Happy smiles, happy bites - an unforgettable night!

Private Hanoi Food Tour – April 16th, 2025

Pete reached out to us last month, looking for something special: a private food tour on his very first day in Hanoi - which also happened to be his birthday! So we came up with a surprise plan. 🎉

Today, Linh picked up Pete and his lovely wife, Doreen, from their hotel and kicked things off with a chill cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Then, like any great food tour, we dove into a feast of local favorites. Bite after bite, they discovered the rich, soulful flavors of Hanoi. Pete instantly fell for bánh gối (fried pillow dumplings), while Doreen declared bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls) her absolute favorite.

But the real magic came at the last stop. As the couple was still buzzing with excitement after the train passed just inches away, the "Happy Birthday" song began playing and Linh appeared from behind with a birthday cake! 🎂 Pete was still processing the surprise when I popped up in front of them to capture the whole moment on camera. Total stealth mode unlocked. 😄📸

Everyone sang together, the whole café lit up with joy, and the shop owner brought out their legendary “happy water” (aka “apple mewo mewo” 🍏✨). We showed Pete and Doreen how to cheers like a true local - and let’s just say, they didn’t need much practice!

It was a night full of laughs, love, delicious bites, and a few mysterious (but cheerful) sips. Pete told us this memory would stay with them for a long, long time. And to be honest, it’s the same for us too. 🧡

Planning something special in Hanoi? Don’t hesitate to hit us up - we have more surprises than you can imagine 😉!

Join us to explore the heart of Vietnamese cuisine with our Tatse of Hanoi food tour and create memories that last a lifetime: click here

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Dung (Emma) Co-founder of Beyond Vietnam

Xin chào! I’m Dung, but many travellers call me Emma. I grew up on the outskirts of Hanoi, and no matter how far I travel, this busy and slightly chaotic city still feels most like home.

I’ve explored Vietnam on my own and with the people I love, while also spending years volunteering and joining community projects. Along the way, I’ve collected plenty of stories, local tips and unforgettable moments. I share them here to help you feel closer to Hanoi and Vietnam, hopefully even before you arrive.

You can also find me on Facebook. Come and say hi!