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granteralus's Posts
43 reviews or comments posted; 8 questions asked; 73 answers given.
Reviews / Comments (43) see all
Red Apple is Prince 79 Hotel's attempt at a restaurant. There really is no reason to eat here unless you happen to be staying at the hotel and need something quick and easy.
Their menu is a mixture of Vietnamese and Italian dishes, and from the looks of everything I've seen here, most are not decent representations of either cuisine. I decided to get a small sample of both. The "cha ca" was a platter of old, dry, microwaved fish jerky with rice paper, and the "pizza bread" was a normal baguette with a little ketchup and something that resembled mozzarella cheese, but had no distinguishable taste.
They advertise several vegetarian dishes, but I'm not going to bother trying them.
The friendly waitresses and cleanliness are the only factors keeping this place from achieving a one-star review.
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Fox Music & Movies has been my steady supplier of films for a couple years now, and I don't have any reason to change.
They are THE place to go for independent films, documentaries, foreign films (a large selection of Japanese, French, Chinese, Korean, British, and Scandinavian, among others), blockbusters, and just about any other genre you could imagine. They also have an impressive selection of zombie films, by the way.
Each genre is separated into its own little bin to make browsing more convenient. Admittedly, browsing can be a chore at times, as they seem to cram WAY TOO MANY dvd's into those tiny bins. It's a lot easier if you take out several discs and place them on the floor while you flip through the remaining discs.
If you're looking for a specific movie, don't waste your time flipping through the thousands of titles. Just write down the name and hand it to them, and they can easily look it up on the computer and pull up a copy.
There is an issue with quality control at this shop. At least one or two out of every ten discs has problems. It might be the wrong title. It might not play at all. They will need to get this ironed out if they want to compete with some of the other big players in town.
Fortunately, they have no problem exchanging bad discs for anyone. I just toss mine into my motorbike seat and drop them off for exchange whenever I'm in the area. They've never given me any crap for bringing discs back.
Even if you don't have a film in mind, stop by some day and flip through those old bins. It ain't pretty, but you'll find some pleasant surprises.
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Boasting 25 beers imported from Belgium, "SBB - The Club" is attempting to set a new standard for beer halls in Hanoi. It doesn't appear to be a large place, but from the looks of SBB's facade, it's obvious that they aren't playing around. Just walk through arched wooden doorway at the rear of the main floor to see proof: A glass enclosed, climate controlled display room for their proud collection of 25 Belgian beers. Not "Belgian-style" like some places around town. Belgian goddamned beer.
Upon being seated, you will be provided with a book, each page devoted to one of those sweet imports. Details are provided on several characteristics, such as style, alcohol content, color, hop variety, wort extract, and fermentation, as well as a lengthy description of each beer. It's a nice guide to assist in which brew you're going to choose. Not a bad idea before you plunk down 150,000 vnd. They have bottles ranging from 86,000 to 1.23 million dong, and 330 ml to 1.5 liters, so there is something for just about everyone.
The food menu is fairly impressive as well, with a variety of food from several regions of the world. You'll find some traditional Vietnamese, Beijing duck, cheese plates, random European dishes (a few of which are cooked with Belgian beer), pizza, pasta, Aussie beef, and several seafood concoctions, including salmon sashimi. Most of the appetizers run around 70k, while the entrees seemed to range from 150k to 600k.
We ordered the fresh bbq pork spring rolls, which were presented beautifully and tasted great, and a couple of their soups. The Thai Tom Yum was some of the best I've had in Hanoi (but that's not saying much), and the vegetable cream soup with garlic bread was tasty, too.
I should say something about the atmosphere of this place. It looks fairly small from the road, and the front room isn't that large, but it has character. A massive half-keg hangs from the ceiling, and little beer kegs serve as lamps, hovering above each table. It has a piano, an impressive bar with all the right glasses to serve whatever style of beer you request, and a large LCD screen. But the real surprise is through the back door. Like I stated earlier, you'll find the beer showroom, as well as a huge staircase leading to the intriguing other sections of SBB. There's VIP room which seats 10 and contains a large projector screen with accompanying projector and PC. Around the corner is another room that serves as a small balcony overlooking the main floor (that was my favorite), and three large floors above that, all with similar decor. Mostly dark wood with comfy leather(?) chairs and benches. It's a neat place to hang out when you're throwing down expensive beer.
The staff were very attentive, maybe too much so. I can't blame them, as the restaurant was completely empty over the noon hour, so they were probably extremely bored. With a larger crowd I'm guessing that won't be a problem. Another small gripe was the size of my bowl of soup. It was tiny. Really tiny. Considering they have NO CUSTOMERS, they might want to "give a little". Other than that, we had a great experience, and I was given a silver VIP card when I left, which gives customers a 10% discount.
