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Hanoi
At a glance
 Hanoi
has shaken off its once hostile attitude to travellers to
become one of the most beguiling cities in Southeast Asia.
It's slow-paced yet quick to charm, with a lovely landscape
of lakes, shaded boulevards, verdant public parks and French-colonial
architecture.
Hanoi personifies the spirit of historic Vietnam in the temples,
monuments and pockets of ancient culture along the narrow
streets of the Old Quarter, yet perfectly reflects the rapid
changes sweeping the country as Hanoian yuppies sip cappucinos
in roadside cafés and compare cell phones.
Hanoi has recently transformed itself from a culinary klutz
to an epicurean entrepreneur. Sophisticated restaurants, beautiful
bars and chic cafes have begun to emerge around the city with
increasingly international offerings. You can't go past the
Vietnamese staple though, a steaming bowl of pho; no traveller
should leave without sampling this tasty soup or the other delicious
street food.
Ly Club
 City
center
International, Vietnamese cuisine
The first thing you notice when you walk into Ly Club is not
the sumptuous decor, with richly colored divans, sofas, and
armchairs snuggled around elegantly set tables, nor is it
the piano player or her accompanying violinist. It’s the smell
of fresh flowers.
Brother's cafe
City center
Vietnamese cuisine
A traditional and elegant view of exquisite garden offers
you an ideal venue for a Banquet or any of special events
like Wedding Ceremony, Reception, or a Formal Business Meeting...
Wild Lotus
City center
Vietnamese cuisine
"Vietnam is unfortunately not without a profusion of
restaurants suffering the common inverse relationship between
the trendiness of surroundings and the quality of food, practically
the modus vivendi of any ‘happening’ city.
Night Time Venues
in Hanoi |
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Like its restaurant scene, the city's bars are up and coming.
The Bao Khanh area, west of Hoan Kiem Lake, has perhaps the
best established scene, with locals as well as expats propping
up the bars. Finish your night at one of the bars here after
dining out or seeing a water puppets show, or if you like to
boogie, have a few pre-party drinks before checking out the
local clubs.
 Apocalypse
Now
Dong Da District
Disneyland Plus
This place has lost some of its lustre since moving a long
way south in town. However, it remains a popular place of
pilgrimage for Hanoi's hedonists. Definitely one of the more
gay-friendly clubs in town.
Funky Monkey
Old Quarter
Troop Hang Out
This place leads the pack in Bao Khanh: a long, narrow bar
with some of the best beats in town. Crazy cocktails, dark
decor and occasional dancing on a busy Friday or Saturday.
There's also a pool table and alternative-minded folks.
GC Pub
Old Quarter
Get Chilled
Right next door to the sports-mad Polite Pub in the old quarter,
GC has a more mellow vibe, complete with a pool table in the
middle of things. It's one of the more gay-friendly places
in town and conveniently located on the cruising strip.
Highway 4
Old Quarter
Mysterious Wine
Head here to discover the mystical, medicinal, not to mention
intoxicating qualities of Vietnamese rice wine (xeo) - take
it straight, fruity or 'five times a night', the possibilities
are endless. A popular rallying point for members of Hanoi's
infamous Minsk Club, the bar downstairs is for drinkers and
there's a rooftop terrace for diners.
 Hanoi
is a great place to shop. Silk items top the list, with oodles
of shops and designer boutiques selling quality clothing and
accessories. The local handicraft shops - lacquerware, ceramics
and mother-of-pearl inlaid items - and many art galleries offer
unique quality presents or souvenirs.
Dong Xuan Market
Old Quarter
Cruise the Stalls
Dong Xuan Market is a three-storey mega-mart of a place. It
burned down in 1994, killing five people, all of whom had
entered the building after the fire started, to either rescue
goods or steal them. It was rapidly rebuilt and is a tourist
attraction in its own right. There are hundreds of stalls
here, employing around 3000 people.
Hang Da Market
Old Quarter
Worthy Mini Market
Hang Da Market is small by Vietnamese market standards, but
worth exploring for imported foods, wine, beer and flowers.
The 2nd floor is stacked with fabric and ready-made clothing.
Come and have a browse around - you're sure to find something
you didn't know you needed.
Vincom City Towers
is located right in the center of Hanoi where sold
lots of high class product such as perfumes, jewelry, electric
- digital products, lots of beautiful souvenirs, fashion,
restaurant and cafe shop. Address: 191 Ba Trieu street, Hai
Ba Trung district, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Trang Tien Plaza
is also located in the center of Hanoi here sold lots of high
class products. Address 01 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi.
Hanoi Tower
located in 49 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hanoi It's such a nice
place for shopping and dining out.
Ho Chi Minh City
At a glance
 Ho
Chi Minh City is the heart and soul of Vietnam. It's a bustling,
dynamic and industrious centre, the largest city in the country,
the economic capital and the cultural trendsetter. Yet within
the teeming metropolis are the timeless traditions and beauty
of an ancient culture.
This is a city that churns, ferments, bubbles and fumes.
The streets, where much of the city's life takes place, are
a jumble of street markets, shops, pavement cafes, stands-on-wheels
and vendors selling wares spread out on sidewalks. It's impossible
not to be infected by its exhilarating vibe.
Both Vietnamese and Western food are widely available in HCMC
and English menus are certainly not uncommon. Cholon's speciality
is Chinese food but if you are feeling spring-rolled out and
can't look at another wonton, don't fret as there are plenty
of superb international restaurants around.
