Gentlemen,
I was recently in Hanoi for a eight days. I figured I would give back some info as it's been a couple of years since someone has provided any updated info on the city. Note that Hanoi is quite comfortable to walk around in during the spring. What I mean by comfortable is that it's mid 70s but not much sun and the occasional rain. Also know that it's quite polluted there as well. I genuinely enjoyed my time there and would definitely return. Unfortunately, I was too lazy to pipeline ahead of time so that's my only regret.
Logistics and where to day game
Other than stuff you can find on wikitravel, there are two main areas to stay in Hanoi. You have the backpacker tourist area of the Old Quarter/Hoem Lake and the expat area of Tay ho (West Lake). For the first half of my time I spent it in Old Quarter. You will find most of the attractions here and the area along with its surrounding being the most optimal place for daygaming. Maybe I should the actual Old Quarter is only good for gaming Western girls while moving outside to the lake and the streets beyond is great for meeting Viet girls. The lake is great because it brings some peace and there are places to chill and relax. Lots of foot traffic so you will find less eyes on you as well.
I hate to even write about gaming backpacker girls but this is one of the easiest Asian cities I've been to when it comes to slaying them. Girls tend to be transient in the Old Quarter and there's a big party atmosphere that will work in your favour. Just don't expect to have any luck with Viet girls in the Old Quarter...again you need to walk a few streets beyond the area.
For the second half of my time here I spent it in West Lake. Here is where most of the expats live. By expats I am also including English teachers as well. It was nice to be away from the hectic center of OQ and closer to some of the clubs. I ended up getting a nice apartment that I used to my advantage. Keep in mind that West Lake is not that far from OQ (20 minutes by uber) so if you wanted to head down there then it's not totally out of the way.
I also spent half a day on a date just north of the river. We went to a restaurant and also to Aeon Mall where you can also do some gaming. It's quite the trek (30-40 min) to get there but it could be worth your time.
Nightgame
Back in OQ we have the tourist/backpacker area that is filled with bars and spots to drink. You can pop into one of the hostels and drink/meet people there and then head out to one of the bars later. Just know that many places close around 1am. There are a few places that will close their doors but keep the party going to late but it's really a crap shoot as it's a different bar every night. Even on the weekends some places may be closed early or not even open at all. Personally I found this to be a positive as you're not out all night trying to hook up with a girl. You job is to find a girl and strike quick as your time is limited and/or another guy will take your meal. I would advice to stay at a hostel or drink at a hostel first to make a connection to get things going. Otherwise, it's quite an easy place to get a lay.
West Lake is less about getting drunk while doing balloons at bars and more about clubs/relaxed bars to drink. You're gonna have to take an uber if you want to hop from bar to club but again it's extremely cheap to do so.
Hero Club-where I got a lay from an expat. Mostly tables with a small dance floor. Get here early because the good tables in the front will fill up early but also the club may close at 1am or stay open all night. Again, you really won't know as this city doesn't encourage all night drinking. I enjoyed it here as Viet girls seemed to be less conservative here and more up to fun. I got a couple of numbers my first night here that didn't amount to anything but it encouraged me to go out and have fun.
Bird Cage-similiar setup as above. This spot is only open weekends so call ahead to make sure they are open. I would actually do that for most clubs on any night. They play quite a bit of hip hop and also have a few dedicated nights to old school hip hop as well.
Playboy establishment-Go here on a Wednesday night as it's free drink for ladies until 11 and half off for them for the rest of the night. Good place to meet Viet girls and the layout isn't too bad.
Rooftop Bar-highest rooftop bar in Hanoi. Quite upscale as beers were the most expensive ($4) in Hanoi. Nice place to go on a date as it's mostly couples here. They do have a DJ on the weekends and some very good looking Viet girls. Most of them were in mixed groups though.
Savage- I came here to late as they were just closing but I heard good things about this club.
Dating experience
I found girls to be very conservative here. I ended up getting three lays here but two were from Western Girls and one was from a Viet girl that took three long dates. I went on dates with three total Viet girls but all of them were great and fun to hang out with.
