MANILA, PHILIPPINES, November 1, 2023 – The largest festival in APT history is fast approaching, with the APT Hanoi Billions 2023 boasting a VND 25 billion (~USD $1M) guaranteed Main Event and VND 60 billion (~USD $2.5M) in guaranteed prize money over the ten-day festival.
Running December 1-10, at the iconic Hanoi National Convention Center (NCC), the Hanoi Billions promises to be a spectacular conclusion to the 2023 poker season.
We at the APT have done a little homework to bring you all the essential information on how to get to the venue, where to stay, great places to eat, and entertainment available away from the tournament tables.
Read on as we give you the lowdown on what to do on your tournament poker adventure to Hanoi.
LOCATION
The APT Hanoi Billions is taking place at the Hanoi National Convention Center (NCC) which is around a 40-minute taxi ride from Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport.
You can pre-book an airport pickup via the Asian Poker Tour's travel partner DK Poker Tour Bookings – this needs to be booked at least one week in advance – or you can pick up a taxi outside of the airport.
HOTELS
The Hanoi National Convention Center (NCC) is located at the intersection of Thang Long Avenue and Pham Hung Road in Me Tri Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, 10km from the center of Hanoi and 40km from Noi Bai Airport, and there are some great hotel options in the area.
Address: No 8 Do Duc Duc Road ME Tri, Từ Liêm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Five-star accommodation located a 15-minute walk from the NCC, prices start from VND 5,623,067 (~USD $230) per night, with free high-speed Wi-Fi and includes breakfast.
Address: 117 Đ. Trần Duy Hưng, Trung Hoà, Cầu Giấy, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Another close hotel option, this five-star accommodation is located a 15-minute walk from the venue, prices start from USD $140 per night and include breakfast.
Address: 146 P. Giảng Võ, Giảng Võ, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Vietnam
This four-star hotel is located 4.5 km from the venue – around 15-minutes in a taxi. Prices start from USD $150 per night and offers airport transfers, room service and free WiFi.
FOOD
There is an onsite restaurant at the NCC and no outside food is permitted in the venue.
Food connoisseurs looking for nirvana should check out the Michelin Guide, which lists 48 approved restaurants in Hanoi, 3 of which boast a 1-star Michelin rating.
However, there is also a wealth of dining options available near the venue offering a wide variety of cuisines ranging from local Vietnamese, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, and Western food, depending on your fancy. Some of the standouts in the nearby area include:
Address: 8 Do Duc Duc, Me Tri, South, Từ Liêm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Located at the JW Marriot and open from 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30pm-8:30pm Monday-Sunday, the John Anthony Cantonese Grill offers Cantonese classics such as homemade dim sum, roasted meats, live seafood dishes, and Peking Duck.
Address: 8 P. Đỗ Đức Dục, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Another eatery located at JW Marriot, Kumihimo offers classic Japanese fare including sushi, sashimi and tempura in addition to dry aged beef, and Wagyu tacos. Open 5:30pm-9:30pm Monday-Friday, and 11:30am–2pm, 5:30pm–9:30pm Sat-Sun.
3 Spoons offers a diversity of international cuisines, a daily breakfast, and lunch buffet, weekend dinner buffet and à la carte menu while offering views of Hanoi from the 62nd floor. Open Monday-Thursday & Sunday from 6 am-10:30 pm, and 6:30 am-10:30 pm Saturday-Sunday.
No visit to Vietnam would be complete without sampling the local pho – a classic noodle soup dish – and Pho Bat Da 37 is located just across the lake from the NCC. Open 6am-10pm Monday-Sunday.
Address: Nhà B3 Khu Nhà ở để bán 2, P. Đỗ Đức Dục, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Those looking for a vegan take on Vietnamese cuisine should check out Tam Chay Vegan Restaurant. Open 9am-2pm, 5pm-9pm Mon-Sat, and 9am-2pm, 3pm-9pm on Sundays and located a 10-minute walk from the NCC.
