granteralus's profile
granteralus's Posts
76 reviews or comments posted; 14 questions asked; 167 answers given.
Reviews / Comments (76) see all
HSBC may be the best bank in Hanoi, however the few experiences I've had with them have been extremely frustrating.
The level friendliness and attentiveness at HSBC is unparalleled in Hanoi, but I feel the same cannot be said for their competency.
I went there with a very simple question. How can my company accept online credit card payments from the US? This seems like a fairly straightforward question, however nobody in the office could give me an answer.
I was ushered to the main customer service desk where I quickly confused everyone, and was then guided by one of them to a private booth with an account specialist. She repeatedly attempted to sign me up for a credit card. After ten frustrating minutes with her, I asked to speak with her supervisor. Another very professional woman met me in the lobby and guided me upstairs to a conference room. I sat there and waited for ten minutes, after which I was joined by a young girl who, after 15 minutes, could not understand what I wanted.
Twenty minutes later I finally established what exactly it was I was trying to accomplish, and was promptly told, "Sorry, we cannot do it."
She gave me a few dozen pamphlets, a nice folder, six or seven business cards, and sent me on my way.
A couple days later I received an email from an HSBC representative, and was told that I could, in fact, receive credit card payments through HSBC. Great!
Here is the kicker: To accomplish this I would need to open an account at Vietcom Bank or Techcom bank, where the credit card payments would actually be received, and then we could set it up to automatically transfer the balances to HSBC.
WHY IN THE HELL WOULD I WANT TO DO THAT???!!!
A very frustrating experience that wasted almost an entire afternoon. They may be great for personal accounts and all other sorts of financial dealings, but in this instance they really dropped the ball.
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I would like to publicly apologize to Havana Club. It was recently brought to my attention that the reason Havana Club had no tacos for such a long period of time was due to the Great Flood. It seems that Metro shopping center had some complications due to God's hatred of us all, and therefore Havana was unable to make tacos. Fair enough. I can't hold Havana responsible for the failures of their distributor to provide life rafts to their taco shells. This all could have been avoided if they had just bothered to mention the slightest detail, such as "Sorry, our taco shell distributor is currently 10 feet under water," but whatever.
After hearing this, I made another trip this week and was pleasantly surprised. The tacos came out quicker than I expected (about 10-15 minutes) and they were decent. The manager and staff were all very friendly to me, especially considering the fact that he knew I was the person who had written a scathing review of his establishment.
Our other dish, which I don't recall the name (Havana Platter?) was a huge combination of grilled and fried goodies, and it was spectacular. Normally 200k+ dong and on special for $5, I can't think of a better bargain in Hanoi right now. I don't think there was anything "Mexican" about it, so perhaps it was Cuban. I will never know, because it's illegal for me to go there. Unless Barack turns that around for us, but don't get me started there.
The speed and quality at Havana have improved quite a bit, so give them another shot if you have already written them off.
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R&R reminds me of several bars back home. That can be both advantageous and a hindrance at times.
The food is almost always top notch, especially the burger. When I'm feeling homesick, a trip to R&R for dinner usually does the trick. I wasn't really impressed with the breakfast though. Maybe it had been hyped up too much for me before I had the chance to try it. Anyway, most of the other dishes have been great, and the beer selection is decent. Gold Malt on tap!
As far as the crowd goes, yeah it's a mixed bag. But referring to my earlier statement, so is just about every bar back home.
I've only been to the new venue once, on their opening night, but unless all the chefs were fired, I'm guessing you can count on a great meal, good tunes, and cold beer, just like the last incarnation.
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The Original Soup Nazi.
She doesn't care if you enjoyed your meal or not. She doesn't care if you think she has the choicest cuts of tender, delectable chicken meat in town. She doesn't care how much you think it should cost. Take a seat, and shut the hell up! And grab your bowl of bread sticks off the shelf along the way.
Got a problem with that?
No soup for you!
| Was this review ... |
I discovered what the "C" in Big C stands for last week. "Big Clusterf#ck", to echo Atomic's sentiments.
There are simply way too many people driving out here to save 10,000 dong on a freakin' hairdryer or other random "necessity". I gave them a shot because I'd heard they have Western-style blankets (Fail). If fact I didn't see much at Big C that can't be purchased in multiple other venues around Hanoi.
The customer service is laughable. After failing at blankets, I walked over to the electronics section, and the following conversation actually happened:
(After picking out some desktop speakers. Give me a break, I didn't want the entire trip to be an absolute failure.)
G: I'll take these.
BC: Khong (No)
G: Hmm... Ok, I want this (in Vietnamese)
BC: Khong
G: Do you speak English?
BC: Yes, a little.
G: Ok, why can't I have these?
BC: Nobody can give you.
G: Uh... Do you have them in stock?
BC: Yes.
G: Can you get them for me?
BC: No.
G: Why not?
BC: I stay here.
G: Can someone get them for me?
BC: No. Nobody can get. Nobody in stock.
G: Ah, so there is nobody in the stock room?
BC: Yes, nobody. Come back tomorrow.
G: Can anyone else here go and get them for me?
BC: No. You come back tomorrow.
G: I don't want to come here tomorrow. In fact, I never want to come here again.
BC: (Smile) Ok, tomorrow.
G: Ok, I want to buy these and these and these and these and these (pointing to a stereo system that would add up to somewhere around $5,000).
BC: Ok, you come tomorrow.
G: ...I want to buy everything here.
BC: Yes, tomorrow.
G: Ok, see you tomorrow. (smile)
Are you F'ing kidding me?
The one amusing aspect of visiting Big C is their camera security system. It's a single camera on a large track with a retracting arm, sliding the camera clear across the store and back. That shit is funny. It looks like something out of the Gilliam film "Brazil". It apparently didn't do its job very well, as I witnessed a middle-aged, well-dressed man dumping handfuls of new batteries into his coat pocket.
If Metro weren't even worse, I'd give Big C one star. Avoid at all costs.
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Questions (14)
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?
Well?!
