The Manor of Terror

A couple of days ago, we visited a developed site called "The Manor," one of the most upscale place in Hanoi. Everybody split up to explore the vicinity and here are some of our observations:

• this place is a prison in disguise of luxury
• there are too many rules, what the hell is this, 1984?
• no passing through the main gate, no camera, no sitting on the benches, no standing around--they might've put a sign that says "No breathing"
• you must ask permission to make friends--the renters or condo owners there cannot invite friends or relatives over without asking the management's permission. wtf wtf people? what a great way to destroy any sense of community.
• the place is clean...a bit too clean, almost sterile and lifeless expect for signs of security guards and maintance workers spraying pesticides around the grass
• the architecture: mostly a bunch of westernize skyscrapers, with echos of european designs
• the only vietnamese influence is this huge burning thing in the corner of the building, the Hanu student said it's for burning stuff, but it's never five meters in height. so the only thing that reflect the local culture has been devalued into a stone exhibit--useless and nonfunctional
• there are too many banks around and not enough restaurants, the nearest food place is Highland Coffee and a bunch of Korean restaurants down the street
• surrounding the manor are jewerly store, banks, more upscale shopping areas.
  
• there's a kmart nearby--K is for korean--the vietnamese receptionist speaks korean
• the feels like nordstrom, everything is overpriced
• there is a huge parking garage for cars, with one car
  

We chatted with the cleaning lady on her 15 mins break. the overall feeling i got from her is a sense of gratefulness for working there, even with the meager salary. It's about 1 million Dong or around 55 USD a month. When we were sneaking around the garden, we stumble across a posting on one of the room. It's a bill of about 2 million dollars ( a little over 100 USD) maintenance fees per month. That's ridiculous, considering the irregular service from the facilities. I heard there was a renters' protest here before. something about the crappy service and high service fees.

My overall feeling after visiting this place? I hate it. This is nothing like Vietnam. As crazy as this might sound, I rather would cross a street with motorbikes and cars than contain myself in that prison call "The Manor." At least there is authenticity and liveliness in the streets. I know my heart is still beating, everytime I cross the crazy traffic.

A 6th-story view of the manor. Yes, some James bond spying techniques was used to get up there. Pic from a fellow classmate.















The parking without cars...what a waste of space.















I have to sneak in the camera to catch this pic. Hehehe, breaking stupid rules feel sooo goood.