Hanoi

[Seize the day]

Originally Posted by Micoxafloppin

Thanks bro - which one you recommend (both, 1 or none)?

Personally, I would prefer Halle Club in terms of the ambience, music and overall experience. but drinks are not cheap here, be ready to blow over 4 million vnd on 3 bottles of whisky even though there is buy 2 get 1 free promotion.

Enjoy!

[naemlo]

Originally Posted by Seize the day

Personally, I would prefer Halle Club in terms of the ambience, music and overall experience. but drinks are not cheap here, be ready to blow over 4 million vnd on 3 bottles of whisky even though there is buy 2 get 1 free promotion.

Enjoy!

If 1 or 2 persons, a bottle is more enough. It is about 1.2-2mil depending, adding mixtures, fruits.... Beer is abt 80k per can or bottle.

[sonnam80]

I miss Hanoi!! I miss that freelance, haa, anyone if interested, i can hook u up, provided if u ask in a nice way, ;p

[motoji]

Oh i have been reading this post for days and still can't finish. Thanks for all the info from the regulars. hope i have equip myself with these few days of reading. I will post a FR if i get lucky in Hanoi as my trip is only 4 days.

[DeViLzAgEnT]

Hi to all the senior bros of this thread ...

I will be in Hanoi from March 16 - 19 for the Vietship 2010 exhibition which will be held at the National Convention Center ...

I have already PM 2 senior bros to recommend me some gal frenly hotels and Bro naemlo was prompt to recommend me Lakeview Hotel ... I sincerely thank him for his swift response as it is only 2 days away and I have yet to make any hotel reservations ...

However after browsing through over another 20 pages of the thread (I have approximately covered 25% in the past few days), I saw another hotel which was recommended by another bro ... Rising Dragon II Hotel ...

I sincerely hope Bro naemlo dun take any offence here but I will like to seek the opinions of other bros to comment / advise on whether Lakeview Hotel or Rising Dragon II Hotel will be a better choice??? ... From what I have researched, Rising Dragon II Hotel seem to be newer but Lakeview Hotel seems to be in a scenic location ... Hence, any advise by bros here will be greatly appreciated ...

I hope to be able to confirm the booking of my hotel by Monday ... As I will be alone on this trip, it will be great if any bros here will be free to show me around the place ... But please dun misunderstand my plea for companionship as a demand or request as I have seen quite a few others been flamed for their attitude ...

Last but not least, any advice on where I can perhaps exchange some SGD for VND (hopefully at good rates) in Hanoi??? ...

Hope to have the chance to meet up with the Heavenly Kings of Hanoi on this trip ... Many thanks in advance for all advices by bros ...

DeViLzAgEnT

[naemlo]

Originally Posted by DeViLzAgEnT

Last but not least, any advice on where I can perhaps exchange some SGD for VND (hopefully at good rates) in Hanoi??? ...

U can exchange your currency over at Hang Bac.... A lot of exchange shops there for u to choose

[SING_IN_HCMC]

Originally Posted by naemlo

U can exchange your currency over at Hang Bac.... A lot of exchange shops there for u to choose

Oi, tks for your frog leg hor....after that damn power man...my third leg....

[naemlo]

Originally Posted by SING_IN_HCMC

Oi, tks for your frog leg hor....after that damn power man...my third leg....

We should go n eat rabbit, then u will f like rabbit.

[motoji]

is it true that THB is also usable in Hanoi beside VND and USD? Thanks

[deptrai4u]

Originally Posted by motoji

is it true that THB is also usable in Hanoi beside VND and USD? Thanks

if you believe that :

1. The Great Wall of China is the only man-made visible thing on earth looking from the Moon.

2. Pigs can fly.

3. Being nice to girls gets you the girl that you want...

then THB can also be used in Hanoi...

If you do not believe in any (or all) of the above, then dun try to use THB when you are in Hanoi.

[SING_IN_HCMC]

Originally Posted by naemlo

We should go n eat rabbit, then u will f like rabbit.

That Sun I forgot you left for BKK roi....I actually called you. Nevermind, so did you catch the short hari girl in Hanoi???

[naemlo]

Originally Posted by SING_IN_HCMC

That Sun I forgot you left for BKK roi....I actually called you. Nevermind, so did you catch the short hari girl in Hanoi???

Errrr which short hair ger?? U meant that tall ger? I dun bother.

[jackbl]

Hanoi lovebirds keep their love locked down
================================================

Young lovers in Hanoi have picked on a popular trend in other countries to express their love for each other in a new way – locking their love and throwing away the key.

The city’s historic landmark - Long Bien Bridge – is now decked with thousands of locks as increasing numbers of couples declare their love for each other with this symbolic act.

In this, they are emulating peers from China, Italy, Germany and Russia where this practice has been in vogue for some time. The youngsters believe that by chaining the lock the bridge and throwing away the key, their love will endure the test of time.

The oldest, picturesque bridge over the Red River in Hanoi has for long been a popular rendezvous for couples.

On the first day of Tet (Lunar New Year) this year, which coincided with Valentine’s Day, the images of lovers’ locks on Long Bien Bridge with endearments and names written on them spread over Internet news and caught the attention of many.

Some feel this new trend is much better than writing on public walls or engraving names on trees and rocks at popular sightseeing spots, effectively defacing them.

But not everyone is moved by such iron-clad declarations of love.