Is the Cheese Dumpling Girl still around? She used to have a little stall in the Ji Lin night market.
Mmmm... so tasty.
Where is the best place in town to buy blankets? We just walked all along Hang Dieu street last night and found nothing but floral prints and pastels. Gross.
Any simple blankets around town?
Make it quick, I've been freezing my ass off every night this week!
Could someone please enlighten me? Before coming here I had somehow never heard of "tapas". Wikipedia tells me that they are Spanish appetizers. Fine. But here I see the term used on Italian restaurant menus and other places featuring entirely different cuisine.
In reviews I see people use "tapas" and "appetizers" interchangeably. So what's the difference? It's becoming clear to me that not all appetizers are tapas. So the big question is, are all tapas appetizers?
Is the word being misused??
This confuses the hell out of me.
Let's face it. Most of the positive reviews on this site are simply thinly disguised attempts to gain favor amongst all the businesses around town. We're all too jaded and cynical to write a heart-felt positive review of anything, whether it be an Indian restaurant, popular bar, or even a website. Regardless of the tremendous amount of hard work these venues continually undertake, we must remain skeptical of anyone who openly compliments them. (Seriously, how much work could it possibly take to create and run a website, anyway? It's only words on a screen.)
Therefore I'd like to formally request that a "nuthugging" or "nutcoddling" button be added next to the recently acquired "meh" and "fail!" buttons. I just can't stand to see so many positive reviews getting decent feedback, when it's quite blatantly obvious that the reviewer is just kissing ass. How about it, Website Admins? I doubt you have much else to do anyway, and how hard could it be? Take a break from your MySpace page and get something done around here.
On the subject of "nuthugging", I can't help but notice that one of our regular visitors here seems to be caught up on the subject of "nuts". He's screaming about "nuthugging" and "coddling nuts" throughout every post he makes.
Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with hugging nuts, but there seems to be an unhealthy obsession with nuts here. Assuming that Hippo is not a squirrel, we're left to deduct that our favorite TNH poster is suffering from a seriously debilitating fixation upon testicles. They're on his mind so frequently that he can't help but scream about them in public. I suppose we should start a support group, "NAA".
Anyhow, his constant barrage of "nut" comments did lead to something productive, the realization that we need a "nuthugging" button. How about it, Admins?
How do I go about telling my landlord that I don't want him in my house for four hours every Saturday?
He uses the excuse of needing to water the plants and burn incense, but it's pretty obvious he just wants to hang around and see what's happening. He's single-handedly ruining my day off.
Anyone else have this problem? How did you handle it?
Answers (167)
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?...
Posted Tuesday November 25th, 2008.
Some interesting responses. I had intended this thread to be more focused on the "why" rather than the "how", but since several responses have focused on "how" someone arrived here, I suppose I'll add mine to the mix...
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 Tuesday November 25th, 2008.
Written previously but edited for this site, I have decided to entitle this one "The X-Factor" or "Channeling Soze".
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 Tuesday November 25th, 2008.
There is a licensed Apple retailer towards the east end of Kim Ma, just before the large bus station. (Just before Nguyen Thai Hoc, where Kim Ma splits into two one-way streets)
They have the new Nano there in a few different colors, around $190 for the 8GB model.
There is also a shop in Trang Tien Plaza selling the new Nano, however there are also several vendors selling cheap Chinese knockoffs. They're usually not too hard to spot, just ask the clerk to turn one of them on for you.
In response to the question: Back home I'd probably just get one off ebay but I've heard the postal system here can be unreliable so I'd rather not risk it....
Posted Tuesday November 25th, 2008.
Luna d'Autunno
In response to the question: Whats your vote for the best pizza in Hanoi?...
Posted Tuesday November 25th, 2008.
So...
I should say a bit about my untimely exit from Taiwan.
I was in mid-lecture with my ten year-old English class on a peaceful Friday afternoon in June, 2005, when suddenly six officers of the law waltzed into my classroom. They included two Board of Education officers, two Foreign Affairs officers, and two plain-clothed Kaohsiung City police officers.
They pulled me out of class and into the lobby of our small school. One of the officers even took out his handcuffs, so I immediately sat down and declared that I had no plans to run away. They asked for my passport, which I had on me luckily, and started drilling my Taiwanese co-workers with questions in Chinese. Two girls who came in with the officers were snapping digital photos of me, the students, and just about everything else in the school. The textbooks, the marker boards, the goddamned stuffed animals. It looked like an episode of CSI, but without the rotting corpse. I sat there on the ground for thirty minutes, continually on the verge of major heart failure. For those of you who don't already know, it was entirely illegal for me to teach in Taiwan. The government requires that each teacher posses a Bachelor's Degree (in any field), which I didn't have. I was in Taiwan on a visitor's visa, and therefore it was illegal for me to make money. I was busted. The circumstances that led to my arrest are another story entirely.
My boss finally showed up and settled them all down a little, but it became apparent that I would be forced to go downtown with them. They put me in the back of their cruiser and took off as my boss made a feeble, although much appreciated, attempt at settling my nerves.
The cops dragged me downtown to the Foreign Affairs office and began to sock it to me. I was informed that I had been caught teaching red-handed and that the consequences would not be pleasant. Imagine the expressions on their faces when I informed them that I wasn't teaching, and that there would be no unfortunate consequences for me.
As fate was still partially on my side this day, the cops unknowingly made a critical error just prior to interrogating me in their office. It took them a good twenty minutes of preparation before they were ready to begin. In the meantime, they allowed a couple of cute 20-year old public-service volunteers to come in and have tea with me. They both spoke some English, which gave me the perfect opportunity to calm my nerves, warm up the bullshit engines, and do some innocent flirting in the meantime. Critical flaw on their part.
They brought me into their dingy interrogation room and slammed me with question after question. Bright lamps hung down from the ceiling and clouds of cigarette smoke filled the air, but it would not phase me. I was already prepared for everything that they threw at me. They repeated several of their questions, some of them five or six times. Both of the officers seemed quite surprised at one of two possible things, in my estimation. Either they hadn't even considered my story to be a possibility earlier, or they were floored by the fact that I had concocted such a brilliant fabrication right in front of them. Thank you, "Keyser".
