip! Left Boston at 2:50 PM on Thursday April 5. It was a six hour and 22 minute flight to LA. After about a five hour wait, we left LA and headed for Hong Kong. That was a fifteen and a half hour non stop flight. After a 1 1/2 hour layover in Hong Kong, we flew on to Hanoi - about a 2 1/2 hour flight. I have not seen any remaining scars of the war, in either Hanoi or the immediate surrounding areas.There is much evidence of the old agrarian society still in evidence coming right up to, and even infringing on the rapidly modernizing city. There is also much that indicates the City still has a long way to go to become a truly modern metropolis. Many places look like they need a general cleanup. The city itself is going through a major spurt in growth and development. Construction cranes are everywhere. The traffic is dizzying, with a mix of cars and motorbikes. There is no control of traffic at all and it seems like the rule of the road is every man for himself. There is still a definitive French influence in everything from architecture to streets and roads. The oldest parts of the city contain many classic French Boulevards, with their narrow streets and mahogany trees along the sides. Many of these trees look very old. In all but the newer parts of the City, utility wires are just strung haphazardly along the streets. From trees or an occasional utility pole The French Colonial period is very noticable, everywhere you go. The population appears to be a mix of people who have lived here for multiple generations and a massive influx of people from the countryside that have come to Hanoi for jobs. There is much foreign investment, everywhere you look. Foreign investors still prefer Saigon, in the South, but the government forces them to first invest in Hanoi, if they have any hope in getting into Saigon. The totalitarian Communist society that resulted from the North winning the war, is very much in evidence. People give you the wink over government pronouncements of a 2% unemployment  rate. Just riding around the city gives even the most casual observer ample evidence of many idle people just hanging out. Street Vendors and small shops are everywhere. It seems like there is some type of small restaurant everywhere on main and side streets. So far the people I have come in contact with seem friendly, but it is obvious that they are very guarded in what they say. It would seem to me that people who stray from the "party line" are in fear of raising the ire of the ever present government. I was surprised that people here are welcomed to practice the religion of their choice. Clergy pretty much have a free hand, as long as they stick to religious teaching and don't get involved in making political observations or pronouncements. I am told there are severe penalties for that. We will have a full day of site seeing tomorrow, followed by an early departure the next day for the provincial city of Hue. We have a guide, who is very knowledgeable of the entire Country, who will be with us for our entire stay. His name is Mr. Hai. He was born and raised in DaNang. He is college educated at Hue University. I am working on the technique of inserting pictures to this Blog form my camera. You should be able to see Mr. Hai below.