The New Hanoian

Jaybellis got me thinking.

I have an ambivalent relationship with AC.

I've attended events here and had a great time, plus my daughter and I hit the play area from time to time. Let me add that the staff are nice enough, the grass suddenpaws raved about is indeed rave-worthy, plus the food is good (overpriced) and their playground and v-ball/b-ball courts are great. Location is terrific too.


Proclaiming itself to be the representative of the US in Hanoi, I'm quite disappointed in it. There is little advertising of its services, save when a pricey open to the public gig is on. I would like to see a more visible and welcoming club. Moreover, the yearly fees run a few hundred, not too terribly bad, but there's not really so much special about AC that you would want to join. Also there are no student rates. This could be an excellent, central location for Americans to meet up and form a community, but it's not fulfilling its potential.

Also, I am not thrilled that the underground tunnel discovered below this former consulate was just filled in without exploration of its historical value or consultation with scholars. Haven't we already tried to bury enough of our history?

I've searched through my old emails and cannot find any message from the Club stating that the Club would be closed for Halloween. My son, Ross, went there on the Friday before Halloween to ask if there would be a party on that day and was told that there would be, come at 8 PM. I took our two children there on Saturday and it was obvious that a big Halloween party was going to take place, even I was a little excited. Than an expat woman came out of the spooky dark to inform us that the party was for Embassy people only. I was disappointed, but my kids were crestfallen. I told her I was a volunteer Embassy Warden, but that didn't help and we had to go away. This is so wrong.

If there was an email informing us that the party was private, please excuse this review, but even the Club staff told us to come back for the party.

Grass, grass, grass. Beautiful grass...no, don't rush out and grab your bong, I mean the kind you walk on. They have it here, and yes, you can walk on it without some guy in a uniform pointing an AK47 at you and yelling in Vietnamese to bugger off. If I had to recommend this place for only one reason, it's that.

But there are other things, too. They also have a volleyball court here, with regular games if you are interested, and some kids play toys, though they need some serious upgrading, so check out where your kids are playing before leaving them to their own devices - some look decidedly dodgy.

They have bar food here, like fries and sandwiches and such, and though most are not fabulous, I was impressed with their pizzas. At $4.50 a shot they were surprisingly tasty, with lots of cheese and toppings. The outside eating area is just lovely, with comfy chairs and nice decor. Nice to sit and enjoy the day.

Most people I think only end up here for events, but it is worth a try at other times, and if you have kids, the option of giving them grass to run on is a big drawcard (especially if you can't afford the pathetic fees of UNIS for a regular grass running fix).

Three stars, mainly for the grass! By the way, did I mention there was grass here...???!!!