Bookworms on the move
News from the noodle soup stall.........
One of the best places for English language books in Hanoi is Bookworm.
Before it use to be located on Ngo Van So Street, however they have just moved shops. So if you're in need of a book, head to the shop at 4B Yen The (next to the shop Dome).
Bookworm is open from 10am - 7pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
Hanoi Exhibition
The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is currently running two exhibitions at the museum located on Nguyen Van Huyen Street. The first is called Childbirth, Gestures, Objects and Rituals which runs until the 17th August.
The second, a photo exhibition, is about the To Lich River and is entitled Mirror: If the River could speak and runs until the 31st August.
To reach the Museum, simply head out by taxi or motor bike taxi. The 20 minute journey should cost around 10USD return in a Taxi and a little less for a motor bike.
Army Engineers Museum - Hanoi
Not as well know as many of the other sights in Hanoi, the Army Engineers Museum makes for an interesting visit! As the name suggests, the museum covers the extraordinary history of the Engineers with displays outlining their work in the battle of Dien Bien Phu, the construction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail to the efforts of the of the Engineers in rebuilding the Long Bien Bridge (Hanoi) after it was repeated bombed during the Vietnam War.
There are many photos showing Vietnam's wartime "Hero's", it's Generals and the many men and women that took up arms to fight (and defeat) numerous foreign armies.
The Army Engineers Museum is not a popular hang out for travelers, so grab a motor bike taxi and tell them to go here:
Army Engineers Museum (Bao Tang Cong Binh)
290 Lac Long Quan Street
Huyen Tu Liem, Hanoi
Jazzy Hanoi
Where: Minh's Jazz Club
32 Pho Luong Van Street, Hanoi
Food:
The Jazz Club is a well known hang out for both locals and westerners and along with the music, there is a basic menu offering some Asian dishes.
The food itself for me is ok. You'll better else where, but if you're enjoying the music and feel like something, it's all there! Prices range from 30,000VND up.
The Club:
The Jazz Club is owned by a local musician, Mr Minh. Minh is a teacher at the Hanoi Conservatory and also plays a wicked Sax!
Many of the crew that plays here are Minh's students, however you will quite often see local Vietnamese and other Expats climbing on stage to play some tunes.
The music begins around 9pm each night and the bar is fully stocked with all your favorite drinks. Most only cost a few dollars.
Out of 10:
10/10 - Music/Bar
06/10 - Food
The Good Oil:
Minh's Jazz Club is a real gem and a perfect "after dinner" hang out.
Great music, great drinks and great atmosphere!
See you on the Sax!
Around Hanoi - Ba Vi National Park
Located around 65km west of Hanoi, Ba Vi National Park is centered around the mountain, Nu Ba Vi, which rises to 1276m. On top there is a temple dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, the former President of Vietnam. To reach the temple you will need to climb the 1200 odd steps to the top! Ba Vi National is an extremely popular weekend getaway for local city folk and is well known for a rare species of squirrel and also several endangered plant species.
The park offers a number of hikes, pool, restaurant and basic accommodation (from $10USD). It is best reached either by car or motor bike and the journey should take around 1 ½ hours.
Popular on weekends with Vietnamese, if you make the journey west, do so on a week day!
Puku Cafe - Hanoi
Where: Puku Cafe
60 Hang Trong
Food:
Puku is small upstairs cafe set in an old French style house. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and great food, it's generally frequented by expats and young Vietnamese.
On the menu you'll find a good mix of sandwiches, pasta's, salads, "bangers and mash" along with other tasty western style dishes. Be sure to check out the daily specials board near the front door!
The fruit shakes are fresh, coffee hot and the freshly baked cakes and muffins are a nice way to finish!
Cost:
Most mains run from around 40 - 60,000vnd while drinks will cost you anywhere from 15 - 40,000vnd.
Fav Food:
For me, the open grilled sandwiches are always a winner with the kids! The "Weka Toasties" with bacon, tomato and plenty of melted cheese are a nice treat.
The salads and bangers and mash are always fresh and hit the spot. Wash it all down with a fresh fruit shake or a piping hot cafe latte!
Out of 10:
10/10
The Good Oil:
Puku can be a little hard to find, you need to walk into a small entrance (or corridor) and then head upstairs. It's a great meeting spot and popular with workers at lunch.
Very chilled and relaxed, Puku often have local art work on show and also offer free WiFi.