the perky girl at the desk
by richiecdisc
The next morning, I learned my first lesson in Vietnam: when purchasing anything, always speak to only one person at any individual place. I naturally assumed that anyone at the front desk would give me the same price but the perky girl now residing there informed me that the price was $31 due to the TET. This was something we learned as TET got closer. All prices went up as you got closer to TET. In a bit of a panic, I told her to check into the availability despite the price being more than previously quoted. Later that night, she said our tickets were reserved and demanded the money. Since the original clerk was on duty as well, I asked why the ticket had gone up $2 and soon the two of them were having an argument. I ascertained, though having no faculties in Vietnamese but lots in traveling, that the new clerk was merely tacking her share onto the price. I said I would pay only the original price and this brought on louder arguing from the two of them, I assume over the cut of the commission on the sale. I was adamant about what I would pay, keeping my voice low as not to lose face but this young girl seemed to know nothing about this Asian code of ethics, yelling at me that I was “no honest.” I calmly explained that I was willing to pay what was originally quoted and said, if I could just see the ticket with the price on it, I would gladly pay more. This infuriated them to no end, as the price would obviously be lower than either one offered. (continued below in Fondest Memory)
Take the OQ walking tour in the Lonely Planet book
by KhanhLy
It's a nice little walk through the Old Quarters, know for their 36 streets, each named for the merchandise sold on that street. It's the best way to see a little of Hanoi. It started out at Ngoc Son Temple in the northern end of Hoan Kiem Lake. The turtle came up that morning. It's considered good luck to see the turtle. Visit Bach Ma (translates White Horse) Temple. Legend has it that Ly king used the pagoda to pray for assistance in building the city walls because they persistantly collapsed, no matter how many time he rebuilt them. His prayers were answered when a white horse appeared out of the temple and guided him to the site where he could safely build his walls. Evidence of his success is still visible at the quarter's Old East Gate at the eastern end of Pho Hang Chieu. It will also take you to one of Hanoi old garden house (I think 5.000 dong admission fee). We ended the tour with a visit to the neo-Gothic St. Joseph Cathedral. There is a Catholic school in the back where my father went as a child. The school is now owned by the government, not the church.
The Streets of the Old Quarter
by guell about Shopping Areas
A majority of the street names in the Old Quarter start with the word hang. Hang means merchandise or shop. It used to be that if you were looking to buy a certain craft, you could head to the street with the name of what you were looking for and find it. Today, this is no longer the case. However, if you look hard enough, you will find what you’re looking for. Silk is an excellent item to buy here. How good are you at bartering?
The puppeteers
by Audrey118 about Water Puppet Theater
The puppeteers hid behind the screen where they wooden puppets with long bamboo. Imagine standing in water for an hour each performance (and there are several shows daily!!). The pupeteers actually stand chest-deep in water!!! and they must have very very strong hands to manouver those sticks!!!
Locals choice for best Pho
by DSwede about Pho Thin
Pho Thin has been featured in several international papers and culinary write-ups. But honestly I did not know that until I was dining there and read all the posts on the walls. I was brought there by some local friends as a sampling of what Hanoi has to offer. Pho Thin is the best that I've had so far in my travels in Vietnam. Pho, and more pho... its the only thing on the menu. They make it constantly on the flame top stove, which you have to walk past in order to get to the seats. The pho that they serve here is very hearty, with a strong broth, plenty of meat and lots of greens.
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Temple of Literature,Ha Noi,Vietnam.
Plenty of traffic in Hanoi
Preparation for Hanoi 1000 Years...
Hanoi bus
