We try to get out by 8.30 in the morning to explore further afield in our locality. We walk through the dark alleyways of the food market and reach a lake. We cross the bridge in the direction of a building spilling with people. We enter. Grins and beckonings and wood and metal chairs rushed towards us. A huge congregation. At the front is a highly made up couple -she in long dress, he in what looks like army uniform singing in Gilbert and Sullivan type Vietnamese style to each other with much eye gazing. Above them suspended on the stage is a giant hammer and sickle. The audience is elderly. The generation 50-60 seems to be largely missing in Hanoi. I have learnt that by the end of 1997 223748 South Vietnamese and 1 million North Vietnamese were killed in action. Approximately 10% of the population were killed or injured as a result of the American bombing. Another 300,000 are still listed as missing in action.