Greetings New Hanoians. As the big music weekend approaches, we've got a few other tidbits to make the rest of November all the more interesting as well. Prizes are up for grabs, the New Hanoian masses are kicking it old school, and a charity event tomorrow night (Friday) offers you a great chance to give back before Hanoi gives so much the next couple weeks. Now, down to business.

The November Meet Up at Pacific Beer Hall

The November Meet Up for New Hanoian members is set and ready for take off. Once upon a time, grubby and I set out to organize the first TNH meet up. I use the word "organize" very loosely. It was a misadventure of changing start times, confusion over location, and a general lack of direction. In the end, grubby and I sat alone in the corner of our beloved (and now departed) Bia Hơi 68 Hang Quat and thought (despite apparent evidence to the contrary), "These meet ups are going to be a blast one of these days." Take two at Bia Hơi Zin turned up a couple dozen, and the ball was rolling. Many of the same faces who showed up that night continue to anchor our big nights on the town to this day. Now, it's time to return to our roots. Bia must, once again, bring us together. Alas, our ranks have out grown the humble favorites of the past, and a new space is needed...one large enough and flexible enough to deal with whatever crazies turn up. On Saturday, the 29th of November, from 5pm, that place will be the Pacific Beer Hall. Note the early start time and come out to enjoy the place's huge variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. You'll find us under the canopy of trees in their courtyard enjoying the sorts of food and drink that are the staples of good living in Hanoi. Top notch Bia Tươi will lead the way, and while there won't be the usual freebies that come with most of our meet ups, there will be some surprises. Don't miss out.

Pane e Vino offers up dinner and wine for six.

Next up, the first of two outstanding user contribution prizes that are up for grabs this month. All that review writing, question answering, and spot entering is going to add up to an Italian Dinner for a lucky six at Pane e Vino. The six will be enjoying La Spaghetta al Mezzanotte ("Spaghetti at Midnight"), along with two complimentary bottles of Danzante Wines. Danzante is a collection of contemporary Italian wines from the prestigious partnership between two renowned winemaking families: Marchesi de' Frescobaldi of Tuscany and Michael Mondavi of California. One of our distinguished site contributors and five friends will be rolling up to one of Pane e Vino's two locations to enjoy this fine dining opportunity. They can choose from either the original location on Nguyen Khac Can with its cozy atmosphere, or the newest incarnation on Hang Trong and its airy yet refined space popular for group functions. In either case, they'll have a great night compliments of TNH, Pane e Vino, and somebody's outstanding contributions.

Set Dinners for Six at Cafe Smile

Next up, another five plus one of our top site contributors for the month of November will be heading out to enjoy dinner at a little spot that has been giving back to Hanoi for quite some time already. Cafe Smileis an outlet of the Hoa Sua School which provides disadvantaged Vietnamese youth with culinary and hospitality skills. Just down the street from the similarly missioned KOTO on Van Mieu and across from the Temple of Literature, Cafe Smile has been providing Hanoi with a charming spot to drop in for dinner, lunch, or an afternoon drink while also allowing you to help some of Hanoi's most vulnerable youth get a foothold. Our lucky six will be enjoying a dinner set menu complete with appetizer, a main course, dessert, and drinks. While they are there, they can get a feel for how Cafe Smile and the entire Hoa Sua operations work toward helping Hanoi become a better place.

Free Three-Month Subscriptions to The Vietnam Nation for Prize Winners

So there are your two prizes for the month, but that's not all. In addition to the fantastic prizes we get sponsored each month, winners will now also be receiving complimentary three month subscriptions to The Vietnam Nation newspaper. Each week, Vietnam's newest English language newspaper will be delivered to their doorstep. They look to "offer in depth and incisive news coverage on the economy, politics and foreign affairs, travel, events, shopping, leisure, restaurants, fashion, art-show and bar reviews, with features on topics including human trafficking, martial arts, nude photography, abortion, rural life, the environment, divorce, traditional arts, music events and much more." With some of our best writers getting subscriptions, we'll no doubt be hearing more about this publication on these pages as well.

Gentle Fund: Raising Funds at Kiti Restaurant

There are your November prizes. Get cracking on those reviews and site contributions. Additionally, you might think about contributing in another way as well. And, yes, you get food and drink with it, too. Tomorrow night, Friday the 21st, Gentle Fund is putting on a mellow evening fundraiser at Kiti Restaurant complete with food, drink, music, and information. Get out and get involved while having a charming Friday night. Gentle Fund is a non-profit society, which provides assistance for orphans, poor and desperate children in Vietnam and supports Vietnamese children receiving urgent medical care in Singapore. During their evening fundraiser at Kiti Restaurant, guests will be treated to free flow beer, pizzas, sandwiches, and salads, as well as complimentary gifts, live music (guitar and violin), portrait drawing, and many other fun activities. Tickets are 120,000VND at the door. With all that's happening on Saturday night, this is a great way to get out and give something back to the community and have a delightful evening to start the weekend off.

That's all from us until the beginning of the month. I'm sure we'll be seeing all of you at the massive music fest Saturday night.

See you there,

The Staff of the New Hanoian.