If you like Belgian beer, give this place a shot, but take their slogan seriously: "Save the Best for your Better"
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Prince 79 has got to be one of the best $12 joints in town. Knowing that we could be here for an extended period (in between houses), I took some time and checked out several of the hotels in this price range. Not many came close to Prince 79. (By the way, thanks to all of you who posted recommendations to the Ask ANH section! Most of those were nice as well.)
Our room has hardwood floors (ok, faux, but it's still way better than cold tile!), a decent sized television, dvd-player with remote, a small fridge stocked with sodas and water, a private bathroom and hot shower (which featured a massive "rain storm" showerhead that hangs from directly above, instead of at the inconvenient level of your navel), one double and one twin bed with brand-new wooden frames, a small wooden vanity to match the beds with accompanying stool, spotlessly clean sheets, an air-conditioner, fan, and soft mattresses.
My only gripes are fairly minor. The bathroom has no window, so it never seems to dry. But that's common in Vietnam, so no big deal. The pillows are a bit flat, but that can be expected when they're only charging $12 per room. And they don't take care of your motorbike for you at night. Before you hit the sack, you have to park a block away in a hospital parking lot near Bia Hoi Corner. Which is a nice excuse to stop by, grab a beer and shout at everyone before bedtime.
The staff has been very friendly and accommodating. I can't recommend these guys enough.
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Nestled amongst the ubiquitous snail restaurants and flower shops on Luong Dinh Cua street is Hung Map Pho. I don't want to start a habit of entering pho restaurants, are we all know there are a million of them and everyone has their favorite. But there are also many crap pho joints, so Hung Map is one of a select few that I plan to enter on the site.
Everyone working here seemed to be in a cheery mood, and made an exceptional effort to communicate with their limited English, even though we ordered our dinner in Vietnamese. (A subtle critique of my Vietnamese, perhaps?) When I ordered a bottle of water, he ran down the street to another shop and didn't mark it up one penny. After we had finished our fried rice and stir-fried pho, the manager brought some soup over for us, "free... no money". When we finished that, he brought another TWO dishes over for us to sample. The pho bo was delicious, with very tender, high-quality meat. No fat or gristle.
The cynic in me sat there waiting for the bill, assuming we had just eaten a 100k vnd plate of fried rice, but the manager made me feel quite silly when the bill finally arrived. After all the food mentioned above, including the water, our check came to less than 50k.
Wonderful people, and they "invited" us to "return to their home" again. We sure will!
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Questions (8)
What jobs can be obtained by foreigners in Vietnam, other than teaching English? While spending a year in Hanoi, almost everyone I met was a teacher, aside from a few NGO workers and the occasional engineer. I'm curious to see what other oportunities there are, so please share your experiences...
Pardon the off-topic question, but I'm guessing that more than a few New Hanoians have been to Beijing and could probably help me out. I'm considering traveling to Beijing later this year/early next year, and I have a few questions about visas, work, and general travel info. If you've been there and don't mind me picking your brain a bit, please drop me line. Thanks... ~Grant gcr2d2@yahoo.com
Anyone know of a shop in Hanoi specializing in dairy products? I'm looking specifically for cheese curds. I've tried Western Canned Goods, Metro, Big C, and several delis around town to no avail. Have any ideas? Thanks...
Anyone know Christine Marie G... ? Her wallet was found on the street last night. If you know her, have her send me a message. Thanks.
Has anyone encountered a broadcast schedule online for the upcoming Olympics? I've been searching for the last hour and haven't seen anything other than schedules for the States & NZ, and a general start-time schedule for each sport, with no mention of which networks will be carrying them. Here is Star Sports' schedule for this Saturday: http://www.espnstar.com/tv-listings/region1/day6/
They don't appear to be broadcasting any Olympic events whatsoever. Does anyone know which channel is going to carry the events?
Thanks...
Know if any restaurants in Hanoi are serving Mi Quang or Cao Lau? They're noodle dishes from central Vietnam, near Hoi An. Went to a Hue restaurant this week and struck out there. I need a fix!!
We're looking for a relatively cheap guesthouse to stay in while we continue our search for housing. The hotel section seems to be missing a "sort by price" option, and wading through all of the nicer hotels could take days.
What's the best $10-$12/night guesthouse in Hanoi? Or perhaps a decent place with monthly rates?
