Ask A New Hanoian
... is The New Hanoian's Q&A forum. If you've got a question about life in Hanoi that you think you should pose to someone in the know, here is the place to do it.
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gift for tet
we would like some suggestions for a gift we would like to give to our landlord for Tet, we want to buy a cherry blossoms tree and a blue pot to go with, is it appropriate? any faux pas we should avoid ? are the hampers supermarkets are selling a better idea ? ... confused. Our landlord is really a gem and we would not like to make a mistake.
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posted about 7 hours ago by pippasweetie to Shopping
answered most recently by ravinder an hour or so ago
Rice Basmati
I would like to buy some low gi rice like basmati. Of all of the wonderful brands of rice available here does anyone know the name of another low gi rice, or where to get some basmati?
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posted about 3 days ago by Shrimp_Whiskers to Other
answered most recently by grubby an hour or so ago
Kniiting Nerds, Unite!
Does any one know of a Stitch-n-Bitch type group here in Hanoi? I looked through the groups here and even googled it and came up with nothing.
If not, are there any knitting nerds out there who want to get together? I love knitting, but I have barely perfected the scarf. It would be nice to exchange advice while staving off the cold with some warm beverages and conversation.
Any one? Any one? Bueller?
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posted about 1 week ago by nixon_baby to Other
answered most recently by nixon_baby about 2 hours ago
Living in Nghi Tam (Flower Village)
My husband, 6 month old bub and I have been in Hanoi for almost 2 weeks and are looking for a place to live. We have found what we believe to be a great place in Nghi Tam. Before we sign any contracts, we were hoping to garner information/advice on living in the area. (We thought the area was perfect until we were told that the area floods!).
Thanks in advance for any information you can give. We really want to at least try to make the right housing decision :)
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posted about 5 days ago by herohanoi to Etiquette
answered most recently by granteralus about 2 hours ago
Does Highland coffee at West lake open?
Does Highland coffee at West lake open?
This spot is best place for me to enjoy nice sunshine but it had a plan to remodel. Is there anyone who knows reopening schedule or is it already reopened?
Let me have more information about such a nice cafe as Highland coffee which has nice view and sunshine.
Thanks in advance
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posted about 8 hours ago by granteralus to Other
answered most recently by hnboy78 about 3 hours ago
Bit Tet = Banh My Hue?
Is there a difference between Banh My Bit Tet and Banh My Hue? I see it listed differently on several menus, but I can't differentiate between the two.
However, I don't recall ever seeing the two of them on the same menu, so I'm guessing it's the same dish. ???
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Job advice for frustrated Westener
Well I am pretty sure that this question has been asked a multitude of times so you lovely forum regulars will be tired of it. But, what the hell, here goes
I am currently living in the UK, and are totally and utterly fed up with life here. I have wanted to teach English abroad for a long time, but lifestyle and circumstance have taken that dream away from me. Its only now that I have finally decided to take the plunge and just leave.
I have heard wonderful things about Vietnam, and currently it is my first choice. I am seriously thinking about totally upping sticks and leaving with nothing but the clothes I am wearing and a little spare cash (mustn't forget my passport and a spare pair of pants...)
My question to you goes something like this. Is is possible to find an employer who would take a 23 yr old English girl under their wing as an English teacher? I have no TEFL/CELTA qualifications and limited classroom experience with kindergarten kids. My employment history right now is office related so that puts my application on a bit of a downer...
Any advice / tips / guidance / spare clothes(!) that anyone would wish to share??
Thanks
S
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posted about 20 hours ago by lcobb02 to Etiquette
answered most recently by virezo about 17 hours ago
Hang Da Market and places to buy dishes?
Last weekend, I went to Hang Da market in the old quarter to buy some nice Bat Trang Dishes to bring home with me to the US when I leave in a few weeks. But it was mysteriously closed tighter than a drum on a Sunday and the inside appeared to be filled with trash rather than stalls.
So I have two questions: (1) does anyone know if the market is closed permanently and if so why? and (2) is there anywhere else to buy cheap bat trang dishes without hauling my ass to the pottery village.
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posted about 5 months ago by robin to Paperwork
answered most recently by RoyalMoversVN about 21 hours ago
Personal effects - experiences?
I've just been informed that some personal effects that my family sent out a few weeks ago have finally arrived in Haiphong.There are about eighteen boxes of books, CDs, cassettes, along with a small amount of household items of sentimental value. Problem is, now I've been told that they have to be 'inspected' by an official from the department of culture, and I may have to pay 'tax' to get it all in. I know I probably will, these things usually involve money being handed over in my experience, but I'd be interested in anyone elses experience in this area, especially as it could help someone else who is considering bringing stuff over in the near future. Over to you!