 Au
Manoir De Khai
City center
International, Vietnamese cuisine
Au Manoir de Khai exudes a colonial charm and luxurious beauty
that is different, unique and second to nine! The moment you
step in, be fascinated and awed by luscious greenery, earth
nature and tropical, paradise garden. You will be pampered
and spoilt with an irresistible, spread of gourmet choices
that leave you mesmerized and hypnotized in a world of exotic
dining experience.
Nam Kha
City center
Vietnamese cuisine
As you step into the royal court of imperial palace, you will
be greeted by the sounds of flowing Chi water stretching out
like a red carpet welcome. On both sides, you will be saluted
by Cham statues in greeting formation and serenaded by traditional
Vietnamese instrumental string music as you savour the evening
in regal fashion.
 Nam
Phan Restaurant
City center
Vietnamese cuisine
Nam Phan leaves the real world outside with the peaceful and
quite space of Zen. At the doorstep, you are welcome by the
touch of tranquility. The rice seeding on every table at the
sitting room seems to purify the dust of life to retain the
pure air. And your mind becomes embodies with that Zen air.
You stay here with the harmonious circulation flowing in your
whole body.
Night Time Venues
in HCMC |
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War-time Saigon was known for its riotous nightlife but liberation
in 1975 put a real dampener on evening activities. These days
pubs and discos are staging a comeback although periodic 'crack-down,
clean-up' campaigns continue to keep the city's nightlife
somewhat on the quiet side.
Apocalypse Now
Dance clubs in Vietnam have a tendency to change
with the wind, but 'Apo' is an exception to the rule. It's
been around forever and late at night is a study of the seamier
side of international relations. The music is loud, the patrons
are from all walks of life and it's apocalyptically rowdy.
Add: 2 Thi Sach, Dist 1, HCMC.
 Tropical
Rainforest Disco
Clubs come and go quickly in Ho Chi Minh City - at
the moment, Tropical Rainforest Disco is one of the hot dance
spots in the centre for a younger crowd. The cover charge
entitles you to one free drink. Add 5-15 Ho Huan Nghiep Str,
Dist 1, HCMC.
Catwalk Club and Karaoke
Sophisticated, stylish discothèque conveniently
located in the East Wing of the New World Hotel. International
DJs play the latest sounds while the club's 100+ hostesses
are available for dancing and conversation. The Catwalk Karaoke
suites are among the most elegant in town, offering privacy,
luxury and the latest in Karaoke technology. Plenty of hostesses
are available for duets. Address: East Wing, New World Hotel
Saigon, 76 Le Lai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Q Bar
A Saigon classic since the early 1990's - stylish,
sophisticated and cool, open late and very popular with experts,
tourists & locals alike. Great cocktails, great sounds,
great company. Now incorporating Quinoa Restaurant next door
for great food & service. Address: 7 Cong Truong Lam Son,
(Opposite the Caravelle Hotel), District 1, Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam.
Saigon Bar
Great bar with live music and a great view of Saigon
by night. Price started from 3 US$. Address: 9th floor caravelle
Hotel, 19 Lam Son Square, Dist 1, HCMC.
Seven teen Saigon bar
Beautiful bar decoration, and live music with Pilipino
band. Address: 17 Le Thanh Ton, Dist 1, HCMC.
Café terrace
With the style of European café, luxurious
and nice services in café terrace. Food is really fantastic
and the view of the rushing city. Address: 65 Le Loi, Dist
1, HCMC
 The
tourist junk market is booming in HCMC - where else could you
pick up a turtle with a clock in its stomach or a ceramic Buddha
that whistles the national anthem? Look beyond the gimmicks
though, and HCMC offers excellent deals on clothing, ceramics,
ethnic fabrics and lacquered bamboo.
Ben Thanh Market
The most central of HCMC's many huge indoor markets, this
is what shopping in HCMC is all about. The market and surrounding
streets make up one of the city's liveliest areas. Everything
that's commonly eaten, worn or used by the Saigonese is available
here, but the lucrative tourist trade also has healthy representation.
Be alert to sticky fingers.
Tax Department Store
If you're pressed for time, the newly-remodeled Tax Department
Store is a great place to pick up anything from electronics
to clothing to handicrafts. No longer the dowdy but charming
cavern of vendors and bargains it was before its face-lift,
there are still a few deals in there. Worth a look for clothes
in Western sizes without the boutique mark-ups.
 Diamond
Department Store
The four-floor Diamond Department Store is relatively new.
Vietnamese come here to do some window-shopping (the prices
are higher than elsewhere) and to enjoy the quiet away from
the chaotic traffic outside. Inside, a wide variety of wares
are on offer including American and Vietnamese brands of clothes,
sporting equipment, watches, jewelry, souvenirs, mobile telephones,
cosmetics, and washing machines. If you are hungry you can
have a break in one of the various restaurants or buy something
from the little supermarket featuring imported options and
prepare it at home.
Address: 34 Le Duan, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: +84 8 822 5500
Fax: +84 8 825 7688
Opening hours: 9.30a-9p daily.
Parkson Saigontourist Plaza
Located in the center of Saigon and is the newest department
store in Saigon major on luxury products and lots of famous
brand name are showing there.
Address: 45 Le Thanh Ton, District 1
Opening hours: 9.30a-9p daily.
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