It went something like this... I'm not a teacher. I don't know anything about teaching. Back when I was picking beans in Guatemala I met some teachers, but I've never had the aspiration to become one. I came here a year ago and fell in love with the place. I don't want to leave. I was in no way being compensated for being in that school. The school director just happens to be a close friend of mine! When I came here a year ago, we met at a dinner with mutual friends. We became very close. She introduced me to her husband and children, and we met often to share each others' culture. She showed me aspects of Taiwan that I never would have discovered on my own. And if I needed assistance with a doctor, a dentist, a barber, or a clothing store, she would help me out. In return, I would come to her school and play games with her children as a special treat for them once or twice a week. No money was ever exchanged. It was that simple.
"You've been here for a year!" they exclaimed, "Surely you've made some money during your stay!"
I pointed to their photocopier across the room. "Have you ever heard of Xerox?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. They had. "I worked for them for several years. I don't mean to boast, gentlemen, but please trust me, money is not an issue for me. I won't have to work again for a very, very long time. And furthermore, my parents are quite well off themselves." Hook, line, and sinker. (This was not entirely untrue, as I had worked for Xerox as a technician, but was fortunately laid off along with 3,000 others in the summer of 2003.)
They glanced at each other and almost seemed ashamed that they had brought such dishonor upon their department by detaining me and wasting valuable time of mine. After almost two hours in their office, I was released without any penalty or fine. They did caution me that it would be unwise for me to be seen in a classroom again during my stay. They also stated that they would speak to my boss >>in a few days<< (seriously?) to confirm that our stories matched.
I met with my boss later that night to get everything in line. She went to the office the next Tuesday morning to give her statement, and everything was taken care of without any penalty on either side.
The one minor catch was that I could no longer afford to stay in Taiwan. I couldn't work there, and I didn't have the money to get home. I would have to find another option.
"...Vietnam has English schools. I know good people in Vietnam. People who will take care of me..."
My friends in Kaohsiung and I (even those blasted Canadians) partied like fiends for an entire week.
And like that, *poof*, I was off to Vietnam.
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 Tuesday November 25th, 2008.
Well, Khazaana and Foodshop 45 come to mind for Indian curry. I haven't eaten a decent Thai curry dish in Vietnam. I keep hoping it will happen some day. You know, being just a few miles from Thailand and all.
In response to the question: Where can one find the best chicken curry in Hanoi?...
Posted Wednesday November 26th, 2008.
After most of the curries I've sampled around Vietnam, I think Foodshop should take "suck the butt" as a compliment.
Foodshop 45: We suck the butt.
In response to the question: Where can one find the best chicken curry in Hanoi?...
Posted Wednesday November 26th, 2008.
Yeah, I was going to say Hang Dieu (the street a block east of Finnegan's with the famous Bun Bo Nam Bo).
Also check Cat Linh street and Hang Chieu street.
I seem to remember a nice mattress shop with floor models in either VinCom Tower or Trang Tien Plaza, but don't quote me on that. Good luck, and let us know if you find something other than bamboo mats and rock-hard mattresses with creaky coils.
In response to the question: Our mattress, while brand-new when we moved in, is in desperate need of a replacement (imagine sleeping directly on the coils). We've looked for a ne...
Posted Wednesday November 26th, 2008.
I'm not sure if she or this event ever existed, but it damn well should. Check out the CAMA music festival reviews to see what sparked this thread.
In response to the question: Well?!...
Posted Wednesday November 26th, 2008.
Just to clarify any misunderstanding, this thread was created entirely as sarcasm.
Although we should be posing this question if we have any aspirations for Hanoi to "keep up" with Saigon. *cough*
In response to the question: Well?!...
Posted Wednesday November 26th, 2008.
Oh. My. God.
That video was painful.
Nutz... You guys... Umm... Keep doing what you do.
Thanks for doing your part to keep as many tools as possible clear the hell away from other bars in Hanoi.
In response to the question: Well?!...
Posted Wednesday November 26th, 2008.
I found a decent full-faced helmet towards the south end of Pho Hue, near Dai Co Viet street. If you're looking for the expensive ($100+) brands found back home, I'm not sure where to go. I'm guessing that the Vespa shops or other places selling new motorbikes can help you.
The full-faced helmet I bought took quite a knock when my ex-gf crashed our bike. I smacked my head on the pavement pretty hard but bounced right up like nothing had happened. It cracked the helmet, but it did its job. Not bad for 200,000 dong.
In response to the question: can anyone please tell me where i can buy a proper motorbike helmet (2 actual, 1 for me and 1 for her)? the only brand i know is Bell helmets which ar...
Posted Thursday November 27th, 2008.
Care to elaborate?
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 Saturday November 29th, 2008.
That "Veggy's" place up near Sheraton Hotel has a few different brands of oats. They even have some organic oats in a bin towards the back of the store. If you're in that area, the Western market (Annam Gourmet) in Syrena tower has a few different kinds, too.
I've also seen a couple different brands at Western Canned Goods and Dan's, but I don't specifically remember "Dutch".
In response to the question: I bought a can of Dutch? quick cooking oats at Citi Vincom about 5 months ago and believe it or not, they no longer stock it. Has anyone spotted anyth...
Posted Sunday November 30th, 2008.
Excellent!
In response to the question: Is the Cheese Dumpling Girl still around? She used to have a little stall in the Ji Lin night market. Mmmm... so tasty....
Posted Monday December 1st, 2008.
Chick peas and tahini can be found in Western Canned Goods on Ba Trieu Street. Not sure about the wheat and flat bread, but WSG is a decent place to start your search.
I've actually seen the chick peas and tahini in several shops around town, even some of the traditional street markets.
I seem to remember noticing some flat bread in the freezer at Dan's Shop on Kim Ma, but you might want to call them first. Stock is fairly random there.
In response to the question: - chick peas - bulgar wheat - tahini - flat bread (yes, I am craving middle eastern food!)...
