Hanoi walking tours: free, gastronomic, sightseeing

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, has a lot of interesting places to visit. Unlike other capitals, most of the attractions are concentrated in one part of the city - the Old Quarter. This region consists of 36 streets and it is amazing how many interesting things there are. Sometimes it's hard to decide which street to take, where the best restaurants and cafes are, and where the cheapest stores are.

A guided walking tour is a fascinating way to explore the city, meet like-minded people and explore the streets of Hanoi, discovering the little secrets and real gems of the city. The best part is that these tours are usually free or very reasonably priced.

Here's a list of the best hiking tours of Hanoi that will leave a lasting impression of your vacation.

Excursions with Hanoi Free Walking Tours

Popular with many tourists, walking tours of the city usually take a full day and include visits to the most famous sights. Among them: The Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoan Kiem Lake, Dong Xuan Market, Long Bien Bridge, Hanoi Opera House, Bach Ma Temple and, if time permits, one or two places in the Old Quarter.

If you do not have much time, this is the best option, because in one day you will visit several interesting places in Hanoi. These tours are ideal for those who came to the city for a short time and would like to quickly get acquainted with Hanoi. Some tours are free, including a tour of the Old Quarter and a gastronomic tour.

Below are free tours in Hanoi:

1. free sightseeing tour of the city

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Duration: all day.

During the tour you can visit the most popular places in Hanoi: the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoan Kiem Lake, Dong Xuan Market, Long Bien Bridge, Hanoi Opera House, Bach Ma Temple, and the Old Quarter. A great option for those who are only in town for a day and would like to make the most of that time. However, if you are planning to stay in Hanoi for at least a couple of days, it is better to choose other excursions to get to know the city better.

Individual tours of the Old Quarter

Start time: 9:00 и 14:00.

Duration: half a day.

The beating heart of the city is often called Hanoi's Old Quarter. It looks like a huge shopping mall where you can find everything you want: street food, delicacies, souvenirs, clothes, textiles, handicrafts, paintings, sculptures, cosmetics, products, even wine!

On a tour of the Old Quarter, you'll sample delicacies on Luong Ngoc Quyen Street, visit Dong Xuan Market, and finally stroll down Hang Gai Street, known for its silk scarves and gorgeous evening gowns. Or you can just grab a bottle of beer and join the crowd to make new friends. Just remember to keep an eye on your bag and bypass the questionable stores.

3. Gastronomic tour

Start time: 18:00.

Duration: 3 hours.

Street food in Hanoi is varied, flavorful, and delicious. If you want to experience street food, go on a walking gastronomy tour. In 3 hours, you will be guided through the best eateries in the city where you can taste Hanoi cuisine.

One of the popular dishes, Bun Cha, rice noodles with roast pork, is available at Bun Cha Huong Lien. Former U.S. President Barack Obama once met with famous chef Anthony Bourdain here. And now they serve an "Obama combo" that includes Bun Cha noodles, fried seafood roll, and a bottle of local beer.

Other noteworthy dishes include Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), Banh Xeo (Vietnamese pancakes), Mien Luon Xao (fried noodles with eel and soup) and egg coffee, which incidentally does not taste like eggs at all. There are many gourmet restaurants around Hoan Kiem Lake and in the Old Quarter, but often the real gems of Vietnamese cuisine are hidden in the corners of Hanoi, so it is better to use a guide.

4. Walking through the French Quarter

Start time: 9:00 и 14:00.

Duration: half a day.

Although Vietnam has long ceased to be a French colony, the French influence on the architecture and culture of the country can still be seen. Take a walking tour of the French Quarter (which usually lasts about 3 hours) and experience the elegance and grandeur of French architecture with its Gothic windows and minimalist facades.

During the walk, you will see St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hanoi Opera House, State Bank of Vietnam, Government Guest House and Sofitel Metropole Legend Hotel. Photo enthusiasts will especially enjoy this tour because it includes some of the most beautiful sites in Hanoi. However, it is better not to take pictures in temples, respecting the religious feelings of the faithful.

