Hanoi

I am planning a trip to Hanoi. Has anyone actually been there? I know it is nothing like Thailand, has anyone had a massage with a happy ending? Are there any gay bars where willing locals hang out?

Just back home and already planning you're next trip - I really like your style, a447. :notworthy:

http://polar.com.vn/
http://www.amispa.com.vn/
http://www.zspa.com.vn/
http://www.gogoclub.com.vn/
http://www.namspa.net/

Sorry, not into massages myself. I find it easier to go to the chat. Thailand is great to party, Vietnam is great for finding a non commercial partner. Age and physique are not that important here. You might wanna try:
http://ngaytho.info/diendan/forum.php

Don't expect to much information from the boys you chat with. in Thailand they often say up to you, in Vietnam they usually have no clue whats going on in their own city.

You might find someone who speaks English and willing...often, no money has to exchange hands in Vietnam. I'm not really up to date what Hanoi gay bars is concerned, but probably nothing very interesting. It's a fact that all the straight clubs in Vietnam, are full with gays. In other words, they are really everywhere. They don't like to get a gay stigma. I really hate it when they tell me they don't want to go to a certain place because there are to many gays :violent1:

Another important thing to look for are the clubs who have host ladies. those girls that come sit with you and drink for a couple of hours. Obviously your not interested in the girls, but those bars usually have male staff only, and they are definitely willing to make some extra money.

Last thing. I know that there is a gay Ho Chi Minh city Facebook group. There might be one for Hanoi as well.

Be safe in Hanoi!

Yeah, Joe, I spend a lot of time on the road. I'm actually a bit late with the bookings for this trip - I usually book one trip while I'm enjoying another. But I just had some reservations, so to speak, about Vietnam, as I found little gay life on my previous 2 visits. Still, Hanoi might have something, considering its size so I took the plunge today.
I now have become a fan of massages - same happy ending but none of the bullshit associated with bar hopping.

vnman - thanks for that info. Do you live in VN, or are you a frequent visitor there? Are there any well-known female host clubs in the city that I could easily find?

I'd LOVE a sexy massage at one of the spas in Hanoi, but I'm not sure how far they go. Can you get Thai-like service there?

I've been in Vietnam 6.5 years now. I spent a couple of months in Hanoi, but that was a few years ago. Things change very fast in this country, and especially when those things have anything to do with gays.

Like i said before, I'm not into massages so I can't speak from experience. friends have told me good and bad things about Vn massages. I don't know when you're going but i could ask a Vietnamese friend to do some snooping around the forums and get some up to date relevant information. I just had a boy translate a thread about Polar and they general consensus was they the place is to small. I understand what you're interested in and I'll get the information, providing you're not going tomorrow.

About those bars; I know many of these them in Ho Chi Minh city but none in Hanoi. I just wanted you to know about their existence so you wouldn't miss out when you walked into one thinking that it's only a girly bar.

The masseurs in Ami spa were rather fit & also energetic in their efforts to please.

Thanks vnman. Any info your friend can find for me would be much appreciated. I wont be going for a month or so.
Goji, if I am reading correctly between the lines Ami sounds like a fun place. Definitely worth a visit.

Try Hoan Kiem Lake (Hс╗У Ho├аn Kiс║┐m) near the Huc Bridge, the washrooms at night.
Just don't let them take you to a karaoke bar....it's almost always a scam.

I've heard there are also rent boys at Lenin Park...but haven't needed to go as there's always plenty at Hoan Kiem.

Surfcrest