HANOI

[Terry]

OK - in response to BG's request on the footy thread, I will try and give a little insight into my new temporary home......

I’m here on an assignment to construct a new metro in the city – one of six – to be built over the next 5 – 6 years. It’s not an easy job – 3 elevated stations a la BTS and 7 underground a la MRT right through the heart of the ‘ancient quarter’ – a political and technical nightmare ……………anyway that’s work!
My work has taken me to many countries and I have always enjoyed the different surroundings and cultures (Except maybe Delhi……..)
Ha Noi as the locals call it is bustling conundrum of old and new. It still has many of the old French colonial as well as the late 20th century Communist influences. This can be seen in the architecture and the influence on food.
LIKES
Food – the colonial influence of the French means that there are bakers’ shops everywhere – good tasty fresh bread and cakes / desserts are never far away. Pavement style cafes are everywhere, which are great for a bite and some people watching.
There are a host of different cuisines here – Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian, Russian as well as the local food – similar to Thai but a bit too sweet for my liking – nevertheless interesting
Cost of Living – generally CHEAP – especially food and serviced apartment rentals. There is a good selection of food markets both wet and dry, which makes the possibility of getting fresh meats, fruit and veg very easy. There are a few ‘supermarket’ and hypermarkets but frankly they are not really worth visiting.
Pleasant parks, lakes and lots of back lanes with interesting shops selling all sorts of stuff from art to clothing to high tech phones etc
DISLIKES
Traffic and the non-stop horn blowing. The driving standards are abysmal, but due to the heavy traffic everywhere there are few serious accidents – rather, bumping into one another seems the norm.
Pedestrians are given no mercy and the motorbikes all use the pavements – it’s hell trying to walk anywhere.
THE PEOPLE
Charming and very welcoming, although they exhibit the strong Chinese influence in that a quiet conversation is not possible – everything must be at 300dB
SURPRISES
I am astounded by the wealth of some individuals here – Porsches and Bentleys abound! I’m told that when some of the previously owned state enterprises were floated – people made some serious money – it shows.
All in all a pleasant place – not bad to work in – but it’s home in HH!

[Takiap]

Nice report Terry. I was there on holiday about 10 years ago and it seemed rather dull, although that could have been because one tends to compare neighboring countries to Thailand. My take was that the Thais are far more friendly, or at least, they tend to come across that way. My biggest grip though was the coffee. Wherever we went for coffee, we were served stuff that should be a category 2 controlled substance....lol. I did enjoy the bakeries though, and once we headed down to Vung Tung (spelling?) it was a completely different world.

As far as being a pedestrian is concerned..........I eventually worked out how to cross the roads....lol. I started by observing the locals, and although every bone in my body told me not to copy them, I did. The secret is, you simply step slowly into the road, and then start crossing it slowly. It seems the norm is for cars and bikes to drive around you, so like you say, you're at their mercy. Let's just say, I thought Thai roads were very orderly by the time I returned.....lol.


Is it a place I long to visit again..............I guess not. Too many other interesting places to see.

[Bamboo Grove]

Thanks, Terry. I've been to Hanoi couple of times. The first thing that brought me back memories, well actually from China, was the smell of coal in the streets. That was just like China in the late 80's. Have you been to see the water puppets? That's good fun. Also you will probably have already planned a visit to Halong Bay. Stay overnight if you can, it's very pleasant.

[Terry]

Not seen the Water Puppets yet - will take the family next time they are over here

Yes - we went to Halong Bay when they came over in October. Mrs.T does not do boats very well, so we stayed on an Island Resort instead for 2 nights ....http://catbaislandresort-spa.com/?porta ... egory_id=1

About 2 hours by minibus from Hanoi to Haiphong Port and then 1 hour on the hydrofoil to Cat Ba Island.

It made a nice family break - pleasant resort with it's own private beach. However the Spa wasn't a patch on those in Thailand.

Anyway - it's home to HH this Friday night after work........can't wait - one week of working my ar5e off at the lodge