Hanoi

[jackbl]

Musings on Hanoi
============================

I’ve spent a lot of time in Hanoi over the last 14 years, and have strong emotions about it, not of course all positive. Back in 1994, it was possible to walk around at 10 p.m. in the winter down the streets, which were basically empty of traffic, with a group of friends. There was almost no crime—it is still minimal—and people went home early in the cold. Those were the days of frequently riding two or more to a bicycle, of going for hours-long bike rides out of the city, of breathing the air without wanting a mask to protect from the fumes.

Back then, about half of trips were made by bicycle, and cycling seemed the most sensible way to move about. Why use fuel unnecessarily? Why not combine exercise, recreation, and travel, saving time and money while having a good time? On almost every street corner there was someone to pump your tires or fix your bike; all over the city were convenient and safe places to park your bike. With a basket on the front and a carrier on the back, the bicycle could transport significant goods, or two adults, or just that faithful and nearly cost-free companion that shrunk the city to a conveniently accessible size. Even going out of town for 30 or 40 kilometers or more, why take a bus when the bike ride was such a pleasure?

Even back then, walking, in contrast, was not much fun. Many of the sidewalks were in disrepair. Dodging vendors was at least entertaining, and often they had something for sale I might want; dodging the parked motorbikes was annoying and dangerous, as a careless scrape could mean a bad burn on your leg.

Over the years, the government eased the barriers on importing motorcycles, the price fell, and most of the city’s bicycles were replaced by motorbikes. Since motorbikes move faster than bicycles, this should have relieved the urban congestion. But motorbikes also take up more space, both when moving and parked, and as they idle in traffic, they release a lot of fumes. Also, people who at most would ring their bell occasionally on their bicycle were now beeping away with their motorbike horns at all the other traffic. The formerly fairly quiet and unpolluted streets—congested though they sometimes were with many bicycles—became noisy and smelly. Traffic jams appeared, like we’d never seen before.

Then in the summer of 2008, Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization, and the heavy import fees on cars were dropped. As cars began to flood the market, car parking reached crisis proportions. Already many of the sidewalks were taken over by parked motorbikes; now just one parked car could do the job of several motorbikes. Cars occupy far more space than a motorbike, so congestion could only worsen. Speed is hardly a consideration in any case, with so many people traveling through a relatively small city.

One of the problems in Hanoi, I realize, is that the conditions for walking are generally so bad, people will take motorbikes even for very short trips. Since the cyclos (rickshaws) were banned years ago, and most people have traded in their bicycles for motorbikes, even a trip of a kilometer or less is frequently made using fuel. That is wasteful, and contributes to the congestion, pollution, and general unpleasantness of the city.

The government has made taken some positive initiatives. They improved the bus service years ago, but unfortunately, since the buses occupy the same street space as cars, they are stuck in congestion like everyone else—and, in veering between the bus stops and the street, they make the situation dangerous for others. Far more sensible would be a bus rapid transit system, or the revival of the former tram system, operating on its own tracks, free of congestion, and virtually free of danger for the others on the streets.

The government also provided very wide sidewalks on many of the streets, and many of those are well-shaded with big trees. But the wide sidewalks are on the busiest streets, where the noise and fumes of the traffic are worst; on the narrower streets, where it is less unpleasant to walk alongside the traffic, the sidewalks are narrower and often fully occupied by motorbike parking. Banning the cyclos meant removing a pollution-free mode of transport. The painted cycle lanes are meaningless, as they are usually occupied by motorbikes and cars, moving or parked; if all the streets had separate bike lanes raised from the street or otherwise physically distinct from it, then people might again be induced to cycle again. As it is, the fumes and danger are too strong of disincentives. Meanwhile, the more space given over for cars, the less that is left for everyone else.

It is ironic that as Asian cities become more crowded, they choose traffic patterns that are the least space-efficient. In aiming for speed, they end up with traffic congestion. In aiming to meet people’s needs, they spend enormous amounts of money on infrastructure to benefit the few. They dismantle the tram systems that would have served the city well, and ban the vehicles that are space-efficient and require little fuel. They ignore those on foot, significant as they are to meeting travel needs, and despite the fact that they should be encouraged, as it is pedestrians who demand the least and require absolutely no fuel (other than food and water) for their movements. Bicycles, formerly the main transport mode, are neglected or ignored.

