Vendors near Hanoi Post Office - Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Josephs Hotel has been going for a year or so and it’s a great place to rest your weary body after a day exploring Vietnam’s Capital! Owners Brian (from NZ) and his wife Van (from VN) have done a great job in decking out this great boutique hotel. Here’s the gossip from the streets!

Location

Located at No 5 Au Trieu Street, you could not ask for a better location. Next to St Joseph Cathedral, you only have a 4 minute walk to Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter is a just a little further on. The popular shopping area of Hang Gia and Hang Bong is a 2 minute stroll and the cafe filled street of Nha Tho is only a stagger from the front door!

Rooms

Josephs Hotel has 10 rooms all decked out and designed with modern lacquer furniture, decorative lamps, flat screen TV, air-con, free tea and coffee (in room), free wifi (in room), complementary water (daily) and great beds. And I have to make mention of the pillows, simply the best in Vietnam!

The bathrooms, while small, are fitted out with quality fittings and huge shower heads. Hair dryer, shampoo, conditioner etc are supplied as well

Front rooms have a small balcony which is great to view the street life and all the rooms have windows which is a bonus, especially in Hanoi! 

Price 

Rooms go for around $50USD per night, but Brian is flexible depending on availability! 

Rates include breakfast, which consists of freshly cooked eggs, bacon, sausage etc all cooked to your liking or you can try the cereals, juices, toast etc. They also have freshly brewed plunger coffee which is much better than the normal crap served at hotels! 

English newspapers are on the tables for those that want to catch up on the news over a coffee and a feed!

The Good Oil

May not be for the budget traveler, but Josephs Hotel is a really great find. You simply won’t find a better location, cleaner hotel or better hosts.

Bookings are highly recommended.

Contact Details

Address: No. 5 Au Trieu – Hoan Kiem – Ha Noi

Tel: +84 4 39381048    Fax: +84 4 39381046

Email: info@josephshotel.com    Web: www.josephshotel.com

The author, Adam Hurley, has stayed at Josephs Hotel several times through out 2010.

For more info, travel tips and free travel advice visit – www.vietnamandcambodia.com

Through out the Museum are some fantastic photos and a great outdoor display area with Tanks, Guns and Armored vehicles used by both the Vietnamese and US Forces.

Entrance to the museum cost 25,000VND per person and it’s open everyday, except Mondays. Closed for lunch.

From the the Museum Website (http://vnmilitaria.com/museum1.htm):

The Army Museum is one of six national museums. It was established Dec, 22nd 1959 in the center of Hanoi, near V.L Lenin’s statue, some 600 meters from President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum to the East, in 10.000 square meters area.

A well – known ancient monument on the grounds of the museum in Hanoi flag Tower, classified as a national historic cultural monument. The construction of the Tower started in 1805 and was completed in 1812, with a height of nearly 31 meters and a circumstance of 180 meters.

The Army Museum offers a lively and attractive history of the Vietnamese people’s armed forces under the leadership of Vietnam’s communist party and of president Ho Chi Minh.

Thousands of exhibits, photographs, maps, scale models… are in the museum. This’ll give visitors a good general knowledge of the process of the birth, growth and victories of the Vietnamese people’s armed forces for the cause of peace, independence and freedom.

======================

For a great selection of places to stay with discount prices visit Hanoi Hotels for more information