We're looking for a room with private bathroom, television, fan, and fridge. Not really looking for something in the Old Quarter, but a place centrally located would be nice.
Any suggestions? Thanks!
Not: I’m traveling Southeast Asia.
Not: I’m teaching English.
Not: Because my parents screwed.
Why are you here?
Answers (73)
Posted Monday September 4th, 2006.
Try Van Phuc silk village. It's just south of Hanoi, about 15-30 minutes depending on traffic. Any expat who's been in town for a while should be able to give you decent directions and show you on a map. Several of the merchants speak some basic English. It's worth a try. Even if you leave empty handed, it's a fun little road trip.
In response to the question: Are there any tailoring areas in Hanoi along the lines of Hoi An. I know it just a big touist town down there, but it was ultra-easy to get shit made...
Posted Monday September 4th, 2006.
Go to 5-B Dinh Liet Street. It's a REEEALLY SMALL shop about half way in beteen Hoan Kiem Lake and Bia Hoi Corner. They have decent Honda Waves. They'll probably ask for $60 or more per month. Refuse to pay more than $45-$47 (around 750,000 VND). They're more likely to negotiate if they think you're going to be in town for a while. Everyone I've spoken to has had good luck with this guy. There is another shop north of there on the same street, just south of Bia Hoi Corner, but I didn't have a great experience with them.
In response to the question: What about motorbikes in general? I know there are several places around Hanoi that rent them....especially in the Old Quarter, but are any of them a...
Posted Sunday October 8th, 2006.
Motion to blacklist any user ID containing the terms "hunk" or "stud"...
In response to the question: I am in need of so much needed Vietnamese lessons. I already know a little Vietnamese and need to get back to the basics. Are there any recommendation...
Posted Saturday February 17th, 2007.
There's a small print shop catacorner from CleverLearn English school on Kim Ma Street. It's just east of the little corner fruit stand. Our school used to have several things copied and bound there.
In response to the question: Hi, I need a place where I can make a huge amount of color copies, or prints, whatever works best, that can bind them. Preferably wire binding. If so...
Posted Saturday February 17th, 2007.
There are also a few print shops near "Book Street" or Trang Tien Plaza near Hoan Kiem Lake.
In response to the question: Hi, I need a place where I can make a huge amount of color copies, or prints, whatever works best, that can bind them. Preferably wire binding. If so...
Posted Saturday February 17th, 2007.
"Bia Hoi Corner" at the intersection of Dinh Liet and Luong Ngoc Quyen. It's a few blocks north of Hoan Kiem Lake. Aside from the bia hoi joints, there are several bars in the vicinity that are frequented by teachers.
In response to the question: Where is the best place to meet expat teachers? ...
Posted Monday May 21st, 2007.
You should be able to find a Honda Wave on Dinh Liet Street for $45/month. It's in the Old Quarter close to Bia Hoi corner.
In response to the question: Hey, I want to rent a scooter from a reliable source in Hanoi. Does anyone have any recommendations as to a good rental company and also how much I...
Posted Saturday June 30th, 2007.
Considering I never once saw a Vietnamese girl in a bikini, you might want to start hitting the catalogs and hope that it arrives by summer '08.
You might consider visiting Big C or Metro department stores. That's where I finally found a pair of sneakers that fit.
In response to the question: Where can I buy a decent bikini? I've found a few shops but everything I've seen is too small or hideous!...
Posted Monday July 2nd, 2007.
Never! I went to the beach a few times and everyone was wearing jeans, rolled up to the knees. It was absurd!
In response to the question: Where can I buy a decent bikini? I've found a few shops but everything I've seen is too small or hideous!...
Posted Monday July 2nd, 2007.
Wish I could join you, Binh!
In response to the question: Sorry for all the delays in getting the poker up and running. Everything is now organised and the first game will be on sunday the 8th July. I won't...
Posted Tuesday July 24th, 2007.
I don't think a complete list exists. It's possible you'll find a list of major schools that have established themselves, however the smaller schools come and go.
Start with the big ones listed here. If that doesn't work out, spend a few evenings in the bars around Ta Hien Street. You'll find several teachers there willing to point you in the right direction. They'll also be able to tell you exactly what each school pays.
It's really not necessary to find a job before you arrive, in fact I would recommend you don't. Give yourself the opportunity to shop around. There's a lot of work out there, and all schools are not created equal.
In response to the question: I am looking for an English teacher position in Hanoi. I hold the CELTA certificate as well as a youth counselor certificate. Does anyone know where t...
Posted Tuesday July 24th, 2007.
Also, to make your life easier, bring a notarized criminal background check from the state you currently reside in, your college diploma, and proof of a recent health check-up.
