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4 reviews or comments posted; 25 questions asked; 28 answers given.

Reviews / Comments (4)

posted about 4 months ago by travelgoddess
about the venue: Daluva

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I was pleasantly surprised to walk into this posh looking, relaxed place and find a yummy menu that was incredibly affordable (especially considering the Vine alternative nearby). The red walls got me, the fruit smoothie made me stay a bit longer than I planned and the food menu (that I didnt try yet, the only reason for 4 not 5 stars) will bring me back. Thinking up excuses to go back already and last night was the first time. Oh, the staff was super sweet and they accept dollars.

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posted about 4 months ago by travelgoddess
about the venue: Kitchen

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Just learned about Kitchen last week and man am I glad. I love street food in Hanoi but I need some creative salads in the mix as well, and thats where Kitchen comes in. They had bacon, walnuts and cheese with NON iceberg lettuce. Not to mention they got the salad dressing right. Dont remember the name of this salad, but the ingredients are listed on the HUGE menu.

Also, the muffins rock (there is a bacon and cheese muffin that sounds weird, but tastes just like a biscuit from the states, YUM!). All this excitement and I am not even a muffin person. haha.

Now, how do we get them to make scones?

Steph

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posted about 4 months ago by travelgoddess
about the venue: Cafe Smile

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I went here a year ago when street food was still dirt cheap and restaurant food noticeably higher in price. It was an ok experience then but not memorable, so I never made a point to go back (most likely due to Koto so close by).

Today I went in there cause its so close to my home and I wanted something different. The pho I had tonight was the "special pho" for 25, 000 (the regular pho was only 19,000) and I gotta say, WOW, it is the best pho I have had in Vietnam so far. Seriously! I am definately going back to try some more of their items now that I know how much more affordable and at least if not more tasty they are than Koto!!!

The staff was either overzealous or meek, but thats nothing diff than most restaurants I go to here, so no biggie there.

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posted about 5 months ago by travelgoddess
about the venue: Pizza Hut (Big C)

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Yup, they did the pan pizza justice. But, being a Pizza Hut breadstick junkie, I was more than kinda bummed that they did NOT have these on the menu.

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Questions (25)

  • Non-stick women's clothes

    Will be in Hanoi for 1-3 months and would prefer to buy clothes once I am there and slightly more settled than bring oodles of stuff with me.

    BUT, my one experience living in Asia was Taiwan a few years back and I had a very hard time finding clothes that fit. I am not terribly picky, would even settle for Gap or Old Navyish solid color casual clothes if need be.

    Wondering what the experiences of the other western women in Hanoi is re this matter. Thanks in advance,

    D

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  • Looking for naturalpathic doctor in Hanoi.

    Please email me if you are or know someone. Am doing a bit of traveling in Thailand in Dec but will be back in Hanoi early Jan.

    Thanks v. much,

    D

    debrafuccio@gmail.com

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  • Does anyone know a decent dentist in Hanoi. Would like to get a regular cleaning and check up rather soon. Thanks in advance, Steph

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  • Does anyone know where I can get my ears waxed in Hanoi? (as weird as that may sound, I heard (haha) that its great!)

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  • Does anyone know where I can get a decent (aka, functional and not slow as a turtle) slightly used laptop? Thanks in advance, Steph

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  • Are there any bicycle riding clubs in town? Anyone interested in starting one or joining one if I start it? I am not a hard core mountain bike kinda gal, just like pedaling around for long stretches. Drop me a line if interested. Thinking of a first ride this sat or sun.

    dstephtuccio@yahoo.com

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  • Curious about a Reiki sign I saw at the Western Canned Food store awhile ago. It was there for months, but I only just went to check it out this week, and of course, it was gone! boo hoo. If you know this person that was advertising their services or anyone who practices in Hanoi, please let me know. Prefer English speaking person. Thanks, Steph

    dstephfuccio (at) yahoo.com

    www.travelgoddess.net

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  • This is answering a question than asking one, due I am clearing out my personal website but wanted this info to go somewhere that you would see and be able to use it.

    The question, DO YOU HAVE ANY INFO YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU GOT HERE?

