Tips for shopping in Old Quarters of Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi . 2013 . Aug 7 - 13

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

Shopping at the Old Quarters of Hanoi, Vietnam can be quite an unforgettable experience.  The 36 streets of the Old Quarters are intricately linked and with the un-ending flow of traffic and street hawkers, it is easy to get lost in the maze of the Old Quarters.  You can choose to get immersed in the local culture of the Old Quarters, or if you are looking for something specific, get a map and find the specialized street that sells that particular item.  You will find that the entire street sells similar or identical stuff at different prices, so that’s where you’ll need your bargaining skills to come in.

We have compiled a list of tips for you to help you along.

Here is a list of the main streets and their specialised items.

Specialized Streets

• Bat Su for China Bowls
• Cau Go for women's accessories
• Cha Ca for roasted fish 
• Hang Bac for silver or jewelleries
• Hang Buom for bamboo products, candies and wine
• Hang Can for stationery 
• Hang Chinh for jars
• Hang Dau for shoes 
• Hang Duong for candies and dry apricot
• Hang Gai for silk and tailored clothes
• Hang Hom for lacquerware and bamboo
• Hang Luoc for combs
• Ma May for Tour Services
• Thuoc Bac for tools
• To Tich for mixed fruits

Bargaining Tips 

• Bargaining is a must with the small retail shops at the Old Quarters.  We’ve had one storekeeper quote us an exorbitant price for a straw hat, only to have another one rushing out to quote us 50% lower when she sees us walking away.  The same thing happened with the storekeeper selling bags.  Storekeepers usually want to overcharge tourists and foreigners, but it is not difficult to bargain because the shops along the whole street are all selling identical stuff. 

• Walk along the whole street to get a feel of the variety, quality and prices of things sold in each shop.  Identify one shop where you can consolidate all your purchase for better bargaining power.  By this time, you would already have a good feel of how much things cost.

• As a rule of thumb, always slash the asking price of the shopkeeper by 50% and negotiate from there.  Some shopkeepers will ask you how much you are willing to pay, and this is where your homework comes in handy for you.  Quote them a genuine price that you are willing to pay, but keep in mind that you won’t be able to go any lower if he agrees to your price.  In general, the final paying price should be 20 to 40% lower than the first asking price. 

• Even if the negotiation falls through, always remain polite and keep the smile on your face.  If you eventually decide to walk away, do so courteously. There is always another shop for you to try your luck at. 

• Try your luck early in the morning where you are the first customer.  Vietnamese shop keepers are still superstitious and believe that it is not a good omen for their first customer of the day to walk away.  We’ve unknowingly stumbled across this fact at Hang Gai.  The shopkeeper was literally begging us to purchase something because at 12 noon on a Monday, we were the first customer in their shop!  So you can imagine how much bargaining power we had. 

• Some shops display a ‘fixed price’ sign, so no luck there!  Avoid them as there are plenty of other market stalls and night market for you to try your bargaining skills on.

Exchanging Currencies

Most items in Hanoi are listed in Vietnam Dong (VND), although you can state your price in USD as well.  Most transactions are completed with Vietnam Dong, although some shopkeepers will readily take USD.

Tip: There are plenty of banks around the Old Quarters (look around the Hoan Kiem Lake area near the water puppet theatre) to exchange currencies into Vietnam Dong.  These banks accept most foreign currencies.  Try the money exchanger at the tourist centre at the Hoan Kiem lake as well.  They offer quite favourable currencies for SGD.  Another place would be the Hanoi Airport which offers much better exchange rates than the money exchangers in Singapore.

Most major restaurants and hotels accept credit cards.  However, some small scale hotels, eateries and especially the shops at the Old Quarters do not accept credit cards.  Therefore, it is recommended to keep the Vietnam Dong in hand for buying small souvenirs or to enjoy street fare from the street hawkers.

We hope you enjoyed reading our tips for shopping in the Old Quarters of Hanoi, Vietnam.
Have you been to Hanoi or have any tips to share? We look forward to your comments and tips! :)

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To receive notifications on updates, subscribe to our blog via RSS feed and email.

Like us on Facebook @ Discover. Book . Travel and follow us on Twitter @Discoverbooktra!

Do check out our Flickr photos & Youtube videos too!

Top 5 food to try in Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi . 2013 . Aug 7 - 13

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

I must admit, I am not up to a food adventure when I see one.  Especially those type that involves fried creepy crawlies of any sort. And so fortunately for us, there was nothing of that sort in Hanoi.  Instead, Hanoi is a haven of gourmet food (and by that, we mean normal food fit for a human being) that is delectable and easily available on the streets.

In this post, we bring to you the top 5 must-try dishes in Hanoi.  If you are looking for a taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine and is not keen to do so in the sweltering heat of the Hanoi summer day, try the Gourmet corner restaurant located at the Hanoi Elegance Diamond Hotel.

