I didn't partake in this a great deal because well, I am too old for a lot of it. However, I do have 20 years of experience so I know a good time even if i am getting a taxi to go home at 1 am.
The Old Quarter, which I previously said bad things about due to the narrow streets and lack of sidewalks is apparently marked off to car traffic at night (perhaps just weekends, I don't live here.) I was meeting an old friend and I have to say that if there is a backpacker party culture that still exists; it must be here.
The drink specials for "happy hour" are just insane. I got a few beers for myself and my pal, went to pay for them, and found out that they are actually free during those hours.... Free? how is this possible? A really friendly person informed me that the kegged beer they had is delivered each day and the entire thing is $15 or so. Therefore, they just give it away.
$15? for a keg? How is that even possible?
I suppose it is because even after the "happy hour" was over I ordered a few drinks for me and my buddy and the total of the bill was $4 or something like that. This just blows my mind that it is even possible. I tipped a lot, but I was wondering if the owners are making money and if so, how?
There were tons of people there yet the streets were manageable and no one was overly aggressive etc. I am a bit too old for this scene so I ended up leaving by 1am but wow! if i had known about this in my 20's I would have headed this way for sure.
All I am trying to say is that I partied like about-as-much-of-a-rockstar-that-I-have-left-in-me tonight and I spent less than $20. This has to be a partying backpacker's dream right?
If you are significantly younger than me i would say head to Hanoi to the old quarter. Find a comfortable place and don't leave it at all until say 9pm. Then only bring $40 with you and see if you can last all night. I can not imagine you failing. Amazing!