Vodka.com vs. Vodka Hanoi

The domain name vodka.com sold for a cool 3 million USD. The large sized Vodka Hanoi featured above sells for 3 USD (VND 50,000). I was never one for Vodka, esp. after my freshman year of college when I had too much of it, blacked out, fell in a pond and woke up in an abandoned house. But since living in Vietnam, its been my liquor of choice as it is cheap; and, Vietnam makes good Vodka, possibly because of its ties to the former Soviet Union during the Cold War. If you're into strong liquors, I suggest Vodka Hanoi. Why pay outrageous prices for imports? Or, buy an over-priced boutique Vodka that marketers have been pushing on the public. Just be careful of fakes, which I've heard exist. I wouldn't know how one might tell the difference before sampling given how well fakes are made nowadays. Just be aware they do exist. Either, buy from one of the larger supermarkets, or buy from the same place where you've build up some rappor, which was what I did. [Note: The small sized Vodka has less alcohol content than the large sized one (25% vs. the 40% I believe)]. Buy some to take home as they make a nice gift, but don't wait to buy at the airport where the prices are double.

Price: Large Vodka bottle VND 50,000 (3 USD); Small Vodka bottle VND 27,000 (1.5 UD)

Factory life in Hanoi - the reality.

Today, I deviate from my usual postings. Although I have and will continue to introduce interesting places for visitors to enjoy, in reality, factory life is quite boring. Most of the time, my co-workers and I live a quite staid life in dormintories worrying about missing shipments of parts for production, customer pressures to continually cost down, rising commodity prices, competitors building new production facilities, and so forth. This is, unfortunately, the reality resulting from competition. 7:30-17:00 Mon-Sat (with the occational Sat off). Lunch at 45,000VND (.30USD) would be a variation of something as follows:

I think most people don't appreciate what it takes to make the everyday products that they buy and use; and why products are as cheap as they are - with inflation as low as it is even as oil prices rise over 60USD/barrel and copper prices jumping several folds.

Where to go for Chinese food in Hanoi, Vietnam?

Nhà Hàng Hoa Viêm (625 Duong La Thanh, Ba Dinh), is the place to go for authentic Chinese (actually Taiwanese) food in Hanoi. So much so that its become a meeting place for executives of Taiwanese firms to meet after work. How do I know? I work for a Taiwanese firm and everytime I go with co-workers, we invariably see the same group of Taiwanese executives and end up leaving with too much to drink. Also beware that Hoa Viêm is a favorite also of Taiwanese tour groups that come by the bus load so sometimes fill up quickly. Ask the husband and wife owner couple for recommendations. Personal favorites include basic staples such as pork bun, scallion pancake and vegetable dumplings, as well as their selection of hotpots.

Price: approximately 100,000VND (6USD) per person.

Where to go for a taste of Vietnamese Street Food?

Quan An Ngon (18 Phan Boi Chau, Hoan Kiem District): The place to go in Hanoi to sample Vietnam's street foods. Clean and inexpensive, the restaurant is located within the confines of a restored villa. Order by strolling the stalls with your waiter and pointing to what you would like. Its tempting to order everything so take care not to over order. Most of Vietnam's most popular street foods are represented - pho, nem, bo bia, and so forth - as well as some local deserts. Go in a group and share.

Price: Around 100,000VND(6USD) per person.

Where to go for Churrasco (Brazilian BBQ) in Hanoi?

Au Lac do Brazil (6A Cao Ba Quat, Ba Dinh), serves an authentic Brazilian churrasco (Brazilian BBQ) near the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) in the heart of Hanoi. For those who have never tried a churrasco, it is (and I quote from their web page), "a buffet of charcoal grilled meats [pork, beef, lamb, chicken] brought to you at your table on long skewers. Tender, hot slices are carved right in front of you by 'passadors,' waiters armed with meat, long knives and friendly smiles." In otherwords, it is a carnivore's dream come true.

Suggestions:

(1) go for the buffet and not the menu items as the buffet costs only alittle bit more;

(2) as you will fill up rapidly:

• skip lunch;
  
• go light on the salad starter and other pre-made vegetable dishes (that is not what diners come here for);
  
• go light on the bread, if at all;
  
• take bite sized portions of the skewered meat brought out early, otherwise you will be full in 15 minutes;
• go light on cheaper meats like the chicken and pork (with the exception of the grilled ham with pineapple, which is exceptional) even though they taste great ;
• don't bother with the bacon wrapped meats;
  
• go for the best cuts of beef (i.e., Picanha, which is shaped like the letter 'C');

(3) ask for the feijoada, a potpourri of black bean and pig parts served over rice, early as otherwise you will be too full to try this favorite Brazilian national dish;

(4) and, enjoy the whole meal with capirinha, a Brazilian cocktail made up of lime, sugar and cachasa, a strong liquor made from sugar cane.

