Welcome to your first FT post!

The very first time I went to Ha Long Bay (a very long time back when tourism was basically non existent) was via Haiphong where there is a ferry.

The few alleged Ha Long Bay 'hotels' were appalling Communist built dumps from the 1950s to cater for the party cadres. How things have changed.

Road improvements mean tourists generally skip this route via a new road. (And thankfully to new hotels in Ha Long!)

Haiphong is an INCREDIBLY dirty industrial port city was my impression. Think Glasgow or Newcastle 1870s.

A huge industry in the area is coal. Vietnam is a major producer and exporter.

I recall to this day seeing an Industrial Revolution type scene in the harbour of laborers shoveling coal on and off barges. These poor sods were literally covered head to toe in thick black coal dust. Looked like an Al Jolson casting try-out.

Their lungs I am sure are ruined after a few years of this.

Welcome to the third world.



------------------
Try and make it down to SYD for "OZ FEST 2004" - May 21-23

~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!