1. Pho

Pho should be on the top of every visitor’s food list.  It is a Vietnamese rice noodle soup served in clear soupy broth and either beef or chicken are added to it.  Known as Vietnam’s most famous food export, this dish is fondly re-produced everywhere else in the world, but nothing beats eating this in Vietnam itself.  The difference?  It lies in the amazingly smooth rice noodles and the sweet and subtle herby taste of its broth.  A good bowl of pho for breakfast will start your day just nicely.

2. Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Another one of Vietnam’s famous gourmet exports, the Vietnamese spring rolls differs from other Chinese spring rolls by their skin – Vietnamese spring rolls uses their own rice paper which are thin and starchy and fried to perfection.  The result is a flaky outer coating that is both crispy and soft at the same time.   Alternatively, the steamed version is soft with a chewy texture and makes for a healthy snack.

3. Cha Ca La Vong

One of Hanoi’s most favorite dish, Cha Ca La Vong became so famous as time passes that even one of the streets where it was first served was renamed after the dish.  This dish consists of large slices of snakehead (a fish with smooth meat) or catfish marinated with turmeric, galingale sauce and other condiments.  It is then fried and presented in a broth of fish sauce. Best served rolled up in rice paper (very much like a spring roll) with fresh vermicelli (thin rice noodles), peanuts and spring onions. 

4. Vietnamese Coffee

Vietnam had quite a French influence in their early days, having been once a French colony, and this influence is still felt today in their building architecture.  Amongst other things, the French also brought with them coffee beans and their brewing methods.  Today, the Vietnamese plant and roast their own coffee and has imbued their own taste and culture into a speciality brew, resulting in a fantastic beverage that is both aromatic and unique.  Typically, Vietnamese coffees are prepared in single servings using a single filter-cup and large quantities of condensed milk added to sweeten the brew.

Vietnamese Coffee (Credits: http://www.vietnamesecoffee.org)

Those of us who cannot acclimatize themselves to Vietnamese coffee can get their caffeine fix at Joma café, an outlet which serves unforgettably good American coffee.

5.    Bun Cha

Consisting of BBQ pork slices and meat balls submerged in a tasty fish-based broth, this dish is usually accompanied by fresh rice vermicelli (a recurring theme in Vietnamese cuisine) and seasoned vegatables.  Another dish that is thought to have originated from Hanoi, the first restaurant serving Bun Cha was thought to be set up in the Old Quarters.

Bun Cha (Credits: http://ediblyasian.info)

That completes our top 5 food to try in Hanoi, Vietnam!

Have you been to Hanoi? We would like to hear from you other food that you would recommend to try in Hanoi! Do drop us a note in the comments and share with our readers! :)

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To receive notifications on updates, subscribe to our blog via RSS feed and email.

Like us on Facebook @ Discover. Book . Travel and follow us on Twitter @Discoverbooktra!

Do check out our Flickr photos & Youtube videos too!

Restaurant Review: City View Cafe, Hanoi

Hanoi . 2013 . Aug 7

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

Almost everyone who comes to the City View Café came for the city view, as epitomized by its name.  Located on the fifth storey of the Aldo Building as I would like to call it, the City View Café occupies a strategic spot right in the middle of the city, offering an unobstructed view of the Old Quarters and depending on where you sit, some views of the Hoan Kiem Lake as well.

Although the City View Café has lots of indoor seats, it is clear that the seats by the veranda are most popular.  If you are there, make sure you snag a good veranda seat as well.  It is the best spot for people watching and to sit back and relax while observing motorist navigate the ever-chaotic Hanoi traffic below.  

At the City View Café, do not expect first class service or gourmet style food.  They offer a good mix of western and local dishes, pho, burgers, milk shakes and such, but most customers settle for a cup of Vietnamese coffee or beer, or some finger food which are pretty cheap here.

Our dinner of chicken with lemongrass and stir fried chicken with snow mushrooms, costing 95,000VND (SGD $5.70) and 90,000VND (SGD $5.40) respectively.  The price is pretty decent, given that it is a full service restaurant with good city views.   Add in a glass of coke and another glass of sprite at 35,000 VND (SGD $2.10) each, the total bill for two works out to be SGD $16.80 including 10% VAT. All in all, we get great views, casual service, average food, and a cheap deal.

Verdict

With great views and a nice atmosphere, the City View Café is a fantastic place for casual dining and to chill out at the Old Quarters of Hanoi.

City View Cafe
5 - 6 Floor ,
No 7, Dinh Tien Hoang street,
Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi city
Vietnam
Opening Hours: From 7 A.M to 11 P.M
Website: http://en.cityviewcafe.com.vn/cityview

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To receive notifications on updates, subscribe to our blog via RSS feed and email.

Like us on Facebook @ Discover. Book . Travel and follow us on Twitter @Discoverbooktra!

Do check out our Flickr photos & Youtube videos too!