It will make things a lot easier for your school if they end up filing official government paperwork for you.
In response to the question: I am looking for an English teacher position in Hanoi. I hold the CELTA certificate as well as a youth counselor certificate. Does anyone know where t...
Posted Wednesday September 26th, 2007.
A legit copy in Vietnam? Good luck! Counterfeits should be littering the streets of the Old Quarter by now. Keep in mind that machines usually have to be "modded" in order to play copied games. If that doesn't work for you, try VinCom Towers or Trang Tien Plaza. They can be located on the maps here on New Hanoian. You can also find several specialized stores similar to GameStop (not sure what shops you have in Australia) all around town. Just keep an eye out for XBox logos in the windows.
In response to the question: Hi, my Aussie sons think they will expire soon if they don't get their hands on a Halo 3. Where can we buy a good legit copy? Thanks for your help ...
Posted Tuesday March 25th, 2008.
Typically, reasonable prices = illegal copies for $1-$2.
If you're looking for authentic software, you're going to have a hard time.
In response to the question: Where is the best place in Hanoi to buy software. ...
Posted Monday May 26th, 2008.
http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/group/show/62
In response to the question: Okay...so I believe the ladies of Hanoi will not disagree with me that the ratio of men to women in this city does not work in their favour, and what ...
Posted Sunday June 29th, 2008.
Anyone know the Vietnamese translation for a flat sheet without the elastic corners?
Hang Gai looks promising. Thanks for the info everyone!
In response to the question: Can anyone recommend a place to buy luxurious quality, pure cotton bed sheets - that are vaguely reasonably priced? Also, pillows? Thanks ...
Posted Monday June 30th, 2008.
It's not specifically about linens, but there is an ongoing discussion about bed sheets here:
http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/aska/answers/qid/763
In response to the question: Does anyone know where I can buy pure linen (not cotton) bed sheets in Hanoi......or a good sewer who would be able to make me some? ...
Posted Monday June 30th, 2008.
We visited the Minh Duc shop on Hang Gai today. They were very accommodating, however the only colors available were white, dark purple, and royal blue. We ended up with a white flat sheet and two pillow cases with no embroidery for $15. It's going to take about 10 days to have them made. The transaction went very smoothly, but if you're looking for a variety of colors you might want to check elsewhere.
In response to the question: Can anyone recommend a place to buy luxurious quality, pure cotton bed sheets - that are vaguely reasonably priced? Also, pillows? Thanks ...
Posted Tuesday July 1st, 2008.
Yeah, those sets seem to be available in several places around town. It's tracking down the elusive flat sheet that is driving me crazy.
In response to the question: Can anyone recommend a place to buy luxurious quality, pure cotton bed sheets - that are vaguely reasonably priced? Also, pillows? Thanks ...
Posted Wednesday July 9th, 2008.
I'm having the same problem as well. Has anyone located any ant traps?
In response to the question: Cockroach baits. I cannot find them anywhere...it seems the only way to rid these foul creatures is to use fly spray which I am not a big fan of. S...
Posted Wednesday July 9th, 2008.
There's a furniture store on the second or third floor of VinCom towers shopping mall. It's called Rossano, and the last time I stopped by they had two or three different bean bags.
In response to the question: I know the beanbag question has been asked before, answered, then answered again with there are no beanbags to be found... but has anyone found a sour...
Posted Saturday August 2nd, 2008.
Thousand Nights has closed its doors.
In response to the question: Does anybody know when the Mosque on Hang Luoc is open? I went there at sunset today (Friday) but it was closed. There must be some other Muslims in t...
Posted Monday August 4th, 2008.
Just watching CCTV, and they reported that none of their stations outside the mainland will be carrying the games.
In response to the question: Has anyone encountered a broadcast schedule online for the upcoming Olympics? I've been searching for the last hour and haven't seen anything other t...
Posted Wednesday August 6th, 2008.
Gotta love the anonymous critics!
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 Monday August 11th, 2008.
I agree with jimbo. It's a valuable feature and deserves to stay.
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 Monday August 11th, 2008.
Hmm... someone seems to be appreciating and utilizing the feature on this very thread!! Can you say "irony"?
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 Monday August 11th, 2008.
Who are these people who choose to anonymously disagree with those who disagree with the statement that users of this site should not be given the ability to anonymously disagree? Show your faces! You rubbish clickers of those who enjoy the rubbish click!
And whether you show your face or not, thank you for proving our point.
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 Sunday August 17th, 2008.
