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| Travel & Resources: HANOI
Please help us keep these listings up-to-date. Special thanks to abzolut, LeHung, imnotmyself, sydguy, caolon, Rafal, Paul, Russell, Lee, Ulf and lonelyprince! |
HANOI -- area code (84-4)
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Vietnam’s capital city is lively and full of charm. The diminutive old quarter is a canton of shady, tree-lined lanes with names like "Comb Street" that reflect the goods traditionally sold from its shophouses. In fact, virtually any patch of open street or sidewalk is turned into a place to sell anything or park a motor bike. Pedestrians are often forced to share the road with traffic in an intricate ballet that must be quickly mastered the moment you ease out of your hotel (don't dash!).
Hanoi Gay Scene Updates message forum
- Men in Hanoi message forum
Hoan Kiem Lake sits at the hub of the old city, a jade mirror reflecting the French colonial facades and Chinese ornamentation that have both contributed to the city's heritage. The Opera House and classic Metropole Hotel are at one end and the old quarter and markets are at the other. For shopping, you might want to bring a calculator with you: Vietnam's instant millionaire Monopoly money is fun to play with but exhausting to manage.
While there are plenty of gays in Hanoi, most are cornered into marriage and raising a family, and they don't frequent public spots where they might be subject to gossip. This makes for a quiet gay scene at mostly mixed places. The Internet has become the primary method for educated, working gays to meet each other and foreigners. This shadowy life has also made gay tourists a target for scams and hustlers -- Hanoi is full of smiling, fresh faces that flirt for fun and are looking to seize any opportunity to rise up out of poverty. But local gays want you to know that criminal characters are in the minority, and you'll have a lovely time here if you just use your common sense and, again, don't dash into anything. We suggest you make some friendly contacts online before you arrive, rather than succumb to visions in Hanoi's romantic haze.
The metropolitan population of Hanoi is nearing 4 million (that's about 160,000 Utopians).
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The expanded and updated 2nd Edition of the Utopia Guide to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar & Vietnam offers a remarkable insider's glimpse at the gay and lesbian scene in 18 cities including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Yangon/Rangoon, Phnom Penh, and Angkor Wat/Siem Reap. Enjoy savvy comments and recommendations from local Utopians, as well as gay travelers. Click here to order
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Warnings from Utopians:
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"While strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, I met a guy named Binh, who led me to karaoke Hoai Anh (13 Lane 557 Hong Ha Rd). He left me in the karaoke room and came back with two other guys. They ordered two beers, a cola and a dish of dried beef. After 15 minutes Binh brought the bill, I was so astonished that the amount was about US$105. I didn't pay that but unfortunately they started to hit me on my face, then they broke some of the empty beer bottles and said that would kill me if I didn't. Binh searched through my bag and stole my cash and valuables." -- sanchaithai, Dec 2, 2007
"I met a young chap called Sang who suggested we go to a karaoke bar. It was just a room on the upper floor of a house and we were the only ones there. We ordered a few beers and started to sing. When I asked for the bill it was US$200 for three drinks! I got up to leave and the waiter blocked the exit with a beer bottle in his hand demanding US$200. I opened my bag and showed them I had no money. The waiter saw my camera and took it and I said I'd go to to the ATM as the camera was worth more than $200. He eventually agreed. I got on the motorbike and Sang took me to ATM. Then I told Sang I was acting and I wanted to go to the police station. We sped off and then I started to recognise that Sang was taking me back to the bar - so I jumped off the bike and ended up with lots of bruises and scrapes and covered in mud from the rain. Eventually I got to a police station and told my tale and showed them the bar bill - suddenly ten policemen all set off to the address. Sang and the bar staff were brought in. I heard the guys being interrogated and slapped. Six hours later my camera was returned to me and the officer in charge - who kept trying to trick me into saying that the fee had been agreed to - told me that it will be another couple of hours before I can leave! They then decided that they needed a copy of my passport - so I had to go to my hotel with three policemen to get passport and get it copied. The police charged me 5 times the normal rate of a taxi to take me to my hotel - so once again I was being shafted, this time by the police! After more delays trying to find a copier open at 6:40am I managed to hop onto a motocycle and get back to my hotel." -- IrishNoel, Jun 19, 2007
"I heard a sad tale from a Dutch student that I'll pass on as a warning for those who take motor bikes. It was raining and the driver insisted that she put her backpack in front under his poncho, which seemed reasonable. As he drove around he removed her laptop and mobile phone, then pretended not to know the address she wanted to go to and dropped her off somehwere else demanding an outrageous fare to distract her. Of course she refused to pay so he sped off in mock anger with her valuables still under his poncho. Sad." -- god, Mar 13, 2007
- Hai Dang (Light House)
- 736-6653. A club, under the auspices of the Center for HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention, which offers social support and HIV education to the GLBT community as well as sponsoring events and activities.