Many residents are worried that the weight of the locks could adversely affect the hundred-year-old bridge.

Nguyen Van Thang, a maintenance worker at Long Bien Bridge, said many new locks are put up on the bridge on special occasions or during the summer holidays.

Phan Luong Lam, head of the bridge’s maintenance team, said the staff would consider cutting these locks if more and more of them are put up.

His advice for young people: “A lovers’ lock is not the only way to express your commitment.”

Reported by Phan Hau

[jackbl]

Shopper’s arcade
===================================
VietNamNet Bridge - Hang Dao is one of Hanoi’s busiest shopping streets with a host of shops selling silk, footwear and jewelry but the street is also home to a ­number of cultural attractions.


People often refer to Hang Gai as Hanoi’s “Silk Road”, but knowledgeable Hanoians know that Hang Dao is the capital’s original “Silk Road”. The “Dao” refers to the pink apricot blossoms, a symbol of the Lunar New Year. But in French times, the street was actually called Rue de la Soie, which means the “street of silk” in French.

So why “Hang Dao?” On the first and sixth days of the lunar month, you would find an open market flogging all kinds of silk products and other fabrics. As early as the 15th century, Hang Dao street was home to silk-dying guild from Hai Hung province, whose trademark was a deep lustrous pink colour – similar to the colour of pink apricot blossoms. Demand for silk in this special colour was always high and production was often outsourced to other guilds to meet demand.

In the 18th century, the range of colours was diversified – blood red products were popular, as were Chinese ink coloured ones. In the early 20th century Indian silk traders from Bombay arrived in the area. These Indian textile merchants opened shops for trading silk and wool products imported from the West until the mid-1960’s when Hanoi declined as a business centre because of the Vietnam-American war.

Today the quality and luxury of goods is not so consistent from shop to shop. But this is still one of the busiest shopping thoroughfares in the city.

For the culture vultures

Hang Dao is also home to a number of cultural attractions. Perhaps the most famous is Bach Ho Temple at 47 Hang Bac. The temple worships ‘Bach Ma’ (The White Horse Genie). The Hoa Loc Temple at 90A Hang Dao was built by villagers from Binh Giang district (now in Hai Duong province) in honour of the village tutelary god, Trieu Xuong and his wife Kim Dung, the patron saints of dyers. Sadly the temple is obscured by the residential housing around the structure.

This area wasn’t always so densely populated. Previously, there was once a lake called Thai Cuc (also known as Hang Dao Lake) here but it disappeared in the middle of 19th century. The only evidence of its existence can be seen at Dong Lac Shrine at 31 Hang Bac street.

Dong Lac Temple at 38 Hang Dao was built in the 17th century in honour of Dieu Huyen, who first designed yem dao the traditional Vietnamese women’s undergarment. A yem dao is made from silk making it cool and comfortable in the Hanoi climate.

From 1955 to 2000, this temple was requisitioned by a trader who used the upper floor for his store. In February 2000, the temple changed hands again and now owned by the State, the bottom floor is a tourist destination while the upper floor is home to the headquarters of the Management Board of Hanoi Old Quarter.

The house at 10 Hang Dao used to be the Tonkin Free School (Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc), which was established in March 1907 by the renowned patriots Luong Van Can, Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh. This name refers to the movement of the same name, which aimed to forge an independent Vietnamese society by applying new theories from the West and Japan.

These scholars and intellectuals hoped to help Vietnam leave behind the backwardness of the feudal system and promote patriotism and educate the masses. They also hoped to popularise the modern Romanised-Vietnamese script Quoc Ngu in place of the Chinese Han-influenced-script Chu Nam. The scholars offered free lessons to anyone who wanted to learn. The school operated legally for several months before the French authorities closed it down in November, 1907.

Accommodation Seranade Hotel, 58 Hang Dao

The Serenade Hotel is considered one of the most stylish three-star hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Right in the centre of the city and within walking distance of Hoan Kiem lake, the location is ideal. The hotel features 45 graceful and tastefully decorated rooms. All bedrooms feature modern and comfort equipments. You can choose from Deluxe, Junior, City View, Serenade Suite. The staff is extremely professional enthusiastic and friendly, catering for your every need. Head to the Panorama Bar Café on the top floor and enjoy a stunning view of the city. The modern sauna and massage services are also excellent.

Night market

Hang Dao is now famous for being the main artery in Hanoi’s weekend night market. This relatively recent attraction has proved highly popular with locals and tourists. The market goes down Hang Dao street to Dong Xuan market.

The market is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 7pm. You can find handicrafts, souvenirs, clothes and food stalls selling traditional Hanoi dishes such as bun oc (Snails and tofu served in a broth on top of rice noodles) or Banh cuon (rice crepes filled with woodear mushrooms and pork).

Shopping

All along the street you will find shops selling jewelry, wristwatches and clothes. For watches you can find brands such as Cartier, Casio G-shock, Gucci, Longines, Movado, Omega, Patek Philippe and Vacheron.

Other distractions

At 51 Hang Dao you can have your portrait drawn by skilled artists, who really put great attention to little decisive details and capture the soul of the subject.

VietNamNet/Timeout

[jojo456]

Originally Posted by motoji

Oh i have been reading this post for days and still can't finish. Thanks for all the info from the regulars. hope i have equip myself with these few days of reading. I will post a FR if i get lucky in Hanoi as my trip is only 4 days.

i be going there in 3 april bro. hope 2 see u there bro