Meanwhile, New York City is planning to build 4,000 kilometers of cycle lanes; Copenhagen hopes to have half of its work trips by bicycle by 2015; and London is investing millions of dollars in infrastructure to become the cycling capital of the world. European cities, vastly more wealthy than those of developing Asian economies, encourage walking and often emphasize trams for public transport. If cities with the most money and the least densities feel the need to promote space-efficient, economic modes, how can cities of Asia feel that they can afford—economically or environmentally—to follow the most inefficient, wasteful, and polluting patterns?

The previous decade or two have brought many negative changes to Asian cities in terms of increasing traffic congestion, pollution, and travel costs. But smart policies could contribute to ensuring that the next decade illustrates the viability of cities full of pedestrians and cyclists complemented by modern surface-level public transit. Such cities would have air people can breathe, streets people can safely cross, and a citizenry proud to live in a city that emphasizes livability and sociability while addressing their other basic needs.

By Debra Efroymson
Debra Efroymson is a Regional Director of HealthBridge. She has worked for HealthBridge since 1995, first in Hanoi, Vietnam, then since 1998 in Dhaka, Bangladesh

[delish]

I recently stayed at The Melia Hotel, this is my first FR so bear with me.

I went to the hotel Spa thinking ok it's clean so let's have a good massage, I opted for the body scrub and 90 min full body massage and was taken to a room.

I was asked to strip naked and not offered any of the silly pants, lay on the bed and the girl started the body scrub, when it was over I went and showered and when I returned to the room she took away my towel and rubbed cream into my naked body, the little general started to rise but I thought this must be a clean joint so ignored it.

I lay on the bed and a different girl came in to massage me, this is where the fun started as she was very attentive around my buttocks and inner thigh, as I was face down I let the little general rise to the occasion, when she asked me to turn over she pulled the towel up to just level with my balls got on the bed between my legs and and started to massage them all the way to the top, I was hard as could be by now, and then she asked if I would like my hardness maasaged, I couldn't resist and it was soon over, cleaned up and carried on with the massage.

Needless to say I was surprised that you can get this action in a spa of a 5* hotel.

I look forward to staying there again

[luckyboi88]

Originally Posted by deptrai4u

Do drop me a PM once ur bookings are confirmed and I shall see what I can do. Cheers!

Hi bro,

Thanks for the lobangs when i was in Hanoi.

Had two wonderful night outs with you and ur friend. First was to KTV, the ger that i ordered was really 'hot'!!! I still can't 4get the moments she 'bite' me She's hot!!! Really value for $$ for such a big room and cheap beer!

You recommended me a massage place on the 2nd night. No frills and so cheap!!!

Thumbs upz to u!!!!

[luckyboi88]

Bro deptrai4u, how to up ur reputation?

[deptrai4u]

J

Originally Posted by luckyboi88

Bro deptrai4u, how to up ur reputation?

U power=0 so unable to up anyone.

[Zinziaswee]

Hi to all Bros,

Just like to drop an FR about a massage I had in Hanoi recently.

Having heard about the positive experiences of Bros who got help from Bro Deptrai4u, I dropped bro a message but something went wrong with my phone and I wasn't able to access my messages after that. Since I was going to leave almost the next day (I think) and really aching for a massage and some tender loving care, I really wanted to experience what massage is like at Hanoi.

Having kept my eyes peeled for HCs, I chance across some that has a sign "Tam Quat" but they were absolutely dinghy, with a guy playing computer games when I went in to enquire, though some of the girls there looked oh-so-sexy, in their spagetti strap blouses showing ample assets...I don't dare to try lah...in the end I decided to just humdum one stylish looking one that I saw around the corner of where I stayed...at least its near my hotel, looks more hygienic and respectable lor...

Anyway, I approached the counter and opted for one of the 2-hr packages they offered which comes with steambath, scrub and massage. Normally only massage and straight to business back home, now got all these extras, not bad lor I think.

I was showed to a room by the guy from the counter and at first I felt awkward lah...where is the girl?! Left in the room, I was really out iof my element as I was supposed to wait for the girl to arrive lor,...then in come a girl that looks a little lian but so very friendly. She tried to communicate with me but realize I do not speak vietnamese at all. So both of us fall back on the international sign and broken english language lor...

