From Poland to "wow-land" where hanoi's tradition, culture and local delights await 🍜🌟
Updated: Oct 25
⚡ 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 & Explore Tour with Friends from Poland
Today, we had the joy of welcoming three friends from Poland on their very first trip to Vietnam! 🇵🇱✈️ And where better to begin their journey than with 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐢 𝐄𝐚𝐭 & 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞, the perfect start to discovering our colorful capital! 🏙️❤️
We started with a tasty bang, 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝, of course! From breakfast to lunch and even some tasty snacks, we explored street vendors, busy market stalls, and quiet local spots to savor a favorite of Hanoi. And guess what? Our friends couldn’t get enough of bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls) and bún vịt (duck noodle soup). ✨ Fun fact: Aleksandra’s group shared that Vietnamese cuisine is so loved in Poland, there are plenty of Vietnamese restaurants back home. No wonder they were so excited to dig in!
Next, it was time for the ‘𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞’ part! We wandered through Hanoi’s colorful markets, stepped inside traditional homes, and visited ancient pagodas. To make the experience even more special, we tried our hands at Vietnamese music with instruments like the đàn bầu (zither) and cồng chiêng (bronze gongs). And to top it all off, we unleashed our creativity by painting nón lá (conical hats), getting a true taste of Hanoi’s daily life and artistry.
Just 𝟔 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬, but what 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐢! Swipe through the photos and come along with us for the ride!
Say hi to Aleksandra, her boyfriend, and her sister Anna! 👋 It’s their first time in Vietnam 🇻🇳, and they joined us on a fun-filled "eat and explore" adventure around Hanoi 🍜🍲🥢
With our guide, Milton, leading the way, they explored the busy markets, watched locals shop, trade (and sometimes bargain 😉), and go about their morning routines. The markets were full of life and energy 🌟, and our Polish friends got to see what daily life in Vietnam is really like. They loved every moment! ❤️
In places where you can find almost anything, our friends tried something truly unique: trầu, betel leaf parcels, a Vietnamese cultural tradition 🌿💌
With the help of the friendly vendor who skillfully prepared these beautifully arranged treats, they got to experience a taste of Vietnam’s heritage. Do you think they enjoyed the flavor? Let us know in the comments! ✨
Riding a cyclo through the heart of the Old Quarter is always an exciting adventure, just look at their smiles! 😄🚲 This weather + a cyclo ride around the Old Quarter = pure bliss! 🌞✨
And waa, here’s a super unique and interesting stop on our journey: a traditional musician’s house! 🎶🏠 Can you guess what we did here?
Uncle Cường (the friendly uncle in the photo!) welcomed us into his home for a traditional Vietnamese tea and snacks 🍵🍰, the kind of hospitality that warms your heart right away! He also gave us a peek into his passion for traditional Vietnamese musical instruments 🎶, which he and his wife have been crafting and selling for years.
Our friends even got to hear a soothing lullaby and a fun “Happy Birthday” song played on the đàn bầu (a one-of-a-kind Vietnamese instrument with a haunting sound that tugs at your heartstrings!) 🎵✨
With experiences like this, who wouldn’t want to give it a try? 😍🎉
A full-filled journey wouldn't be complete without delicious food, right? 😋 Join us as we enjoy some freshly steamed bánh cuốn! Watching the hot, delicate rolls being made at the tiny street-side stall while savoring them warm, oh, it’s simply a favorite! 🥢
Besides that, our friends also tried a super unique dish you might not have heard of before, bún vịt (duck noodle soup)!!! 🦆🍜 What do you think it tastes like?
Spoiler alert: they absolutely loved it! 😍 Aleksandra’s boyfriend was so hooked, he slurped up every last bite and left not a single drop! 👏
And next up, we visited a spot with a flavor full of history, a classic tube house over 100 years old, a perfect example of old Vietnamese architecture. 🏠✨ It’s like stepping back in time and saying, “Hey, this is what homes looked like in the good old days!”
Time to recharge with a refreshing, soul-soothing cup of chè!(Vietnamese sweet soup) 🍧✨ Sometimes, eating is about more than just the taste, it’s about the sights too. Watching the colorful ingredients come together is what makes enjoying chè not just delicious, but a feast for the eyes as well! 👀🌈
And tadaaa, here comes the super fun part! 🎉 A mini workshop on painting conical hats (where your creativity meets a strong dose of tradition)! 🖌️👒 Let’s get artsy with a touch of Vietnamese heritage!
First things first, we start with the outlines! 🎨 Milton was speechless because Anna’s drawing skills were off the charts! 😲✨ Let’s see what her final masterpiece turns out to be! 👀🖌️
Once the outlines are done, it’s time for the colors! 🎨 Aleksandra’s boyfriend went with the lotus flower, Vietnam’s national flower, talk about a perfect choice! 🌸✨
Aleksandra decided to go with the Vietnamese flag! 🇻🇳A beautiful nod to the country she’s exploring
Wala, here’s the result! 🎉 Milton finally got to see the heartfelt art creations from Aleksandra’s group, and wow, they turned out beautifully! 😍✨ What do you think of their masterpieces?
Check out our Hanoi Eat & Explore tour details by following this link!
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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