Price: 380,000VND (USD24) for buffet and caipirinha cocktail. A bit pricey for the Hanoi market, but well worth it. Outstanding service and fancy decor. The meats are grilled just right - lightly browned at the edges, medium rare at the center - over an open pit of fire. Same diner would cost 80USD in New York City.

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How to take a Xe Om (motorcycle taxi)?

For getting around the Hanoi, there is nothing better than the Xe Om (motorcycle taxi) for zipping around traffic. My advice before getting on a Xe Om: (A) chose one with a good motorcycle (ie., one made by one of the 4 major motorcycle manufacturers in Vietnam - Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, or SYM); (B) chose a middle-aged driver (too young and they may drive too fast, too old and they may not maneuver as well around Hanoi's crazy traffic); (C) chose a driver with white white eyes (this is to make sure they haven't been drinking). Witnessing collisions on the streets of Hanoi are all to common so be careful. Many streets have no traffic lights!

The price of a Xe Om ride is not rocket science. Although supposedly around 10,000VND (.60USD) per 3km I normally give 15,000VND (.90USD). That should be enough to cover travel within the city. Also, I'd advise negotiating the price first as Xe Om drivers will often ask for more than whatever you give them.

Where to go for Lamb in Hanoi?

Dung Rau Lau De Quan (87 Lang Ha, Ba Dinh): There are already excellent posts on where to get good 'pho', the national noodle soup of Vietnam, on the blogosphere (ie., see stickyrice). Here, I introduce a somewhat different dining experience - the lamb grill eatery. A popular such eatery with locals as well as my co-workers is on Lang Ha (steps away from the Fortuna Hotel). It is almost always crowded during dinner time, esp. during the winter, and for good reasons - the food is outstanding and cheap. But don't expect comfort. Expect to crouch on red/blue plastic stools around a small metal table. And, sweating profusely. Suggested menu:

Grilled Lamb Meat: comes in generous portions with the usual assortment of herbs, condiment (salt, pepper, lime, chili and pepper) and sauces. For a hassle free experience, have the establishment grill the meat for you - it's simpler. Price: 25,000VND (2.5USD).

Lamb Sausage: ground sheepmeats and fat mixed with assorted herbs and spices in non-synthetic (I assume) casing. Calorie count unknown, but truly tasty.

Sheep Foot: try the sheep foot, a delicacy which is of limited availablity. If you come late (ie., after 7:00pm), they will likely be sold out. Personally, I'm not crazy about foot as food as there isn't much meat on the feet. Price: 8,000-15,000VND (.50-.90USD) depending on size.

Lamb Hotpot: finish with a hearty hotpot of lamb meat, tofu, sheep liver, bean curd skin, assorted vegetables and noodles that diners cook in a broth flavored with Chinese herbal medicine. Price: 60,000-70,000VND (4USD) 2 sizes with the larger version featured above.

Price: Should come to around 50,000VND (3USD) - 100,000VND (6USD) per person (including one or two beers) if eating as a group and sharing a hotpot.

Lastly: (1) go when its cooler (Nov. to Feb.) to avoid grilling and stewing in the heat. It really matters for a good dining experience; (2) go with a group of people so you can try different dishes and share the hotpot; and, (3) dine early. Don't be part of the 'second wave' as (a) the dishes are cleaner; and, (b) you can probably sample the sheep foot=)

Where to swim in Hanoi?

I work and live in a factory 30 minutes drive from Hanoi. We work mostly six days a week. By the 7th day, I'm off to the pool to relax and do a few laps to clear my mind.

Having surveyed the swimming pools around Hanoi, here are my suggestions:

(1) Hanoi Horison Hotel (40 Cat Linh Street), 2nd fl. (pic 1) - Beautiful outdoors pool for lounging and swimming. Open to the public. Entrance fee, USD 12. Use of sauna, whirlpool and gym included. Swim here from March until October when it is warm outside. Note: pool is oval shaped and not that deep, so not perfect, but usually sufficient for those who want to swim a few laps.

(2) Sofitel Plaza Hanoi (1 Thanh Nien Road, Ba Dinh District), 4th fl. (pic 2) - Beautiful rectangular indoor pool where swimmers can go all year round. Use of sauna, whirlpool and gym included as well. Come here only when it is too cold to swim outside as the entrance fee of USD 23.10 is a bit steep (USD 231 for monthly pass).

As for the other pools around Hanoi: outside pool at Sofitel Metropole is not open to the public; large outside pool at the Daewoo Hotel is priced similarly with Horison, but too curvy and shallow to swim in, but fine if you just lounge; and, the Army Hotel pool, while very cheap, is not suited for those who would like to do some real swimming.