Saigon to Hanoi to Ha Long Bay

We had an early wake-up call at 0600 to give us time for breakfast and the drive to the Tan Son Nhat Airport to catch our 1015 flight to Hanoi.  Millions of Vietnamese were traveling to be with family and friends for Tet, the Lunar New Year.  Many of the streets were elaborately decorated and people were rushing around getting last minute gifts and completing preparations for this big holiday.  We got to the airport quicker than expected and had time to enjoy a quick snack in the airport lounge before boarding our Vietnam Airline flight.  Two hours later we were in Hanoi boarding another bus which took us on a two hour drive to Ha Long Bay.

Silk Embroidery

We made one stop along the way.  This time it was at a factory producing embroidery work.  The introduction to the workers and watching them work was quickly completed to allow ample time to view and purchase not only the embroidery but also lacquer art works, ruby jewelry, carved stone and jade works, snacks and take a quick toilet break.  The most beautiful silk embroidery pieces were  grossly over-priced and we passed on them.  Instead, we bought a smaller work done in cotton thread rather than silk yet still well over-priced based on how much the workers were paid but very reasonable for the same item in the USA.  It also doesn't weigh much and will fit in our suitcase.

Embroidery Workers

During our bus ride to the hotel, we were able to observe farmers working in their fields harvesting flowers for Tet and planting the first rice crop of the year.  Farmers can get in two crops of rice per year in northern Vietnam.  Southern Vietnam is warm enough to enjoy a year-round growing season.  Approximately, 60% of the Vietnamese are farmers and the country is the second largest exporter of rice in the world.  The farmers' fields are very small.  Many of the rice paddies are plowed using water buffalo.  Some plowing is done by tractors with wide, open metal wheels to keep them from becoming bogged down in the soft mud.  Many of the younger people are leaving the farms to work in the many factories being established in Vietnam by foreign companies.  We saw some of these huge factory complexes, the largest of which can employ thousands of workers.  In some cases, the factories provide lodging adjacent to the factory.  Some industries like clothing manufacturers employ mostly women who have left the farm to earn money for their families back home on the farm.

Women Planting Rice

Rice Paddy Tractor