Hotel Review: Splendid Star Suite Hotel, Hanoi

Hanoi . 2013 . Aug 7

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

It was recommended by a friend who stayed here before.  That was what made me ignore Tommy’s offer to look for another hotel in Hanoi.  And what a mistake that was.  The Splendid Star Suite Hotel have mixed reviews on the internet, but I had blatantly trusted my friend’s judgement.

To be honest, The Splendid Star Suite Hotel wasn’t all that bad and I must admit that some aspects of it were good.  For one thing, the staff spoke halting English, and we must give them credit for trying their best to communicate to us in this language which must be difficult for them.  I also give credit to them for their hospitality and the choice of breakfast (a mixture of local and western breakfast sets) served every morning.

However, expectations fall grossly short in terms of location, room service, facilities and what was promised to us.

On our first check-in, we were given the ‘good news’ that we were selected for a ‘free’ upgrade to a family room at the neighbouring Splendid Jupiter Hotel.  This was despite the fact that we booked our room at The Splendid Star Suite Hotel weeks before our arrival.  It is not uncommon knowledge on the Internet that Splendid Jupiter Hotel is an older hotel and the reason why we selected The Splendid Star Suite Hotel was exactly because we preferred a newer outfit.  Nevertheless, we decided not to be picky.

Our friend had already warned us not to accept a room facing the Cathedral, but that was exactly what we were given.  Huge mistake there.   The cathedral’s bells chimed at a regular interview of every 20 mins and continued into the night. At around 4am, the chiming was endless and much worse.  Needless to say, we never had a good night’s sleep.  It didn’t help that the fixtures were old, the water pressure in the washroom was poor and the temperature of the water that runs from the shower was inconsistent.

We were actually relieved to leave the Splendid Jupiter Hotel for our 3D2N Halong Bay cruise, hoping that they’ll give us a room at The Splendid Star Suite Hotel as per our booking when we return.  Hard luck there again. We were indeed given a room at The Splendid Star Suite Hotel , but as we were shown to our room, I pointed out that we had ordered a double bedded room and not a single-bedded room!  But all we got was a shrug from the staff and a sentence that says that all their double rooms were full.  Strange indeed, for we had made this booking weeks ago and were told it was available.  The only redeeming factor was that the décor was modern and nice.

At some point in time in the middle of the night, I actually thought that a typhoon had hit Hanoi, what with the howling of winds outside.  I was fully expecting to wake up to a flooded street in the morning, but instead, it was sunny outside!  It was only then that I realized that the howling sounds was from our own air-conditioning unit.  I am actually at a loss for words at the hotel’s oversight in this, and for causing me sleepless nights for the days to come.

The Splendid Star Suite Hotel is at best a bed and breakfast inn.  Cleanliness was clearly lacking and often, we return to our room to find trays of half eaten food stacked outside our door.  Some guests who are going away for their Halong Bay tour may leave some luggage with the hotel to be claimed when they return again.  Those with a more observant eye will see the hotel staff dumping used towels on top of these suitcases, which I find totally disgusting.

Once, we returned to our room to find our neighbour talking to a staff at the door.  He was wrapped in a towel and clearly was in the middle of a shower.  That sight was pretty amusing.  Only I found myself in the same situation a few minutes later.  The room service staff came to tidy our room, but failed to top up shampoo and soap for us. And I found out only in the middle of my bath.  As to why this can happen totally baffles us.  To add insult to injury, when we called room service for more soap and shampoo, they came back to us more than an hour later.   Splendid!

At the end of 4 difficult nights stay at The Splendid Star Suite Hotel, we were eager to pack up and see the last of this hotel.  Lesson learnt the hard way.  Indeed, we never had such a difficult stay at a hotel before. We will trust our own research and judgement when selecting an accommodation for our overseas travel. 

Final Verdict

Despite the hotel’s best efforts, The Splendid Star Suite Hotel can never be as splendid as its name.  In fact, this can be considered as the worst hotel we’ve ever stayed in.  The Red Roof Inn at San Francisco comes in as a close second, but at least, we had nights of good sleep there.

In terms of locality, it sits only at the fringe of the Old Quarters and not at the heart of it, so there’s a fair bit of walking to be done to get there.  It is situated right next to St Joseph Cathedral, which though beautiful, is not the best of neighbours for any hotels. The only saving grace that this hotel has is the nearby Joma Café, an absolutely charming outfit that serves all our meals needs for our short stay.

In terms of pricing and locality, there are many other more established hotels situated in the heart of the Old Quarters which are more value for money...

Hotel Recommendations

You might want to check out Essence Hanoi Hotel, Hanoi Elegance Ruby, Hanoi Serene Hotel or Hanoi Elegance Diamond Hotel, who have all received rave reviews in Tripadvisor.

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To receive notifications on updates, subscribe to our blog via RSS feed and email.

Like us on Facebook @ Discover. Book . Travel and follow us on Twitter @Discoverbooktra!

Do check out our Flickr photos & Youtube videos too!