This is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Hanoi. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2005:20620 RealTravel members http://realtravel.com/images/logo-for-feeds.jpg (c) 2006 RealTravel.com 2008-01-27T06:44:38Z 340058http://www.feedburner.comThis is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Hanoi. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-12:6178085 2007-12-12T08:48:32Z 2008-01-27T06:44:38Z jcdaggettco http://realtravel.com/member-m5727400-jcdaggettco.html <p><em>"...or was it Tong Dau or Hong Mo Loung?"</em></p> <p>a entry by jcdaggettco from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/mai_chau-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d6178045.html">Mai Chau, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>This was the highlight among many highlights for the trip.</p><p>The night of the 6th turning to the 7th was horrible. A cold from a foreign germ pool has always been one of my worst nightmares, and this one hasn't disappointed.</p><p>You can actually function during the day, but when night comes, "Oh Boy!" You remember the feeling of standing on your head when you were younger? Well, just add a whole lot of face pain so you can't sleep and you about have the feeling of this one.</p><p>For those of you who are as old or older than I, just bend over and touch your toes and stay there awhile.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/mai_chau-journals-j6178085.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_vTx8-w.34slwy5cW4icVl1PtSOg_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/vTx8-w.34slwy5cW4icVl1PtSOg_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_vTx8-w.34slwy5cW4icVl1PtSOg_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=vTx8-w.34slwy5cW4icVl1PtSOg_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmai_chau-journals-j6178085.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/mai_chau-journals-j6178085.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-17:6209584 2007-12-17T19:57:08Z 2008-01-27T06:30:20Z jcdaggettco http://realtravel.com/member-m5727400-jcdaggettco.html <p><em>"We were hopelessly lost!"</em></p> <p>a entry by jcdaggettco from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>We returned to Hanoi by mid-afternoon staying at the Metropole. Our last day in the big city had to have a heavy dose of the Old Quarter. We set out straight for it with the streets lined with scooters on every sidewalk. In fact, Hanoi must be the scooter capitol of the world although I must say I haven't been to China.</p><p>I'd estimate there must be some three million scooters in the city - maybe more though I have no empirical evidence that's true. It's hard to tell the reason why the air is so fouled here, but perhaps it has to do with the millions of "lawn mowers" that start up every ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6209584.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_WZ8PanYqbZjL2GZhIHs73PFDBVg_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/WZ8PanYqbZjL2GZhIHs73PFDBVg_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_WZ8PanYqbZjL2GZhIHs73PFDBVg_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=WZ8PanYqbZjL2GZhIHs73PFDBVg_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j6209584.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6209584.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-19:6215381 2007-12-19T04:51:49Z 2008-01-18T07:32:02Z jcdaggettco http://realtravel.com/member-m5727400-jcdaggettco.html <p>a review of Green Tangerine, a place to eat in <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam</a>.</p> <p>It a truly Frech place with a French chef and a French clientele. I has reasonable prices for food that tastes sooo very good. We shared a Frech pastry stuffed with delictable veggies as we'd eaten just a few hour before stumbling to get away from street vendors. There is a photo of the restaurant attached to this entry of the blog.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-c6215381.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_c9NNyWFvCUWvV1gJkneJcw7WAj4_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/c9NNyWFvCUWvV1gJkneJcw7WAj4_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_c9NNyWFvCUWvV1gJkneJcw7WAj4_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=c9NNyWFvCUWvV1gJkneJcw7WAj4_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-reviews-c6215381.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-c6215381.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-14:6191183 2007-12-14T08:03:43Z 2007-12-14T08:47:27Z Sam&Nen http://realtravel.com/member-m5696219-samnen.html <p>a entry by Sam&amp;Nen from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>Arrived in Hue - Pouring it down! It continued to sheet it down for our entire stay. We ventured out just the once to explore the city, got soaked to the skin so warmed ourselves up with a bowl of Pho (noodle soup). Camped out in the hotel, and got a shock when we looked out in the morning and the water was ankle deep (and we were 3 streets away from the river!) A guy on our overnight bus to Hanoi told us the famous citadel was waist deep in water.