Posted Monday December 1st, 2008.
Travelocity.com
Expedia.com
Vayama.com
Check those three. They're usually around the same rate, but every now and then one of them has a huge drop in price for specific flights.
Also, you can use these two sites, which search through all the other flight search engines, saving you the time of having to enter all your flight data in repeatedly:
www.bookingbuddy.com
www.farecompare.com
All five of those are fairly reputable. If your flight gets delayed, some of them have a number you can call to make other arrangements. The service isn't as good as going through a true travel agent, but the cost is usually quite lower.
Buying directly from airlines in the US is NOT a good idea.
The highest rated flights across the Pacific are Singapore Air, Malaysia Air, and Cathay Pacific. The best-for-your-money are Korea Air, Japan Air, Eva,and United. I've heard very mixed things about China Air. I'd avoid Delta and American Airlines at all costs.
Each of the websites earlier allow you to choose your airline. Good luck!
In response to the question: Hey there, My friend from the US wants to visit me here, and I was trying to find cheap flights from the US to Hanoi. Anyone have suggestions? We...
Posted Monday December 1st, 2008.
Another note, buying a round-trip ticket is usually 30-50% cheaper than buying two one-way tickets.
Also, if you're already in Vietnam, it's typically cheaper to fly to the US by using a Vietnamese travel agent, rather than the websites. They have access to outbound ticket discounts that foreign websites aren't able to obtain.
In response to the question: Hey there, My friend from the US wants to visit me here, and I was trying to find cheap flights from the US to Hanoi. Anyone have suggestions? We...
Posted Monday December 1st, 2008.
True. Unfortunately the nearest Chinatown is a 12+hour drive from my home.
One disadvantage of using a Vietnamese travel agent for flights to the US is that Vietnam Airlines recently signed a deal with American Airlines. If you book a flight to the States from here, you're most likely going to get AA, who have the worst service I've encountered. Ever. Not to mention they are at the bottom of almost every independent survey. It's not worth saving $100-$200.
In response to the question: Hey there, My friend from the US wants to visit me here, and I was trying to find cheap flights from the US to Hanoi. Anyone have suggestions? We...
Posted Monday December 1st, 2008.
To be fair, everything is a 12+hour drive from my home.
In response to the question: Hey there, My friend from the US wants to visit me here, and I was trying to find cheap flights from the US to Hanoi. Anyone have suggestions? We...
Posted Tuesday December 2nd, 2008.
Yeah, it's better to wait until after Tet. Your flight will be cheaper and the job market opens up a bit, especially towards summer, when lots of schools will be looking to fill temporary summer classes.
I really don't think finding a job is that hard here. However, the pay rate has not kept up with inflation. Vietnam's inflation rate has risen 24% since last year at this time. There has been a rise in income for teachers, but it just hasn't kept up. (And for several other industries as well)
After talking with at least a dozen teachers from different schools, most people seem to be making between $17-$20/hour. With no degree you're probably looking at $15-$17/hr. That's more than enough to live on if you're teaching 20-25 hours per week.
In response to the question: First I would like to say hello to everyone, and thank you all for everything that you contribute to this site. My question is hopefully a simple one....
Posted Tuesday December 2nd, 2008.
Yah man. Me sez screw dem students. Itz all'bout da cash.
Booyakasha!
*snap*
In response to the question: First I would like to say hello to everyone, and thank you all for everything that you contribute to this site. My question is hopefully a simple one....
Posted Tuesday December 2nd, 2008.
Dragonfly on Hang Buom Street. It's fantastic.
In response to the question: I've been to Hanoi since little.....But to be honest, living in a Viet family and staying miles away from Hoan Kiem District didnt help me finding Han...
Posted Wednesday December 3rd, 2008.
You can go. I've seen 14 year-olds drinking there. The sign on the door says nobody under 18, but just walk inside. The doorman won't stop you unless you look 9.
In response to the question: I've been to Hanoi since little.....But to be honest, living in a Viet family and staying miles away from Hoan Kiem District didnt help me finding Han...
Posted Wednesday December 3rd, 2008.
I'm not looking for silk, but Uma and Dome are good ideas.
I remember seeing bedding on Son Tay Street too, so I'll check it out and post the results. Thanks guys.
In response to the question: Where is the best place in town to buy blankets? We just walked all along Hang Dieu street last night and found nothing but floral prints and pastels...
Posted Wednesday December 3rd, 2008.
Ok, I'm not whining, but I did really enjoy the Utter Rubbish button.
Sometimes you want to really bring the hate, and "meh" doesn't cut it.
In response to the question: The first person who whines about the "meh" button, that's who. STFU!...
Posted Thursday December 4th, 2008.
I like "meh". But I think "meh" can co-exist peacefully with "Utter Rubbish".
Listen, if someone jumps on here and posts something about Luna d'Autunno's chef dipping his balls in the marinara sauce, I want the ability to call it UTTER RUBBISH. Not "meh". Like OlMucky said, "meh" implies complete disinterest and apathy.
Talking trash on Luna's chef or just making shit up about any place deserves a smackdown, not a "whatever".
If you're too sensitive about this, perhaps you should stop writing reviews.
In response to the question: The first person who whines about the "meh" button, that's who. STFU!...
Posted Thursday December 4th, 2008.
Look near Minh's Jazz Club on Luong Van Can. You'll find a few stores with tons of Christmas decorations and fake trees.
In response to the question: Anyone know where I can buy a fake Christmas tree - this festive season just won't be the same without one! (Some tinsel and Christmas decorations...
Posted Thursday December 4th, 2008.
Alright, perhaps that wasn't a good example, it was just the first that came to mind. Instead imagine if someone posted a review claiming that they use rat meat in the spaghetti and meatballs. Or perhaps dog poop in the ravioli. These are not accusations that deserve a "meh". And they're not "inappropriate".
It's "Bollocks!"
or
"Utter Rubbish!"
In response to the question: The first person who whines about the "meh" button, that's who. STFU!...
Posted Thursday December 4th, 2008.
