Greetings from Hanoi! We arrived last night after a long flight from LA.
I just wanted to say hello. This is NOT going to be our trip report. That will come later.

If you want to follow along "in the moment" I'm going to try to post some as we go on our website, www.wired2theworld.com.
If you have Twitter, I'm already tweeting from VN, you can find me @wired2theworld. If you follow me, make sure to send me a tweet and let me know you're from Fodor's so I can follow you back.

Off now for a tour with the Hanoi Kids!

I look forward to your report - especially about the food!

Happy touring. May you have a wonderful trip.

have fun....didn't we just get a cooking e mail from you yesterday or the day before???

see you in Saigon!

PS the last two folks who have arrived here from Hanoi both had snatchings. Get your radar up.

What's 'snatchings?' Is it a disease?

While I don't have anything new posted on the website yet, if you're curious about my planning and preparation for the trip, that's all already there. There are google maps I created for most of our stops and I've also just updated my Basic Packlist page to include this trip (we both went carry-on only with no trouble).

Had a nice time with the two young ladies from Hanoi Kids. We visted HCM (yes, the man himself), saw his former home, the stilt house, the One Piller Pagoda and went to the Tempe of literature. We asked them to select the place for lunch and they picked Quon an Ngon which was high on my list for places to try. Great meal for 4 for $13!

Lori- Snatchings? Like from a motorbike?

Bob-I was crazy-busy in the days before we left and yes, even did a food blog post.

Yes from a motorbike both times, one a purse, one a high dollar camera.

Sorry about "snatchings" I am always making nouns out of verbs and vice versa and then wonder why people don't understand me.

Kristina-have a wonderful time. We know your trip report will be a good read. Keep your antennae alert for "snatchings" and other scams.

Lori-you're from Texas, that's why people don't understand your language.

Just curious, Kristina - do you recall the names of your Hanoikids guides? How is the Elegance 4? I regret missing Quan an Ngon - it was on our list. Looking forward to more.

Craig-Our guides were Thin, a 3rd yr University student, and Van, a first yr Uni student. Both were sweet, inquistive, and had fairly good English. It will be interesting to read what they write about us on the Hanoi Kids website (as they did about you).

After Lori's warning, I went out walking by myself and was on high alert. No snatchings I am happy to report.

We're about to go out to dinner, in search of street food. This afternoon, I was a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of eating out; I didn't see a lot of stuff to which I could just "point and order". I'm hoping to find better offerings tonight.

Have a great time, you guys!

Apparantly, Pho is NOT just for breakfast anymore. Our search for street food was curtailed due to rain. Instead we ran into a little storefront restaurant which served ONLY beef pho and was filled with locals. Very good. Two bowls, 2 big beers, $4, much happiness.

You're in Hanoi. You need to be eating bun cha every hour on he hour. Here's the place:
http://www.pbase.com/loricarlson/image/75955812

it's in the old quarter. Please go there.

Thanks, Christina. Have a great time! Happy Travels!

Looking forward to those mouthwatering food pics!

OMG Lori! Last night I asked the guy at the front desk for restraunt recs.
First he suggested the ususal "safe" choices; Quon an Ngon and Green Tangerine.
I said, "What about something less touristy, more local?"
He said, "You like Bun Cha? Go to this place, it's right at the end of the street..."
We went and could not find it at first, because it turned out to be closed already. It was the place in your photo! We are there for certain today.

-Kristina, up at 4am due to jet lag.

It sounds like you are getting a nice sample of the food!

Ok, went to the big market (not worth the trip in the rain) and then had an early lunch of Bun Cha at the place in Lori's photo.
Freakin' A-mazing. Enough said.

Ok, a little food preview..

Pho from last night http://twitpic.com/99lzu

Bun Cha from lunch http://twitpic.com/9dcep