Im standing outside the Hotel Metropole in the capital city of Hanoi. Its where writers, spies and the infamous have always stayed, for decades. Im waiting for my always-busy friend, Linh. Hes a man with multiple agendas. And figuring them all out can keep a man busy. I have no idea what Linh has planned for this trip.

Its no surprise were on a motorbike. So is the rest of Hanoi, all at the same time, it seems. Were in a god-awful hurry to get somewhere. We are going to enter the ancient quarter of the city. We go to a place where ... (more)