</p><p>Thought we could stretch out on the 12hr bus ride but NO! It was rammed with locals (inc snoring warthog, screaming baby and chain smoker). A ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6191183.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_EYPeY0qyD1.PlYpH2ny1tUXmtEo_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/EYPeY0qyD1.PlYpH2ny1tUXmtEo_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_EYPeY0qyD1.PlYpH2ny1tUXmtEo_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=EYPeY0qyD1.PlYpH2ny1tUXmtEo_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j6191183.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6191183.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-12:6180692 2007-12-12T17:36:08Z 2007-12-12T17:36:08Z Carla V http://realtravel.com/member-m5790720-carla_v.html <p><em>"Ho Chi Minh more affectionately known as Uncle Ho is very "revered"."</em></p> <p>a entry by Carla V from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>We had one day to tour around Hanoi and I think we did a relatively good job of it. Our first mission was to book a quality tour to see Halong Bay; there are tourist offices EVERYWHERE offering all kinds of promises but after reading online message boards and guidebooks, we knew these promises rarely come to fruition. We splurged and went with Handspan; it turned out to be an excellent decision which you can read about in the next blog entry.</p><p>The city of Hanoi is not organized in a grid pattern, but putting Dan in charge of map duty meant we didn't get lost on our way to Puku cafe; an ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6180692.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_nn6D.7kwcmQQm9PkP--K16T5V.Y_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/nn6D.7kwcmQQm9PkP--K16T5V.Y_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_nn6D.7kwcmQQm9PkP--K16T5V.Y_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=nn6D.7kwcmQQm9PkP--K16T5V.Y_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j6180692.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6180692.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-12:6180591 2007-12-12T16:29:41Z 2007-12-12T16:29:41Z Carla V http://realtravel.com/member-m5790720-carla_v.html <p><em>"There was a renegade bus that had more than its share of close calls with us and all other types of vehicles on the road."</em></p> <p>a entry by Carla V from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>The generator's start at 6:30am worked as an effective alarm clock aboard our small junk boat on Halong Bay. Breakfast was nothing special, but the last stop of the tour was. The surprising cave wasn't particularly suprising; it was, however, HUGE. I haven't been in many caves in my lifetime, so I was easily impressed, but even the adventuresome Australian family had never seen a cave of its size before. It just kept going and with a fresh water pond collecting rainwater from the limestone island around it, appeared to be quite inhabitable as well. Turns out it was in fact a home to hundreds ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6180591.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_fBVFppvVUbALrbRI55E7iMfSG7A_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/fBVFppvVUbALrbRI55E7iMfSG7A_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_fBVFppvVUbALrbRI55E7iMfSG7A_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=fBVFppvVUbALrbRI55E7iMfSG7A_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j6180591.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6180591.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-05:6137617 2007-12-05T07:18:21Z 2007-12-12T06:08:43Z Shane S http://realtravel.com/member-m4831432-shane_s.html <p>a review of Brothers Hotel, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam</a>.</p> <p>This is basically a hostel... that looks like a hotel. They have very friendly staff who are extremely helpful, free internet, breakfast included and a TV with HBO, CNN and ESPN in English. So it's higher end than a hostel - but not because of the room. The beds are really hard (sorta like sleeping on the floor) and the bathroom is a shower/bathroom all in one. But at $22 US per night... its a good value. Just dont expect amenities in your room.</p><p>Also if you decide to ignore my advice and stay here, bring cash. They charge a 3% fee to use credit cards and 10% VAT tax too. He will ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-b6137617.