337 Au Cou
Hanoi
We spent a week in this apartment in early February and loved it, although the weather was cold at the beginning. We were traveling as tourists to Vietnam and had been in the South earlier. Coming north to Hanoi meant a change in temperature.
We used an airport transfer service to get to the apartment and provided the service with the exact address as it is not easy to find. The address is alley 337 and once you find it the apartment is in a tall skinny house near the end of the alley. Van provides the guests with a phone number but you are expected and her step mother will probably be waiting. She’s a sweetie and is reliable. Once inside you can relax and begin to enjoy your stay.
The rooms are separated by doors and we could warm up the sleeping room nicely but our showers had to be quick. Fortunately the weather warmed up and we found the apartment quite comfortable. The bedroom is situated next to a large picture window and the view became a constantly changing source of entertainment for us. Early morning fishermen and a daily swimmer weren’t the only lake lovers. An enterprising family keeps a flock of ducks at one end of the lake and their daily routines made us laugh as we admired the whole picture.
We walked around the neighbourhood quite a lot, exploring for restaurants and just enjoying the daily activities of the street. In the short week we were there we had the feeling of familiarity one gets from repeated visits to the same store for yogurt and fruit or snacks. We didn’t cook in the apartment but had morning coffee and fresh fruit. We also made use of the washing machine to do a load of clothes, a big advantage for a traveler. We usually went into the Old Quarter to explore the ancient and sometimes very modern city. We always took bus Number 31 because we knew the route and times. It costs 7000 VND. Living away from the hurly burly of the tourist trade is a relief most of the time and this location with all its charm and facilities is a great alternative. And Van is always just a text message away and replies promptly.
I recommend you book this apartment for your visit to Hanoi.
