Having lived in Vietnam for 4 years, I am pretty aware of the standards of services and facilities of the many so-called hotels here....this was my first trip back to Hanoi since August and having stayed in two other "hotels" in the old-quarter this trip, all I can say is "THANKS THE GODS FOR GIA THINH HOTEL!".
I was due to stay in Hanoi for 4 nights and after two nights in another place (where I almost froze to death) I accidentally found the Gia Thinh ( pron: "Jha Thing").
From the moment I walked in the door I knew this place was different; both the manager and the receptionist quickly determined my requirements and informed me of the services etc, then the manager grabbed some keys and showed me the rooms they had on offer (I saw three and took the first one I saw). The main thing I wanted was warm and quiet and what I got was probably the most comfortable room I have ever stayed in in Vietnam. Everything worked (including the ac/heater!...Hanoi gets very chilly in winter, especially at night) and the room was SPOTLESSLY clean. The bed was comfortable and the bathroom was perfect. As I was just relaxing for these two days before going home, I actually didn't want to leave the room too much. Breakfast, which was included, was good and enjoyable. The staff were always warm and friendly and quick to offer help, advice or information. I have just checked out and I am sitting here trying to find a "but", but there are none! This place was great; great value, service, facilities, location...I cannot think of anything bad to say about it....in fact, my only regrets were that I had to leave and that I didn't find this place sooner! A true "diamond" in Hanoi and the owner should be rightly proud of his hotel and the training which the staff have obviously received (something sadly missing in many of the other hotels, even the international-standard ones, in Vietnam).....I hope he values them because good, friendly service in Hanoi is rare, and when it is delivered with a smile, it means the world to travellers and tourists. Well-done! Bravo!

We stayed at the Gia Thinh for six nights in December 2011. We moved there after a not so good experience at a nearby hotel. The Gia Thinh was great, great room, great location, great breakfast and very friendly staff. Overall great value for money.

The staff very nice ,friendly and helpful, beautiful and spacious room. It's really convenient for visiting all famous places in Hanoi such as Hoan Kiem lake, water puppet theater, opera house and etc. There is free internet access and WiFi and the hotel also offer tours. Thank you for everything Tony !

i only booked the room for the first night as i like to play it by ear and take a look around for the cheapest place somewhere new, but i wish i had booked longer because the deal online was cheaper. the manager greeted me by name and was expecting to see me. he wasn't pushy at all about extra tours or any of that other stuff; nearly EVERYONE else in all the other places were way too overbearing. the room was nice and looked like the photos did. toilet is clean and modern and has lots of hot water, which is particularly important in winter. very friendly and helpful staff. i will go back there again. it was a bit noisy at night, but all hotels in that area are going to be like that.