(You might want to read Part I first if you haven’t done so already.)
On a nearby residential street, a young girl – too young to ride a motorbike – glides homeward on her bicycle, mobile phone in hand while she texts a friend. I wonder if she is texting the bored clerk at the fruit stand. When the girl is old enough her skills will carry over to texting on a motorbike. Even in the chaotic traffic of Việt Nam, it is common to see people texting while riding their motorbike and chatting with a friend perched on the back. Mobile phones are the norm here. The service is excellent and much cheaper than in the U.S.
Though texting is very popular, even between adults, there are still times when talk is necessary. One 
day in the near future, the young bicyclist will be a mother like this one – talking on the mobile phone while bringing Junior home from an activity. If car-borne cell phone chatterers bug you in America, think of what traffic is like in Việt Nam with only two wheels under the talker. By the way – the wearing of helmets is now mandatory for motorbikers, but the law does not apply to kids yet as there is some concern that improperly fitting children’s helmets could cause more harm than good.
I wonder if this man got a call from his wife while he was on the way home from work – the “On-the-way-home-get-a-quart-of-milk-and-a-loaf-of-bread” kind of call. He seemed to know what he was doing as he was quite fussy and spent some time selecting exactly what he wanted.
Across the street, a young lady realizes she needs some cash and makes a quick stop at the ATM. When my wife and I arrived in Hûe in 2005, there was not an ATM in sight. Now these two-ton tellers are everywhere.
At many major intersections there are two bicycle tires tied together and set up as an informal sign telling the passers-by that bicycle repairs are available. Want a tire inflated? That will cost you 500 Vietnamese dong – about 3 cents. The fixit man will have a few simple tools with him – some adjustable wrenches to tighten a nut, a couple of screw drivers, and a pan of water to help him find the leak in the inner tube. As you can imagine, this is a hard way to make a living.
Finally, the night quiets down – at least in my part of town. There are fewer motorbikes, the store 
signs switch off, and the beer drinkers have gone home to their domestic doom. The street cleaner has finished her route and heads back to the pickup point with her cart of trash.
Good night, Hûe.
Beautiful photos as usual. I can see your sports photo experience in the low-light level shots (girl texting on the bike). How do you get these low-light shots? Turn the ASA level up to 400 or more?
-- Mel
Posted by: layered | April 19, 2008 at 03:24 AM
For the "low -light level shots", I think Doug "cheated" with his 85mm - f/1.8 lens and perhaps higher ISO indeed :)
Hey, it's good to see Hue's images again from a reliable photographer friend. Say hi to Ai-Nhan for me, and have an extra bowl of Pho for me, but you have to share with Cindy, OK? :)
Sam
Posted by: Sam | April 19, 2008 at 05:26 PM
The beauty of Hue and its people has given an adrenaline shot to your blog. That's a very good thing.
Posted by: Tom | April 19, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Nice posts on Hue. We were there during Febuary and fell in love with the city. Hue is just draw me in and not quietly let go. The city and the people are perfect. The rain ... not so much ;p.
Posted by: Tuan | April 19, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Great shots Doug. You have captured that relaxing feeling really well. Makes me miss it even more and keeps me wondering so many fight the race here everday?
Posted by: Rogena | April 20, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Is Starbucks not far behind? Once again, superb photos. That young girl on the bike certainly has a look of concern on her face.
Posted by: Russ | April 20, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Doug...
Your last few blogs?
You got your voice back.
Honest reporting. Honest photo-captures.
What is it about that place?
Surely, it is the people?
No-brainer. True anywhere.
But, is it just romanticism of some kind to say ( or think), I like the people ( generalisation )... very much indeed.
The kinda thing anyone who has ever gone to `America', not merely NY, LA, SF, WS, might actually say.
Because you live in a very great... idea.
God bless Hue.
Posted by: Brian Haworth | April 20, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Doug...
Your last few blogs?
You got your voice back.
Honest reporting. Honest photo-captures.
What is it about that place?
Surely, it is the people?
No-brainer. True anywhere.
But, is it just romanticism of some kind to say ( or think), I like the people ( generalisation )... very much indeed.
The kinda thing anyone who has ever gone to `America', not merely NY, LA, SF, WS, might actually say.
Because you live in a very great... idea.
God bless Hue.
Posted by: Brian Haworth | April 20, 2008 at 04:07 PM