scorching summer in Hanoi

My friends and I went see the Asian Cup 2007 to Hanoi.
Anyway Hanoi is beastly hot in July, I was sweaty due to just short walking outside.
I could have relaxed at any hotel with outdoor pool unless we had been obliged to pick up the Asian Cup ticket here.
If you visit here in summer, it would be better to book such hotels.
And I also suggest getting foot massage on the way to exploring in the city. It cost about US$5 (80,000VND) per hour.
According to Japanese guidebook, Vietnam Sketch, there are some massage salons near the St. Joseph's Cathedral (Nha Tho Lon), we went to Lagoon Foot Massage which is one of them.
Though it was early in the evening, several people came to the shop; all of us here might have had same mind, right?

Japan won the match by three to one.

I took a walk on the Old Quarter before breakfast.
Pho stalls and cafes open around 7:00 a.m..
These shops are popular among the locals, I could smell appetizing sandwiches of French bread from cafes.
Though I was sweating because of humid weather outside, I stopped by some cafes.
I tried to eat a sandwich, it was very nice.
Without breakfast in the hotel, it's no problem.

exploring in Hanoi
Old Quarter			Vietnam Football Federation
Van Mieu (Temple of Literature)
Lunch at Green Tangerine			Nha Tho Lon (St. Joseph's Cathedral)

After having a breakfast, we went to Vietnam Football Federation's office to pick up the ticket by taxi.
Our party organizer, Toshiya said "The Asian Cup tickets haven't been sent because I received the following e-mail from VFF: the courier has sent back the tickets to us because they could not find and collect the transportation fee at your address. Hence, we must pick up the ticket in this morning."
We arrived VFF office and then picked up the ticket, posters, and taking a ceremonial photograph.
After that, I bought Japan's soccer team replica uniform at the sports shop near the office.
So I completed my preparations to support Japan's team.

Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) can be accessed from VFF office on foot.
This temple is a shrine to Confucius, which was originally built in 1070.
Since inside is very quiet, we could settle down to explore the temple.
Also free musical performances took place in the temple, we gave some money to donation box.

We had a lunch at Green Tangerine that is located near Thang Long Water Puppetry Theatre.
The restaurant is posh in the colonial style, and offers French and Vietnamese mixed cuisine.
I recommend you to order French set menu (US$9) or Vietnamese set menu (US$15) at lunch, so French set menu is reasonable than Vietnamese one.

I got a foot massage during afternoon. it was kind of killing time!
Hanoi is humid in July, it is advisable to relax in the hotel with pool.
If you stay in budget hotels like us, you can go swimming in Sao Mai pool where it is located near Phu Tay Ho and the most popular pool in Hanoi.
Otherwise, nonresidents can use hotel pools at Hotel Nikko Hanoi, Hilton Hanoi Opera, Sheraton Hanoi Hotel, Asean International Hotel and Thang Loi Hotel, said Japanese guidebook, Vietnam Sketch.
In each case I don't suggest assiduously exploring in the city during summer.

Asian Cup 2007 (Japan vs UAE at My Dinh National Stadium)

My Dinh National Stadium where Asian Cup match Japan vs UAE took place is far from Hanoi Old Quarter.
It is different from Hanoi Stadium (San van dong Hang Day) located near Van Mieu, please take care when you ask taxi driver to go there.
Attention! Forget walking, cycling or busing to My Dinh Stadium unless you're keen on adventure.
Taxis cost us about 80,000VND (US$5) between Old Quarter and the stadium.
Therefore there is no restaurant near the stadium, it is advisable to have a light meal before departure.
By the way, it was worth while to cheer, Japan won the match by three to one.
The match looks like easy victory, but Japan's players seemed to be trashed-out into the second half.
Will Japan's team get to the World Cup 2010?