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_NFY7NuyJPPxbKdHrJfKYrSEoTNg_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/NFY7NuyJPPxbKdHrJfKYrSEoTNg_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_NFY7NuyJPPxbKdHrJfKYrSEoTNg_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=NFY7NuyJPPxbKdHrJfKYrSEoTNg_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-reviews-b6137617.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-b6137617.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-10:6169132 2007-12-10T13:42:41Z 2007-12-10T13:42:41Z Scott & Nancy http://realtravel.com/member-m4179993-scott__nancy.html <p>a entry by Scott &amp; Nancy from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>We now begin our journey through Vietnam, starting with Hanoi in the north. What a culture shock as we arrived in Hanoi. Now we are back to the constant honking of the cars and motorbikes --- and oh soooo many motorbikes. As we walked through the old quarter, we stopped and just sat in awe wondering how we would ever cross the street. The drivers don’t pay attention to any lanes or and in many cases, they even ignore the stop lights. We’re not sure why they have crosswalks at all as they are virtually meaningless. Our guide gave us advice and basically it was that you walk very slow and ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6169132.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Gn8J1RFfqhTilPYpVNSzHA86r30_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Gn8J1RFfqhTilPYpVNSzHA86r30_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Gn8J1RFfqhTilPYpVNSzHA86r30_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Gn8J1RFfqhTilPYpVNSzHA86r30_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j6169132.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6169132.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-09:6162296 2007-12-09T08:11:23Z 2007-12-09T08:14:53Z Shane S http://realtravel.com/member-m4831432-shane_s.html <p>a review of New Day Restaurant, a place to eat in <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam</a>.</p> <p>Even by Vietnamese standards this place is cheap! $3 dinners (soup, appetizer and main course) or $2.50 lunches. Locals eat here too and the place is constantly packed. I ate dinner and lunch here during my stay. I highly recommend the set menu for $3. Its the best deal in town for traditional Vietnamese food. No ambience at all... but hey... eat here and then walk down the street!</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-c6162296.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_i1M7UG1f8wekP3nvXfEkjrFEGTk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/i1M7UG1f8wekP3nvXfEkjrFEGTk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_i1M7UG1f8wekP3nvXfEkjrFEGTk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=i1M7UG1f8wekP3nvXfEkjrFEGTk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-reviews-c6162296.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-c6162296.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-02:6110284 2007-12-02T04:40:59Z 2007-12-02T04:40:59Z Soph http://realtravel.com/member-m3662598-soph.html <p><em>"We spent all morning and early afternoon demanding back our passports, which they had taken hostage so that we could leave."</em></p> <p>a entry by Soph from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>How crazy to think that I have just over two months left and so much that I still want to see. Since I’ve arrived in the chilled out country of Lao my days have merged into one and the time is passing quicker than lightening. But so you don’t get lost I’ll tell you just a little of the continuation of my nightmare in Hanoi. Yes that’s right folks the trauma continued into Hanoi. If you remember last time I wrote Hanoi was to be my city of hope, escaping the floods and flying to Hanoi. Not wanting any more stress I decided to book my hostel on hostel world the day before I was to arrive. We ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6110284.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_7L3ekJ0Zosaz0euMYN560OD8fF8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/7L3ekJ0Zosaz0euMYN560OD8fF8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_7L3ekJ0Zosaz0euMYN560OD8fF8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=7L3ekJ0Zosaz0euMYN560OD8fF8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j6110284.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6110284.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-01:6107327 2007-12-01T10:25:16Z 2007-12-01T11:14:03Z Fiona & Dave Slater http://realtravel.com/member-m5595929-fiona__dave_slater.html <p><em>"A definite highlight"</em></p> <p>a entry by Fiona &amp; Dave Slater from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>Where to start? Neither of us were really sure what to expect of Hanoi after the madness of Ho Chi Minh city but in Hanoi we found one of our favourite cities in Asia! We heard Hanoi described as 'Parisiene grace with Asian pace' and both feel this sums it up perfectly.