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Planning a trip to Vietnam but feeling overwhelmed? This local guide covers where to go, when to visit, what to eat, safety tips, scams, SIM cards, and everyday travel advice.

Hanoi, February 4th, 2026 Meet Jennifer and Murray from Canada who have visited Vietnam 4 times, and are coming back this year to celebrate Tet with their local friend. Vietnam holds a special place in their hearts with so many memories and stories, and today, our Taste of Hanoi with Casey became one of them. Although they had tried famous dishes like “phở” and “bánh mì” before, many of the local foods today were completely new to them. Casey walked them through Hanoi's narro

Xin chào! This is Dung (Emma) again 👋 After hosting many guests from all over the world, we wrote this guide to share honest, practical, and local tips so you can travel more comfortably, enjoyably, and memorably - not only during your time with us but throughout your entire journey in Vietnam. 1. If Hanoi Is Your First Stop, Please Take It Slow If Hanoi is your first destination in Vietnam, we strongly recommend that you take it easy for at least half a day after arrival ,

One of the most interesting Vietnamese traditional toys — and also one of the best Vietnam’s souvenirs to bring home — is the bamboo dragonfly (chuồn chuồn tre). Small, colorful, and surprisingly balanced, this toy carries much more than playful fun. It carries stories of village life, the spirit of handmade craftsmanship, and a window into Vietnamese childhood where nature, patience, and creativity meet. For families visiting Hanoi, it’s not just a toy — it’s a cultural expe

Many travelers have asked us what to bring home after their Vietnam trip, so we wrote this blog to share our honest suggestions. Not the usual touristy stuff, but something truly authentic - items that carry stories, souls, and culture. They’re light, easy to pack, and meaningful enough that when you give them to someone you love, they can feel the care and thought behind your choice. Almost like they’ve touched a small piece of Vietnam themselves. Vietnamese Coffee – A Local

Hanoi, January 20th, 2026 Quality time with grandma and grandchildren - sounds like a perfect plan! Let’s welcome Elizabeth and three of her grandchildren joining our Taste of Hanoi tour for a very special trip together. Almost everything was new to the kids, and they happily tried every dish and praised each new flavor. Among all the local eateries Casey walked them through, “Bánh cuốn” – steamed rolled rice pancakes quickly became Elizabeth’s favorite for its soft and deli

Hanoi street food isn’t about fancy restaurants or long menus. It’s about timing, balance, and eating what locals eat at the right moment of the day. If you’re visiting the city for the first time, don’t try to eat everything. Eat smart. In this blog, we’re sharing the Hanoi street food dishes you shouldn’t miss, based on how locals actually eat — what we enjoy daily, and what we’d suggest you try if you want to understand the city through food. Pho Made with flat rice noodle

A Slow, Thoughtful Journey from North to South If this is your first time in Vietnam, it’s tempting to rush. Many travelers try to see everything in two or three weeks, moving quickly from one famous name to the next. At Beyond Vietnam, we believe Vietnam reveals itself best when you slow down just enough to listen, observe, and live alongside local people. This guide is written to give you a clear overview of the country—North, Central, and South—while helping you sense whic

February is one of the most beautiful — and most misunderstood — times to visit Vietnam. The weather is great, the country feels alive with color and emotion, and Tet in Vietnam (Lunar New Year) often takes place during this month. At the same time, traveling during Tet is very different from traveling at any other time of year. Things slow down, prices change, crowds appear in unexpected places, and routines disappear. In this guide, we share honest, local tips to help you u

Hanoi, January 15th, 2026 Gary from the U.S. had been in touch with us since last year, and we finally met on our Taste of Hanoi tour, together with Jessie from Australia, turning the experience into a shared journey from the very start. Food quickly became their common language. Casey, as a local companion, guided them through Hanoi's narrow streets, local eateries and shared the stories behind each dish, as well as the culture and daily life of Vietnamese. They enjoyed ever

Hanoi, January 8th, 2026 Some journeys are remembered by the places, but with Sue and Pete from the UK, today’s food tour in Hanoi was more than that, with the people, the laughter and the connection with our locals. From the very first moment, Casey and our couple instantly clicked and were ready for everything. Among all the dishes they tried, their absolute favorite was” bánh cuốn” – steamed rolled rice pancakes. “I can finish two plates in a row if I wasn’t already full”

Hanoi, Oct 5th, 2025 Meet Daniel’s family of 3 from Australia at our Cocoa-Coffee Workshop! Kate and Daniel came to Hanoi for a short break, hoping little Mollie ( or “Monkey”, her nickname) could explore new culture and learn through experiences. And oh, what a fun and memorable day it was! Casey and Chihara - our passionate instructors guided our friends through the art of Vietnamese coffee: From the iconic egg coffee to the smooth coconut and bold salted coffee, each cup

From crunchy bánh mì to bamboo dragonfly painting, Bridget’s family explored Hanoi’s Old Quarter, learned local crafts, and made memories they’ll never forget.

From crunchy bánh mì to bamboo dragonfly painting, Bridget’s family explored Hanoi’s Old Quarter, learned local crafts, and made memories they’ll never forget.

Hanoi, December 14th, 2025 What happens when two families from two different countries come together on a food tour? Different stories, one shared curiosity for Hanoi’s local life and food. Let’s join Deb’s and Monish’s families from Australia and India on our Taste of Hanoi food journey. The food adventure was full of surprises. From bánh rán (Vietnamese donuts) — where the long line finally made sense after just one bite — to a buzzing nộm (papaya salad) spot, sitting on ti

Hanoi, October 1st, 2025 Say hello to Wanda’s lovely family of six from Australia, exploring Hanoi during a two-week family holiday. From the very start, we knew the day would be filled with laughter, curiosity, and great energy. With Casey as their companion for the day, Wanda’s family wandered through Hanoi’s streets on a family-friendly walking food tour, discovering hidden gems, enjoying local street food, and learning the stories behind each dish. Our Aussie crew loved e

Hanoi, August 31st, 2025 From the very first “Hello,” Chantal’s lovely family of four from Australia brought sunshine to Hanoi’s streets. Let’s join them on today’s food journey with us! Chihara - our companion guided everyone through Hanoi’s hidden gems, tasting local street food and uncovering the stories behind each dish. Among them all, “bánh cuốn” - steamed rolled rice pancakes and “bánh rán” - Vietnamese donuts became instant favorites. But today wasn’t just about food

Hanoi, January 7th, 2026 What made Nicola and Karen’s group from the Netherlands and Canada choose to join our Taste of Hanoi wasn’t just the food, but the fun photos that show the way we connect people - with the guide, street vendors, and the everyday rhythm of Hanoi. We had a great time wandering through Hanoi’s streets, discovering hidden gems, trying lesser-known dishes and listening to the stories behind each dish from Cihara. “Bún riêu” - river crab noodle soup was an

Hanoi is not a city you “do” in a rush. It’s a city you slowly get to know — through food, stories, everyday life, and human connections. As locals, we often see travelers trying to squeeze too much into a short time. What usually stays with them, though, are not the famous names — but how they felt walking by the lake at sunset, sharing a meal with locals, or watching their kids proudly hold something they made themselves. This guide is for you if you’re looking for things t