Food and Drink, Hanoi

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To many, the image of Vietnam is one of its women wearing those native conical hats (called non la in local language) - and this remains true even today, with the ubiquitous street vendors being the most visible models of these iconic hats.

But this is not a tip about the hat, but of the vendors, who sell mostly fresh fruits and yummy street food. But it is not unusual to see vendors selling other goods such as plastic ware (picture 4).

There are no specialty "bottlo's" in Vietnam. Grog is available in the many little 7-11 style supermarkets all over the country. In Hanoi, we found a little supermarket near our hotel in P Hang Bong, north-west of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Many different colours of Johnny Walker, ranging in price, the red label went for around US$17, up to the blue label, around US$160 (prices current March'08)

I was happy to stick to the beer, much cheaper.

CHEERS!

(last date visited: April 26, 2007)

Hapromart

a) Apple Chips (25grams) - 3,000 dong
b) water (1.5 L) - 8,000 dong
c) oreo - 10,000 dong
d) rice crackers - 9,000 dong
e) strepsils - 7,000 dong

f) battery - 96,500 dong
g) tiger balm - 7,000 dong

What to buy: (last date visited - July 14, 2006)

a) coffee - 5 boxes @ 13,000 dong = 65,000 dong
b) tray cay say - 5 pcs @ 18,000 dong = 90,000 dong
c) water - 5,500 dong

total - 160,500 dong

This Intimex is quite easy to find. Just head across to the other side of the road from Hoan Kiem Lake on Le Thai To, go down the alley.
Just before you enter there is a desk where you must leave any bag with the attendant. You will be given a ticket with a number on it. Your bag is then put in one of the lockers. It is completely safe to do this. Don't lose your ticket for you will need it to get your bag back!

What to buy: Bottled water, soft drinks, crisps, chocolate. Other general foodstuff.

What to pay: Water 2L; (depending on brand) about 7,000 VND.
Pepsi can; 4,500 VND. Pepsi 2L; 10,000 VND.

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Many fruit vendors work hard plying the streets on foot, balancing a long pole with baskets at each end on their shoulders.

I stopped one & bought 2 kg of Mangoes (10 Mangoes) . Then I noticed a fruit I had not seen before. It was green in colour, like an apple but rounder. I was curious to taste them and the vendor was obliging enough to let me swap two of my mangos for two of these fruits. They had a bitter & sour taste which didn't appeal to me or my children and looked pretty bad (off white) after I cut them open them a few days later.

The mangoes however, were delicious. Unfortunately, they didn't travel well and a few were bruised by the time I got them back to Malaysia. Next time I'll just buy my mangoes at the local pasar malam!



I've since found out the name of the mysterious fruit-it is called the star apple. Please see the picture of what it looks like. The pulp of the fruit was off-white, similar in texture to a custard apple and came with large black seeds. My take on it is that I much prefer the taste of custard apples or sour-sop anytime.

What to pay: After some gentle bargaining, I got my mangos at 21,000 dong/kg.

(15,000 dong = USD 1.00)

Fancy what Chinese cuisine is made up of, albeit Vietnamese style? Check out Pho Lan Ong in the Old Quarter. You will find dried seafood, mushrooms and other local foodstuff.

What to pay: Wouldn't know, would have helped if Mum's around

Although most hotels offer bottled water in the rooms, it is usually twice (or more) as expensive as it is in a supermarket.

What to pay: A large bottle of water will cost around 5-6000VND in a supermarket as opposed to 15000VND+ in a hotel of tourist shop.

It's market ,not a private shop or supper maket as US and Europe ,so no name ,sorry.

What to buy: If u r fan of sea food .Here is place ,u can find a hundred kinds of sea food in Ha Long market ,fresh ,still alive ,some kind of crab,shimp and fish ...that I never see in my life .Many Euopean news come here to take a short film .It's interested to see how wonderful sea product here .

What to pay: Need negociation half of price ,some places agree to cook right the way 4 u ( steam )if u agree to wait .