Vietnam forum

Hanoi is amazing !

foieslinger

flashpacker
Posts: 36

Posted from within Vietnam.

after a 30 or so hour trip from Eastern Canada we finally arrived in Hanoi and literally slept for 24 hours after we checked into the hotel.

took the suggestion from "Toxic 8" and are staying at the Holidays hotel at 24 bang manh street. $25 per room, nothing special but clean and comfortable. Good breakfast.

Hotel is offering a 2 day/1 night cruise for $68 per person on Christina Cruise junk.

Anyone have any experience with this tour ?

#1 Posted: 15/1/2010 - 16:58
daawgon

som tam seller
Posts: 552

I don't have experience with that tour, but I suggest shopping around for other junks (hotels are not the best place to book them).

As long as you're on Hang Manh, I just wanted to tell you about 2 places for noodles in that area - the ultimate Hanoi experience:

Dac Kim Bun Cha at #1 Hang Manh
Bun Bo Nam Bo at #67 Hang Dieu

both places only serve 1 thing, and it's great! I like Bun Bo better (beef noodles with herbs, add chili sauce to taste) at 30,000VND

order the bun cha, and you won't have to eat again for 2 days!

for something a little special, I suggest taking a Mai Linh cab up to Truc Bach Lake and eating at Foodshop 45, a super Indian place on the lake (my favorite in Hanoi)

#2 Posted: 16/1/2010 - 11:42
foieslinger

flashpacker
Posts: 36

Posted from within Vietnam.

thanks daawgon........ Dac Kim is definietly special, we've had the bun cha at several places and Dac Kim was the best. will try to hit up Foodshop 45 when we return from HaLong on Monday.

cheers.

#3 Posted: 17/1/2010 - 02:48
daawgon

som tam seller
Posts: 552

If you walk south on Hang Manh it becomes Ly Quoc Su past Hang Gai - you will pass Pho Ly Quoc Su (supposed to be excellent, but I haven't tried it yet) and then Van Xuan Foot Massage - my favorite and cheapest foot massage in Vietnam!

(Under no circumstances should you stop at Pepperoni's Pizza on Ly Quoc Su - terrible cardboard crust)

#4 Posted: 18/1/2010 - 04:17
daawgon

som tam seller
Posts: 552

Here's some info on Pho in Hanoi for you:

http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=04SUN100110

#5 Posted: 18/1/2010 - 04:25
daawgon

som tam seller
Posts: 552

Hanoi truly is amazing - very good leads here:

http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/en/venue/top

#6 Posted: 18/1/2010 - 04:28
foieslinger

flashpacker
Posts: 36

Right on........ will avoid Pepperoni's like the plague and after hiking to the top of CatBa national park today I could use a foot massage upon return to Hanoi tomorrow.

#7 Posted: 19/1/2010 - 00:06
daawgon

som tam seller
Posts: 552

As long as you're that far down on Ly Quoc Su, you might as well go all the way down to the Cathedral and Nha Tho Street, because down there you'll find several upscale bars and restaurants that are very good. I have eaten at Mediterraneo, Al Frescos Pizza and Paris Deli. I found this at the NY times:

"Nightlife along Hanoi's Church Street, Nha Tho, which extends from the town's largest Catholic cathedral, is quite inviting and laid-back. The area is lined with boutique shops and galleries, and there are a few popular restaurants like Mediterraneo and La Brique, as well as Paris Deli and Moca Café, which attract tourists and expats. A good place to meet up before going out is La Salsa, which serves fine cocktails in a chic street-side overlook."

#8 Posted: 19/1/2010 - 03:40
45baht

motodop
Posts: 21

could always try eating at KOTO opposite the temple of literature. Good food, good cause.

#9 Posted: 25/1/2010 - 23:14
jclarkson

flashpacker
Posts: 35

Just a quick comment, I stayed at and booked both Halong Bay and Sapa tours through Hanoi Backpacker Hostel and was very pleased. Especially with Halong Bay, without a doubt the most memorable and wonderful Christmas Eve of my life.

#10 Posted: 26/1/2010 - 11:09
violets

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 148

Down the bottom of Ly Quoc Su street, near the pagoda, there's a stall selling snacks. About 3 different kinds as far as I remember. They are great. Just sit on a little plastic chair on the footpath or take away. In the evening it seems to be the cool place to be for Hanoi's twenty somethings- it has a great atmosphere then.

#11 Posted: 28/1/2010 - 12:39
45baht

motodop
Posts: 21

jclarkson... I did my Haylong tour through another hostel nearby the Hanoi Backpackers that was a little bit cheaper. Cant remember what it was called now though. It was was Ace!! Did you get all the trekking on Cat ba etc included and how much did you have to pay?
I think mine was about 35 USD for 3 days...

#12 Posted: 2/3/2010 - 00:37
gohlayhuah

longtail driver
Posts: 8

I am going to Hanoi in June. Can I have your opinion of Pinta Cruiser 2 days 1 night Halong trip from Hanoi and return for US$89? Or is there any equivalent of quality for much less? Thanks!

#13 Posted: 11/3/2010 - 19:17