It's not the website you were requesting, but I would recommend talking to Andrew at VIP Bikes. He's a straight shooter and knows what most new/used bikes are worth. He and his guys have worked on just about everything, so they have a vast knowledge of what bikes are dependable and which ones can't be trusted.
In response to the question: Hi there- Am finally serious about buying a motorbike, but trying now to determine what the best bike is for us. Does anyone know of a good site w...
Posted Monday August 18th, 2008.
I'm curious myself. And I'd prefer not having to wake up at 4:30 a.m.
In response to the question: Hi, I'm looking for Tai Chi lessons here in Hanoi, but it's proving harder than I expected. I've tried google and New Hanoian searches without ...
Posted Tuesday August 26th, 2008.
Haven't had film developed in Hanoi too many times, but I can tell you where NOT to go. There's a big photo lab on the corner just south of the Expo Center on Giang Vo. I had some beautiful shots of Laos that they absolutely butchered. The colors were waaaaay oversaturated, and everything was blurry. When I pointed it out, they shrugged.
In response to the question: Hi! I have yet to find a decent place in Hanoi that develops photos from film. Based on friends recommendations, I have now tried several different p...
Posted Friday August 29th, 2008.
Are you talking about a large-scale operation or a few crates?
In response to the question: Hey all, Anyone had any experience exporting craft silk stuff etc. from Vietnam to Europe? France in particular? Was wondering if anyone had any tips...
Posted Friday August 29th, 2008.
There was a small stand in the southwest corner of VinCom Tower (first floor, near all the perfume) selling natural skin products a few weeks ago. Not cheap, but that hippie stuff never is.
In response to the question: Does anyone know where I can get natural/organic skin care and/or hair care products? I hate using products with chemicals, and need to continue wi...
Posted Monday September 1st, 2008.
Send a message to grubby.
In response to the question: How do I remove/delete my account?...
Posted Monday September 1st, 2008.
Based on my experience, you're not going to find many American football games, college or NFL, playing in bars. Nobody outside the States gives a rat's ass about the pigskin. I feel your pain, brother.
Some cable packages around town show an NFL game or two every week, but I don't recall seeing a college game other than the National Championship. (Texas vs. USC - Classic!)
If you're in a bar at 2 a.m., and they don't have many abusive European patrons around waiting to spew their hostile verbal diarrhea all over our beloved sport, you MIGHT be able to convince them to switch the channel over. But don't count on it.
In response to the question: Are there any places showing american college football games on saturday nights? I am trying to find a pub or bar that is playing some games live....
Posted Wednesday September 3rd, 2008.
Agreed. You will need it when sleeping in a hotel, hostel, boat, etc. and when traveling out of town by bus, train, etc.
There aren't many occasions when you'll need it around Hanoi. It's good to have a couple photocopies made of your passport data and current visa, as landlords and travel agents need them from time to time.
In response to the question: Sylly question ; ) Do you guys carry your passport everywhere you go in Hanoi/Vietnam be it during work/holiday? Just curious...guys...
Posted Wednesday September 3rd, 2008.
Found this in another thread, but it seems relevant here as well...
http://www.hanoih3.com
The Hanoi Hash House Harriers frequently organize runs in the Hanoi area. Never done it myself, but it looks like a fun group!
In response to the question: I am curious if anyone knows of some great, longer (6k-15k) running routes in and around Hanoi. I have been running in Lenin Park, but I would love a ...
Posted Thursday September 4th, 2008.
Do you need a permit for something like this? If not, we could find volunteers or hire a model for a small group.
In response to the question: Hi all, I'm looking for life drawing classes/groups (that is drawing nudes, in a no-happy-endings, strictly art kinda way!) Does anyone know if...
Posted Sunday September 7th, 2008.
I have to work that evening, so someone please fill me in if everyone meets up.
In response to the question: Hi all, I'm looking for life drawing classes/groups (that is drawing nudes, in a no-happy-endings, strictly art kinda way!) Does anyone know if...
Posted Monday October 13th, 2008.
You might consider renaming this post to "Massage in Vietnam = No Fun".
What a frustrating experience. They seem to have somehow missed the lecture in masseuse class emphasizing that clients should leave the establishment LESS stressed out than they were before they entered.
The only decent massage I can recall getting in Vietnam was at some clinic near the Lang Ha & Duong Lang area (south central Hanoi), but I don't remember the name or exact address. I'll try to locate it next time I'm down there.
In response to the question: What is up with the Swedish massages in this city? I have had two so far (I know, not a very large sample size) and both were terrible and didn't act...
Posted Tuesday October 14th, 2008.
