My wife and I are planning to go to Ha Noi in August. Is this a good time of the year? Which area in Ha Noi would be the most interesting to stay at, the Old Quarter, The French Quarter or the City Center? We enjoy good local restaurants and nice pubs. Would also like to stay in an area that's walking distance to some of the well-known shopping areas. Any recommendations for hotels? My budget is approx. $30-$40 per night.
1
shyflower
Hello Planta,
August is the good time for you visiting Vietnam especially Hanoi. Because that is Autumn - the most beautiful season in Vietnam. The weather is dry, cool & nice golden light. Have you ever enjoyed the wonderful weather like that in Hanoi called "thu Hanoi"? Don't miss a chance to discover it.
In Hanoi - the capital of Vietnam, the Old quater, the French Quater & city center is the same & is the most attactive tourist place. Ofcouse it is also near shopping areas. With your budget around $ 40. You can have a good room at 2-star hotel in the old quater or near one. For example Platium, Flower or Blossom ...
You can book them via Huong Viettravel (vietnamtravels.com) at email sales@huongviettravel.com
Good luck & have a good time in Hanoi.
Truly - ShyFlower
2
anonymous
Hi There,
Anytime is great to visit Hanoi!!
I would definitely stay in the old quarter, it is certainly interesting and a constant hive of activity, you are in the shopping district.
You can also walk to numerous good restaurants, including Bia Minh, Stop, Highway 4 (be careful of the mulberry wine it is deadly!!)
KOTO is a restaurant not to be missed, it is just opposite the Temple of Literature so book for lunch or dinner when you go there.
Vietnamstay is a fabulous site for booking accommodation, the map is also terrific. It has a great list of Hanoi hotels.
Enjoy! :)
3
hongha
Don't listen to the agent "shyflower" as they just wanted to sell a tour.
July and August are the hottest months in Hanoi, expect 35-38oC, the humidity can reach 90% and your skin is wet. However when it rains the weather will be cooler. I met an American family (from TT) last August and despite the heat, they seemed to be comfortable with travelling in VN at that time.
6
the_wind_ambassador
Hi there,
About restaurants,
-you can go to "Quán ăn ngon" (means delicious restaurant) at Phan Boi Chau street. It's famous of Vietnam traditional food.
-you can go to "Cơm Tấm" at Trần Hưng Đạo street. It's only for vegetarians. Or if you want to try vegetarian food, I can take you to Trấn Quốc pagoda (the
7
the_wind_ambassador
Hi there,
About restaurants in Hanoi,
-"Quán ăn ngon" (means delicious restaurant) at Phan Boi Chau street. It's famous of Vietnam traditional food.
- "Cơm Tấm" at Trần Hưng Đạo street. It's only for vegetarians. Or if you want to try real vegetarian food, I can take you to Trấn Quốc pagoda (the oldest pagoda near west lake) and taste vegetarian food with nuns there.
- Some restaurants have special food or drink just only locals know. Eg: do u have try to tast milk with cafe, yohurt with cafe, egg with cafe? In fact, there are many OUTDOOR restaurants in Vietnam where you can have a cheap but nice meal.
Some food you should taste:
-Chả Cá (fried fish. Fish in the field, not salt-water fish) at Lã Vọng street,
-Phở - a kind of noodle soup with chick or beef,
-Bún Chả - noodle with grilled pork
Just only popular and delicious in Hanoi. I ever tried to taste Bún Chả in Saigon but it doesn't agree with me!Plus, we have other traditional products like bia hơi (means fresh beer)- a kind of soft, not too much strong beer, snake meat, dog meat.
So ì you want to taste a real Vietnam, you can contact locals like me. (I can show you around Hanoi in my free time as a VOLUNTEER), or HongHa- I think she's the best guide of Vietnam.
About hotels, you can try:
- Hanoi Plaza hotel at no 26, Hang Non street
- Bodega hotel at 133 Hang Bong street: the room here is larger than in Hanoi Plaza Hotel. Free breakfast.
Both of them are quiet, clean and friendly, in Old Quarter, easy for shopping.
Feel free to ask us more. You're welcome.
Best wishes
Loannie
The Wind Ambassador
PS: Right now I have a list of places to have good meal but it's in Vietnamese. So I'm translating them into English and give all of you as soon as I could. If you like, plz email me. Keep in touch.
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