</p><p>Our plane from Nha Trang to Hanoi appeared to travel straight through the outer edge of the cyclone with quite a bit of shaking and bumping and we were both a little relieved to land safely in Hanoi. We had booked our hotel ahead as we were planning to meet up with a family we had met previously on our trip so we had the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6107327.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_HuAceo-1GHygMor6osbQn82Qis8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/HuAceo-1GHygMor6osbQn82Qis8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_HuAceo-1GHygMor6osbQn82Qis8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=HuAceo-1GHygMor6osbQn82Qis8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j6107327.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6107327.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-30:6101931 2007-11-30T10:50:12Z 2007-11-30T10:50:12Z nathan u http://realtravel.com/member-m4304289-nathan_u.html <p>a entry by nathan u from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>My blog has been a little neglected. I've had some trouble uploading pictures but will try to get some up in a few days and as far as the written part most of my internet time was spent getting updated on things at home. But here's another entry and I'll try to keep up a little better in the next couple weeks, although my schedule for Vietnam is looking pretty manic.</p><p>Before I got to Hanoi I had to leave Kathmandu which is easier said than done. I had asked for a wake up knock at 5:45, it came at 6:00. Luckily my stomach had hurt the night before and I was up anyway. When I went ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6101931.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_TWcjVDirElWQcPfUhc01Z3MAURM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/TWcjVDirElWQcPfUhc01Z3MAURM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_TWcjVDirElWQcPfUhc01Z3MAURM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=TWcjVDirElWQcPfUhc01Z3MAURM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j6101931.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j6101931.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-10-15:5778323 2007-10-15T01:57:50Z 2007-11-03T11:31:01Z Wandering Spaulls http://realtravel.com/member-m2041942-wandering_spaulls.html <p>a entry by Wandering Spaulls from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>Vietnam - a name to conjure with. Images of war, socialist dogma and true grit. It was a place we had originally placed on our "B" List for South East Asia, but having spoken to fellow-travellers it was moved into the 'must visit' category.</p><p>We arrived from Kuala Lumpur on an early morning flight - to a airport that seemed a little grey and oppressive (Denise remarked that it reminded her of the former East Germany government buildings). We changed some money (the Vietnamese Dong has WAY too many zeroes!) and caught an airport shuttle bus into Hanoi proper. The drive into town also ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5778323.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_jd12.6UP3YYQR7UUK0T5uYQR5MY_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/jd12.6UP3YYQR7UUK0T5uYQR5MY_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_jd12.6UP3YYQR7UUK0T5uYQR5MY_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=jd12.6UP3YYQR7UUK0T5uYQR5MY_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j5778323.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5778323.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-10-15:5778311 2007-10-15T01:57:34Z 2007-10-17T01:05:41Z Wandering Spaulls http://realtravel.com/member-m2041942-wandering_spaulls.html <p>a review of Viet Anh, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam</a>.</p> <p>Definitely one of the most comfy and luxurious rooms on the trip so far - nice dark wood panels, super bed, huge TV with Satellite, Aircon, Mini-bar etc etc. The breakfast buffet was fair, and the free lobby internet was great. We rented a DVD player from a nearby shop and vegged out for 48 hours watching 24 and Lost on DVD ($2 per season!!) Check out the hotel at http://www.vietanhhotel .com/ - be warned the taxi drivers will try to take you to other places saying that Viet Anh is full - make sure you go there in person to check</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-b5778311.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_fd1YNy7y7jc8pa47GOjsXIAb.Ls_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/fd1YNy7y7jc8pa47GOjsXIAb.Ls_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_fd1YNy7y7jc8pa47GOjsXIAb.Ls_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=fd1YNy7y7jc8pa47GOjsXIAb.Ls_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-reviews-b5778311.