Will I have to eat plain rice for a month after visiting them?
In response to the question: What is up with the Swedish massages in this city? I have had two so far (I know, not a very large sample size) and both were terrible and didn't act...
Posted Tuesday October 14th, 2008.
I've heard this question a fair number of times, so I just added Van Phuc silk village as a venue. (Do that many identical shops each need their own entry? I'll leave it up to them!)
It's far enough out of town that the street names no longer appear on the map, but hopefully you can use a few landmarks on the map and the pinpoint I added to get there.
See: http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/en/venue/show/2473/Van-Phuc-Silk-Village
Good luck!
In response to the question: I would like to buy some gifts and have been directed to Van Phuc village. Any idea how to get there by motorbike?...
Posted Wednesday October 15th, 2008.
Yeah, the village has lost some of its uniqueness due to the large number of shops popping up in the Old Quarter selling the exact same stuff. But it's still quite a bit cheaper. I'd recommend it for that last-week-before-you-head-home-whirlwind-souvenir-shopping-spree, but that's about it.
In response to the question: I would like to buy some gifts and have been directed to Van Phuc village. Any idea how to get there by motorbike?...
Posted Wednesday October 15th, 2008.
Alright, duplicate shirts are all fine and dandy, but I want to get to the root of this thing. Those of you who are fluent in Vietnamese or have a fair number of Vietnamese friends need to act the next time you see someone wearing this shirt. Where are they getting these things?? I want to know who is responsible.
In response to the question: Does anyone know where one may purchase one of these t-shirts bearing so priceless a slogan. I guess I could get one printed up but it wouldn't be ...
Posted Saturday October 18th, 2008.
The Vietnamese postal service is embarrassingly horrible. Don't count on anything of value arriving through their services. Use DHL whenever possible, or FedEx as a second decent option.
On a related note, here is an article about an emerging partner of Ebay's in Vietnam...
http://www.onepay.vn/news_detail.action?news_id=10
In response to the question: I got here a few months ago. I've been using ebay for years. I wanted some old camera equipment--50 year old cheap Russian cameras and 30 year old N...
Posted Friday October 24th, 2008.
It's been almost two years since this question got posted. Anyone found a laundromat yet? Looking for a place with both washers and dryers. Need ASAP!
In response to the question: Are there any coin-op laundry facilities in Hanoi, with actual dryers? It has been so damp and nasty these last few weeks, drying our clothes has bec...
Posted Friday October 24th, 2008.
Dryers included?? Just want to double-check before I drag all my dirty laundry clear across town!
How about the rates?
In response to the question: Are there any coin-op laundry facilities in Hanoi, with actual dryers? It has been so damp and nasty these last few weeks, drying our clothes has bec...
Posted Tuesday October 28th, 2008.
I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but most voting polls are open all day long in America, until around 7 p.m. Given that there are several time zones, it makes for one long election day. Most television news stations like to start calling the winner as soon as possible, which usually means about 9 a.m. on election day. Just kidding, it's closer to 9 p.m.
In other words, when you wake up in Vietnam on November 5th, they should be declaring a winner, barring any major voter discrepancies, which we all know could not possibly happen. *cough*
PS. If any of you have not seen the film "Hacking Democracy", I recommend you do so as soon as possible.
In response to the question: Anyone know the time happen America vote on Nov 4th that is fixed with Vietnam's time? Thanks....
Posted Tuesday October 28th, 2008.
Hoisin sauce in Pho.
Them's fightn' words in these parts...
In response to the question: Okay, I'm used to eating Pho with Hoisin Sauce and I can't find any here. The strangest thing is that i can't remember any restaurant I've eaten at i...
Posted Saturday November 1st, 2008.
More importantly, do any of them deliver by motorboat?
In response to the question: Does anyone know which company has home delivery of fresh chicken , aussie beef at a reasonable price?...
Posted Monday November 3rd, 2008.
This is indeed a very loaded gun of a question, and one which I expect could involve very heated answers on both sides of the debate. On one far side you have the "stereotypes exist for a reason" crowd, and on the other a mass of ultra-politically correct people who refuse to attribute any qualities whatsoever to a group. And many people who lie somewhere in the middle.
To say that every expat is distrustful of Vietnamese people is just as obtuse as stating that no Vietnamese people can be trusted, so let's be careful when asking and answering how all "these" people feel about "those" people. There's always an exception to every rule, therefore taking people on a 1-on-1 basis is a necessity when traveling if one hopes to fully understand or appreciate a culture. Those who blindly trust everyone are bound to get burned on occasion, and people who refuse to have faith in a single individual will likely never fully comprehend another culture.
