I went to Avalon this afternoon and could not be disappointed more. The staffs were cold and indifferent. I remember last time I was there, I was greeted with smiles and hospitality; now just blank faces without a stretch of the lips. The waiter who served my table did not even look at what he was doing; put glasses roughly on the glass table. I found it harsh but he didn’t mind. Ironically, I was not the only one who was displeased. Other tables were served by a miserable old lady who obviously did not know what she was doing there. She wore a white coat like a barber and of course it was not the uniform. I wondered where they got that pitiful lady for those customers next to me did not behave nicely, angrily requested her to clean their table.

I asked myself if there was a change and the former manager has gone with his beautiful staffs. I am not spending a dime for that kind of service and being with spiky hair boys and multi-colour girls in trendy clothes who thought it was their living room.

I wish I could have rated 0.5 because those people at Avalon are not doing a business.

I went to Thao Tra in a frosty night a few days ago and was impressed by its cosy interior. The designer made the place like a Japanese tea lounge with wooden floor, cushions, low tables and Japanese paintings. The waitresses were in nice kimonos and very helpful. It only took me 5 minutes for my tea.

They have many types of tea to choose. I don’t know how to call them. You may have to check them yourself but I think the menu isn’t different from other tea lounges in Hanoi. Thao Tra is not a real special place to have a cup of hot tea in winter but I love the decoration and nice atmosphere there. Drinking herbal tea, eating dried longan and listening to relaxing music really relaxed me last time. I felt like I was out of this crazy, noisy and packed little city, sunk in a deeply quiet space.

They open until 23:00 and have 16-chord zither performances on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. You can order your favourite traditional songs also. That’s another reason I’ll be back.

For those who are interested in this event: it's a waste of time.

I went there and those idiots kept blowing their whistles time after time to shoo people away from the round pavilion. I heard that The Queen of Denmark would show up that's why I came and for some reasons we were not allowed to see her. If it's because of security reasons, they should have just put some lines or barriers to keep people a distance away from the hot spot. Instead of that, they shooed people time after time following the order of an annoying old man in black suit when he felt that he's toooooooo important so that he had the right to kick people away when he wanted. I guess he's from THE Party.

I just wonder why they invited the Queen to a public place when they didn't allow anyone to see her? And why should they open such a thing like that when people are not welcome?

The SAF is totally disorganised.

I'm not a fan of beer or bia hoi but I don't think the review below is fair for the IBHC.

First of all, it's the place for new comers try their fist experience of bia hoi in Hanoi. Every expatriate must be a "tourist" once.

Then, the place is often crowded but if the customers don't mind so who else cares? I personally think the atmosphere is good enough to have beer and some snacks with small group of friends.

More than that, the beer is cheap and so is the food there.

4 stars!

My friend rode his motorbike across that pile of shit as a shortcut. I followed him. The security guards let him go but stopped me. One of them looked at me as if he’s the king and I accidentally got in his kingdom, pointed his club at me and asked (in Vietnamese):
- You’ve just rode from the road, haven’t you? You’re not allowed to go this way!
I was surprised because I didn’t know, I just followed my friend and the other guards didn’t say anything when I got through the gate. I didn’t have time to see any sign or anything.
I asked them:
- Why I’m not allowed?
- Because he – as he pointed at my friend - is allowed but you’re not allowed.
I was extremely surprised.
What?! Because his skin is white and his hair is blond? I couldn’t understand it. We rode the same kind of motorbike, we rode 10 m across Sheraton hotel, we even wore the same type of clothes and I wasn’t wearing plastic bags of garbage. I rode my bike just 2 m right after him. I was speechless. I just stood there between them and they looked at me - their prey. They tended to hold me there fine me money. My friend came back and told them:
- It’s ok right? We’re fine, right? No problem. We go.
He told me to leave. One of the guards threatened me with his scowling face:
- Because you’re going with him so we let you go. This is the first and the last time you go this way. Next time, you won’t have to ask why.
We rode away…
Excuse me? At least they could have said: “Sorry. You’re not allowed to go this way. This is private property... Ok. This is your first time so I’ll let you go but make sure that you don’t do it again, ok?”
I don’t mind if they told me what I should have known better but did they really need that posture? Why my friend was allowed to go? He’s just like me or he’s considered a guest by his skin colour?
My friend asked: “Why didn’t you use English or Chinese or tell them that you’re Viet kieu?” Why? Because Vietnamese are NOT ALLOWED at Sheraton for they’re not respected? Those guards are Vietnamese, too so if Vietnamese don’t respect themselves then who will??? It’s a bitter feeling when I suffered the racism in my own country by my own countrymen and there was an American saw it all.

Sheraton, I show you my BIGGEST middle finger EVER.

I had bun cha at Thanh Hoan this afternoon. Their bun cha was good, not the best in town but more than decent. The staff members were friendly.
The shop has an extremely great view to the West Lake. I left with a question on my mind: why don't they upgrade the shop or convert the house because it's a waste of great position.

It looks like the owner created many accounts to boost the place up.

Honestly, CQ is too small for the idea of interior decoration. It made me think of luxury places in Europe but then back to the idea of a bedroom bar (?)

I like its cleanliness but the music was terrible. I personally think the price is fair and the drinks are ok.

Just an option among dozens of others.

I went there yesterday for a birthday "party" and I was impressed.

Firstly, I couldn't believe they could build a night club on such a road like Bach Dang. You need an off-road motorbike if you don't want to badly damage your scooter. We were so lost on the way back so look at your map carefully.

Then, there were many security guards. They checked everyone for weapon at the entrance. At first, I thought it's ridiculous yet I regret it later. The night would have been excellent if some people hadn't had bad glance on each other downstairs. Glasses, bottles and everything were used to throw, people moved in waves... What a bar fight! So, I suggest you book VIP tables on the first floor because the ground floor was packed and more dangerous than I thought. If there's a bar fight then you'll have the greatest look like I did. ;)

Forget the incident. They have huge screen, big DJ tables and the room is really spacious. The DJ was really good. ====She looked good also==== There were hundreds of beautiful Vietnamese who were strongly affected by American media. They danced, they drank, they shouted "up up up". It's massive!

The sliced fruit our table ordered was not good, drinks were really bad and it seemed that they don't have beer, but I don't think you can find better ones in similar places.

If you're a fan of disco and nightclubs then make a try. It's much better than the Titanic on the same road. If you're Tay please go in group and should have a table upstairs, trust me.

Feel like home, Americans!

Phuc Tan Bar a.k.a The Lighthouse is the place to go after 1a.m.

The music is good (sometimes terrible), good staff members and ok drinks. It has opened air space next to the Red River. I think there's exactly something in the air but it's ok. I'm not saying about the decoration for who cares about it when you've drunk at many places in the old quarter and it's a new day.

It's also a good place to go fishing. I'm not taking about beerfishing.

JAFA is the right place for families.

They have delicious food, good drinks, nice decoration, friendly staff members, a swimming pool and everything you need to have a relaxing time with your families.

However, I didn't see many young people there. I might have gone at the wrong time but if I'm looking for people around my age, JAFA is not the right place to go.

I went there yesterday but there weren't any snacks like the advertisement said.