Hanoi

[japcraver]

Originally Posted by deptrai4u

Please drop by my little town of Hanoi when you can and remember to PM me earlier before your trip so that I may arrange my time to suit.

Bro deptrai4u,

Wishing You A Very Happy And Prosperous New Year of the OX ! Kindly check your PM ... Thanks

[Botarbolampar]

Happy Tet Holiday To All Here & Those In Hanoi

Bro dep trai huat ahhhhhhhhhhhh

[jackbl]

To all in Hanoi:

财源滚滚 , 招财进宝
鸿图大展 , 心想事成
万事如意 , 牛转钱坤

[albert141]

Cac anh cac em Chuc Mung Nam Moi!

Next time I go to Ha Noi is with the wife roi. Ah well, I shall live vicariously through all the adventures bros post here.

[halongman]

Hi everyone,

I will be arriving at Hanoi tomorrow and i just came across this forum. I will be coming alone, and i hope to meet up with fellow Sillyporeans for chieong sessions...

Can anyone PM their number?

Thanks and i will bring fortune cookies...

[jackbl]

Noi Bai airport: illegal taxis cheating international travelers
===============================================
VietNamNet Bridge – Many cases of foreign travelers swindled by illegal taxis at Noi Bai airport have been reported recently. Travel firms have voiced concern that the existence of illegal taxis may seriously threaten the image of Vietnam’s tourism.


VND 6 million ($352) to go from Noi Bai to Hanoi’s centre

At noon, on December 30, 2008, the aircraft carrying Nathaniel De Jager (Canadian nationality) landed in Noi Bai airport. After checking-out, while unfamiliar to the new scenery, he accidentally met a man, who said that he was on the same SQ176 flight with him and asked if he wanted to share a taxi to Hanoi. Nathaniel agreed to the proposal after the man said that each of them would pay half of the taxi fee.

However, halfway through the ride, the man told Nathaniel to give VND 500,000 to pay tolls, and told him to pay VND 300,000 more to the driver when he got to the centre of the city.

As Nathaniel arrived in Vietnam for the first time, he did not have any information about the exchange rate. However, when he later talked to staff of Ban Mai Travel Firm, where he booked a tour, he realized that he was cheated, and that he had to pay too much (VND 800,000) to travel from Noi Bai airport to the centre of the city.

Dao Anh Son, Tour Operator of Ban Mai Travel Firm, said that the taxi that carried Nathaniel did not have a plate that showed the name of the firm. Therefore, he believed that these were illegal or unlicensed taxis, and that the two men were of the same gang.

Another passenger of the same flight with Nathaniel, also a client of Ban Mai, was also reportedly swindled. He was Han Mang Kwong, a Singaporean businessman, who had traveled to Vietnam several times before.

While the businessman and his girlfriend sat at a café at Noi Bai airport, a man offered taxi services to him. After he agreed to pay $14, the man led him to his car. However, after bringing the businessman to the hotel, the taxi driver asked for $20, saying that he has to pay VND 150,000 to the broker. After a lot of arguments, the businessman still had to pay $3 more.

Tran Thi Hoang Nguyen, Head of Tour Operation Division under Vidotour, said that the swindling, which people thought was cleared away, has recurred.

Illegal taxi drivers, who know that travel firms are not able to fetch their clients at the airport, come to see travelers, calling themselves an employee of the firms, and say that they are assigned to take the passengers to the hotels.

Deputy Director of Hai Ve Nu travel firms, Dong Minh Tuan related that he assigned two employees to wait in front of the entrance door at Noi Bai airport to fetch two clients from New Zealand, and he could not understand how an illegal taxi driver could meet and persuade the clients to follow him.

The driver then told the two clients that they had to pay tolls and an additional fee, including VND 1 million and USD $35 for the taxi from the airport to the hotel in the centre of Hanoi. The two travelers were frightened and disappointed with their trip to Hanoi.



While the grass grows, the horse starves

Travel firms said that the swindling cases all aim to separate travelers and the ones who are coming to Vietnam for the first time. Son complained that if the swindling cannot be settled, the image of Vietnam’s tourism will become distorted in the eyes of foreign tourists.

Under current regulations, taxi drivers are only allowed to stay in an area reserved for travel firms’ employees. However, in some cases, illegal taxi drivers can go farther inside to access travelers more easily.

Nguyen has raised the question that if there is a ‘collusion’ between the taxi drivers and the airport’s security officers.

However, Nguyen Huy Luan, Head of the Planning Division of the Northern Airports Corporation, denies the collusion.

In the first six months of 2008, Noi Bai airport’s police station discovered 73 cases of subjects trying to persuade travelers to take illegal taxis. However, the violators only had to pay fines, which could not help deter violators.

Dong Minh Tuan said that his firm has sent a dispatch to the Hanoi Culture, Information and Tourism Department, Soc Son district Police and Northern Airports Corporation to take drastic measures to stop the swindling on foreign travelers.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) is considering a proposal to apply necessary measures to stop the fraud, a part of an action plan to attract more foreign travelers to Vietnam.