Back to the question at hand. I wouldn't yet label your friend as an "extremist", however the fact that she can't trust a single Vietnamese person is troubling. She must have had some terrible experiences. And they shouldn't be minimized. Bad things do happen and can have a profound impact on expats' lives here. We've all heard the stories of Vietnamese women marrying Western men and running off with their money. Tales of businesses allowing employees to work for months with the promise of money "coming soon", and yet it never arrives. These things are a tragic reality, but they can't be allowed to ruin our experiences. Unfortunately, bad news typically spreads faster than good news (especially on the internet!), so people are quick to spread stories like these rather than positive ones. How many times have you heard stories about employers loaning their workers money so they can fly home for a holiday? Or even small matters such as the market lady tossing in a free apple on occasion? These things happen as well but regrettably don't receive as much attention as a bartender charging customers for six drinks when they only had five.
Yes, many expats feel like walking dollar signs over here. I think there is a solution to that, because many of these stories are rooted in the same location. Get out of the Old Quarter! Several vendors there know that they can take advantage of travelers, so doing business there will likely yield a higher rate of scams or gouging. Out in "real" Hanoi, it's just not that much of a problem. It can happen, but not nearly as much as the district where tourist dollars get tossed around like there's no tomorrow.
Perception is reality, but hopefully those who do get burned repeatedly can learn to find the root of their problems and avoid the same entanglements in the future, without pigeonholing an entire ethnic group or country. There are some damn fine people here, and I'm a much richer person for having spent time here.
Now, let me tell you about Canadians...
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 Tuesday November 4th, 2008.
Candide Colbert... has a nice ring to it.
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 Tuesday November 4th, 2008.
I'll be in my church praying that the Muslims don't win!!
Not sure yet. Just hope it doesn't involve punching my computer screen and tearing up my passport.
In response to the question: 2 years in and it's almost over. Kinda unbelievable really. I know of the AmCham party on Weds am and the Fusion one at noon. Is there anything else h...
Posted Tuesday November 4th, 2008.
I recently posted a couple videos of the terrible Le Duan Street mess on Youtube. You can check them out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwFwZzX32kc
In response to the question: I am on Van Ho Ba, near Dai Co Viet and Ba Trieu, and am MUCH better off than the Le Duan side of Lenin Park. Wow, went over there today when it wasnt...
Posted Tuesday November 4th, 2008.
1. Open dictionary.
2. See: sarcasm.
3. Have a "smoke" and calm the fuck down.
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 Tuesday November 4th, 2008.
Looks like a few of us are starting at Hoa Vien tonight for some Czech beer. Heading over there around 7:30. We can always migrate if someone has another idea.
Goddamn, I've been waiting for this night...
In response to the question: 2 years in and it's almost over. Kinda unbelievable really. I know of the AmCham party on Weds am and the Fusion one at noon. Is there anything else h...
Posted Tuesday November 4th, 2008.
That's Hoa Vien Brauhaus, south of the Opera House if anyone's curious.
http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/en/venue/show/1031/Hoa-Vien-Brauhaus
On my way...
In response to the question: 2 years in and it's almost over. Kinda unbelievable really. I know of the AmCham party on Weds am and the Fusion one at noon. Is there anything else h...
Posted Wednesday November 5th, 2008.
WooT!!!
Agreed, teacherman. I really appreciated his comment, "This victory tonight is not the change we seek... it just gives us the opportunity to make that change."
I hear people are heading to Roots tonight...
In response to the question: 2 years in and it's almost over. Kinda unbelievable really. I know of the AmCham party on Weds am and the Fusion one at noon. Is there anything else h...
Posted Thursday November 6th, 2008.
Ha!! I love Canadians. But I do reserve the right to give you a good ribbing after the regular beatings I took while living with a bunch of them.
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 November 6th, 2008.
Hello Classifieds??
In response to the question: I am new to Vietnam and would like to know where I can meet single ladies in Hanoi and HCMC.I have heard about Beer Bars and have had a few Vietnamese...
Posted Thursday November 6th, 2008.
Did the meeting at Puku ever happen? Anything decided? I would have been there, but I was out of the country for a few weeks.
I'd really like for this to happen. Could someone please give me the scoop?
In response to the question: Hi all, I'm looking for life drawing classes/groups (that is drawing nudes, in a no-happy-endings, strictly art kinda way!) Does anyone know if...
Posted Sunday November 9th, 2008.
The continual production and distribution of "Everybody Loves Raymond" is some kind of conspiracy. I've never met a single individual who admits to enjoying it.
