Das Capital

After 15 hours by train, we arrived 415 miles north of Hue in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi. The SE20 train was bouncier than its SE2 counterpart and about 15% smaller, width wise, in terms of living space. I cannot say where the extra 15% went because the gauge of the track remains the same throughout Vietnam.
We are amazed just how quickly the Vietnamese go to sleep. I estimate it at 30 seconds.
We were both too tired for the fact that Hanoi is a louder, more chaotic and cramped version of Saigon.
After checking into this comfy hotel, The Golden Cyclo, on the edge if the old quarter we explored the streets and had our first Egg Coffee, a Tonkinese speciality.
We have an early ride out to Halong Bay tomorrow for our three day cruise so we are in bed now at half six, both completely exhausted.