Hanoi

[retsoor]

Originally Posted by deptrai4u

The other way is to visit a local KTV and start singing...

I have a somehwat foggy memory...I tried that last weekend. I was at barracuda/solace/lighthouse (can never remember all the changing names), after everything else closed we went to a small "moonshine" bar - a lot of secrecy to get in and we had to be completely silent which was difficult because already then we could barely walk. At 4 o'clock we had the brilliant idea to go singing. We took a taxi to another "secret" karaoke bar.

I only remember the hostesses fell asleep. And our singing was terrible.

Better don't drink too much and go early.

The speaking vietnamese part is really key (Dep Trai is a shining example). Everyone should try to learn at least a little - it works wonders! I have tried to brush up my skills, here's a brief introduction (all this has been posted before, but it doesn't hurt to repeat important things):

[I try to include a terrible approximation of how to pronounce it, but you will need help with the tones from your new-found viet friend]


Chao Em [Tchao Em] Hi -to someone who is younger
Em oi! [Em oy!] Hey you! - to someone who is younger
Em ten la gi? [Em ten la zee] What is you name?
Em bao nhieu tuoi [Em bao nheeoo tuoy] How old are you?
Em rat xinh dep! [Em zat seenn depp] You are very beautiful!
Ten toi la ... [Ten toy la ...] My name is ...
Toi rat thich Viet Nam [Toy zat dtic Viet Nam] I like Vietnam
Toi la nguoi Singapo [Toy la noo-oy Sin-ga-po] I am from Singapore
Khong! rat dat [Khong! zat dat] No! Very expensive
Vang [wahng] Yes

All mistakes are entirely my own. Please don't blame my viet dictionary or friends, and feel free to correct me

[retsoor]

...some more viet: As a total beginner in terms of viet, I usually quickly - or immediately - run out of vocabulary. Therefore I try to spend as much time talking about the few things I know, like age, date of birth, month and year etc:

1. Yang Wood: Giap
2. Yin Wood: At
3. Yang Fire: Binh
4. Yin Fire: Dinh
5. Yang Earth: Mau
6. Yin Earth: Ky
7. Yang Water: Canh
8. Yin Water: Tan
9. Yang Metal: Nham
10. Yin Metal: Qu

1. Tiger: Dan
2. Cat: Meo or Mau
3. Dragon: Thin
4. Snake: Ty (Low Broken Tone)
5. Horse: Ngo
6. Goat: Mui
7. Monkey: Than
8. Rooster: Dau
9. Dog: Tuat
10. Pig: Hoi
11. Mouse: Ty (Rising Tone)
12. Water Buffalo: Suu

[ThunderPriest]

Originally Posted by retsoor

The speaking vietnamese part is really key (Dep Trai is a shining example). Everyone should try to learn at least a little - it works wonders! I have tried to brush up my skills, here's a brief introduction (all this has been posted before, but it doesn't hurt to repeat important things):

[I try to include a terrible approximation of how to pronounce it, but you will need help with the tones from your new-found viet friend]

Try this: go to Hoan Kiem lake, look lost, and soon some touts will come and try to sell you guide books. The Lonely Planet Vietnamese Phrase book is great... has common phrases for many occasions (even a section on romance), and it also has pronounciation guide. Was my life saver when I first moved here.

[Traveller2003]

Originally Posted by ThunderPriest

Pointers:
* Sofitel is not girl friendly. So, even if you find a SLHFLT, you cannot consumate your new found friendship.
* Well, near this hotel, there is Loo Bar across the road (hotel will know where), it's frequented by SYTs, but NOT working gals. So, your kungfu must be like Deptrai. Another option is to go to Nutz at Sheraton hotel about 10 mins away, and there got shake head crowd with a dash of WLs. Be careful of the katoeys though.
* But since you speak no Vietnamese... don't think your chances too high, unless you can hang your foreign passport on your neck, and have US100 bills clearly visible in your front pocket.

Many thanks bro. Hotel is booked by the company so no choice. If need be, I guess I have to check in to those local hotel if there is "extra activities".

Maybe can just go Loo Bar to look look see see. Sorry, what is katoeys at the Nutz ?