They eat dog and drink rice wine.
You are in the wrong town. Try Saigon.
Lots of "Buck's" down there.
In response to the question: Hello Hanoians, I hope this is not an inappropriate question to ask on a forum like this, but I thought Id give it a go and hopefully nobody gets o...
Posted Thursday December 4th, 2008.
Ah! A "bachelor party". Where are you from, again?
Hmmm... Well, yeah New Century is dead, but good riddance, trust me.
For a bachelor party you might try the following:
http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/en/venue/show/31/Ho-Guom-Xanh-Club
or
http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/en/venue/show/67/Halle-Club
or
http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/en/venue/show/25/Seventeen-Saloon
Unless of course, you'd like to see the real Hanoi.
In response to the question: Hello Hanoians, I hope this is not an inappropriate question to ask on a forum like this, but I thought Id give it a go and hopefully nobody gets o...
Posted Thursday December 4th, 2008.
Yes, you're coming to the wrong town. Call the ticket broker and pay the fee to get your ticket transferred to Saigon.
Seriously.
In response to the question: Hello Hanoians, I hope this is not an inappropriate question to ask on a forum like this, but I thought Id give it a go and hopefully nobody gets o...
Posted Thursday December 4th, 2008.
Fail!
This conversation is OVER!!!
In response to the question: Well done guys, I applaud your addition of a less inflammatory button. I don't want to be a nit-picker or seem ungrateful but when it comes to this 'w...
Posted Thursday December 4th, 2008.
Fail!
This conversation is OVER!!!
In response to the question: The first person who whines about the "meh" button, that's who. STFU!...
Posted Thursday December 4th, 2008.
Epic fucking WIN, guys!
I just pee'd a little bit.
In response to the question: The first person who whines about the "meh" button, that's who. STFU!...
Posted Thursday December 4th, 2008.
Fail!
See: http://failblog.org/
See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cilLKufYOhE
Your shipment of FAIL has arrived.
In response to the question: The first person who whines about the "meh" button, that's who. STFU!...
Posted Thursday December 4th, 2008.
Fail!
See: http://failblog.org/
See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cilLKufYOhE
Your shipment of FAIL has arrived.
In response to the question: Well done guys, I applaud your addition of a less inflammatory button. I don't want to be a nit-picker or seem ungrateful but when it comes to this 'w...
Posted Thursday December 4th, 2008.
"Fail!" is the ultimate "Utter Rubbish".
Fail is "Bollocks!" + "Utter Rubbish" + "You are an idiot" + "Your review stinks like marinara balls" + "You wear pink Paddington Bear pajamas" + everything else put together.
There is no worse failure on the internets than Fail.
In response to the question: The first person who whines about the "meh" button, that's who. STFU!...
Posted Friday December 5th, 2008.
So I guess it's kind of like the Spanish version of dim sum. Sounds good to me!
What's the general consensus on the best place to eat authentic tapas?
In response to the question: Could someone please enlighten me? Before coming here I had somehow never heard of "tapas". Wikipedia tells me that they are Spanish appetizers. Fi...
Posted Friday December 5th, 2008.
Err.. yeah. I meant the best place in Hanoi to try "authentic" tapas.
In response to the question: Could someone please enlighten me? Before coming here I had somehow never heard of "tapas". Wikipedia tells me that they are Spanish appetizers. Fi...
Posted Friday December 5th, 2008.
Spin, I can't post it here, but please check your inbox.
In response to the question: Hi, Anyone out there been out and about shopping for visa extension quotes recently? Got one saturday from tropical tours for a six month multiple ...
Posted Friday December 5th, 2008.
Adding venue...
In response to the question: The cafe I'm in has the heat blasting. Where can I buy a toasty scarf and muff?...
Posted Friday December 5th, 2008.
Try the M2 clothing shop. Right now they have a ton of winter clothes. Lots of jackets, sweaters, big coats, and hoodies. Sorry, now that I think of it, I don't exactly recall seeing scarves. They've stocked a lot of winter stuff in the back room though, so it's possible.
In response to the question: The cafe I'm in has the heat blasting. Where can I buy a toasty scarf and muff?...
Posted Friday December 5th, 2008.
http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/en/venue/show/2596/M2-Clothing-Outlet
In response to the question: The cafe I'm in has the heat blasting. Where can I buy a toasty scarf and muff?...
Posted Saturday December 6th, 2008.
You can't mark your own answer as a "good answer"! Cheater!
In response to the question: Why did all my canned Bia Ha Noi openers suddenly turn to pull-tabs?...
Posted Sunday December 7th, 2008.
Pinto, would you like to sit down and have a beer? Sounds like you need to get some shit off your chest.
In response to the question: Hello Hanoians, I hope this is not an inappropriate question to ask on a forum like this, but I thought Id give it a go and hopefully nobody gets o...
Posted Sunday December 7th, 2008.
I don't think your English will be much of a problem, Norm. You seem to be doing quite well in that area. It might be more productive to spend your time studying American pop culture. Knowing what music, extra-curricular activities, and clothing style you'd like to associate yourself with will probably determine which social group embraces you in high school.
http://www.rollingstone.com is a good place to start. And try http://www.avclub.com for music, books, and movies with less emphasis on pop trash.
In response to the question: I've been to Hanoi since little.....But to be honest, living in a Viet family and staying miles away from Hoan Kiem District didnt help me finding Han...
Posted Sunday December 7th, 2008.
See: http://failblog.org
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 December 7th, 2008.
Alright... we seem to be striking out here. I've visited several of these places. They definitely have bedding. Big comforters and expensive quilts. But...
I'm just looking for a simple, regular blanket. Not a two million dong comforter or huge bedding set with pillow cases and dust ruffles. That's all I'm finding anywhere in town. We did see something near exactly what we're looking for at Big C, but they were just small throws for sitting around on your sofa. Not anywhere near queen size.
Is it possible to just buy a normal Western blanket in Hanoi?
In response to the question: Where is the best place in town to buy blankets? We just walked all along Hang Dieu street last night and found nothing but floral prints and pastels...