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-b5778311.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-10-14:5775375 2007-10-14T11:28:24Z 2007-10-14T11:28:41Z Steve & Casey http://realtravel.com/member-m5392624-steve__casey.html <p>a review of City Gate Hotel, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam</a>.</p> <p>The City Gate is highly recommended in Lonely Planet, and generally it deserves this rating. The prices are generally fair, the rooms are clean and sufficient, and the family that runs the hotel is very nice. The owner got us booked on our Ha Long Bay tour, which we generally enjoyed. My only complaint was that we had some laundry done there at a charge of $1 per kilo. That's fine, but they tried to tell us that our six shirts, four pairs of pants, and some underwear and socks were 15 kilos. That would be about 33 pounds. Since my entire backpack with everything, including two pairs of ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-b5775375.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_EVFAPpdyUjxboejcvc2wGXCV9Gg_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/EVFAPpdyUjxboejcvc2wGXCV9Gg_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_EVFAPpdyUjxboejcvc2wGXCV9Gg_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=EVFAPpdyUjxboejcvc2wGXCV9Gg_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-reviews-b5775375.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-b5775375.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-10-14:5774896 2007-10-14T09:45:59Z 2007-10-14T10:04:41Z Mike & Jac http://realtravel.com/member-m4232953-mike__jac.html <p><em>"but it was culture shock all over again"</em></p> <p>a entry by Mike &amp; Jac from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>Mon 08/10/07</p><p>We were picked up at our guesthouse at 5.15am by the tuk tuk we arranged the previous night, to take us to the airport for our 7am flight to Hanoi. Nothing eventful at Vientiane airport except noticing a massive West Coast logo on the upper level! On closer inspection it was the "West Coast restaurant" and it was basically a complete copy of the West Coast Eagles (AFL) logo and name. Vientiane isn't even on the west coast so not sure of the similiarity they saw - maybe just liked the banner!</p><p>Despite rain and lightning the night before it was a fairly clear morning so ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5774896.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Lw.BVRX4Ujk0BzThVI3dsuzaTbk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Lw.BVRX4Ujk0BzThVI3dsuzaTbk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Lw.BVRX4Ujk0BzThVI3dsuzaTbk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Lw.BVRX4Ujk0BzThVI3dsuzaTbk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j5774896.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5774896.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-09-27:5648569 2007-09-27T17:01:51Z 2007-10-01T17:20:12Z The Brothers Ricig http://realtravel.com/member-m5467137-the_brothers_ricig.html <p><em>"Vietnam...has got it going on!"</em></p> <p>a entry by The Brothers Ricig from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>After our awesome trips to Halong Bay and Ninh Binh, and the amazing eat-a-thon, we felt like we had really squeezed Hanoi and Northen Vietnam, and extracted all of the juiciest juice. But there were still a couple of days left before our next stop, so we decided to squeeze a little more.</p><p>We visited a couple of typical "tourist" destinations in Hanoi: The Temple of Literature and the Hua Prison. We were not too impressed by these places, escpecially the Temple of Lierature (I believe Tup's words were "Yeah this place is stupid as shit, let's go"). So neither of these so called ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5648569.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_oijoNYFgwkW6bZSlFCVdInF.vsI_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/oijoNYFgwkW6bZSlFCVdInF.vsI_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_oijoNYFgwkW6bZSlFCVdInF.vsI_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=oijoNYFgwkW6bZSlFCVdInF.vsI_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j5648569.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5648569.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-21:5355868 2007-08-21T11:06:49Z 2007-08-29T15:09:27Z stuartsfraser http://realtravel.com/member-m1402365-stuartsfraser.html <p>a review of Hanoi Backpackers Hostel, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam</a>.</p> <p>This is probably the best place I have stayed in Asia. It has definitely been the most fun. It is owned by a couple of Australians and run by them and a large group of Vietnamese staff. They are a very friendly and helpful bunch and most of them knew my name by the time I left.