jimbo's profile
jimbo's Posts
7 reviews or comments posted; 2 questions asked; 36 answers given.
Reviews / Comments (7) see all
This place is currently being gutted. Are they remodeling or will a new type of business take over this prime location?
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I can assure you, Green Mango has at least one great big rat, it runs around the potted plants in the back 'open-air' area. I've seen it on two separate occasions, once pointing it out to the waitress, who giggled. But, so what? They're everywhere.
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I used to eat at this place at least twice a week. There were no prices on the menu, and they sometimes substituted things without asking. I never cared, because the food was great and the prices were so low that I was convinced they were going to present me with an annual surcharge at Tet (they didn't). But the best thing was the staff, incredibly friendly and efficient. They even took care of a sick friend of mine for two weeks, he couldn't stand, so they went up 4 flights twice a day with food, and made sure he had water and other stuff, never a hint of asking for extra payment (which of course they were offered and adamantly refused). They were just starting the music when I moved away.
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I ate here a little over a year ago, and it was disgusting. I'm far from fastidious, but this place was awful. Hopefully they've cleaned things up.
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This place appears to have gone belly-up, which isn't surprising since it went downhill after the new owner took over. Great location, someone could really make a killing here. Unfortunately, the last few owners seem to have been unaware that they themselves were killing the place, either through neglect or general mismanagement. What a waste.
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Questions (2)
We're looking for a copy of the film "Touching the Void" and have had no luck in the shops. Anyone seen it in town, or willing to lend it out? Thanks.
Where can I have a small quantity of t-shirts printed with a logo I've created? And can they copy a 'pdf' file graphic, or would I need to put it in some other format?
Answers (36)
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
To teach at any of the top-tier schools you must have a university degree AND the TESOL cert, as well as a criminal background check from your home country. This is the law. Vietnam has some of the strictest requirements in Asia. Without these documents, you'll be limited to working at the lower-end schools, with lower pay, little support, and the possibility of delayed wages.
In response to the question: I am a native english speaker who is currently completing a TESOL course.I do not hold a degree. I will be arriving in Hanoi on Decemeber 7.I have see...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
It's urea! A good way to be reassured you don't have mice (or worse).
In response to the question: To all you biologists out there - why does gecko poop have a white bit at the end? Yes, I have way too much time on my hands....
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
"...The North Vietnamese were ecstatic, but few missiles were coming over the assembly lines as they tried desperately to get ready for the expected midnight raid. Yet at midnight there was no raid on Hanoi, only a small B-52 raid well to the North. The second wave of B-52s scheduled to bomb Hanoi had been recalled by SAC. The North Vietnamese missile crews had done what the Japanese, Germans, North Koreans, Chinese, and Russians had failed to do—for the first and only time in the history of U.S. air combat operations, U.S. bombers on their way to a target turned back because of enemy defenses..."
That passage is from a fascinatingly detailed report on the 1972 Christmas bombing campaign. You can read the report here:
http://www.airspacemag.com/issues/2001/december-january/bomb.php
It might not provide a specific answer to your question, but it will certainly enhance your emotions as you drive past the wreckage.
In response to the question: Anyone know the story behind the B52 in the lake near Ngoc Ha. I pass it most days and think WOW, but no one can tell me if the area was residential ...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Jaspas will show the game with a breakfast menu available. They open at 6am; kickoff at about 6:20.
In response to the question: Does anyone know of a Super Bowl Party or event in some bar/restaurant for this years SB on Feb 4th am.? Thanks...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Three shots of banana wine at Nok Bar on Hang Bac, followed by two Halida chasers. You still might not actually see the sun, but you won't care any more.
In response to the question: Does anybody know an arcane ritual, occult ceremony, special dance, etc. that will make the sun actually come out for once during this dour, depressin...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Hmmmm, I know how you feel. I meant to write down the new address when they were still on Hang Bac and had a sign posted. Are you sure they reopened with the same name? Maybe they renamed it Lay Can? :)
In response to the question: Does anyone know what's become of Lay Bac? I've been missing it terribly! I know they closed just after Tet in order to move to a new location. It ...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
I think it's just self-congratulatory behaviour to adopt a cat and feel all morally justified. Your words, but I'm in a similar same boat, and I force myself to resist the temptation. I think you have it worked out, you just need someone to agree with you and let it go. There are lots of children in this city who aren't much better off.
In response to the question: I'd really like to discuss this topic with someone who has an informed opinion (vet; pet owner; thoughtful and ethical person; etc) I've seen a lot...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Sorry, I don't have an answer except to agree with l'papa; but I do have a question for you. Was your VietC account a "USD" account, or was it opened with vnd? If it was USD and they're refusing to let you withdraw it, that's quite disturbing. Thanks.
In response to the question: Related to maliusmaximus' recent post, yet different- where should I currently go to get the best rate on converting VND into US$? I just closed dow...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
It's a real problem for students because tourists are often a bit suspicious being approached for 'conversation,' and ex-pats are usually worn out from daily interactions (personal and/or professional) and aren't going to be in the mood to endure a halting conversation with someone trying to practice English.
