🍂Experience the Old Quarter like no other!
Updated: 6 days ago
⚡ Story Snapshot from Hanoi • Real Moments Around Our Table: A personal look back at the dishes, neighborhood alleys, and conversations we shared with guests exploring Hanoi together. • Local Takeaways Inside: Notice how small adjustments to timing, portion sharing, and hands-on stops make exploring the Old Quarter effortless for every age group.
Hanoi Eat and Explore Tour, October 3rd, 2024
Sandra and Neil started their first visit to Vietnam with us on a beautiful autumn day. Forget the tourist traps, we took them to quiet local spots they'd never find on their own, including a local market where they sampled unique food! And when the weather's this good, there’s no better way to explore than a cyclo ride through the lively streets, so much cooler than walking or driving!✨
The cherry on top? A fun mini conical hat painting workshop in a cosy teahouse where Sandra and Neil got their creative juices flowing. 🎨 They absolutely nailed it!
Ready to have some fun with us? Let’s go! 🌟
Say hello to Sandra and Neil from Australia, and of course our lovely Cream.
Nothing better than starting a sunny day by exploring the heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake! 🌿
We visit an old house and step back in time to see how Hanoians used to live. 🏡✨
And have lunch at a local market where you won't see many tourists!
Watch the elders work their magic as they prepare mouth-watering dishes right in front of us! 🍲👵
We tried the sweet soup, a must for dessert 😉
Look at Neil’s glass, completely empty! Not a single drop left! 😆
Catch Sandra’s super excited face as she hops on a cyclo for the first time ever!🤩
See a lively street on a cyclo ride. What a unique experience!
And then there’s Vietnamese coffee! ☕ Sandra was a bit hesitant to try it at first, it sounded pretty strange to her, egg coffee? But after that first sip, she was hooked! 😍 Now she can’t get enough of it!
These are delicious coffees you definitely shouldn’t miss. Trust us, you’ll be hooked after the first sip! ☕😍
a favorite part? After all the delicious food and exploring quiet local spots, we stop at a cozy teahouse for a super fun mini conical hat painting workshop! 🎨👒 Time to get creative and unwind!
After much thought, Sandra made her choice, she painted the beautiful lotus, the national flower of Vietnam. 🌸🎨 A perfect symbol of the country's elegance and charm!
Just look at Sandra's face, isn't she the picture of joy?
Neil chose not just one, but a whole bunch of colorful flowers! 🌼🌸
He looks like a true artist! 🎨
So beautiful, isn't it?
And here are our final masterpieces: lovely and colorful conical hats-special gifts to bring home. And we believe that every time they see it, they’ll be reminded of this wonderful time spent with us! 🎁✨
Join us for a day of Eat & Explore Hanoi: click here!
Walking & Eating Through Hanoi With Us
If you would like to explore these neighborhood kitchens with a local friend who knows the families behind the stoves, join us on our daily Taste of Hanoi street food walk (running at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM for 3 to 3.5 hours across 6 to 8 family-run stops, serving 6 to 7 full dishes plus a local cafe drink, with dedicated Veggie Delight and Off the Beaten Path routes available right on the booking form). Depending on your travel style, you can also combine history and food on Hanoi Eat & Explore or private car-based Hanoi Bites & Sights, bring the kids on our Hanoi Family Quest, or spend two cool hours at our $20 USD Cocoa-Coffee Workshop (9:00 AM and 2:00 PM). Message us anytime on WhatsApp (+84 969 655 521) if you want local tips for your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do Hanoians spot a great street food stall in the Old Quarter?
Locals look for single-dish stalls that are busy during local meal rushes (breakfast from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM, lunch from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and dinner from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM) where broths are kept at a rolling boil and dishes are cooked fresh to order.
2. Do Hanoi street food stalls accept credit cards, or should we carry cash?
Family-run sidewalk stalls and wet-market vendors operate almost exclusively with Vietnamese Dong (VND) cash for visitors. Carrying smaller banknotes (20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 VND notes) makes paying for bowls of noodles and drinks quick and easy.
3. How can vegetarians or travelers with food allergies order safely on the street?
Because clear broths often use pork or chicken bones and dipping sauces use anchovy fish sauce (Nước Mắm), simply saying 'no meat' is often misunderstood. Carrying a short written Vietnamese note on your phone explaining your exact dietary needs or visiting dedicated plant-based (Chay) kitchens is the safest approach.
Keep Exploring Hanoi with Us
Ngoc Anh (Ice) · Beyond Vietnam Xin chào! I am part of the local host and storytelling team at Beyond Vietnam. Through these stories, I share the everyday flavours, laughter, and real moments from our walks and workshops in Hanoi.
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