Vietnam

Located in the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam, Ninh Binh's sprawling landscapes are comprised of limestone karsts, cavernous grottoes and winding waterways. Once the ancient capital of the country, the province now thrives on a growing tourism industry that attracts both domestic and foreign travelers.

But not everyone is touched by the golden arm of tourism. Many families in the province still live below the national poverty line, and many of the workers--both farmers and those in tourism fields--struggle each day to make enough money to get by.

Hanoi is sometimes called the "City of Lakes", a nod to the numerous bodies of water spread throughout the capital. The largest of these lakes is the grand West Lake (Tay Ho), which spans hundreds of hectares and is believed to have been created when the nearby Red River changed courses many many centuries ago.

Once a place for local residents to gather and swim, these days the lake is suffering from the effects of heavy pollution, a result of unchecked construction and industrial waste.

Built in 1903 by French architect Gustave Eiffel, the Long Bien Bridge is one of Vietnam's most treasured landmarks.

Today it stands like a crippled veteran, weighed down and crumbling beneath its own history. Once lauded by national poets, Long Bien Bridge is now suffering from the effects of heavy pollution and years of neglect.