Great Asian Railway Journeys (2020)
S01E10 Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
Episode Overview
Following the path laid out in his 1913 Bradshaw’s Guide, Michael embarks on a thousand-mile adventure through what is now known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, formerly French Indochina. As he rides the Unification Railway towards Hanoi, he witnesses the iconic train street, where trains zoom perilously close to the homes lining the tracks. Upon arrival at the historic Metropole Hotel, which dates back to the era of his guidebook, he uncovers a bunker that once sheltered guests from American airstrikes during the Vietnam War. At the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, he learns about the nationalist leader's quest for Vietnam's independence. In the bustling Old Quarter, he tries the unique egg coffee and enjoys a delightful water puppet performance.
