French Influence in Hanoi

Vietnam was once "French Indo-china" during French colonialism, all the way until World War II. They did return after the War but were defeated by Ho Chi Minh and the Communist movement at Dien Bien Phu.. when the French pretty much turned it over to America.

Among many other things, it's the reason Vietnamese is written in the English alphabet, there's french bakeries and french bread being sold in baskets on corners.. and why you'll see Catholic parishes even though it's a communist country.

We noticed the French influence remaining in Vietnam almost right away.

It was especially evident to us in the architecture -- the narrow streets with buildings built directly next to each other with awnings and wooden shutters opening from windows and balconies above the street markets and outdoor cafes. The pops of color of greens and turqs against soft tan and brown hues of walls was so charming to me. I kept thinking of Parisian neighborhoods.. but with a crazy level of chaos all Hanoi's own. We were also asked repeatedly by locals if we spoke French? But then they looked closer and realized I must be from Eastern Europe, and Cam from maybe Scandinavia or America.  It was fascinating to us to see how Vietnamese culture has carried bits of it's former colonial ruler with it through the years.

{my handsome better half!}

Those colors!!

{all images copyright Amanda Marshall}