From her gestures, I guessed I was supposed to strip and go into the steam bath cubicle...stripping down to nothingness in front of her was a little emabarassing for me...normally still got towel to cover first mah...now take off everything like a naughty school boy in full view of her...she just smiled lah, when she saw my didi growing...but she ushered me into the steambath and turned on the steam...closed the door to the cubicle and then helped me hang my clothes.

It's been so long since I sweated myself out that i kinda enjoyed the time in the cubicle, with the prespiration dripping down my body...anyway afterwhat seemed like 15-20mins, with the glass door of the cubicle totally steamed up, I knocked on it to indicate I was done and she opened the door and led me into the jacuzzi...wah the service so good lor...hold my hand to the tub and helped me ease into the jacuzzi.

Using hand signals and touch, she asked if I wanted to wash my hair (I think) and my face (I think) and since I am already here, definitely ok lah!! So I closed my eyes to enjoy the treatment...wah damn shiok lor...someone to do it wile I relax in the too-big-for-me tub....but only downside is when washing my face lor...though I know she tried, the water splashing on my face caused me to spit, sputter and cough, though I swim, it felt like the water was gushing into my nose and mouth, so malu greenhorn haha!

Then she asked me to sit up while she soaped my body and then lie down again as she lifted my legs, one at a time, to soap it. With all these happening I cannot sleep liao lor...especially when the bubbles in the jacuzzi begins to foam around me...and then I felt her hand going to my didi, presumably to wash it as well...but her hand lingered there playing with it for some time...using her thumb to gently flick across the tip of the head...stroking the shaft...fondling the ping pongs...playing around the backdoor...so shiok I lifted my butt off the seat to let her play more...wah if the hair washing was shiok, this is heaven lor...not knowing how to ask her to continue, I just use the international language of moaning to convey to her not to stop lah...haha!

After what seemed like 10mins-15mins, she asked me to stand up to wash off the soap from my body. As I rise from the water, my didi marikita liao lor, sticking out like clothes hanger...but I think she numb to the sights liao and did not show any surprise but ernestly wash off the soap and handing me a towel after that.

Sensing that I may feel cold, she quickly went and switched off the aircon while I dried myself and then came over to help me dry off...standing so close, and with all the GFE...I so tempted to kiss her and get into action but didn't lah...do anything wrong here, after disappear in Hanoi no one knows...!

Once she guided me to the massage table, I was surprised that the sequence did not start with my back first then the front, but it is the front to massage the legs first then flip to massage the back then the front again for the special...Until now, we have not communicated much but on the massage table, suddenly we began to communicate with each other...honestly, I'm surprised how much we can say with simple one-word english, hand signals, writing invisibly on palms etc. For instance I found out she's from HCM and works in Hanoi. She's returning to HCM in Dec only to return a month (a week?) later. She likes men to shave their kukus but keep their leg hair. Having nipple hair is good and shouldn't be removed. She used to have one single long hair on her left nipple but she's sad she washed it off unknowingly when she was bathing. She's 23 and no boyfriend (yeah, right) and willing to exchange numbers with me (yeah, right again) She coloured her own nails and she is tired from a day's work. Damn, leave me there another 20 mins and I'd probably know which primary school she's from and her neighbour's name!

Anyway, the massage was nice, but uses minimal oil...I think it is the thai style lah...her back massage was really good though...that was the 2nd time that night I moaned when she does her magic on my back...strong and decisive...I liikkee! During her massage...since she did not reject, I let my hands roam around her thighs and legs lah...wah damn smooth leh...In between, she of course broached the topic of massaging "baby"...we negotiated a bit and settled on 400.000 dong since I also wanted to complete the session and be back for a good night's rest for my flight the next day...so after agreeing, she lifted the miniscule towel covering my didi and applied oil to start her magic finger session...she used more oil here than any part of my entire body but the effect was so nice...since she seated herself on the massage table I had easy access to her boobs, her thighs and also slipped my fingers in to feel her g-string and a little of her "little sister", through out this, we were communicating about mundane things almost like girlfriend jerking a boyfriend off...so, it was so so so shiok lor...it went on for a good 15-20mins I think and this was the 3rdtime in the evening I moaned again...hearing this...she must have increased her tempo and focused on her task at hand...and as I was a good boy over the past few days, when I came, I like fountain lor...went on slightly longer than usual...wah...I suddenly very drained lor...