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Click here for Hanoi hotels and accommodations.
- Connect Café
- So 8, Duong 2, Khu Tap The F361, An Duong, Quan Tay Ho, 717-1227. Located near Hanoi's west lake.
Comments from Utopians:
"I have been to Connect Café. It looks quite nice and it's easy to find, but I found it very boring, just the same as VTN." -- gay19teen, Nov 12, 2007
"Connect Cafe is the second official cafe for gays after VTN cafe. You can show taxi driver the address in Vietnamese: So 8, duong 2, khu tap the F361, An Duong, Tay Ho. It takes about 15 minutes from Hoan Kiem Lake and you will have to pay about D$40,000 to the taxi." -- LeHung, Oct 21, 2007
- GC (Golden Cock)
- 5 Bao Khanh St, (just west of Hoan Kiem Lake). Upscale, western music, pool table. Tends to be packed on Sat between 10-11pm as it closes early.
Comments from Utopians:
"This is a small street with a lot of cafés, restaurants and CD shops. During the weekend, many gays gather at GC. If you want to know Hanoi gay life, come and see." -- LeHung, Oct 5, 2008
- Cay Xoai (mixed)
- Truc Bach lake. Gay-owned.
- Mao's Red Lounge (mixed)
- 7 Ta Hien street, Hoan Kiem District (in old town, very close Hoan Kiem Lake). Nice atmosphere and cool music. Gay-owned.
- Sparks (mixed)
- Lo Duc Street (the old Me Linh Cinema House). Live band and current music hits.
Comments from Utopians:
"If you want to find a gay friends or simply want to enjoy the gay atmosphere, please come, especially on Sat and Sun evening." -- bluelove, Jan 13, 2007
Comments from Utopians:
"About six small massage locations can be found on Quan Thanh St, northwest of the Old Quarter, east of West Lake area. Walk Quang Thanh St, between the cross streets of Yen Ninh and Hang Than. Most of the young men who work these simple one-room shops (no privacy) are poorly trained. They speak no English, and will give a massage with lots of pounding and slapping (Vietnamese style). Afterwards they will always hassle you for more money they than the price they told you when you entered. One exception is Mr. Quyet Vu, a 25-year old, handsome, experienced massage worker at 25 Quan Thanh St. Quyet (pronounced like 'quit') speaks no English but will direct you down an alley and upstairs through a house to his private room (no other clients enter the room and no other friends enter to 'help' Quyet give you a massage). If important to you, instruct Quyet, through sign language, that you do not like the pounding style of massage, but prefer more a more fluid, stroking, rubbing style. He will understand and give you a full-body, professional (non-sexual) massage for US$10." -- DuyLinh, Aug 10, 2007
"Hong Mau Don, 4/F 7 Dinh Tien Hoang St, right near Hoan Kiem Lake. I have had very nice experiences there. Great foot massage, attentive handsome fellows, peace and quiet." -- thomas94610, Jul 18, 2007
- Bao Khanh St (just west of Hoan Kiem Lake). The outdoor coffee shops at the bend in the road are very cruisy.
- Hang Khong (airline) swimming pool
- Ho Tay lake
- Hoan Kiem Lake -- beware of rip-off criminals posing as friendly gays.
- outside the walls of the French Embassy
- Lao Dong swimming pool
- Lenin Park -- beware of rip-off criminals posing as friendly gays.
- Thien Quang lake, especially cruisy, but beware of rip-off criminals posing as friendly gays.
- Daluva Wine | Tapas | Events
- 33 To Ngoc Van St, Tay Ho Dist, 243-4009, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly restaurant, café and wine bar located 15 minutes from Hoan Kiem Lake. Stylish venue open daily from 8am-11pm. Breakfast, lunch, imported Italian coffee; tapas and small plates; fine wines and spirits. They'll gladly help visitors get the lay of the land. Open and friendly to all.
