noodlepie

Hanoi vs. Saigon

I haven't visited Hanoi for two years or more. In the meantime, I think I must've become totally Saigonized. On my recent trip, I found Hanoi pho, even at my old fave, to be limp, fuelmode food with not a shred of finesse. Bun cha, the Hanoi lunchtime staple is fine, fine stuff and it was topnotch at 23 Ta Hien street, but... and this might put the cat amongst the sparrows... I've had better in Saigon. In fact, this was the problem with pretty much everything I tried in Hanoi, I came to the same conclusion, I've had better in Saigon. Not the result I expected, but I fear, factually true.

Which got me thinking about Vietnamese folk I've known over the years. I've known quite a few Hanoians who moved to Saigon for work. More often than not, they grow to love Saigonese scoff. But, reverse that migratory process and I can't think of a single Saigonese I've met who grew to love Hanoian food. Not one. Hmmm?? Discuss.... Extra-value added link: Hanoi Vs. Saigon via gridskipper

Hanoi wifi

After grumbling about wifi access in other parts of the world I was both pleased and confused by the Hilton Hanoi Opera hotel. In room ethernet cable access will cost ya' something like $7 per hour or circa $20 for 1 day of access - I can't remember the exact prices. However, nip down to the lobby (pictured above) flip open your laptop and you can ride the hotel wifi free of charge regardless of whether you're paying for a room or you're a passing vagrant. Try the same trick at the Sheraton Saigon and you hit an expensive pay wall, but free wifi is ubiquitous in Saigon. I didn't look hard in Hanoi, but I spotted access Puku (thanks NoStar) and at a bar/cafe called Manneken Pis on (I think) Tong Dan street. I'm sure there are other access points. Drop a comment if you know of a good one and I'll update the post.

Hasta Hanoi

Cheers from Hanoi - been a blast. Couple of last minute appointments - sorry, OMIH - and then it's back to the land of plenty. No more streets that shut by 9pm. Gone are the ubiquitous mien luon, bun oc and bun rieu stalls and back with hu tieu, banh canh cua and bun bo Hue. Same-same but a bit different, as they say. Meanwhile, a decent Hanoi bia hoi, like the one pictured above can be quaffed, and refilled ad infinitum for the price of two peanuts and a bag of gravel, at 68 Tran Quat street in Hanoi's Old Quarter. Alternatively, head to my fave spot, Tang Bat Ho.

Hanoinked

Slowly hoovering up all, or at least a lot, of what Hanoi has to offer. You can follow the photostream. Sorry, to all folk I won't be able to meet up here. A combination of being beaveringly busy and catching up with old friends :)

Hanoi hits

Tomorrow morning I fly to Hanoi to work on a story for an American publication. I'll be looking for the best bars, restaurants, clothing, cookware and handicraft outlets in the Old Quarter and also in the area around Le Van Huu street. I have a good number of my own ideas, but - in hipster open source reporting mode - if you have any hot tips, please post a comment, drop me an email or IM me. I'll gladly check out all your recommendations and will likely include some of the best in the finished story.

Technorati Tags: Hanoi, Vietnam, open source reporting, Vietnamese food