Nguyen has advised travel firms and airlines to give a brief introduction about the destinations and give advice on traveling. In case travelers need more information, they can come to tourism kiosks at the airport for inquiries.

[deptrai4u]

Originally Posted by jackbl

Noi Bai airport: illegal taxis cheating international travelers
===============================================
VietNamNet Bridge – Many cases of foreign travelers swindled by illegal taxis at Noi Bai airport have been reported recently. Travel firms have voiced concern that the existence of illegal taxis may seriously threaten the image of Vietnam’s tourism.


Nguyen has advised travel firms and airlines to give a brief introduction about the destinations and give advice on traveling. In case travelers need more information, they can come to tourism kiosks at the airport for inquiries.

Dear Bros,

Please take extra note of the final para in the article..."In case traveller need more information, ... tourism kiosks .."

Let me warn everyone about the so-called Tourism Kiosks... they are part of the fucking-the-foreigner gang as well!

Let me recount 1 experience I had personally... for some reasons I was at the airport with too many big notes and I need some small notes to take the taxi back to town.. so I took out S$100 and wish to change to VND in 100,000 and 50,000 denominations.. then there was this guy from the "Tourism Kiosks" that waved me over and said he can change at good rate. Took out a calculator and showed me a rate similar to all the other banks counters so i said ok lor... he took my S$100 and before giving me VND, he took out another A4 laminated paper which shows a list of exchange rates of various currency vs VND.. and right below that page was a fine print that says VAT of 7%. So he points to that fine print and tells me there is a 7% VAT charge as well.. same same as the banks.

I told him to return me my S$100 and I walked over to the bank counter and got it changed.. same rate, no VAT.

That piece of paper is used to show people whom wants to purchase any tourism service from the counter that there is a 7% VAT and NOT for currency exchange use... If I had agreed to that exchange, that smart guy would have made 7% of the total transaction for his very own pocket.

So all brudders.. be careful.. be very careful and alert.. these chow-chee-bys Viets are full time tricksters and they have been much encouraged by high success rate preying on innocent first time visitors. Everyday they invent new tricks to take care of you, new stories to tell you, and new ways to make you part with ur money before your holiday even starts. The moment you walk out of the custom with face blur blur.. they come swarming around you and you become carrot cake liao...

[jackbl]

Thats why we need people like u there!!! Kudos to u!!!

[jackbl]

A bridge connects Hanoians’ memories
=================================


VietNamNet Bridge - Long Bien Bridge is a symbol of the immortality of Hanoians and is considered a bridge that connects the past and the present. The bridge is an historical witness of the changes in Hanoi.

Nguyen Vinh Phuc, a Hanoi researcher, said Long Bien Bridge has memories about war, evacuation, the period of a state-controlled economy, existence and familiarity with each person in Hanoi.

Long Bien Bridge can present different images. It looks charming and romantic reflected in the Red River, especially with the glow of sunset or in drizzling rain in the north. From the south, the bridge looks shabby, typically as the first gleam of daylight shines on the stream of people on bikes going to Hanoi from the suburbs.

Each time trains slowly go through the bridge and a train-whistle resounds reminding people of the past, the period of Long Bien Bridge as a unique crossing over the Red River.

Long Bien Bridge is an historic cantilever bridge that crosses the Red River, connecting two parts of the city of Hanoi. It was built in 1903 by French architect Gustave Eiffel. Before 1954, it was called Doumer Bridge, named after Paul Doumer – the Governor-General of French Indochina and then French president. It was, at that time, one of the longest bridges in Asia spanning 2,500m. After more than a century of continuous use, the bridge is now in poor condition.

A project to restore Hanoi’s Long Bien Bridge has begun with assistance from the French government.

Between 2000 and 2001, the French government sent two groups of experts to Vietnam to survey the bridge’s status and discussed ways to restore it with their Vietnamese counterparts.

The idea to restore the bridge is to retain the cultural features and art, as well as helping to continue the life of the bridge as a witness of Hanoi’s history.

Vietnam and France reached an agreement on the provision of aid, around $1 million to prepare a feasibility study.

French experts have suggested 20 percent of the bridge's parts should be replaced to restore the bridge to its original form.

The consultants have presented three solutions:

The bridge will continue to serve trains, bicycles and pedestrians, as it does at present.

The bridge will only serve buses, pedestrians and bicycles.

It will serve only pedestrians and non-motor vehicles like bicycles and cyclos.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai directed the Transport Engineering Design Corporation to cooperate with the French firms, Thales and Coyne et Bellier, to complete the feasibility study.

Deputy Transport Minister Nguyen Viet Tien approved the project to repair the bridge as in two phases.

First phase: Repairing the bridge while still ensuring transport flow, retaining the middle lane for trains, while the side lanes are for pedestrians, bicycles and motorbikes.

Accordingly, 53 percent of the bridge’s girders will be replaced, while bridge foundations will be strengthened to prevent erosion.

