 | rigoritis (0)
07/27/2007 |  Wow. What a bunch of senseless comments on this page. Hanoi is one of the most unique and nauanced cities in all of Asia. The rapid modernization that it is undergoing will undoubtedly negate some of that, but there is still time to see bits of it. It is a city built around the rhythms of previous eras. The streets are mazes of commerical activity with some of the most amazing tea houses and restaurants tucked away in unsuspecting alleys. The city wakes up very early (4:30am~6:30am) and you can see exercisers circling any number of the city's many lakes. The thousands of cafes througout the city wake up at about the same time, and serve as the primary socializing space for the majority of Hanoians. In the evening, sidewalks are packed with men drinking bia hoi (a cheap, locally made draft beer) and rehashing the days affairs. For the average tourist, the solicitations one gets while walking around the old quarter can be very annoying, but all one needs to do is rent a motorbike, and 99% of these stop immediately. And having the bike is a great treat late in the night (when some on this page seems to complain about a lack of lights). Hanoi goes from being a hive of activity at 10pm, to relative quiet by 12. The streets are wide open, the air is cool, and you, your bike, and a map can explore any of the cities many spaces. It's one of my favorite things to do in the city. There are many bars and clubs open. All you have to do is ask a foreigner who lives there (they'll tell you where will be open) or check a local site that keeps tabs on such things (www.newhanoian.com). The crowds are a mix of the more progressive locals, travelers, and a extremely varied expat community. Some of the clubs have been shut down recently for drug and prostitution violations (and rumors of an internal power struggle in the government), but there are still plenty of places to go out. If you're looking for the typical, cookie-cutter nightlife you get around most of East Asia, then Hanoi is not for you, but if you enjoy naunced scenes that the average dipshit would walk past while complaining about nothing to do, then you'll be right at home. I've lived in Asia for the better part of a decade, and Hanoi is far and away the most interesting place I've been. Great food, sincere people, and unending layers for the inquistive to explore. It also has the wonderful ability to appear dull to dull people, and thus send them packing in a hurry.
All the better for all of us.
Oh...and as for those of you still stuck in the 1980s, Hanoi is about as Communist as America is Democratic....that is to say....in name only.
Cheers
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 | dovekiller (1)
07/21/2003 | Best looking women in Asia. Beyond that it was like a trip to the stone ages. I did not like the total darkness at night. I guess they still can't afford electricity. Absolutely no entertainment except creepy, crappy karaoke bars.
And of course the water puppets.
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 | tenl564om (0)
11/01/1999 | Hanoi has charm and energy and great noodle soup ("pho"). Try the corner of Nguyen Du and Pho Hue streets for tasty pho. Hang Gai is called silk street, where you can buy very decent silk at good prices. Most of the trinkets sold are hits with friends when you get home - like the wooden frog instrument. Rent a bike and ride around at 11pm (without much money in your pocket). The traffic is minimal and the air is cleaner.
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