Girl A: 20 years old and in school. Met her my first full day here in the morning at Hoem Lake. She was with her friend. After approaching and some chit chat they gave took me to a pho place and we went for a mini tour of the area on a cart. Ended up getting her number before they had to go. The second date was a few days later where we went to try a new restaurant and get a coffee. This time I was able to do some touching and a kiss but even then that's all there was. Could tell there was something there but couldn't break past the barrier.
The third and last date was a success. She had to make an excuse to her parents and had to be home by midnight. Had dinner early and was happy to have some drinks near my place. She was curious to wherre I lived so we walked back to my place where I was able to seal the deal.
Girl B- I met her off Tinder. We had two great dates but I think maybe she wanted to just show me around and be more of a friend. Nothing really to talk about other than some sight seeing and her driving me around. Great girl that I might of been able to do more with if I had more time.
Girl C- Met her and her friend at a bar and had an insta date. Her friend left and we spent a couple of hours talking and enjoying drinks. Got her number but sadly not enough time to meet again.
UK girl-Met her at Hero club. After getting a couple of numbers I approached her at the bar when she was getting drinks. We chatted and made a connection so she took me to a table with her friends. We got drunk and danced a little so I was able to do some heavy touching and makeout with her. Once her friends left I knew it was on like Donkey Kong. The club started shutting down at 1am so I suggested we had back to my place to continue the fun. Took an uber back and after some drinks I sealed the deal.
Mixed Asian girl- Backpacker girl I met off tinder. I actually fell asleep on her and nearly missed out on the lay. Met in OQ, had a few drinks, bounced to some clubs, and then eventually headed back to my place for some drinks. Later on I ended up sending the deal.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time there and would come back. I only ended up doing one tour but I met some great people there. I hear things are much easier in Saigon but still had a wonderful time in Hanoi. I spent a week in Hoi An/Danang before heading back to Hanoi to back here in Seoul.
Any questions then feel free to ask
I was recently in Hanoi for a eight days. I figured I would give back some info as it's been a couple of years since someone has provided any updated info on the city. Note that Hanoi is quite comfortable to walk around in during the spring. What I mean by comfortable is that it's mid 70s but not much sun and the occasional rain. Also know that it's quite polluted there as well. I genuinely enjoyed my time there and would definitely return. Unfortunately, I was too lazy to pipeline ahead of time so that's my only regret.
Logistics and where to day game
Other than stuff you can find on wikitravel, there are two main areas to stay in Hanoi. You have the backpacker tourist area of the Old Quarter/Hoem Lake and the expat area of Tay ho (West Lake). For the first half of my time I spent it in Old Quarter. You will find most of the attractions here and the area along with its surrounding being the most optimal place for daygaming. Maybe I should the actual Old Quarter is only good for gaming Western girls while moving outside to the lake and the streets beyond is great for meeting Viet girls. The lake is great because it brings some peace and there are places to chill and relax. Lots of foot traffic so you will find less eyes on you as well.
I hate to even write about gaming backpacker girls but this is one of the easiest Asian cities I've been to when it comes to slaying them. Girls tend to be transient in the Old Quarter and there's a big party atmosphere that will work in your favour. Just don't expect to have any luck with Viet girls in the Old Quarter...again you need to walk a few streets beyond the area.
For the second half of my time here I spent it in West Lake. Here is where most of the expats live. By expats I am also including English teachers as well. It was nice to be away from the hectic center of OQ and closer to some of the clubs. I ended up getting a nice apartment that I used to my advantage. Keep in mind that West Lake is not that far from OQ (20 minutes by uber) so if you wanted to head down there then it's not totally out of the way.
I also spent half a day on a date just north of the river. We went to a restaurant and also to Aeon Mall where you can also do some gaming. It's quite the trek (30-40 min) to get there but it could be worth your time.