Hanoi Food On Foot Tour

Gathering place: Sales office - 03 Gia Ngu Street, Hoan Kiem district (in the center of the Old Quarter, next to the Water Puppet Theater)

Start time: 11:30 и 18:00.

Cost: $25.

Tourists in Hanoi sometimes find it difficult to navigate through the huge selection of exotic dishes. Vietnam is famous for its cuisine, here you can find almost everything - from Fo soup to shrimp rolls, and even snakes! What to try first of all? The Hanoi Food on Foot Tour will help you with this question, especially if you are in town for a short time.

During this street-food walking tour, you'll get to sample local cuisine in Old Quarter restaurants and local cafes. You'll also walk through the neighborhood's ancient streets, each with its own history, meet blacksmiths, carpenters, and other artisans, and, of course, get to know the local delicacies.

Tours are for small groups of no more than 8 people. An accompanying guide will explain the culinary features of the Old Quarter and its culture. You will be able to taste a variety of Vietnamese traditional dishes including main courses, desserts and drinks. While strolling around the city, don't forget to try the local beer Bia Han Noi.

Briefly about the tour:

• A small group of participants
• Variety of dishes and drinks
• English speaking guide

Cycle rickshaw rides

Gathering place: St. Joseph's Cathedral or your hotel in the Old Quarter

Start time: 8:00, 9:00, 11:00, 15:00, 17:00.

Cost: $36.

On the streets of Vietnam you can see an unusual form of transportation where the driver's seat is behind the passenger seat. These are bicycle rickshaws driven by a cyclist who pedals behind the passenger. By choosing the Hanoi Cyclo and Walking Small Group Tour, you get to immerse yourself in the local culture of the Old Quarter by riding a bicycle rickshaw. However, if you prefer to walk, you can enjoy a walking tour.

The tour includes a walk through the famous 36 old streets with thousands of years of history, on which there are many stores. You will have the most fun while visiting various places by bike rickshaw. During the tour you can also do some shopping, following the advice of the guide.

Briefly about the tour:

• A small group of participants
• Tasting street food
• Cycle rickshaw ride
• English speaking guide

Vietnam War tour by Go Asia Day Trip

Gathering place: your hotel

Time: 8:00 - 15:00.

Cost: free of charge, but entrance fees, meals, etc. are paid separately.

A trip to Vietnam would not be complete without learning about its past, from the era of French colonization to the infamous Vietnam War. If you are interested in Vietnamese history, you will surely be interested in hearing the stories of the locals. It can be difficult to choose and visit museums on your own.

A one-day tour of Hanoi's museums and historical sites is provided by GoAsiaDayTrip. This agency provides guides for free, but other fees such as entrance fees, food and drinks must be paid by you. This is a group interactive tour where you can ask the guide questions about Vietnam.

Briefly about the tour:

• English speaking guide
• Guide services free of charge
• Visiting historical sites in Hanoi

Individual evening tour of Hanoi

Gathering place: Transfer to and from the hotel (only for hotels in the Old Quarter).

Time: 16:00, 17:00, 18:00.

Cost: $48. Children under 4 years old are free.

It is believed that Hanoi is most beautiful in the evening. The ideal way to spend an evening in Hanoi is to go on a special evening tour organized by Crossing Vietnamese Tour. You will take a unique walk through the Old Quarter. During the three hour tour you will see the famous Water Puppet Show, a special puppet show originating from North Vietnam. You will enjoy watching the puppets dancing on the water to the sound of beautiful music.

After the show, treat yourself to a special Hanoi dinner at Cha Cha Restaurant. Their signature dish, a traditional Vietnamese dish of white fish in saffron oil, pairs perfectly with a glass of classic Bia Ha Noi. Finish the evening with a special Vietnamese filtered coffee or milk tea.

And don't forget to ask the guide all your questions about Vietnam and its culture during the tour to make your trip not only enjoyable, but also educational.

Briefly about the tour:

• English speaking guide
• Water puppet show
• Dinner
• Tea or coffee

As you can see, many places in Hanoi can be reached on foot. Hanoi walking tours are a great way to explore the city. You will surely remember these fascinating walks for a long time. So pack your bags and get ready for new discoveries!