The war ended in Vietnam in '75 and bombings in Hanoi before that.
But the green pith helmet remains, worn by folk young enough to be the grandchildren of ex-servicemen. Before the compulsory wearing of motorbike helmets became law a few years ago, this headwear was worn by the great majority of Hanoi's xe oms (motorbike taxi drivers) and the odd man about town who wasn't quite ready for a new-fangled cap. In 2005, a mate's buck's night saw a dozen blokes riding from beer venue to beer venue in these retro noggin protectors. Not quite as ubiquitous as the non (conical hat), they will nonetheless be an enduring symbol of Hanoi for me.
And, by the end of the summer, I will have eaten the equivalent of this young man's entire tray of magnificent mangosteens.
Tell me about it we just ate a kilo this afternoon. Love mangosteen season.
Posted by: Kat n Kim | 21 May 2010 at 12:42 AM
WOooWW!! My favorite!!!! =( how i wish i could buy all of that..
Hmm i really love Mangosteen!!!Hmmm so sweet!!
Posted by: Nursing top | 21 May 2010 at 08:04 AM
this is my favourite fruit season in Hanoi, rambutans, lychees, mangosteens, pineapples....daily doses!
Posted by: Sticky | 22 May 2010 at 09:25 PM
I like the rice.
Posted by: leeain | 27 May 2010 at 06:41 PM
Hi Mark,
Great blog, It's been bookmarked. I look forward to your future postings! I love South East Asian food.
I agree mangosteens are magnificent! Sometimes I splurge a bit here in the US and buy some. Sorry for the carbon footprint.... but they taste so good! I even posted an article on my blog about it last year: http://weirdcombinations.com/2009/06/mangosteens/
cheers!
H
Posted by: heguiberto | 15 June 2010 at 06:55 AM