Nightgame
Back in OQ we have the tourist/backpacker area that is filled with bars and spots to drink. You can pop into one of the hostels and drink/meet people there and then head out to one of the bars later. Just know that many places close around 1am. There are a few places that will close their doors but keep the party going to late but it's really a crap shoot as it's a different bar every night. Even on the weekends some places may be closed early or not even open at all. Personally I found this to be a positive as you're not out all night trying to hook up with a girl. You job is to find a girl and strike quick as your time is limited and/or another guy will take your meal. I would advice to stay at a hostel or drink at a hostel first to make a connection to get things going. Otherwise, it's quite an easy place to get a lay.
West Lake is less about getting drunk while doing balloons at bars and more about clubs/relaxed bars to drink. You're gonna have to take an uber if you want to hop from bar to club but again it's extremely cheap to do so.
Hero Club-where I got a lay from an expat. Mostly tables with a small dance floor. Get here early because the good tables in the front will fill up early but also the club may close at 1am or stay open all night. Again, you really won't know as this city doesn't encourage all night drinking. I enjoyed it here as Viet girls seemed to be less conservative here and more up to fun. I got a couple of numbers my first night here that didn't amount to anything but it encouraged me to go out and have fun.
Bird Cage-similiar setup as above. This spot is only open weekends so call ahead to make sure they are open. I would actually do that for most clubs on any night. They play quite a bit of hip hop and also have a few dedicated nights to old school hip hop as well.
Playboy establishment-Go here on a Wednesday night as it's free drink for ladies until 11 and half off for them for the rest of the night. Good place to meet Viet girls and the layout isn't too bad.
Rooftop Bar-highest rooftop bar in Hanoi. Quite upscale as beers were the most expensive ($4) in Hanoi. Nice place to go on a date as it's mostly couples here. They do have a DJ on the weekends and some very good looking Viet girls. Most of them were in mixed groups though.
Savage- I came here to late as they were just closing but I heard good things about this club.
Dating experience
I found girls to be very conservative here. I ended up getting three lays here but two were from Western Girls and one was from a Viet girl that took three long dates. I went on dates with three total Viet girls but all of them were great and fun to hang out with.
Girl A: 20 years old and in school. Met her my first full day here in the morning at Hoem Lake. She was with her friend. After approaching and some chit chat they gave took me to a pho place and we went for a mini tour of the area on a cart. Ended up getting her number before they had to go. The second date was a few days later where we went to try a new restaurant and get a coffee. This time I was able to do some touching and a kiss but even then that's all there was. Could tell there was something there but couldn't break past the barrier.
The third and last date was a success. She had to make an excuse to her parents and had to be home by midnight. Had dinner early and was happy to have some drinks near my place. She was curious to wherre I lived so we walked back to my place where I was able to seal the deal.
Girl B- I met her off Tinder. We had two great dates but I think maybe she wanted to just show me around and be more of a friend. Nothing really to talk about other than some sight seeing and her driving me around. Great girl that I might of been able to do more with if I had more time.
Girl C- Met her and her friend at a bar and had an insta date. Her friend left and we spent a couple of hours talking and enjoying drinks. Got her number but sadly not enough time to meet again.
UK girl-Met her at Hero club. After getting a couple of numbers I approached her at the bar when she was getting drinks. We chatted and made a connection so she took me to a table with her friends. We got drunk and danced a little so I was able to do some heavy touching and makeout with her. Once her friends left I knew it was on like Donkey Kong. The club started shutting down at 1am so I suggested we had back to my place to continue the fun. Took an uber back and after some drinks I sealed the deal.
Mixed Asian girl- Backpacker girl I met off tinder. I actually fell asleep on her and nearly missed out on the lay. Met in OQ, had a few drinks, bounced to some clubs, and then eventually headed back to my place for some drinks. Later on I ended up sending the deal.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time there and would come back. I only ended up doing one tour but I met some great people there. I hear things are much easier in Saigon but still had a wonderful time in Hanoi. I spent a week in Hoi An/Danang before heading back to Hanoi to back here in Seoul.
Any questions then feel free to ask
A man is only as faithful as his options-Chris Rock