    The answer(s) is/are below:

    ------------------------------------

    Mind blowing pampering; Facial and pedicure >>>>>>>>>>> Pa

    11 Pho Heu, Tel 84-4-822-5055

    The service is amazingly gentle and you are seriously treated like the goddess that you are. I went twice for an insanely long facial (due the pollution in Hanoi, I tried like mad to make this a habit). I believe the facial was 90 minutes and included various gooey things on the face, an amazing head massage/shoulder rub and nice nice facial lotions at the end of the facial. $22!!! So baby soft skin after. I also got pedicures there that were the same price as everywhere else in town, about $3. The 2nd time I asked for the pedicure to be done at the same time as the facial and I was getting worked on by two employees at the same time. There aint nuttin like a head and foot rub at the same time. HEAVEN!!! They also (hesitantly) take credit cards.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Fantastic BBQ Restaurant >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Bo Tung Xeo

    (near Kim Ma)

    64 Dao Tan (the D is the one with the slash through it)

    This place ROCKS. It looks like a local joint, has super yummy food, and is NOT expensive at all.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Foot massages >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Phieu Bao Massage

    There are almost as many foot massages places in Hanoi as there are Xeoms. And although the service and prices are same-same, they are different. The below place I ran across accidentally and was pleasantly surprised. Gentle but firm and a great price. 90,000 VND for 1 hour foot massage (5 USD)

    34 Phan Chu Trinh (if I remember correctly, this is off of Pho Hue)

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Random Cool Cultural Moment >>>>>>>>>>> Museum of Ethnology

    The information and displays inside the museum are interesting enough. BUT the traditional houses OUTSIDE the museum ROCK! You can even have a picnic or just kick it in the ultra serene long house out there. So wish I went back more than once.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Creepy Interesting Tourist Moment >>>>> Hoa Lo Prison (aka, the "Hanoi Hilton")

    It's too bad they tore down part of this historical landmark to build Hanoi Towers (as much as Citimart was my saving grace sometimes), but there is still enough to see and read about to make this an interesting trip. Yes, the written info is in English also, but beware, it IS written with a very specific political viewpoint (no, really?) Also, its hot as hell in there, so go on a cool day if you can. (hahahahaha, a cool day, does that exist in Hanoi?)

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Non-Blockbuster MOVIES >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hanoi Cinematheque

    I was lucky enough to see many local documentaries, Vietnamese films, obscure French films and more at this quaint little place. This is one place I debated NOT telling you about, cause it is such a fantastic hideaway that if too many folks start going....(you get the idea). But then I remembered all 3 of you that read this, and figured the coast was clear.

    warning; they DONT have a website, so either email them here:

    info@hanoicinema.org

    or stop by to check out their schedule. (I never found their email service to be good at all, so stopping by is HIGHLY recommended).

    And if you hate movies, its still a good idea to grab a drink in their cute (and quiet) courtyard.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Best Medical Advice in the world >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Acupunturist

    Email me for details. I can not recommend her services enough. Nope. Magic baby, magic!!!

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    How to use your cell phone in Vietnam >>>>>>>>>>>>>> SIM card madness

    Assuming that your cell phone is tri-band or quad-band and is unlocked (best to do before you leave your home country), all you need to do is buy a sim card and possibly some phone credit and you are ready to go. When I bought my SIM card in Hanoi it was something like $3 US and it came with a lot of credit, making it nearly FREE to start service. Sure wish there was something like that here in San Francisco!

    Warning; Phone calls are expensive, but text messages are free. There were 2-3 diff cell phone service providers when I was there, Mobi and .....oops, cant remember. But what I do remember is that there wasnt a big diff in service between them.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Teethy yum >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Dentist

    I went once, and the receptionist spoke decent English, there was no waiting and it was all terribly professional.

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  • I have found Yoga places in Westlake and Tay Ho, and these are ok for now. But I will be living closer to Hoan Kiem and working a lot relatively quickly and as such would prefer a yoga place not so far away. Any info on Hoam Kiem or Hai ba Trung district yoga places greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Steph

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  • Is there a writing group already in session somewhere? I need some serious external motivation/feedback. hurrah. If not, anyone interested in starting one? Steph

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  • Would be interested to see how much the cost would be for a 3 day a week, 1 hour per day personal yoga instructor in my home. I know, I am dreaming. haha. But if you know anyone please let me know.

    Thanks,

    Steph

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  • Am about to rent a bike but not into the gear thing. So, have been told there is an (automatic) Mio for rent soon, but cant find any on the road and dont know anyone who rides one. Want to make sure:

    1. It's not going to be a problem if I am riding out of Hanoi and something breaks down, or expensive to fix either.

    2. That it's not the type of bike to break down often for no particular reason.

    SO excited to get motorized!!!

