ABOUT US

Paul Schuttenbelt (Hanoi)
Founder & director

Paul has long left the low-lying shores of Holland, after a number of stints in Africa he now calls Hanoi home. He worked as a trainer for the Vietnamese parliament, advisor for the Hue Institute for Conservation of Monuments and environmental expert for the likes of the UN and World Bank. He is now one of Vietnam's most frequently consulted urban experts. Paul is a passionate football player and one of the initiators of the Hanoi Youth Football League, the first and largest of its sort in Vietnam.

Paul's favourite spot in Hanoi:

Bai (the other side of the dyke) where the red river meets the city

Ester van Steekelenburg (Hong Kong )
Founder & director

Ester is one of these people who keeps being lured back by Hong Kong's charms. She arrived for the first time with a backpack at the eve of the 1997 handover - lots of good parties in town - and again in 2008 with slightly more luggage including newborn twins. An avid outdoor enthusiast, she loves living in Sai Kung but is also frequently found exploring at street level in one of the many local neighbourhoods. As an urban planner she travels the region to give advice on urban renewal projects but is always happy to come home in Hong Kong.

Ester's favourite spot in Hong Kong:

Sai Kung waterfront on a Sunday afternoon, a very happy place

Nguyen Thu Hanh (Hanoi)
Office manager

Hanh was born and raised in Hanoi, but is a true global citizen. The list of countries that she's been to is as impressive as are the languages she speaks: Russian, French, German, English and naturally Vietnamese. Not only does she like meeting people from other countries, she also enjoys working with them: her track-record includes a Dutch, Danish, Belgian and a Korean company. Hanh is the kind of girl that manages to get the even most difficult things done, seemingly effortless and always with a smile on her face.

Hanh's favourite spot in Hanoi::

Late night street cooks in the hidden alleys of Hanoi

David Brenner (Hanoi)
Project manager

Originally from California, David came to Hanoi in 2006. What was to be a one-year trip teaching English turned into a new life and a new home. He joined Urban Solutions Hanoi as a planner and worked on variety of projects throughout Vietnam: a heritage manual for Vietnamese urban planners, a management strategy for the UNESCO listed city of Hue and an analysis of the water & waste sector in Vietnam. David is nearly fluent in Vietnamese and in his spare time can be found trekking, biking and exploring the hidden gems of this fascinating and beautiful country.

David's favourite spot in Hanoi:

Morning coffee along West Lake; Getting lost in the alleys - anywhere, anytime; A late night snack in the Ancient Quarter

Maren Striker (Hong Kong )
Project manager

Maren - originally from the Netherlands - fell in love with China when he first visited in 2006. He managed to create ample opportunities to study, travel and work in China: his favourite destinations include the Tibetan Plateau and the Hankou concession area in Wuhan. An adventurist and creative spirit, Maren is now based in Hong Kong where he spent many hours walking, biking, hiking and ferrying the city looking for hidden gems and true treasures.

Maren's favourite spot in Hong Kong:

Jardine's lookout with sweeping views over Victoria Harbour, while enjoying the tranquillity of the country park

Le Huong Giang (Hanoi)
Guide & marketing

Giang grew up in Hanoi and knows the city inside out. Working as a tour guide gives her the chance to share the different beautiful things of the city she loves. She graduated from Hanoi University with a degree of business and tourism management, but her real passion is art & culture: she speaks Italian, and likes film, drawing, contemporary dance, fairy tale telling and writing. Giang's life motto is from Tenzin Gyatso, a Tibetan monk. It is "I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness.."

Giang's favourite spot in Hanoi:

Phan Dinh Phung Street, a green street to go for a walk to relax; and Bồ Đề Pagoda to enjoy a perfect view of Long Bien Bridge

Thuy Ha (Hanoi)
Guide

Thuy Ha was born and raised in To Ngoc Van Street, Hanoi which was a famous painter in Vietnam. She graduated form Hanoi University of Industry and Tafe South Australia Corporate Training Program with a degree of Business Administration. Ha enjoys travelling around the country. In her free time, she likes exploring a new place and new things to expand her know ledges.

Ha's favourite spot in Hanoi:

West Lake to enjoy a romantic view; graffiti’s and taking photos with friends around Lotus Lake.