If you’re planning on doing more than just passing through Hanoi, you may have considered teaching English as a foreign language as a way to fund your time here. There’s certainly an opportunity to do that, but you do need to come prepared. Firstly, you should be prepared in terms of training. While it is … read the full post

While the standard Hanoi souvenirs available all over Old Quarter offer plenty of options for take home pressies for pals, if you want something more special, or just want to avoid the haggling and trooping around, Hanoi also offers some good little shopping spots. Tan My Design on Hang Gai is one of the most … read the full post

I have a confession to make: it’s taken me nearly two years to get round to fully exploring Hanoi‘s Dong Xuan night market. I’ve wandered in half-heartedly before but never have I explored the depths of its wonder. But now all that has changed. The night market runs along Hang Ngang and Dong Xuan streets, … read the full post

If you end up in Hanoi at Christmas but don’t want a city-based festive season, what are your options? With no good beaches within easy travelling distance – and the weather not likely to be good enough for lazing on a beach anyway — why not go in the opposite direction and head for the … read the full post

Despite Christmas not being traditionally celebrated in Vietnam, the Christmas spirit has certainly arrived this year, with decorations proudly lacing many an office and apartment building. I celebrated early on Saturday, as I’ll be in the UK over Christmas this year: Santa hats and decorations were purchased on Hang Ma, Secret Santa (anonymous) gifts were … read the full post

In the past, villagers in Vietnam tended to specialise in making particular items to meet their needs, sharing their skills with neighbours and relatives. This led to individual villages becoming known for a particular handicraft. As people moved to the cities they gravitated towards others with the same trade and hence we have areas such … read the full post

I’ve recently moved to a new office next to West Lake and near to the Tay Ho temple. Whereas I was previously eating pho cuon for lunch, the local Hanoi dishes here are bun ca, bun oc and banh tom. Bun ca is prepared with bun noodles, the same round white rice noodles served with bun cha, but … read the full post

If you’re in Hanoi on November 27 consider heading over to the United Nations International School (UNIS) in Ciputra for the 2011 Charity Bazaar, organised by the Hanoi International Women’s Club. The Charity Bazaar, now in its 20th year, is the largest fundraising event of the year held by anyone in Hanoi and a great … read the full post

A few months ago, workers renovating the Bamboo Bar at Hanoi’s historic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel hit a snag: they struck the roof of a long-buried air raid shelter that had all but been forgotten. After excavating more than two metres of earth and reinforced concrete, the workers jack-hammered through a 278mm-thick ceiling: below was around … read the full post

Hang Dieu comprises a strange melee of stores. Running north from the six-way junction at Duong Thanh until it turns into Hang Ga, it sold cigarettes in the 19th Centure and, more recently, leather shoes and sandals. Neither of these wares are in evidence anymore and now I think of it as “bedding street”, in … read the full post