Pacamacs at dawn, we crossed the bridge again for the market. They certainly know how to do markets over here. Great fun and full of stuff that I have absolutely no idea whether it is animal or vegetable.
Crowded stalls with the inevitable scooters trying to drive though them.
They have rows of the same products, this one was soap powder alley. How do you choose.
People everywhere with huge bags. Scooters laden with goods.
Ladies carrying huge weights on their backs.
The locals cooking their breakfast on the pavement.
We really enjoyed the market, getting shoved out of the way by little old ladies muttering under their breaths. Being offered stuff that I wouldn't have a clue what to do with. Seeing all the fabulous fruit and vegetables. I so wanted to know what they are.
Back to the hotel to dry off and have a rest, and then out again walking by the riverbank to another part of town called the South bank. I felt this was the more tourist part of town with some resort hotels, restaurants and bars lining the streets. So glad our hotel is where it is.
It is lovely walking around seeing the decorations and preparations for Tet next week. Our hotel has put up decorations and the street on is lined with flags and banners, and lights along the riverbank.
Anyway, we decided to have Hotpot for dinner. We had seen Vietnamese families eating his everywhere, and decided to have a go. You get a steaming pot of broth with and green vegetables, and we had chicken. It comes to the table and put on a small burner to bubble away. You also have a mound of noodles and herbs and dips. You put the noodles into your bowl and then ladle in the hotpot and sundries. It was delicious, and warming on a chilly, damp night.
Vietnam bar culture. If there is a group of you, you buy a slab of beer, pull the tab and throw it under your table. You drink your beer, crush your can and throw it under the table. Drink lots and leave a huge mound of crushed cans under your table. Haven't joined in yet, as haven't drunk that much, but it quite the norm 😁
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