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Good Times in the Capital

As noted in the last newsletter, there is no shortage of things to keep one occupied in these summer months. Events, prizes, and general good will can offset the many minor inconveniences of life in our city. We’re trying to do our part, so let’s see you out there taking advantage. On this very Saturday (July 28th), Tre Place will host a musical extravaganza that any self-respecting connoisseur of Hanoi’s nightlife scene would not miss. For one night only, the legendary Offensive (now playing as The Defensive) will be back together and rocking through the night. Tickets are 100,000 (including two drinks) and doors will open at 8pm. If you haven’t been to this wonderful venue on the banks of the Red River, then you’ll find no better opportunity to acquaint yourself with its lovely spaces. There’s always a big crowd on hand when C.A.M.A. puts on one of their incomparable affairs, so do yourself a favor and get out of the house on Saturday night. As the weekend winds down, there will be only a few short days left before we announce the winners of this month's New Hanoian contribution prizes. In less than a week, we’ll know who has written their way to a fabulous time at Piano Bar & Lounge, Hoa Sua, or Half Man / Half Noodle. To recap: One of our outstanding contributors will be enjoying a night of fine dining at Piano Bar & Lounge that includes a full range of their renowned menu. To begin the evening, our winner and three friends will enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine in the downstairs bar area. Amidst the class of this French-inspired Hanoian institution, the wine and tinkling of piano keys will prep them for the dinner they will soon be whisked away to upstairs. There, with another bottle of wine, they will enjoy a full dinner from a kitchen that has long been on the culinary map of expats and locals needing a bit more from their night on the town. After dinner, the foursome will retire to the roof patio for after dinner drinks and quiet digestion. Another of our users who distinguishes his or herself with their presence on the site will be taking three friends to Hoa Sua for a lunch time exploration of their many treats. A full lunch menu is being prepared for their very visit…a full display of what their kitchen can crank out for anyone who stumbles upon them on Ha Hoi street for lunch. Word is, they may even be taking away some goodies from the renowned bakery to enjoy later in the afternoon when it’s time to reminisce over the experience just enjoyed. And of course, all you’ve got to do is keep those reviews and comments coming! Finally, a unique night of drinking at Half Man / Half Noodle is up for grabs. A group of ten friends, led by one of our award winning users, will have a pot of Hoa Binh Province’s legendary Ruou Can. This sweet sticky rice concoction drank from an earthen jug through bamboo straws will be the group’s centerpiece, while the captain of said group (our prize winner) will get to follow the rice wine will a full night of free draft beer. Each of the friends can stick around and drink anything they please at 20% off. If committed to their task, this all-nighter may well prevent the bar from closing at all, as their new dormitory facilities mean that The Noodle opens at 6am every morning. If you’re out late (or up early and have a bit of a thirst), you may swing by and see if this group is in the process of putting together the sort of night that will be passed around as a bar story for months or years to come. We’d also like to welcome to the New Hanoian community (and to Hanoi itself) the wonderful non-profit outfit, Vietnam Quilts. This revenue earning project of the French NGO, Vietnam Plus, sells handmade quilts produced in the Mekong Delta. They currently employ about 140 women in positions that allow these ladies to make a living without leaving the communities where they are desperately needed. Maybe you can find cheaper needle work around Hanoi, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better cause. Any extra profits go to expanding their employment numbers or get cycled back through Vietnam Plus for use in things like scholarships, women’s health, or micro-credit funds. When the holiday season rolls around, keep their shop at 16 Hang Tre in mind. And finally, this newsletter simply wouldn’t be complete without a hardy round of thanks and applause for all the New Hanoians who showed up for our first meet up at Bia Hoi Zin last week. It was an amazingly diverse group. Every direction you turned, you encountered stories that reminded you why living abroad is such the treat that it is. On one side, a woman who had ridden her bicycle from Europe to Beijing…on the other, a young man who had just flown in from Norway that day. Teachers and Analysts…Consultants and Interns...and us, in the middle, just happy to be a part of it. So enthused about the turnout were we, that we’ve already begun working out the details of the next one. It will be held in a prominent Hanoi bar two weeks from this Sunday. For New Hanoian members, there will be copious amounts of free booze. You read that right…free booze. If you’re already a member, mark it on your calendars and forward this on to your friends. If you’re not a member yet, you know what to do. See you all at the next meet up in a couple weeks, The Staff of the New Hanoian

Written by alpha

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