Hanoi, day 1

We have arrived!! After an early morning flight from Tokyo to Ho Chi Minh City, most of the morning was spent in the airport waiting for our final flight to Hanoi.  Upon arrival in Hanoi, we were greeted by our guide, Thai.  From the airport, we headed to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum.  Unfortunately,  this monument to one of Vietnam's national heros is closed in the afternoon, so we were only able to view the outside.  From there, we continued to the One Pillar Pagoda.  This pagoda was built by an early Vietnamese king for the Goddess of Mercy in thanks for the birth of his only son.  We finished out the day with a delicious meal at a local Vietnamese restaurant and are now getting some much-needed rest! ​ 

Stephanie Perkins and Alyssa Davis