Walking Tours in Hanoi

With its hundreds of small alleyways and tree-lined streets, the city of Hanoi begs to be explored — and the best manner in which to do so is by strolling around.

Walking tours in Hanoi remain one of the most popular activities, as it allows you to discover this ancient city at your own pace — with the added advantage of a knowledgeable guide by your side to help make sense of Hanoi’s complex and interesting history.

Here's all you need to know about walking tours, which are among of the most captivating options for sightseeing tours in Hanoi.

What are the best walking tours in Hanoi?

The best type of walking tour in Hanoi depends on your preference. Fortunately, Hanoi walking tours come in a variety of shapes and sizes, catering to almost every type of traveler.

Private, guided and group walking tours are all available, and are easily combinable with other popular activities, like cooking classes, scooter tours and water puppet shows.

Free walking tours in Hanoi also cover a variety of the city’s districts — and if you ask about a specific site, your guide will be more than willing to go show it to you.

Guided small group food and walking tour in Hanoi

This Hanoi walking tour departs twice daily, once in the morning and again in the evening — each tour showcases different aspects of Hanoi, providing participants with vastly different experiences.

A small group walking tour usually consists of anywhere between 8 and 20 participants, with an additional guide joining for tours of 12 or more people.

This walking tour also features some of Hanoi’s favorite dishes, so your journey will be determined by sightseeing as well as your taste buds.

The tour starts in the Old Quarter, but soon ventures off the beaten path to visit areas like the French Quarter, Ba Dinh and Hai Ba Trung. Along the way, you’ll see how local Hanoians live while tasting some delicious dishes.

Private walking tour in Hanoi

If you are a couple, a family or a small group of friends, a private walking tour in Hanoi is perfect for you. Your part will be the only persons on this tour, allowing you to amble through Hanoi at your own pace.

Don’t worry about packing snacks, this Hanoi walking tour also includes a food tour with 10 different mouthwatering meals.

As this is a private walking tour, the menu and experience are largely up to you, with your guide providing suggestions and background along the way.

Whatever you choose to see and taste, one thing is certain — you can’t go wrong by ending your walking tour with an egg coffee, a luxurious Hanoian version of cappuccino.

Hanoi Old Quarter walking tour

With its labyrinthine streets and a multitude of ancient sites, the Old Quarter is like a separate city within Hanoi.

A single trip or wandering barely scratches the surface of this ancient area, unless you have an experienced guide to show you where to go.

This is exactly what makes a walking tour in Hanoi’s Old Quarter one of the best tours out there.

With your guide’s insights, the old city center comes alive around you — and you’ll get to understand how Hanoi is a city where the old and new lives side by side.

Hanoi evening walking tours with a water puppet show

When evening comes to Hanoi, the city undergoes a metamorphosis — people spill into the streets and sidewalks, setting up small eateries and shops. Music emanates from neon-lit speakers and a jovial mood fills the air.

Exploring this unique setting with an evening walking tour is a great idea, especially when you combine it with a water puppet show.

This Hanoi walking tour explores the Old Quarter, a large part of the French Quarter and the area around Hoan Kiem Lake.

After exploring the streets, you’ll be able to kick your feet up and enjoy a water puppet show in an air-conditioned theater.

Which places are visited?

Walking tours in Hanoi tend to visit the same attractions and sights — as the size of the area explored is limited by the mode of travel.

However, some walking tours do venture off the well-trodden path to include areas like Ba Dinh, Hai Ba Trung and West Lake.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter

The Old Quarter is Hanoi’s ancient center and an area that is perfect to explore on foot. The street names indicate different guilds, each specializing in a specific trade.

Some of these trade streets, like Hang Bac (silver) and Hang Go (wood), exist to this day, with master artisans still plying their trade. The area offers a fascinating glimpse into an age gone by, along with some great markets and wonderful food.

Water Puppet Shows

Water puppet shows originated centuries ago when rice farmers had to entertain themselves during seasonal flooding. Their flooded fields provided the perfect stage for wood-carved puppets to re-enact and poke fun at local village life.

After a while, these impromptu narratives merged to create central themes, and the art of water puppetry was born.

Dong Xuan Market

Dong Xuan Market, the largest market in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, was built in the late 19th century.

During the Vietnamese struggle for independence, the market was home to some of Hanoi’s most fearsome fighting — a local mural commemorates this fact.

Today, it remains one of the most important markets in Hanoi and a hotbed of food stalls and eateries.

How much do walking tours in Hanoi cost?

Hanoi walking tours tend to range between US$20 and US$40 per person. The cost depends on the duration of the walking tour, the number of sights seen and whether it incorporates other activities like a food tour.

A walking tour in Hanoi’s Old Quarter costs US$25 per person.

The Hanoi guided small group walking and food tour comes in at around US$30 per person.

Evening Hanoi walking tours with a water puppet show will cost about US$35 per person.

A private walking tour in Hanoi will cost roughly US$40 per person, but you’ll enjoy the added advantage of being the only group on the walking tour.

What is included?

Walking tours in Hanoi include all the admission tickets to the attractions visited.

Walking tours that include food tours cover the purchase of all the meals featured on the itinerary. Some of the longer walking tours include a snack and a bottle of water.

Where does it start?

Hanoi walking tours usually start either at the offices of the tour company or from an attraction close to Hoan Kiem Lake.

Some of the walking tours in Hanoi offer pickup and drop-off from and to your hotel, but this should be confirmed when booking.

How long does it last?

The duration of a walking tour in Hanoi tends to be anything between 2 and 4 hours, but depends on the number of sights visited and the activities included.

Hanoi walking tours with a combination of activities, like a cooking class, a water puppet show or a food tour, will last longer than a normal walking tour.

When is the best time for a walking tour in Hanoi?

The best time for a walking tour in Hanoi is during the months of September to December, and March to May. Morning and evening tours differ remarkably, but both options have their own appeal.

Travel tips

• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Wear appropriate clothing when visiting places of worship.
• Make sure that your camera, phone and other valuables are secured.
• Take an umbrella in case of an unexpected rain spell.