Here we are in Hanoi

Vietnam, wow. You want to hit the ground running. Very industrious people. Commerce everywhere. Dont know where all the commies are. People are very friendly, food is great but watch your ass.Every one is looking for something as the song goes.After Cambodia it is really schocking.
They block Facebook so you cant download pictures or use chat.
There are hotels, travel agents and restaurants everywhere and inbetween them are sidewalk food vendors more hotels and travel agents.
Travelling during Tet which is the New Year is very difficult as everything is booked.
Had to fly from Saigon to Da Nang (whole $100) not too bad but again back of a motoecycle into town to find a roomwith a driver who could speak no english. It is surprising the amount of english here. My mother would be so proud of them. Didnt go to China Beach oe Khe Sanh or the tunnels. I war seems to be a very distant memory if it is there at all. Not even hawking war memorbilia. Kind of sad in a way but over all probably for the best.They do try to flog zippo lighters.
Took a sleeper bus from Hue to Hanoi. 14 hours of hell. It was 25 dollars flying was 100 and trains were booked. Arranged for a sleeper but last minute non for me however, the hotel that sold it to me arranged a different bus, so guess what, Sherman and pack back on the motorcycle and off we go. Now we have to go like hell to intercept this bus already in transit, which somehow we accomplished. The funs not over yet.
No sleeper available on the bus till the next stop, which became the stop after that. so for 4 hours I sat on the floor at the front,but picture this bus with upper and lower berths in 3 rows. Take your shoes off at the front of the bus  where I am sitting when getting on and off. Berths are 31 inches wide and I think in fact I know I am much wider than this. So after 4 hours I got my berth. the next 4 hours I froze till I got a blanket. Finally got to sleep through all the talking, babies crying and other distractions only to wakeup with people now sleeping in the aisle and anywhere there was floor space. Only thing missing were a bunch of dogs barking.Never again if I can help it.
Taklng the train from Hanoi to Loa Cai to go to Sapa and then cross the border to China. Only could get a hard seat no sleepers available. 9 hours but still better than a sleeper bus.I do think that maybe I should invest in a motorcycle helmet just in case.
So next time I will tell you some of the scams as they have happened to this savvy traveller.

I should invest in my own helmut just in case