Hello New Hanoians. We're back. Like for many over the preceding weeks, the waters rose a bit to high for comfort. The ground floor office that the New Hanoian often calls home found itself under about 20cm of water. Now that things have dried out, we can (belatedly) announce our prize winners for last month. In a time that tested the endurance of many, we'll be rewarding a pair of contributors whose enduring contributions over a long period of time have really set them apart.

Dinner and Drinks for Virezo and Friends at Eté

Our first prize is going out to a New Hanoian who has brought his vast knowledge of the city to our pages. For that we are grateful. So grateful, in fact, we're sending Virezo and five friends out for an evening at Eté. The lucky six will be enjoying a pre-dinner drink to wet their appetites, dinner and wine, plus another after dinner cocktail. Now in the proper spirits, they'll be able to take in the full Eté scene. It's a truly international Hanoi crowd with equal parts French, English and Vietnamese speaking patrons. Big nights center on the ever popular Wednesday Ladies' Night, as well as regular music events ranging from chill live performances to bouncing Afrobeat DJing. While just outside of Hoan Kiem District, its location is just far enough away to completely distance itself from the Old Quarter and a scene that we all need a break from at times. Virezo and his crew will be getting a full look at the place and all it has to offer.

Mexican Food for Hinotori and Five Guests at Havana Club

Next up is another long time contributor who put in a nice little push on the review side last month. More than that, however, she's been a community member making many contributions for many months now. It's writing like that that makes the New Hanoian community what it is these days. As a sign of our appreciation, hinotori and five friends will be heading to Havana Club to see their take on making Mexican food work in Hanoi. Of course, while complete authenticity to the wonders of Mexican cuisine may be a stretch for northern Vietnam, Havana Club feels like they have the best you'll find in Hanoi. Hinotori and friends will be enjoying any Mexican dish from among their tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and chimichangas. Following their meal, each will also get quite the sampling of their cocktail menu, with a trio of drinks going to each diner. After their big night out, we all look forward to hinotori's well-crafted take on another of Hanoi's dining establishments.

Get Out and Support Blue Dragon

We're happy to be congratulating two of the New Hanoian's long time contributors. We can only hope they keep up the good work. And speaking of good work in the community, Green Mango is hosting yet another fundraiser for a worthy cause. On November 15th, head to Green Mango for a night of fantastic entertainment, in the meantime supporting the work of Village Focus International (Cambodia) and Blue Dragon Children's Foundation (Hanoi). Entertainment includes British/Nigerian singer Kehinde, Tango and Belly Dancing performances, live music, shishas and lots lots more. Lucky door prizes and raffle on the night. Suggested donation 100,000 VND, which includes one drink and nibbles on entry. Village Focus International operate projects supporting vulnerable Cambodia children and landmine survivors. Blue Dragon Children's Foundation assist young disadvantaged Vietnamese to break out of the poverty cycle. Please visit their websites for further information on their projects. For further information, please call Catherine Ellis on 0123 869 1632 or Green Mango on 04928 9916. Please note that there is no parking available at the venue.

And finally, given the flooding issues and some issues with what was to be this month's meet up host, we're in no mood for the necessary run around. In fact, all we've got in mind to do is get in some open air drinking while this (now) fabulous weather holds. Accordingly, this month's meet up goes back to our roots. Like the first meet up held many moons ago, we'll be rocking it bia hoi style. No frills. No freebies. Just a big mass of New Hanoians taking over a-bia-hoi-joint-to-be-named, reveling in the deliciousness of bia hoi grub, and drinking our way through an afternoon, into the evening. Stay turned for details of the big affair which will take place the last weekend of the month. If you've got any suggestions for the bia hoi venue of choice, head over to the Bia Hoi Appreciation Society group and post them there. We'll then head out and see who is ready to handle a true TNH gathering.

We'll send out another newsletter next week with an update on this month's available prizes and a little more talk on the meet up.

Enjoy that sun,

The Staff of The New Hanoian