Utopia Member Discount - Little Hanoi (French and Vietnamese)
- 21 Hang Gai St (just a block away from Hoan Kiem Lake), 828-8333. Not as yummy as street food (tasteless quiche, uninspired spring rolls), but a charming and clean interior that attracts local expats and tourists alike. Two rooms, one with a long bar, and tables at the windows for people watching. Open daily from 7:20am-9:30pm.
- Adam
- 92 Ngo Tho Quan, Pho Kham Thien, Quan Dong Da, 093-616-8886, 241-3541, email. The Ngo (alley) starts between 215 and 217 Kham Thien St. A modern sauna for men located in a 3-story building. Facilities include steam room, sauna, jaccuzi, relaxing bar and a gym. There are no private rooms. Entry includes a bottle of water and use of two towels. Gay-owned.
Comments from Utopians:
"Spa Adam is now open from noon until 11pm. Entry is D$70,000 and for those who have a membership card from D$20,000-60,000. If you check out before 5pm, entry is D$30,000 or free for those 22yo or younger. Show your ID when paying." -- LeHung, Nov 18, 2008
"My first trip to Vietnam was ten years ago. Last week I returned to Hanoi and visited Adam sauna. I was astonished that Hanoi has such a beautiful sauna. I was attracted right from its appearance. Staff were so nice and kind. I had fun with some cute guys there. I love this place and will be back." -- activeman, Nov 16, 2008
"I found Adam very interesting. I also played with a lot of bisexual men. That was really great!" -- Alex20, Nov 12, 2008
"Visited Adam sauna late night on Oct 23. Few guys then, but I had fun. The steam room's hot with the guys. Hope to be back again! " -- anc457, Oct 28, 2008
"Adam sauna does not have a dark room, but we can do everything we want in every dark corner. I found that it's very interesting there. Adam is very clean with a sweet smell. I like the owner of this sauna. He is cute, intelligent and nice. He gives so much information about gay life in Vietnam. I love this sauna." -- kingsize, Oct 23, 2008
"On my first visit to Adam two weeks ago, I found that this place is very nice, but not so clean. On my second visit to Spa Adam yesterday, I noticed that everything is improved significantly. This very Vietnamese place is not so big, but cozy, with many cute local guys. I love this place and I will visit again." -- Italian_guy, Oct 7, 2008
"I was shocked by the state of this place. Not only was it dirty, it had no atmosphere, no private rooms and the facilities were bad. For D$70,000, what can you expect?" -- wfischer78, Sep 26, 2008
"I went to Adam yesterday. Amazed by how many guys were there, cruising, chatting and more. The place is clean and has very nice decoration. The staff are very friendly. I will come back again." -- harryboy, Jul 19, 2008
"Adam spa is a nice, clean place, with lots of guys ready to play. There are no private rooms or private areas, so fun happens everywhere. It was very crowded every day I was there." -- jucavi, Mar 9, 2008
"I visited Adam soon after the Tet holiday. I found it very Vietnamese. I love the people there. I wish I could stay there longer." -- American_boy, Feb 15, 2008
"Entrance is D$60,000. People are all friendly but quite wild compared to Malaysian and Singaporean saunas." -- simpletravel, Jan 21, 2008
"I love Adam. Very friendly, very romantic. I also love going on Tue because of their entrance fee discount for students under 22 years old." -- sweetboy, Nov 28, 2007
"Adam is the best sauna in Vietnam. People are very friendly and the sauna is clean. I love this sauna." -- fx_boyhn, Nov 23, 2007
"Adam is very nice." -- ponlll, Sep 29, 2007
"I went before 7pm and had a great time. Everything was clean and all the staff and patrons were very friendly. Lots of cute guys." -- caolon, Aug 23, 2007
- GoGoClub
- 55 Phao Dai Lang St, Dong Da Dist, 6296-4865, 094-389-8966. Steam bath, dry sauna, jaccuzi, Dao Spa herbal, mineral bath, mini bar and three private rooms. Free Wi-Fi and helpful info about Hanoi's gay scene.
Comments from Utopians:
"I've visited GogoClub twice and it was a nice experience. It is quite neatly furnished and immaculately tidy. The bar is elegantly decorated in a warm colored room with a small balcony where I can look out to the street and enjoy some drinks after a hot session ;) Another feature is the three private rooms, really convenient if you fancy a guy. The shower room is an open area so you can watch other guys showing off naturally :D" -- guyasiahn, Nov 16, 2008
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