I haven't traveled widely but was in Hanoi a few months ago.

Interesting old architecture (very vertical because of old tax laws on width of lots, I was told). Only one or two high-rises, and none in the old quarter.

Good food both Vietnamese and French (probably because of embassies, French food can be outstanding--for instance at Verticale restaurant).

Nonstop motorcycle traffic with horns but very, very orderly; just cross the street deliberately and it's like swimming through a school of fish. Few cars. Streets free of litter, and foot pavements in generally good condition though often clogged with parked motorcycles in the old quarter, forcing pedestrians into the roadway.

Much good art and plenty of schlock as well. Don't miss the National Art Museum--outstanding, with fair prices on very good art at the museum shop.

Clothing as cheap as or cheaper than in Bangkok.

Even found a gay sauna--hardly any sex on premises, no private rooms, but clean, with pleasant people and plenty of hook-up opportunities. Also went to one gay bar downtown--small but pretty popular.

Was advised to be careful about being a lone man cruising along the central lake, for fear of being propositioned by ill-intentioned fake gays who might eventually present a danger if invitations accepted--but I wasn't alone, and I can't imagine anything overtly violent right there near the lake. I would think just being healthily skeptical might be enough.

Don't know how summer weather is, but winter weather was decidedly chilly.

A good young gay guide, very personable, advertises online.

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-- Thanks for your update - appreciated.
1.- You have names & addresses?
2.- Any further info.?
-- Bibi.. --

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Bar was Golden Cock (G/C), 5A Bao Khan, in the Hoan Kiem district, 825-0499.

Adam spa, 92 Ngo Tho Quan (narrow lane), Pho Kham Thien, in the Dong Da district, 241-3541, 093-616-8886, narrow lane begins between 215 and 217 Kham Thien.

Guide was Leo--see http://www.stickyrice.ws/?view=hanoi-really and www.picturetrail.com/longviettravel.

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-- Stillthrobbing,
- Thank you for your prompt and complete reply - appreciated, (and not only by me, I'm sure.),.
- As has been noted elsewhere: good boyz, guides and so on deserve to be recommended so that they may reap their just rewards of being and doing.
-- Bibi.. --

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I think these gangs are not too different from the Robinson boys. Just don't bother with them and you will have a good time in Hanoi.

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One place to definitely check out in Hanoi is Mo's Little Red Lounge - a gay owned and run place right in the heart of the Chinese quarter.

Mo is a hoot - a really friendly guy who seems to have cultivated a bit of a devoted following. We arrived the night James Brown died - so we had a bit of a themed wake for him...

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I have not heard of anything like this with Robinsons boys. What have you heard?

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Only what my ex BF told me - the stealing and extortion without the gangs part. I'm too much of a chicken to pick up guys on the street..

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-- It's many a long yr. since I've had any dealings with any of the boyz who hang-out in the gen'l. area of ROBINSON'S, the PAN PACIFIC HTL. and CHARN ISSARA TWR., (along Rama IV rd.),. In those days I was staying at the well-known SURIWONGSE HTL. where any and all of my valuables were in one of the safe-deposit boxes.
- However, if one has any doubts about one's companion - but they are o'come. by the desires of the flesh - then one should avail of that hotel's short-time rooms; better to spend an extra 300.Bh. than to have items taken from one's own hotel's room.

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There's now a different type of gang operating in Silom......urchin Cambodian pick-pockets. Classic technique....returning from DJ about 2 am with new best friend, we were approached by young urchin with rather tatty looking bunch of roses who ran up to me and leant against me asking me to buy roses. ...as I tried to brush him gently away, I realise I ws being patted down from behind. I slapped a young hand just as it was heading into my side pocket (mobile phone) and I turned to see 3 even younger (about 9 or 10 year old) kids scampering away. I'd heard reports of this happening in Pattaya, but never seen in BKK before.

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-- Timeo infantes et rosas ferentes!, (after Publius Vergilius Maro; 70-19BC.),.
-- -- Bibi.. --

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These types of urchin gangs have been common in parts of Europe for decade - how sad they are now here in the LOS.

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