Posted Sunday December 7th, 2008.
Every night at Lenin Park you'll see the next N'Sync in the making. Several of them. Jump right in!
In response to the question: Anyone know of beginner hip hop dance classes going on in Hanoi?...
Posted Monday December 8th, 2008.
Thanks. Can you give me a few more details about the location? Pho Hue is a fairly long street.
In response to the question: Where is the best place in town to buy blankets? We just walked all along Hang Dieu street last night and found nothing but floral prints and pastels...
Posted Tuesday December 9th, 2008.
"They" are listening...
In response to the question: When using Skype or MSN messenger for that matter there is frequently a lot of noise on the connection (every 2-3 minutes), something which I don't ha...
Posted Tuesday December 9th, 2008.
It's most likely just a shoddy internet connection, which are extremely common in Vietnam. Constant delays, blips, static, and complete outages are the norm here.
In response to the question: When using Skype or MSN messenger for that matter there is frequently a lot of noise on the connection (every 2-3 minutes), something which I don't ha...
Posted Tuesday December 9th, 2008.
Everyone take a deep breath.
In through nose, out through mouth.
Wax on, wax off.
Do it!
*waiting*
It's a complicated issue with intricate variables and misunderstandings on both sides of the issue, none of which can be appreciated fully by either side.
My advice is to just survey the situation. If several people are jumping in to help, let them, and go about your business. They have their own way of doing things, and a foreigner jumping in front of the crowd to "show them how it's done" is just going to create more confusion and chaos.
On the other hand, if NOBODY is doing anything to help during an emergency, DO SOMETHING! Good luck dealing with your conscience later if you just stand there and someone dies.
In response to the question: Hey everyone. This might sound like a strange question, but does anyone here know of any legal issues surrounding first aid in vietnam? As in, if y...
Posted Wednesday December 10th, 2008.
Would anyone like to join me at the snake village for Christmas? Let's eat Satan to celebrate the birthday of Jesus.
I'll bring the eggnog.
In response to the question: I'm curious about xmas day buffets and got as far as calling the Sheraton who quoted me $55p.p. for food only. I'm guessing the usual suspects will be...
Posted Wednesday December 10th, 2008.
The chances of getting sued in Vietnam are slim to none. The courts are so bogged down and inconsistent that most people would never bother. Hence the instant judge and jury on the street.
So Wulph, don't let the potential for a lawsuit even enter the equation when deciding whether to help someone. Other reasons not to help might exist, but that's not one of them.
In response to the question: Hey everyone. This might sound like a strange question, but does anyone here know of any legal issues surrounding first aid in vietnam? As in, if y...
Posted Wednesday December 10th, 2008.
Well, given that it was written entirely as sarcasm, I'm glad someone recognized it as "over the top".
In response to the question: Let's face it. Most of the positive reviews on this site are simply thinly disguised attempts to gain favor amongst all the businesses around town. ...
Posted Friday December 12th, 2008.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr_Sketchy%27s_Anti-Art_School
In response to the question: Anybody interested in starting a DR. Sketchy's in Hanoi? I think Hanoi is in need of interactive artistic fun- but hey, I am new and maybe there is s...
Posted Friday December 12th, 2008.
This IS very common.
Another scam to watch out for...
Occasionally bike tires get an actual puncture and need repair. When the repair man takes your tube out to look for the hole, keep a close eye on him. It's fairly common for them to slit the valve stem with a knife, effectively making your tube unrepairable. And guess what? He just happens to sell new tubes! I've heard of this one happening to several people. One friend of mine even hovered over the repairman, and the guy still slit the stem, knowing he was being watched.
I'd say just squat down next to the guy to let him know you're taking an interest in his "handiwork".
In response to the question: hello all, i was wondering if anyone has heard of a tire slashing scam in Ha Noi? i was eating somewhere around Cau Gaiy and when we left we notic...
Posted Friday December 12th, 2008.
Hello Pengi,
Asiana Travel can arrange conference rooms and transportation. Please check your New Hanoian inbox for information.
In response to the question: Hi all, I am in need of a conference room for about 23 people next week near Tran Hung Dao and the dike road, if possible. Does anyone have any ide...
Posted Friday December 12th, 2008.
Right. Is ++ much more money than + ? And how much more than $35 is $35+?
In response to the question: I'm curious about xmas day buffets and got as far as calling the Sheraton who quoted me $55p.p. for food only. I'm guessing the usual suspects will be...
Posted Monday December 15th, 2008.
If you go directly to any 3 to 5-star hotel and book a room or conference room, you will pay more than if you book through a local travel agent. Substantially more.
In response to the question: Hi all, I am in need of a conference room for about 23 people next week near Tran Hung Dao and the dike road, if possible. Does anyone have any ide...
Posted Monday December 15th, 2008.
Is there really much bitterness? I haven't encountered many complaints regarding the terminology of "Elite" status.
I thought of a few alternatives that might not cause so much resentment, in case that many complaints are really being fielded by the admins:
True Hanoian
Real Hanoian
TNH Addict
Compulsive User
Hanoi Aficionado
Hanoi Enthusiast
or
Active User (for the ultra-sensitive crowd)
In response to the question: How does the TNH community feel about our designation of Elite Users? I'm asking because there seems to be some bitterness toward it, and I think it ...
Posted Tuesday December 16th, 2008.
Preeko and Stosskraft are right on the money. Once you find a nice restaurant in your neighborhood or a regular activity nearby, such as badminton in the park, return within a week and see how the locals appreciate your interest. Breaking out even the most basic Vietnamese language skills can work wonders.
In response to the question: Hi, I will be living in Hanoi for at least 6 months, and whilst I am there I want to try and get involved in the Vietnamese way of life. Obviously...
Posted Tuesday December 16th, 2008.
I've been told by a reputable visa agent that a true six-month "tourist" visa is impossible to get. All of the six-month visas fall under some type of "business" category. It doesn't really matter whether you're doing business or not, they can be arranged easily.
Right now at Asiana Travel we are selling the six-month visa for around $120-$125, depending on the country of origin.