</p><p>There is a lot of effort made to ensure that people have an opportunity to meet each other. There is a roof top bar that is open until 10pm every night with a happy hour from 5-6. There are barbecues 3 or 4 times a week and a free keg of lager every Sunday. The early closing helps to ensure that things ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-b5355868.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_7Mt1DJms-yF1VS2QMiESMSyc69Y_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/7Mt1DJms-yF1VS2QMiESMSyc69Y_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_7Mt1DJms-yF1VS2QMiESMSyc69Y_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=7Mt1DJms-yF1VS2QMiESMSyc69Y_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-reviews-b5355868.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-b5355868.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-01:5185186 2007-08-01T12:32:29Z 2007-08-21T11:02:20Z stuartsfraser http://realtravel.com/member-m1402365-stuartsfraser.html <p>a entry by stuartsfraser from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>After picking up our bags we headed down to Hanoi Backpackers Hostel where we had booked dorm beds. The Bamboo Hotel where we had stayed before was nice but our room was plagued by rats.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5185186.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_yT6aYIzfv2-zRnavHpNVi5JbwfY_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/yT6aYIzfv2-zRnavHpNVi5JbwfY_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_yT6aYIzfv2-zRnavHpNVi5JbwfY_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=yT6aYIzfv2-zRnavHpNVi5JbwfY_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j5185186.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5185186.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-17:5329041 2007-08-17T17:25:33Z 2007-08-17T19:21:49Z Adro&Sean http://realtravel.com/member-m1582976-adrosean.html <p><em>"If you've seen wax statues (like Madame Tussaud's) then you'll know what his corpse looked like!"</em></p> <p>a entry by Adro&amp;Sean from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>We wanted some good spring rolls and were directed to a great cafe that we probably wouldn't have gone to normally, because it was full of whities. As it turns out, Bia Minh was good value and good food. There was a night market in full swing when we left the restaurant, so we had a perusal but didn't find anything interesting. Sean, though, was of interest to a pickpocket but luckily they weren't very good and he felt them trying to liberate his wallet.</p><p>We joined Marion and Andrew for breakfast at a bakery before they headed off to Ninh Binh the following morning. Marion just ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5329041.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_M4yjqoAxp9EeHLw10s6LoD5anHs_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/M4yjqoAxp9EeHLw10s6LoD5anHs_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_M4yjqoAxp9EeHLw10s6LoD5anHs_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=M4yjqoAxp9EeHLw10s6LoD5anHs_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j5329041.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5329041.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-29:5154285 2007-07-29T00:05:52Z 2007-08-13T02:41:12Z Adam&Laurie http://realtravel.com/member-m5023960-adamlaurie.html <p><em>"I tossed it to Laurie, and said, "What does that smell like?" She knew the answer right away. "Vietnam," she replied."</em></p> <p>a entry by Adam&amp;Laurie from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>Well, Laurie told you a little bit about traffic in Vietnam, so it's Adam here, to tell you about the Water Puppet Theater.</p><p>Hanoi is well known for the Water Puppet Theater. Apparently it's a tradition dating back over a thousand years. It's definitely a tourist thing. Whole buses of tourists, (Fodor folk, you know the type), were dropped off in front of the theater. This, for them, was a big deal. This, apparently for everybody, was a big deal. We knew we had to see it.</p><p>We piled into the theater and found our seats. Now, I'm bigger than the average Hanoi person. I'm bigger than ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5154285.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Es.2evrN7UCFPTiYESjjymctrmM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Es.2evrN7UCFPTiYESjjymctrmM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Es.2evrN7UCFPTiYESjjymctrmM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Es.2evrN7UCFPTiYESjjymctrmM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j5154285.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5154285.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-13:5284569 2007-08-13T02:41:01Z 2007-08-13T02:41:01Z Adam&Laurie http://realtravel.com/member-m5023960-adamlaurie.html <p>a review of Old Quarter, a thing to do in <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam</a>.