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 Sunday November 9th, 2008.
The Vietnamese government has reportedly shipped all of that junk back to China.
In response to the question: Hi all! I'm wondering how you guys are reacting to the melamin scandal, started in China some time ago? I hear that the stuff can be in bread, cand...
Posted Monday November 10th, 2008.
None of them share the same website or email address, so I'm guessing they have different owners. Have you tried calling them?
In response to the question: Does anyone know if Dragon Hotel (48 Xuan Dieu), Gold Dragon (95B Hang Ga) and another Gold Dragon Hotel (5 Ngo Bao Khanh) have the same owner or not?...
Posted Monday November 10th, 2008.
Alright, thanks for the recommendation. I know there are a few out there, as we stayed in Central Stars Hotel this summer and managed to snag a room with the above mentioned amenities for $12.
The room was decent, but the bed was excruciatingly painful. So we're hoping there might be a few other options available.
Anyone have any other suggestions?
In response to the question: We're looking for a relatively cheap guesthouse to stay in while we continue our search for housing. The hotel section seems to be missing a "sort by...
Posted Tuesday November 11th, 2008.
Is "chach san trung tien" listed on this site? I can't seem to find it...
In response to the question: We're looking for a relatively cheap guesthouse to stay in while we continue our search for housing. The hotel section seems to be missing a "sort by...
Posted Tuesday November 11th, 2008.
Any ideas for guesthouses outside the Old Quarter? Something in the neighborhood of the Temple of Literature would be ideal.
In response to the question: We're looking for a relatively cheap guesthouse to stay in while we continue our search for housing. The hotel section seems to be missing a "sort by...
Posted Wednesday November 12th, 2008.
Vinataba smokes= 12k dong
555 smokes= 17k for local, 25 for imports
Motorbike= $40-$65/month depending on quality
Men's tailored suit= $80-$100 (can be found for less, but the quality is sketchy)
House rental= $4,000/month (right, agents?) *cough*
In response to the question: I went to the park yesterday, at the entrance as I walked in the guy pointed to a little notebook in front of him that had 200,000 written on it. I so...
Posted Thursday November 13th, 2008.
I'm sorry, do I know you?
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 Tuesday November 18th, 2008.
Candide, how about the disgruntled employee with legitimate gripes? Of course, each case will have to be made over whether it's legitimate or not, but you know those people are out there. Is there something inherently wrong with informing others of pitfalls to avoid?
If someone has worked in Hanoi and been burned, I don't have a problem with them letting the community know about it. Especially after some of the horror stories coming out of English schools these days. I have my own story as well, but I've been hanging on to it, waiting to see how the community reacts to other such "reviews".
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 Tuesday November 18th, 2008.
Sorry Candide, I mistook your intentions, which I now believe were to suggest the removal of reviewers posing as normal customers, when they are in fact disgruntled or ex-employees. Like Alpha said, I think the community polices itself fairly well in that aspect.
When you stated "...where a disgruntled employee or ex-employee does a vitriolic hatchet job on a business for personal reasons," I took it personally, as I have a well-prepared vitriolic hatchet job screaming to be posted.
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 Wednesday November 19th, 2008.
Sorry, you are five days too late:
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/081117/4/3s729.html
Hopefully the clowns escaped with their lives.
In response to the question: Hello. I've been renting a Wave for a while now, and think it's time to buy my own - the maths of the situation is that if I rent for 2 years I pay...
Posted Thursday November 20th, 2008.
Of course English teachers are allowed to answer. But that's not the REASON you are here. I won't accept that as an answer unless you had childhood dreams of teaching in Vietnam, went and got your education degree with TEFL certifications, and flew over here having dreamt about it for 10+ years. If you fall in that category, I'll take "I'm teaching English" as a valid answer.
In response to the question: Not: I’m traveling Southeast Asia. Not: I’m teaching English. Not: Because my parents screwed. Why are you here?...
Posted Thursday November 20th, 2008.
Hmm...
Well it seems like an honest question to me. I was hoping to get some meaningful or funny stories out of the community.
What exactly is stupid about that?
In response to the question: Not: I’m traveling Southeast Asia. Not: I’m teaching English. Not: Because my parents screwed. Why are you here?...
Sales Executive, North American Market Development
Asiana Travel
Hanoi, Vietnam
http://www.asianatravel.com.vn
Elite User
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43 Reviews
25 First Reviews
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Grant
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In Hanoi SinceMonday June 27th, 2005
Here UntilMonday June 1st, 2009
New Hanoian Member SinceMonday September 4th, 2006