Glancing at the clock I was close to closing time at 12am (since I started at 10pm), so she carefully cleaned me up and led me to the tub to wash me off and still took a little time stroking my didi during the washing time...the Hanoi experience is exceptional man!

After washing up, I climbed out of the tub while she came over with a towel to dry me off. She then guided me over to my clothes and slowly passed me my clothes one at a time to wear. After I wore my boxers and shirt, she passed me my socks. I was a little surprised as I asked for my trousers but she refused, insisting I wear my socks first. After a while of to-and-fro, she explained (in sign language) that it is more comfortable for me to bend down now to wear my socks rather than bending down after wearing my pants which can restrict myself...so thoughtful! The only better thing she can do now is help me wear my clothes also! Haha!

After standing there passing my clothes to me one by one and "inspecting" that I have worn my clothes to "her satsfaction", I settled the charges and she came real close to me to give me a hug and a peck. She opened the door and we walked down to the recep together arms around each other's waist...I settled my massage charges at the counter and went back to my room a drained but happy man!

The massage experience in Hanoi has been remarkable! Exceeding expectations! With their demeanor, its easy to fall for the masseues too! How can local MPs and HCs compare?! While I won't be surprised that this could very well be standard practice and they do this with all clients but it is so comprehensive, caring and GFE!

So my first experience in Hanoi:
Name: Tjin
Looks: 6.8/10 (a little lian but I kinda like)
Body: 8/10 (slim overall with a cute butt, I like)
Boobs: 34B bah (though played with nipples but did not remove top)
HJ: 7.8/10 (varying speeds and caring- but I tend to like the JG type lah)
RTM: Yes, if I'm back...but probably can try others too...the Tam Quat place looks sinister but the chio-bu's quite hot leh...hehe

My first FR from Hanoi, to experienced bros in Hanoi or frequent Hanoi, feel free to let me know if there's anywhere I can improve

Cheers

[enzomatrix]

hi guys, will be in hanoi from 6 - 14 aug. Anyone free to meetup :P

[asylum javelin]

Originally Posted by deptrai4u

J


U power=0 so unable to up anyone.

hi deptrai4u, I want to UP you also.....hihihi, jocking nhe and bump up the hanoi thread, so quiet down here.

cheers.....aj

[deptrai4u]

Originally Posted by asylum javelin

hi deptrai4u, I want to UP you also.....hihihi, jocking nhe and bump up the hanoi thread, so quiet down here.

cheers.....aj

Thanks for visiting, this thread is quiet and anyway I dun cheong so no FR to write.

[elth]

Hi bro deptrai4u how u been

[deptrai4u]

Originally Posted by elth

Hi bro deptrai4u how u been

Me good! Everyday in hanoi, meeting up with a few new GF and playing mind games with them, very fun!

[Hurricane88]

Originally Posted by deptrai4u

Me good! Everyday in hanoi, meeting up with a few new GF and playing mind games with them, very fun!

haha....good for you...

same like me playing with a few in hcm...nowadays just show up and talk...they will approach me and I seized the opportunity...sure strike...

[passion80]

Hi Bros,

Will be going for the Exhibition Show at (International Center for Exhibition, 91 Tran Hung Dao St) next month 15-17 Sept.

As this is my 1st visit to Hanoi, any kind ppl can recommend a nice hotel nearby with a pretty gal and nice massage?

[Razoreng]

HI,

Will be Hanoi this weekend, any lobang in Fortuna KTV. Any contact of KTV girls to share.

Thanks.

[naemlo]

Originally Posted by passion80

As this is my 1st visit to Hanoi, any kind ppl can recommend a nice hotel nearby with a pretty gal and nice massage?

Sounded like u r looking for someone who can provide u everything including sex right to your door step.

Originally Posted by Razoreng

HI,

Will be Hanoi this weekend, any lobang in Fortuna KTV. Any contact of KTV girls to share.

Girl's contact, I have but why should I give it to u? Or why should others give u??