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"Hanoi is much more beautiful"
Translated by Tuan Minh 18:25, 2016/12/23
Michel Blanchard, former correspondent of the French news agency in the 80s of last century, reviewed: "Hanoi has been developing very fast, much more beautiful. Hanoians are still friendly as ever!"
 
Hanoi in the past
Hanoi in the past
Back to Hanoi after more than 30 years, the first thing Michel Blanchard to do is walking on the streets that had been closed to him when he was a journalist for 10 years in Vietnam, including Trang Tien, Dinh Tien Hoang, Ly Thai To, Phung Khac Khoan, etc. He did not get the idea that the main means of Hanoi people in the 80s of last century were bikes, only few old Japanese bikes; So far, on the current streets, there are a lot of cars, motorcycles. "I walked to Phung Khac Khoan Street, but almost did not recognize the house that I had previously lived and worked. Then, there was only few houses on the street with business advantage. Now, from the beginning to the end of this street, there are crowded markets. Hanoi had only 3 stores selling products to foreigners. But now, we can find any favorite items we need," Michel Blanchard shared.

Hanoi's subsidy period is very poor. "These young people coming out of the 9x generation can not imagine how to make life of people who are lack of the capital in that period," the former French journalist said. On the street along Lenin Park, there was only 1 light but welcoming 10 children to study under light. The streets were not colorful decorative. Looking back at Hanoi's hard times, Blanchard always admired the people of Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular, who not only have overcome difficulties, deprivation but also always keeping optimistic in life.

Welcomeing Michel Blanchard in the 2000s remain friendly eyes and smile. Passing any public street, he also received affectionate gaze, good mood, playful facial expressions when asked to pose for a photograph. "Hanoi has achieved great economic growth, but Hanoians are friendly as ever," Michel commented. Arriving in Hanoi today, visitors can still feel the definition of a taciturn thousand year of an old city, inside the ancient streets, but actually containing the peaceful nature of Hanoi Capital. The number of international visitors to Hanoi is increasing every year. The hidden charm of Vietnam's Capital makes Michel think that Hanoi is the endless source of subjects for the introduction to the tour book he is writing.
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