Chapters 28-31 Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 28, "Hanoi-Visage," the author described what happened after the policemen stopped him at the train station. One of the men who were in the boxcar with him intervened, explaining to the sergeant that Andrew was his cousin. Andrew had photocopied his travel documents and left the originals with the Nguyens, fearing that they would be lost or stolen during the trip, but to move around the country without them was illegal. A crowd gathered around the policemen, and Andrew handed his photocopied documents to the sergeant. An older policeman then approached, questioned Andrew, and welcomed him to Hanoi, dispelling the problem. Andrew got a room but was awakened in the night by a policeman who said he could not stay at this hotel, because it was for Vietnamese citizens only. The policeman wanted a bribe but Andrew did...