Chez Xuan

Right across from that great little climbing gym - VietClimb - is Chez Xuan (no website, just reviews on New Hanoian).  It's a great place to get a good bit of Australian beef, a tasty mojito, and a big bowl of fries.  This place has outdoor seating, a great little garden, and pentanque.  It's not on any sort of main drag, so the loudest thing you really hear are the guys playing soccer on the fields in the lot next door.

VietClimb Gym

So, I enjoy climbing even though I'm not terribly, strong, fit, or good at it.  Not too far from where we live is a great little climbing gym (VietClimb) with friendly staff, reasonable prices, beer, solid routes, and is right across the street from Chez Xuan.  The other two great things are that they: 1.) have a project to teach kids in an orphanage how to climb as a self-confidence booster, and 2.) run trips outside Hanoi to climb on real rock.  Check them out!  Reviews from New Hanoian.

Sapa

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Category: Vietnam
Published on Sunday, 06 November 2011 05:15
Written by Chris

Sapa Rice PaddySapa was a bit of a mess. Clouds, rain, damp, and chill will dispirit anyone, and that's kinda what happened.  You go to Sapa to see the mountains.  If that's not there, then there's really no reason to be in Sapa.  Overall, I'm happy I went, but would rather go somewhere else less focused on fleecing tourists.

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Hoi An

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Category: Vietnam
Published on Sunday, 06 November 2011 07:50
Written by Chris

Hoi An ViewHội An is a great city in Central Vietnam where you can walk around the scenic old town without fear of being run over by a motorbike (most of the time), grab some good food, shop for pretty much everything, and feel pretty relaxed.

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Văn Hùng Tailors

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Category: Getting Stuff in Hanoi
Published on Sunday, 20 November 2011 13:52
Written by Chris

TuxMr. Hùng is a tailor who runs a small shop near St Joseph Church in the Old Quarter of Hanoi.  I heard about him through someone who worked with German embassy folks and I thought I'd give him a try.  I read about him online - he speaks no English, but his son speaks some.  I thought how bad can it be?  So, when the Marine Corps Birthday Ball came around, I found myself in need of a tuxedo, so I made my way to his shop - 36 Ngõ Thọ Xương - and brought him some photos, described as best I could what I wanted and then waited.

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