13 Tires on a Scooter - Hanoi, Vietnam

People in Hanoi carry everything and anything on their scooters. This guy stood out from the crowd with 13 tires. Impressive work. 7D and Tamron 70-200, at 70 mm 1/800 sec at f 7.1, ISO 800.

Huc Bridge, Hoan Keim Lake, Hanoi Vietnam

Night view of the Huc Bridge on Hoan Kiem Lake meaning "Lake of the Returned Sword" located in the historic center of Hanoi, the Capital of Vietnam. According to legend emperor Lo Li was boating on the lake when a Golden Turtle God surfaced and asked for his magic sword. Loi concluded that the Turtle God had come to reclaim the magic sword (said to give a super human strength) that a local dragon god had given Loi earlier in his revolt against the Chinese Ming Dynasty. The lake was renamed to commemorate this event. Canon 7D, Tamron 24-70, 0.3 sec at f/8.0. 38 mm, ISO 500.

Tiny, colorful, Hanoi shop

The colors in this shop caught my eye as I walked by. It was so narrow I had to turn sideways to go in! Land in Hanoi is very expensive, a guide told us it was $50,000 a square meter, which explains why so many buidlings are narrow and tall. Canon 7D, Tamron 24-70, 1/100 sec at f 2.8, 24 mm, ISO 640.

Old men and young girl on the bank of the Ngo Dong River.

I questioned my decision to carry the large 70-200 zoom lens with me to Vietnam, until I took this shot. It was taken in a row boat from 50 yards, while moving away from the scene. Without the reach, and the vibration compensation, I wouldn't have been able to get the shot.

Night Market - Fruit

Outdoor markets are everywhere in Hanoi, food is typically prepared and consumed outdoors as City housing is very expensive and the homes are typically quite small. One of our guides told us real estate in Hanoi went for as much as $50,000 (USD) a square foot. Canon 7D, Tamron 24-70, 1/60 sec at f2.8, 24 mm, ISO 800.

Hanoi-Outdoor Grill

Most of the cooking in Hanoi is done outside, in part because housing is so cramped. Canon 7D, Tamron 24-70, shot at 45 mm, 1/60 at f/2.8, ISO 800.

Market ride.

Fresh vegetables from the market deftly balanced on this bicycle. Canon 7D, Tamron 24-70 at 47 mm, 1/400 sec at f/4.0, ISO 320.

Sunset flower market

In Hanoi's old quarter, just before sunset, this gorgeous flower market caught my eye. Canon 7D, Tamron 24-70, at 24 mm, 1/250 sec at f/2.8, ISO 1250.

Side saddle

I was constantly amazed by the number of women who road side saddle on scooters, often like this woman, not even holding on. Canon 7D, Tamron 24-70, 24 MM, 1/100 sec at f/2.8, ISO 1000.

Court yard in the Temple of King Le Di Hahn.

Vietnam is filled with Temples that beg to be explored. Loved this one, located in the country about 3 hours north of Hanoi. Canon 7D, Tamron 24-70, 24 mm at 1/320 sec at f/5.0. ISO 100.

Young Boy Near Tam Co.

Met this charming boy and his family during a long bike ride through the rural countryside. This was about 3 hours north of Hanoi, near Tam Coc. When I started taking pictures his realtives and neighbors came out. People seem to like photographers in Vietnam, if you are respectful. They were kind enough to invite me into their home. Unfortunately, I was with a group of people or I would have absolutely taken them up on their offer. They didn't speak English and I don't speak Vietnamese, so it would be have been an interesting chat. Canon 7D, Tamron 70-200, 2.8, 74 mm at 1/200 sec at f/5.6, 100 ISO.

Temple of King Le Dai Hanh in Hoa Lu

Hoa Lu was the captital of Vientnam from AD 968-1010. This temple was originally constructed in the 11th centrury and reconstructed in 1696. It is arranged in a series of courtyards, buidlings and gates. The temple is dedicated to the founder of the Le Dynasty who seized power, during a period of royal infighting. The back room of the temple is dedicated to Dinh Tien Hoang, in the center, and his sons on the sides. Dinh appointed his infant son (Hang Lang) successor, rather than (Lien) his adult son. In AD 979 Lien sent an assassin to kill his younger brother Hang. Later that year, Dinh Tien Hoang adn Lien were both killed in the palace courtyard as they slept. Canon 7D, Tamron 24-70, 24 mm at 1/40 sec at f/2.8, ISO 1250.

Cooling off in the river

Found these (ox?) in a country river cooling off and waiting for their mater to return. It was about 95 degrees and 90% humidty that day, I couldn't blame them for staying in the river. Love the face on the left side, looks almost human. Canon 7D, Tamron 24-70, at 44 mm, 1/640 sec at f/5.0, ISO 100.

Grandmother

This was the grandmother of the boy I met in the countryside. She was quite friendly, and was happy to let me take her picture after I asked her politely. She was very excited to see the picture on the back of the screen. Next time, maybe I'll take a portable printer with me so I can share a copy of the picture. Canon 7D, Tamron 70-200, 2.8, at 70 mm, 1/500 sec at f/3.2, ISO 100.

Tam Coc, Vietnam

Took a delightful paddle up the river by Tam Coc into three caves. Three to the boat including the drivers who, effortlessly, row the boats with their feet. Canon 7D, Tamron 70-200, 1/250 sec at f/2.8, 200 mm, 100 ISO.

Ngo Dong River

This is the view from the Ngo Dong River which takes you through the "Tam Coc" literally the "three caves." This beautiful river is traveled in a leisurely fashion by small three person "sampan" boats, which, amazingly, are rowed with the feet. Large limestone towers known as "karst" mountains surround the river banks. You may have seen this in the movie Indochine, some of which was shot here. Canon 7D, Tamron 24-70, at 31 mm, 1/500 sec at f/6.3, ISO 160.

Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Vietnam

Mother and Child on Scooter - Hanoi, Vietnam

You see the darnedest things driving in Hanoi. I was amazed that this small child was so comfortable on the back of mom's scooter. Check out the ingenious back support.