I've seen young adults/late teens with clipboards and questionnaires at Temple of Lit and on the grounds of HCM Mausoleum complex, approaching tourists and being greeted in a friendly manner. Foreigners feel safer than 'on the street' and are more approachable than in a cafe where they may feel an intrusion. You could role-play how to go about this, then have them report their 'findings' to make it legitimate!
In response to the question: I've had a few students ask me the same general thing: Where can they go to meet and chat with foreigners? Some have offered a "language exchange" t...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Well, I guess this is just going to turn into a cheerleading session for the New Hanoian. However, my complaint was about a business owner lying, several times in several different posts, and subsequently being rewarded with massive free publicity (his being forgiven for offering free booze is a joke, right?).
Prior to the announcement of the big NH meet-up at Stones, it was never explained that the owner had been confronted about his deceit, and that he had agreed to comply with standards of honesty thereafter. So I complained. To hear all this talk of reconciliation after the fact is nice, but it is unfair to criticize my initial complaints since I had no way of knowing that this guy had been confronted. I felt that his original posts were deeply offensive in their dishonesty, and the next thing I saw was the advert for the big NH meet-up. So I questioned what was going on. Do I not have that right? Isn't it ultimately a good thing that someone questioned this?
In response to the question: I'm setting up this question so that we have a more effective venue for discussing some of the concerns "jimbo" has recently raised about how we've de...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
It certainly reflects well on the New Hanoian that my comments weren't deleted, so thanks for that!
In response to the question: I'm setting up this question so that we have a more effective venue for discussing some of the concerns "jimbo" has recently raised about how we've de...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Here's a basically optimistic NY Times article on the Vietnamese economy, published just last week.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/business/worldbusiness/18invest.htmlpagewanted=1&sq=vietnam&st=cse&scp=2
In response to the question: Dear all, Just a quick question-- what is the current black market rate for VND-USD? Has it risen above 18500 to even higher rates? Or has it sta...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Thanks a lot, I've seen those shops in the past. I'll give them a try.
In response to the question: Where can I have a small quantity of t-shirts printed with a logo I've created? And can they copy a 'pdf' file graphic, or would I need to put it in s...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Thank you, jtyo, for correcting that awful grammar mistake ('we are all suppose to...'). Not to mention the obnoxious sentiment: Resenting the current US government hardly translates into hating 'Americans.'
In response to the question: I know we are all suppose to hate the Americans, even if we are American. But I was wondering if there are any 4th of July celebrations going on. Ther...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
KOTO! Fast and efficient.
In response to the question: Since I work from home, and often feel too busy with my work (or just to lazy) to venture out for dinner or lunch, I like having food delivered to my ...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Do you have some prior arrangement with your employer to be reimbursed? If not, then you're on your own.... good luck!
In response to the question: Tax rebate?? I will finish my year contract soon and would like to know how to go about getting a tax refund for the tax I paid here in Vietnam? ...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
"because the norm in Hanoi is that you will never see your deposit back." That's NOT the norm. Don't spread false information. I rented an apartment for a year and had monthly angry conflicts with the owner, and fully expected her to keep every cent of my deposit, especially because there was obvious wear-and-tear on the place, and it needed a cleaning. She gave me the full deposit back. My current landlord is renting to me a beautiful fully-furnished house including TV/DVD/washer with NO DEPOSIT. Don't publicize your unhappy experience as the 'norm.'
In response to the question: The house for rent in the "housing section" is the one I have recently been negotiating on. I would warn people about the contract, as the landlady...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
You say that when you 'first arrived' you started paying her $100/month. So the raise is NOT 50% in one year, it's far less calculated over how many years you've employed her. Give her the raise. Think what it would be like to find someone new, get them oriented, assess their abilities, and determine if they are trustworthy.
In response to the question: THis may be a question more for older hanoians than younger hanoians... Or at least ones who have been here longer. When I first arrived i hired a...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
She works 5 days/22 hours a week cleaning and cooking for TWO PEOPLE? You've got to be kidding. Are you a pair of 5-year-olds left abandoned in Hanoi? I'm sure she looks at your 4-bedroom house with two helpless occupants and wonders if you might have some spare change for her (in addition to the spare rooms). Does she have children of her own? Have you visited her home?
Try doing your own ironing for a month and then reconsider her salary.
In response to the question: THis may be a question more for older hanoians than younger hanoians... Or at least ones who have been here longer. When I first arrived i hired a...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Do you really think this was a scientific poll? Why take a swipe at me? My input was apparently at least as useful as anyone else's, given the fact that your final decision was close to what I was suggesting.
In response to the question: THis may be a question more for older hanoians than younger hanoians... Or at least ones who have been here longer. When I first arrived i hired a...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Very nice, succinct comparison of the two cities, mnguyen. One correction, though, before Dan and Emily get too excited, I'd say $20/hr teaching is the maximum, not the minimum, for most newcomers. Also, to get anything close to that wage they'd have to a uni degree, a CELTA or equivalent, some experience and a clean background check. Otherwise they'll end up at a second-rate school.
Emily, what kind of work are you and Dan qualified for?