Address: Vinhomes West Point, Toà nhà West 3, Tầng 1, Căn S02, Phạm Hùng, Mễ Trì, Từ Liêm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Offering an eclectic selection of Western classics like burgers, pasta, and a mix of French, Vietnamese and Korean food in addition to an indoor screen golf experience, Lounge 19 Bistro is located a 5-minute walk from the venue. Open 7am-10pm Mon-Sun.
COFFEE
Those looking for a quick caffeine fix near to the Hanoi National Convention Center should check out:
Address: Vinhomes Greenbay G3, Lương Thế Vinh, Mễ Trì, Từ Liêm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
A funky local coffee shop offering Vietnamese coffee, craft beer, croissants, and pastries. Located a 15-minute walk from the NCC. Open 7am-10pm Mon-Fri, 7am-12:30am Saturdays and 7am-10pm on Sundays.
Address: Shophouse 15A, Tang 2, G3, Vinhomes Greenbay, SỐ 7, ĐCT08, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
A popular Vietnamese coffee brand, Highlands Coffee offers a selection of hot and iced drinks. Located a 15-minute walk from the NCC and open 7am-9pm Mon-Sun.
ENTERTAINMENT
Of course, the highlight of the entertainment on offer during the festival will be the APT Players Party which kicks off at 10pm on Thursday, December 7.
There are also a wealth of bars and nightspots in Hanoi worth checking out and we’ve compiled a short list of the highlights near the venue:
Ta Hien Beer Street - Hanoi Old Quarter
Address: Tạ Hiện, P. Lương Ngọc Quyến, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Located 10km and a 30-minute taxi ride away from the NCC in Hanoi's Old Quarter, Ta Hien Beer Street is a bustling nightspot offering a wealth of indoor and outdoor dining and drinking options via the multitude of local bars, restaurants and street hawkers.
Address: Intercontinental Hanoi Landmark, Từ Liêm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Located a 1km 15-minute walk from the NCC, this swish cocktail bar boasts live entertainment, stylish locally inspired cocktails and spectacular city views. Happy hour runs 5pm-7pm daily, with food and drink offers running 7pm-10pm.
Sunset Bar
Address: 5 Từ Hoa Công Chúa, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Located on the West Lake, a 10km 30-minute taxi ride from the venue, Sunset bar is just one of many F&B options on offer in this picturesque part of Hanoi. Those looking for a quiet drink with spectacular views should look no further. Open 4pm-12am Mon-Sun.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Of course, the main reason to come to Hanoi at the start of December is the APT Hanoi Billions 2023. The ten-day 96-event poker series boasts the largest schedule the tour has ever run and over VND 60 billion (USD $2.5M) in guaranteed prize money.
For the complete APT Hanoi Billions 2023 schedule please CLICK HERE. Highlights include:
- Vietnam National Cup (VND 3BN/~USD $123K GTD): VND 5M (~USD $210) Buy-in, Running Dec 1-2
- Mystery Bounty Hunter Sponsored by Natural8 (VND 5BN/~USD $206K GTD): VND 11M (~USD $450) Buy-in, Running Dec 2-3
- APT Super High Roller - 8 Max (VND 4BN/~USD $164K GTD): VND 120M (~USD $5k) Buy-in, Running Dec 2-3
- Sunday Super Stack (VND 2BN/~USD $82K GTD): VND 7.5M (~USD $310) Buy-in, Running Dec 3
- APT Main Event (VND 25BN/~USD $1M GTD): VND 36M (~USD $1,500) Buy-in, Running Dec 4-9
- Superstar Challenge - 8 Max (VND 4BN/~USD $164K GTD): VND 250M (~$10K) Buy-in, Running Dec 4
- Zodiac Classic - Sponsored by Natural8 (VND 5BN/~USD $206K GTD): VND 50M (~USD $2,050) Buy-in, Dec 7-8
- Double Stack (VND 5BN/~USD $206K GTD): VND 11M (~USD $450) Buy-in, Running Dec 8-9
- Mini Main Event (VND 3.5BN/~USD $144K GTD): VND 12M (~USD $500) Buy-in, Running Dec 9-10
- APT High Roller - 8 Max (VND 5BN/~USD $206K GTD): VND 80M (~USD $3.3K) Buy-in, Running Dec 9-10
For further information, please contact press@theasianpokertour.com