Letters to the Travel editor

Savoring good times in Hanoi

As a frequent Hanoi visitor, I thoroughly enjoyed Jessica Gelt’s accurate article on its food [“Savoring Life and Noodles in Hanoi,” March 11].

Philip Flores

Hagatna, Guam

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Loved it! Having lived in Hanoi for a few years in the ‘90s as founding editor of a U.S.-based magazine called the Vietnam Business Journal, I was taken back to some of my favorite haunts and food, and I was glad to hear they sound as great as ever.

Josh Levine

Watchung, N.J.

Seasonal advice

In response to Catharine Hamm’s On the Spot column on seasonal rates in London and Paris [“Timing Is Key in London and Paris,” March 11], the easiest rule of thumb is this:

Low season is Nov. 1 through March 31; high season is June, July and August.

The shoulder seasons are April and May and September and October.

The most popular times to visit these cities are early November and late March, when travelers can take advantage of low-season prices and have the best chances for nice weather.

The exception to this is the Christmas-New Year’s holiday period, from around Dec. 15 through the first week of the new year, when prices are higher.

The best way to book is with an independent air-hotel package, which usually can be reserved with only $100 down. Usually a minimum of two nights is required, but you can book as many as you like or even combine cities.

Daily breakfast is always included, and with a map and a guidebook you’re good to go.

As always, see your travel agent.

Mark Anderson,

Adventure Vacations

La Jolla

Onigiri at home

Andrew Bender extols the pleasure of eating onigiri in his highlights of Japan article [“It All Starts With a Bow,” March 11].

He should be happy to know that you can now obtain freshly made, delicious, warm onigiri (here called omisubi) at Sunny Blue at 2728 Main St. in Santa Monica.

Leonard M. Lipman

Santa Monica

Politics are vital

In the Feb. 26 Letters section, a Chatsworth man asked you to nix letters having to do with politics — that is, boycotts of states or nations.

Please continue to print such letters, because there are valid reasons — including safety and ill treatment of people — behind boycotting given destinations.

These letters embody free speech. To delete them would be equal to diminishing freedom of the press and free expression. Oftentimes, it’s only through the economic pressure from boycotting that a particular human rights situation improves.

Kelton Kendrick

Santa Monica