[ThunderPriest]

Originally Posted by Traveller2003

Many thanks bro. Hotel is booked by the company so no choice. If need be, I guess I have to check in to those local hotel if there is "extra activities".

Maybe can just go Loo Bar to look look see see. Sorry, what is katoeys at the Nutz ?

Katoey - Lady Boys. Thai slang, throwback to my mongering days in Bangkok.

[retsoor]

Originally Posted by ThunderPriest

Katoey - Lady Boys.

look for the tallest female-looking persons, they usually hang around together and smile to every passing male...

[lanchartporn]

hi,
anyone got any suggestions on Binh Minh 2 Hotel?
(Address : 31 Hang Mam street- Hoan Kiem District-
Hotel Location : Old Quarters)

is it close by to any of the happening cheong places, and is it girl friendly?

thinking of booking that hotel for our trip to Hanoi end of April.....

appreciate fellow brothers' advice.
thank you

[faithevans]

Just reached Hanoi hours ago and staying at Prince Hotel @ To Tich Str, Hoan Kiem

Looking forward to meeting fellow bros staying here....

[civic_jerk]

Dear all senoirs...any information on this below hotel? is it gal friendly? How is this area for cheong scene?

Lotus (Bong Sen) Hotel
63, Nguyen Truong To Street,
Ba Dinh , Hanoi.

[deptrai4u]

Originally Posted by civic_jerk

Dear all senoirs...any information on this below hotel? is it gal friendly? How is this area for cheong scene?

Lotus (Bong Sen) Hotel
63, Nguyen Truong To Street,
Ba Dinh , Hanoi.

This may have been mentioned before... these local hotel is quite grey in the way they handle "girl-friendly" issues. Someone today may say can, next person who take over the shift at night may say NO, others may say Maybe and so you have to pay a "admin fee" of some sort, yet others tell you book another room for the girl... so there is no Hard and Fast rule about this... you need to stay at the same hotel a few times, get to know those working there and be friendly with them and buy them some small gifts from time to time and the chances will be better that they are cooperative with you regarding "girl-friendly" issues.

Nguyen Truong To hve a few massage and KTV.. and most of the KTVs there are BLACK SHOPS! So be very careful.

[Hogg]

Hi Bro Deptrai

Understand you are veteran in Hanoi from all the postings.

I will be in Hanoi from Fri 11 Apr to Sun 13 Apr and this is my 1st trip. Hope to have your guidance on how to have good night life while I am there.

How do I contact you?

Thanks in advance.

[Hogg]

Hi Bro Deptrai

Understand you are the veteran in Hanoi from all your postings.

I will be in Hanoi from tomorrow Fri 11 Apr to Sun 13 Apr and this is my first trip. Hope to have your guidance on how to find good night life over there.

How do I contact?

Many thanks in advance.

[faithevans]

Finished work today and extended stay till sunday...

So I have tomorrow full day and also saturday full day to R&R here in Hanoi.

Looking forward to meeting some brudders from SBF

Bro deptrai4u...coffee?

[deptrai4u]

Originally Posted by Hogg

Hi Bro Deptrai

Understand you are the veteran in Hanoi from all your postings.

I will be in Hanoi from tomorrow Fri 11 Apr to Sun 13 Apr and this is my first trip. Hope to have your guidance on how to find good night life over there.

How do I contact?

Many thanks in advance.

Anyone who needs my help in getting around in hanoi, please PM me your contact details and the a short description of the type of activities you prefer and I shall get back to you. The sooner the better, otherwise by the time we exchange a few PM, its already time for you to board the plane to go back to sillypore.

;-)

[Hogg]

Originally Posted by deptrai4u

Anyone who needs my help in getting around in hanoi, please PM me your contact details and the a short description of the type of activities you prefer and I shall get back to you. The sooner the better, otherwise by the time we exchange a few PM, its already time for you to board the plane to go back to sillypore.

;-)

Hi Deptrai4u

Great words indeed!

Just arrived in Hanoi and check into the hotel. Will definitely send you a PM.

I am all ready to have a good time in Hanoi already.