Second phase: Once an overhead rail track is built, the middle lane will be refurbished for pedestrians and bicycles, while the outer lanes will be opened for cars and motorbikes.

In the second phase, a major section of the bridge (around 200m) will be raised 3m to give clearance to river vessels during flood seasons.

Along with repairing Long Bien Bridge, another train crossing will be built 50m from the bridge.

The project will cost VND2,489 trillion ($142.8 million).

A festival, ‘Long Bien Bridge’s Memory,’ took place on the bridge at the end of 2008, allowing people to relive Hanoi’s memories about the bridge.

During the peak wedding season in Hanoi, brides and grooms having photos taken at the bridge can be seen. Long Bien Bridge is not only ingrained in the minds of Hanoians, it will live eternally and watch stories that never end.

VietNamNet/SGGP

[Sexrider]

Hi, Bro deptrai4u (aka Bro Bui Bui, if I not mistaken after reading 10 pages in this thread, not all),

I am about to travel to Hanoi in the 2nd week of Feb. As the flight will be arrived quite late on Sunday itself, is it possible for you to recommend some "
(maybe)gal friendly" hotels?

Is there any hotel booking counter at the airport?

Also, if you are free, I will definitely give you a call. Is it easy to get prepaid card locally? Which service provider is recommended?

Will definitely give you a treat if we are able to meet.

Thanks!

[Sexrider]

Hi, Bro deptrai4u (aka Bro Bui Bui, if I not mistaken after reading 10 pages in this thread, not all),

I am about to travel to Hanoi in the 2nd week of Feb. As the flight will be arrived quite late on Sunday, is it possible for you to recommend some "
(maybe)gal-friendly" hotels?

Is there any hotel booking counter at the airport?

Also, if you are free, I will definitely give you a call. Is it easy to get prepaid card locally? Which service provider is recommended?

Will definitely give you a treat if we are able to meet.

Thanks!

[deptrai4u]

Originally Posted by Sexrider

Hi, Bro deptrai4u (aka Bro Bui Bui, if I not mistaken after reading 10 pages in this thread, not all),

I am about to travel to Hanoi in the 2nd week of Feb. As the flight will be arrived quite late on Sunday itself, is it possible for you to recommend some "
(maybe)gal friendly" hotels?

Is there any hotel booking counter at the airport?

Also, if you are free, I will definitely give you a call. Is it easy to get prepaid card locally? Which service provider is recommended?

Will definitely give you a treat if we are able to meet.

Thanks!

First the bad news. If you come before 12 Feb I will still be around here.

Gal Friendly hotel, i can book for you. You need to PM me ur flight details, contact (mobile phone number), budget of hotel you looking for and number of rooms as well as number of nights you plan to stay there.

Most of the people at the airport are conmen and conwomen. Even the money changer. So avoid anything there. And be extremely careful as you may even get kidnapped by other hotel operators even though you have booked your hotel and arrange for airport pickup.

[Sexrider]

Originally Posted by deptrai4u

First the bad news. If you come before 12 Feb I will still be around here.

Gal Friendly hotel, i can book for you. You need to PM me ur flight details, contact (mobile phone number), budget of hotel you looking for and number of rooms as well as number of nights you plan to stay there.

Most of the people at the airport are conmen and conwomen. Even the money changer. So avoid anything there. And be extremely careful as you may even get kidnapped by other hotel operators even though you have booked your hotel and arrange for airport pickup.

Bro, I will pm you later. I will be arrived on 8th of Feb. Later I will PM you the details you need. Thanks for the advice!

Sorry, I forgot my last time accounts. On and off until forgot liao. Nowadays (M) system really a bit troublesome.

[ThunderPriest]

Originally Posted by deptrai4u

Dear Bros,

So all brudders.. be careful.. be very careful and alert.. these chow-chee-bys Viets are full time tricksters and they have been much encouraged by high success rate preying on innocent first time visitors. Everyday they invent new tricks to take care of you, new stories to tell you, and new ways to make you part with ur money before your holiday even starts. The moment you walk out of the custom with face blur blur.. they come swarming around you and you become carrot cake liao...

Hear, hear, sir Deptrai. Yes, when you exit the airport, there is a calculating look in their eyes, and their minds thinking "what can I get today" sort of mentality. There is no such thing as win-win, and it's a shame as living here, I have made friends with many wonderful Vietnamese friends.
All bro's... any time touts stop you in the airport, just look straight and don't entertain them. If you're here for business and staying in any of the 5 star hotels, arrange for hotel transport. It's not that much more and give you more peace of mind. If not, just hop onto the taxi's queing outside the arrival hall, or do like me... I go up to the 2nd floor (departure), and wait for either a Hanoi taxi or Mai Linh taxi to drop someone. Since they are not allowed to queue downstairs, they are quite happy to be able to earn a fare back into town. Negotiate... anything below 250K is a good deal.

[Sexrider]

Wow! Bros maintaining this thread really helpful. Get to know about travelling in Hanoi!

Thanks!

Don't know Hanoi is still the same with 6-7 years back when I backpacking there or not.