In response to the question: Hi, Anyone out there been out and about shopping for visa extension quotes recently? Got one saturday from tropical tours for a six month multiple ...
Posted Thursday December 18th, 2008.
I tried to book a flight around Tet, and the website kept quoting me a price of more than $100. Am I doing something wrong?
In response to the question: BKK for Tet for $50! KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Southeast Asia's leading budget airline said Tuesday it will give away 100,000 plane tickets as par...
Posted Thursday December 18th, 2008.
Was it called U-Best Collection Shop? If so, try emailing ubest31@hotmail.com. Their last known phone number was 0438247044.
In response to the question: Hi, I used to buy some good stuff on outdoor needs (clothings, gadgets, golf sets, etc) at a shop in 31 Hang Khay. I left Hanoi for some business t...
Posted Thursday December 18th, 2008.
"The airline said the free tickets would be good for travel to the Thai capital of Bangkok from Vietnam, Cambodia, Myammar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and China as well as for flights within Thailand."
I'm guessing it didn't take long for those 100,000 tickets to get snapped up.
In response to the question: BKK for Tet for $50! KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Southeast Asia's leading budget airline said Tuesday it will give away 100,000 plane tickets as par...
Posted Saturday December 20th, 2008.
I haven't encountered any myself. Most of the bands I've seen have been rocking out Skid Row or Linkin Park covers, neither of which I suggest subjecting yourself to for any length of time.
In response to the question: hi, would like to explore the hanoi's indie. anyone have info on that? like , where do those band performance.. may be at cafes or at some publi...
Posted Tuesday December 23rd, 2008.
I've seen decent bread at Veggy's Market and Annam Gourmet Foods in Syrena Tower, both on Xuan Dieu Road. However I don't frequent those places enough to know if the supply is consistent.
Let us know if you find something good!
In response to the question: I have tried a lot of the different deli's around and have found the meats to be super fatty or poorly handled and maintained. There is a great one i...
Posted Tuesday December 23rd, 2008.
Better yet, has anyone seen those full-length pajamas that zip from your toes up to your neck in adult size? Specifically the Star Wars line? That would be nice.
In response to the question: Does anybody know where I can buy some nice warm woolly slippers? not just slip ons...more granny style or ugg boots style.... my feet are cold on the...
Posted Tuesday December 23rd, 2008.
I just spoke to my supervisor about this problem. He told me that we can book bus tickets to Guang Zhou, but the route after that "belongs to a different system". He thinks it's unlikely that you'll find a way to buy a ticket all the way to Hong Kong, so most likely you'd need to buy another ticket in Guang Zhou.
He's looking into it. If you have any questions in the meantime, please drop me a line.
In response to the question: Hi, i would like to know if it's possible to book here train or bus ticket in China. Actually, i want to do Hanoi -> Hong kong by bus (or train) i ...
Posted Sunday December 28th, 2008.
Go to the M2 shop on Ly Thuong Kiet. It's across the street from Melia Hotel.
http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/en/venue/show/2596/M2-Clothing-Outlet
They have TONS of Western-sized winter coats and jackets right now, most of which cost between 300k-500k dong. Several of them are Patagonia and Columbia coats, which sell for more than $200 USD back home.
They are selling like hotcakes, so hurry up!
In response to the question: Are there any cheap outlets or "outlets" anyone knows of? Or a street with lots of clothing shops? Thanks, and merry xmas!...
Posted Sunday December 28th, 2008.
Book Street (Trang Tien) has tons of them. You can also find small shops specializing in office products on Hai Ba Trung and Ly Thuong Kiet.
In response to the question: Does anybody know where to buy a 2009 Year Planner - not a diary, but the kind you hang on the wall? ...
Posted Sunday December 28th, 2008.
Be careful if you're heading down to the Old Quarter tonight. Here was the scene just 30 minutes after they won the SEMI-final:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORB9MRueiVs
On second thought, don't be careful. Get down there and party with the hooligans!!
In response to the question: Anyone watching the game on a big screen today? If so, where and when?...
Posted Sunday December 28th, 2008.
It depends on how much money you make:
http://www.business.gov.vn/advice.aspx?id=2602
Of course, if you're not "officially" employed here, that "tax" money you're paying is likely being used for "protection".
In response to the question: How much tax should I expect to pay when working in Vietnam...
Posted Monday December 29th, 2008.
Big C and Metro are absolute disasters. A couple years ago they DID stock some items that were hard to come by in Hanoi, but due to several trade barriers getting knocked down recently, there is hardly an item at those megastores you can't find elsewhere.
However, there is one item that has come to my attention which I haven't seen anywhere else in town. I recently discovered that Metro is stocking American Budweiser. That is reason enough to boycott that hellhole.
In response to the question: Too bad there's no section for dumbass questions, otherwise I'd gladly tag this as such. I have never been to the Big C or Metro (insert appalled...
Posted Tuesday December 30th, 2008.
You could grab a six-month visa at the Vietnam Consulate in Laos. I got one fairly cheap, and the entire process only took about 10 minutes.
It might not be the one-year visa you had hoped for, but that's better than the alternative of being denied entry.
Is there a reason you can't go with two 6-month visas rather than the one-year?
In response to the question: hi i have booked a trip to laos next week but didnt realise my vietnam visa runs out 1 day after i return to hanoi. im currently on a 1 year busine...
Posted Tuesday December 30th, 2008.
Regarding applying for a new visa in Vietnam after your old one has expired... They charge about $5/day late fee. I don't think it's any major trouble unless you're more than a couple weeks late. I was ten days late recently, and had to pay $50 extra.
In response to the question: hi i have booked a trip to laos next week but didnt realise my vietnam visa runs out 1 day after i return to hanoi. im currently on a 1 year busine...
Posted Tuesday December 30th, 2008.
You might contact a Laotian travel agent in Hanoi before you leave. They'll arrange everything for you. All of the paperwork was ready for me when I arrived at the Vietnam Consulate in Vientiane.