</p> <p>There is nothing, absolutely nothing, like being in the Old Quarter. The city's are buzzing and alive with shops and cyclos and pedestrians and so much more. We love the Old Quarter.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-a5284569.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_f4UKmUkU7uXihOeJhen.McIERfg_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/f4UKmUkU7uXihOeJhen.McIERfg_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_f4UKmUkU7uXihOeJhen.McIERfg_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=f4UKmUkU7uXihOeJhen.McIERfg_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-reviews-a5284569.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-a5284569.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-13:5284552 2007-08-13T02:39:19Z 2007-08-13T02:39:19Z Adam&Laurie http://realtravel.com/member-m5023960-adamlaurie.html <p>a review of Le Pub, a place to eat in <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam</a>.</p> <p>Centrally located in the Old Quarter, Le Pub definitely has a western flare. Here's why we love it: Outdoor seating that lets you watch the activity go by on the street every night; a menu that has little green checkmarks next to all the vegetarian items, (and there's a sign in the restaurant that outlines what vegetarian means to them, i.e. no fish stock, no chicken stock, etc).; they pass out free shots of whatever, e.g. vodka/pine, vodka/oj, etc., at a certain hour, to everybody that's there; and a warm, friendly staff, (although, isn't everybody in Vietnam warm and friendly?</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-c5284552.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_g5ej2xTxyjyp1Ju4I1mYcJO1P2M_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/g5ej2xTxyjyp1Ju4I1mYcJO1P2M_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_g5ej2xTxyjyp1Ju4I1mYcJO1P2M_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=g5ej2xTxyjyp1Ju4I1mYcJO1P2M_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-reviews-c5284552.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-c5284552.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-13:5284530 2007-08-13T02:36:19Z 2007-08-13T02:36:19Z Adam&Laurie http://realtravel.com/member-m5023960-adamlaurie.html <p>a review of Prince II Hotel, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam</a>.</p> <p>Really, there's nothing wrong with this place. It is clean and the staff is pleasant and kind. We had one problem, and it was a critical problem. The air conditioner didn't work. It wasn't technically broken, it just lighted puffed out warm air. In fact, in the morning of our first and only night there, it was warmer in the room than out. We changed hotels.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-b5284530.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_FsXnWaVs4S9kAQf-hxsZyt-TYWI_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/FsXnWaVs4S9kAQf-hxsZyt-TYWI_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_FsXnWaVs4S9kAQf-hxsZyt-TYWI_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=FsXnWaVs4S9kAQf-hxsZyt-TYWI_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-reviews-b5284530.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-reviews-b5284530.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-11:5017920 2007-07-11T07:49:22Z 2007-08-12T21:05:19Z Adro&Sean http://realtravel.com/member-m1582976-adrosean.html <p><em>"There was no way we were going to let a Vietnamese Mini-Me blackmail us!"</em></p> <p>a entry by Adro&amp;Sean from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-vietnam-reviews-hotels-d20620.html">Hanoi, Vietnam.</a></p> <p>Marion and Andrew were flying into Hanoi today, after a couple of days in Bangkok. We were really looking forward to meeting them and not only because they were bringing us presents (Marmite and Vegemite - we tried to fight the addiction but it's hard going cold turkey!). Our mission, that we chose to accept, was to organise accommodation and a tour of Ha Long Bay. Easy! We disembarked from the bus station grabbed a tuk-tuk (D50,000) to the old quarter and within 15 minutes were in a 2 star hotel for $7 (Hanoi Lotus Hotel; free internet, mint rooms, air con, breakfast). That was a great deal ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5017920.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_QdJwGey2DCBl2CFE3uwSWdfVOBE_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/QdJwGey2DCBl2CFE3uwSWdfVOBE_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_QdJwGey2DCBl2CFE3uwSWdfVOBE_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=QdJwGey2DCBl2CFE3uwSWdfVOBE_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhanoi-journals-j5017920.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hanoi-journals-j5017920.html