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posted about 4 days ago by hanoijack to Culture
answered most recently by hanoijack about 21 hours ago
Condom sizes in Hanoi
Can anybody explain why the condoms you can get in Hanoi are kind of "tight"? And what's so "OK" about them??
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posted about 2 days ago by MissPride to Shopping
answered most recently by Atomic about 22 hours ago
Shops Selling/Streets Specializing in Winterwear, Shopping Invitation
I'm looking for nice winterwear (coats, jackets, scarves, gloves...), but now that I actually need to do some shopping, I can't remember where *any* of streets specializing in winterwear, Made in Vietnam shops, and other such places are! I wouldn't mind hunting them down, but I'll only be in Hanoi for a few days before I fly up north... to the Arctic Circle. (No, really... Hence, the winterwear madness.)
Could anyone tell me where I could find some Made in Vietnam shops or other shops or streets selling similar merchandise? The more locations, the better. Actual addresses would be terrific, but general directions and cross streets would be appreciated as well. Thanks!
PS: Anyone up for some winterwear shopping sometime between the 8th and the 15th?
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looking for no sugar, no fat, no carb foods
Anyone has come aross rye bread,sugarless peanut butter, olive oil spray here ?
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Dayplanner / Daytimer with style in Hanoi?
Hanoians,
Do any of you know where I can find a stylish and functional daytimer/dayplanner? I have searched the stationary shops on Ly Thuong Kiet and the bookstores around Hoan Kiem, and I can only find dayplanners that have a calendar and then a book of blank pages or a not very stylish week-in-view dayplanner. I'd like a full-page day-in-view. I really love my old
moleskin one but does such a thing (or similar) exist in Hanoi?
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posted about 4 weeks ago by DamsLNthisdress1 to Other
answered most recently by Zozza about 1 day ago
Dr. Sketchy's; art classes
Anybody interested in starting a DR. Sketchy's in Hanoi? I think Hanoi is in need of interactive artistic fun- but hey, I am new and maybe there is something already out there like this? let me know!
Also, is there any place that offers art classes? something just for fun and not serious?
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AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
Has the movie "An Inconvenient Truth" been shown in Hanoi or even Vietnam? If yes, would you know which company distributed the movie locally? I need to write the movie's producers and/or local distributors for our clean air project. Thanks in advance.
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therapeutic massage
I suspect a pinched nerve ? anyone knows about a good therapeutic massage place with thorough knowledge of joints and nerves, etc. Have valsed my way to all reccomended massage places in HN but not found one yet to fix it ... Any suggestion/experience sharing would be kindly appreciated. Dumb, sarcastic replies not welcomed.
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posted about 4 days ago by Elliewelliesj to Other
answered most recently by Finnmaccool about 2 days ago
Visa on arrival...possible now?
I heard that you can now get a visa on arrival when arriving at the airport - does anybody know if this is true? I also heard that it is cheaper than pre-arranging it in your own country. Mmm sounds too good to be true.
I have a mate visiting in February and was wondering if anyone knows the score.
Thank you
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posted about 4 days ago by DamsLNthisdress1 to Shopping
answered most recently by travelgoddess about 2 days ago
bustier, corset, hosiery, cincher
Are there any shops that sell bustiers or corsets or cinchers or funky hosiery (or ANYTHING!) in Hanoi? (can't a girl get her style on in this place??)
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Jeans
where can one find western size jeans in hanoi?? Or get some sewn.
thanks
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Visas for Travel from Vietnam
So I'm getting closer to my departure date for Vietnam; February 10. I'm trying to figure out a couple of travel visas in the meantime and would appreciate any help.
I plan on being in Vietnam about a year and want to go to Cambodia and Laos. I'm coming from the USA and I think Laos requires me to get a visa here before leaving and Cambodia strongly suggests I get one here. Three questions:
1.) Does anyone know how easy/hard it is to get a Cambodia visa while in Vietnam?
2.) I don't know exactly when I would want to travel to Cambodia or Laos but the applications request Date of Entry/Exit. Are these dates flexible? Or do I have to travel on or around them for the visa to be valid?
3.) Is, say, a one-month visa to Cambodia and Laos (I'm not sure if there's a difference in this matter) valid for one month after I get the visa, or one month after date of entry to Cambodia or Laos?
Oh, and one more, unrelated, question- Any sense how long it takes to find an apartment upon arrival? My plan is to set down at a hotel for a bit and look around. Assuming middle-of-the-road pickiness, and hoping for a $400 - $800/month 1 bed/1 bath apartment in Hoan Kiem or Hai ba Trung... any idea of timeline?
Thanks for any help you guys can give. I can't wait to get this stuff over with and get to Hanoi.
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