In response to the question: hi i have booked a trip to laos next week but didnt realise my vietnam visa runs out 1 day after i return to hanoi. im currently on a 1 year busine...
Posted Tuesday December 30th, 2008.
Also, I should note that this happened over two years ago. Things could have changed by now, so contact the necessary authorities and have your ducks in a row before you head over there.
In response to the question: hi i have booked a trip to laos next week but didnt realise my vietnam visa runs out 1 day after i return to hanoi. im currently on a 1 year busine...
Posted Tuesday December 30th, 2008.
Blank page. Is that a statement on Hanoi, or are the admins incompetent?
In response to the question: Curious what you guys think of this site. I think its new... http://wowhanoi.com/ Steph...
Posted Tuesday December 30th, 2008.
Of all the beers in America, they choose to export the worst. Same as with the food, films and television. Why??
In response to the question: Too bad there's no section for dumbass questions, otherwise I'd gladly tag this as such. I have never been to the Big C or Metro (insert appalled...
Posted Wednesday December 31st, 2008.
Ha Long Bay can be an absolute nightmare for independent travelers. It's one place that I recommend booking a tour in advance somewhere in the Old Quarter. They take care of all the transportation, and you're not left wandering the harbor for hours looking for a boat.
Also, there is a BIG difference between the $60 package and the $80 package. Don't try to save $20 in this instance. People who pay for the $60 trips are the ones you hear griping about their terrible experience with rats, broken A/C, inedible food, indifferent boat staff, etc.
In response to the question: what are the hassles of going to halong bay on your own (not on a group tour/packaged tour)? is it easy to get into one of those boats/junks without r...
Posted Wednesday December 31st, 2008.
By all means, keep drinking.
Keep drinking...
Keep drinking...
Please, keep drinking.
In response to the question: Too bad there's no section for dumbass questions, otherwise I'd gladly tag this as such. I have never been to the Big C or Metro (insert appalled...
Posted Wednesday December 31st, 2008.
The
War
Is
Not
Over.
In response to the question: Too bad there's no section for dumbass questions, otherwise I'd gladly tag this as such. I have never been to the Big C or Metro (insert appalled...
Posted Thursday January 1st, 2009.
Of course it's possible. And many people do it successfully, however the potential for disaster rises tenfold. It's worth the extra few dollars to have someone else worry about all the small details.
In response to the question: what are the hassles of going to halong bay on your own (not on a group tour/packaged tour)? is it easy to get into one of those boats/junks without r...
Posted Monday January 5th, 2009.
It's possible they'll show up, but unlikely. Chances are they are sitting in a big stack of books to be checked for "inappropriate" subject matter. Or they're sitting on the personal bookshelf of one of the employees.
File a complaint at the main post office downtown, and then file a complaint with the original carrier, whether it be United States Postal Service, or whoever. Search your package for a shipping ID number and give it to your original carrier. The local service here won't pay much attention to a single expat, however they might eventually get their acts together if enough foreign postal services start putting the pressure on them.
Bookworm is your best bet for foreign books in this town:
http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/en/venue/show/2141/Bookworm
In response to the question: I recently received a package from Canada - Christmas presents from home!!! The box has clearly been gone through. I expected that. What I didn't e...
Posted Monday January 5th, 2009.
Advice on future shipments...
If it absolutely MUST get here, use DHL or FedEx, and insure the package. It will cost you about triple the price, but it's the only real guarantee if it's something that important. Well, let's not use the word "guarantee" in this country. It just has a much, much better chance of getting here in one piece.
In response to the question: I recently received a package from Canada - Christmas presents from home!!! The box has clearly been gone through. I expected that. What I didn't e...
Posted Monday January 5th, 2009.
I'd say your first step should be to scroll to the top of the page and click "Groups". In the right column of the next page, click "Form your own group".
Not sure how it will develop on this site, but it's a start.
In response to the question: My recent exchange with Queen Pippa on dumbassness just gave me a thought, although usually I refrain from actually acting on such impulses. I was ...
Posted Monday January 5th, 2009.
A deaf and dumb, nymphomaniac whose father owns a pub and who mops your floor, cleans the toilet, does the laundry, and takes out the trash before turning into a pizza after sex.
In response to the question: Hi, I'm having trouble finding a part-time, Vietnamese House Keeper who, can cook, shop, clean, speaks English, German and Chinese (max. sal. USD1...
Posted Tuesday January 6th, 2009.
Exactly. There is a lot of misinformation floating around regarding visas. And just about every other aspect of living abroad, for that matter.
Any travel agent in Vietnam can arrange a Vietnamese visa or visas for the surrounding countries. And most of them are pretty cheap.
$400-$800/month will get you a really nice place. Our five-story, three huge bedroom, 3 gigantic bathroom, two living room, modern kitchen, two storage room house in a great neighborhood costs $800/month TOTAL. If you're looking to share a house, you should easily be able to find something for $200-$300/month.
Just be careful with those housing agents. They'll try to convince you that an unfurnished $300 pile of crap is worth a thousand dollars.
In response to the question: So I'm getting closer to my departure date for Vietnam; February 10. I'm trying to figure out a couple of travel visas in the meantime and would appre...
Posted Tuesday January 6th, 2009.
I knew I had been returning to these boards for a good reason. In the hopes that some day this thread might actually happen.
In response to the question: Can anybody explain why the condoms you can get in Hanoi are kind of "tight"? And what's so "OK" about them??...
Posted Tuesday January 6th, 2009.
I had to pay immigration $50 at the airport last summer. The fees seem to vary month to month on the whims of local officials.
Another thing you might consider... How much time do you really want to spend in the airport when you arrive? Our visa process there took an additional thirty minutes. Don't know how you feel about it, but I'm ready to get the hell away from those people after a 30-hour flight. Having your visa already stamped in your passport back home allows you to cruise right through immigration and get on your way to Hanoi.
That's an extra thirty minutes of bia hoi.
In response to the question: I heard that you can now get a visa on arrival when arriving at the airport - does anybody know if this is true? I also heard that it is cheaper than ...
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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