In response to the question: We are moving to Vietnam in 2 months. I was wondering which city would you choose to live in given the chance? Hanoi, Ho Chi Min or a city 1/2 between...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
You are proposing that anyone who agrees with you can do so anonymously, but if someone disagrees with you then they must be publicly identified?
The purpose of the utter rubbish option is to avoid people getting into tit-for-tat arguments and ruining the website.
Once the rubbish choice is made, that person cannot click on it again. So if you're getting more than one negative vote, it's coming from more than one person.
In response to the question: Can we do something about the utter rubbish section. It seems that there are some people who are playing with this click. I agree with all the others ...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Maybe the problem is the extreme nature of the choice, perhaps an extra button like 'I'm dubious' or 'doubtful' for those who disagree but don't think the review is total rubbish would help ease the pain of making this choice. I'll bet a lot of readers are doubtful about some of the ridiculously petty complaints leveled at businesses on here, but don't want to utterly trash the review.
In response to the question: Can we do something about the utter rubbish section. It seems that there are some people who are playing with this click. I agree with all the others ...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
"...Anonymous Utter rubbish for me is the same thing like the people who write, make comments, criticize on this website under a fake name without putting a picture or give their real name."
And your picture of some bald guy behind two enormous headlamps is supposed to validate your reviews?
In response to the question: Can we do something about the utter rubbish section. It seems that there are some people who are playing with this click. I agree with all the others ...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
I think whoever gets the most 'utter rubbishes' every month should be given one of the free drink/meal prizes. Then we'll see how quickly Philippe changes his tune.
In response to the question: Can we do something about the utter rubbish section. It seems that there are some people who are playing with this click. I agree with all the others ...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Watch out for the bogus restaurant reviews here, the ones where someone obviously has a personal axe to grind, or has been miffed by some minor flaw in service and gets all indignant, taking it as a personal affront and seeking revenge by badmouthing the place.
In response to the question: Newbie in Hanoi - Any 2 cents on things to watch out for? Appreciate the tips. Thks. ...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
What a tangled web we weave. Sam, please review the insulting comments you directed toward me a few weeks ago, when I stated the same opinions that have been more recently expressed.
In response to the question: THis may be a question more for older hanoians than younger hanoians... Or at least ones who have been here longer. When I first arrived i hired a...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Thanh's MiniMart So 8 Ngo 1 Au Co... cut through the InterContinental's parking area or bypass the Sheraton's side entrance and bear left (or go thru the main Sheraton entrance and bear right as you come out the other end), half block around the bend is the shop. Nice folks, surprisingly good selection of products for such a small space. Genuine Melitta filters.
In response to the question: Anybody know where I can get Melita-style paper coffee filters?...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Have you looked at the shop on Hang Bac Street, not far from Hollywood video? Also, there's a shop further east on Hang Bac at the bottom of Ma May Street. Both are pricey but not pushy.
Mao's Red Lounge and Culi Cafe have some propaganda-themed shirts for sale, and Culi Cafe has a great book of posters and propaganda art.
In response to the question: I'm a big fan of the old propaganda posters available at the Old Propaganda POsters shop near the cathedral, but am a bit put off by their incessant, ...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Imagine if the recent flooding had occurred in a medium-sized US city. Imagine the looting and shooting that would surely occur. In Hanoi, where the police presence was near-zero, the population generally maintained order, persevering through the troubles with a generally positive attitude. 'These people' can't be trusted?
(virezo, I think that essay by candide was a joke.)
In response to the question: A person I know complained that she cannot trust ANY local people because she has enough bad experiences about Vietnamese people during her 2 years st...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
How would a spammer get a NH member's private email address?
In response to the question: Do people get much spam in response to things they post here? I just asked a question two days ago and just got the following spam message (the funni...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Counter-comments on reviews aren't allowed here. If they were, the review section would be littered with arguments and insults. I would have loved to mock your ridiculous complaint about the DVD shop but my only recourse was the rubbish button. I only wish I could have hit it more than once.
In response to the question: I’m not sure if this question has been addressed before but I’ve met others who feel strongly about it. It’s in regard to the guideline that mem...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
D-Trend at 39 Nguyễn Du, just southwest of Hoan Kiem Lake. Honest, courteous.
In response to the question: Back home I'd probably just get one off ebay but I've heard the postal system here can be unreliable so I'd rather not risk it....
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
Go home.
In response to the question: Wonder if anyone is as p..d! as we are .... for sometime now the cable TV channels switch to silly Vietnamese adds right in the middle of a programme ...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
What's 'UT'? Utter Truth?
In response to the question: Can we do something about the utter rubbish section. It seems that there are some people who are playing with this click. I agree with all the others ...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 1970.
In your profile you claim to have been in Hanoi since 1970. So you were here during Nixon's Christmas bombing campaign, that must have been awful. The link to your website doesn't work. Please explain how the money will get from the donor, through you, to the 'child in need.'
In response to the question: Hi All, Sorry this is a bit of an unusual query and didn't really know which category to post it in, however to make a long story as short as I can.....
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New Hanoian Member SinceFriday November 9th, 2007
