Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, Hanoi

This is my 8th or 9th trip to Hanoi, and the first time I've done the "big" thing here - visit the mausoleum of former President Ho Chi Minh, the father of Viet Nam. No pictures inside. People from all over the country make a pilgrimage here to pay their respects. It's a very big deal.

The photo of the man with the video camera (famous One Pillar Pagoda in the background, which on the mausoleum grounds) was with a group from one of the rural provinces. They were thrilled to see us there. Insisted on filming us, taking pictures, posing for pictures, chatting. All smiles. The big yellow building is the Presidential Palace (Vietnamese White House).

I particularly like the shot of the proud palace guard with the mausoleum in the background. I asked through our translator if I could take his picture, he nervously looked around to see if any bosses were looking, then struck this pose.