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  ENTERTAINMENTS
 

Hanoi: places for eating, shopping and nightlife

Ho Chi Minh City: place for eating, shoping and nightlife

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.

Places to Eat in Hanoi
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
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.

Places to Shop in Hanoi
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.

Places to Eat in HCMC
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

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

Places to Shop in 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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