    Thanks,

    Steph

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  • Seriously considering getting a dehumidifier. Is anyone leaving and selling one? Do you know where to buy a small, affordable one? Thanks in advance, Steph

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  • The same people that I dont know are calling me a few times a week from a 06---- number. Its really fun cause they say "hello" in English and then dive in Vietnamese. I say "hello" in English and than am stuck cause I dont speak Vietnamese. I thought after the first few days that they would understand when I started to speak in English that I dont understand or speak Vietnamese AND/OR that they had the wrong number. They obviously have not. So, in an attempt to get my uninterupted mornings back (they calll really early) I was wondering if anyone can help by calling them and either finding out why they are calling me or just politely asking them to stop. Thanks in advance, Steph

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  • Right, so I am highly addicted to Facebook's Scrabulous, so I thought it might be time to lose the online dictionary crutch and try the game for real. If anyone is interested in getting a small group together to scrabble away, let me know. Would probably have to be an afternoon or after 9pm thing for me (due to work). Thanks, Steph

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  • At home I plug my computer into an adapter and a power strip, but it is heating up quite quickly. Although I have lived overseas a number of times, this is the first time that I have brought my computer from home. Wondering if there is anything else I should have between the power source and the computer cord plug. Any advice MUCH appreciated! Steph

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  • Anyone know a coffee shopish place that is big, stays open til about midnight on weekdays and doesn't mind big groups? (We will be buying drinks and such, but they have to be ok with us being there for a few hours in one stretch). Preferably south of the OQ, but any suggestions greatly appreciated. Getting a group together and need to find a place. Thanks in advance, Steph

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  • http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/18/AR2008061800285.html

    Was trying to get clarity on the current financial situation in Vietnam and accidentally ran across this article. Thoughts?

    Steph

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  • My rent contract is in USD but I pay in VND, I think this is pretty standard and wasnt a problem at all until last month.

    At that time my landlord requested that I use an exchange rate that was 16,500 when the bank rate was 16,100. I gave him the money with the bank rate and he has been extremely rude to me since.

    I can live with that I suppose but this month he flipped out when I showed him the 16,600 bank rate and presented my rent money to him. He is now demanding 18,500 exchange rate (the black market rate).

    I have a few plans in progress on how to deal with this, so not posting this to ask for advice so much as just curious as to what other folks are doing re this.

    I have a friend who made sure his rent contract is in VND, so am working on moving towards this.

    Look forward to hearing your feedback.

    Steph

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  • Want to start making some of my own jewelry and wondering if anyone knows a bead store or bead stand at a market. Appreciate any info.

    Thanks,

    Steph

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  • Am coming down to Saigon for a brief w/e conference at the end of July. Wondering if anyone can pass on the following:

    1. An online map of Saigon showing districts/neighborhoods. Want to be in a hotel near the conference, and thats at Reunification Palace.

    2. Any affordable hotels within walking distance to Reunification Palace . Price range for 2 people under $50, if possible.

    Thanks,

    Steph

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  • I am trying like mad to find a plug in alarm clock that has a battery option also. I currently use my cell phone alarm and a battery operated old school alarm clock, but the alarm clock is kinda cheapy and I dont trust it to work all the time and dont wanna rely on a battery that might go out with no notice. I really want to be able to turn my phone off some days, y'know? Any advice greatly appreciated. Steph

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  • Trying to find someplace not too crowded to go during the upcoming holiday. Doesnt have to be far, but motorbike ability and/or naturey setting would be ideal. And affordable price getting there, being there, etc.

    So far airfares are double normal, which makes sense since its a holiday, but dont have to take plane for this trip.

    Mostly we dont wanna spend a fortune or spend oodles of time in crowds or traffic at beg of end of trip.

    Thanks in advance,

    Steph

    PS have been to Halong Bay, Nha Trang, Mai Chau and a few other places already.

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  • Does anyone know HOW people are informed of planned power outages? Over the loud speaker? On the neighborhood chalkboards? etc. Would love to know cause they seem to happen just when I need to do something that requires power. How hard can it be to learn a few words to be more informed on this? haha. Thanks in advance, Steph

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  • Got one of those crazy cravings this weekend, you know the ones I speak of, FOOD cravings.

    This time it was for a lemon scone. The dense, crumbly desserty scone. Anyone know where I can find one?

    Thanks,

    Steph

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Answers (28)
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Real Name

Stephanie

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dstephfuccio@yahoo.com

New Hanoian Member Since

Monday October 23rd, 2006

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