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Hoan Kiem walking street & Hanoi Old Quarter tour

Explore the vibrant Hanoi city centre with our “Hoan Kiem walking street & Hanoi Old Quarter tour”, where the walking street comes alive on weekends and at night. Enjoy local culture with live performances, traditional games, and enjoy the view of the well-known attractions: Turtle Tower and Ngoc Son Temple. Then, walk around the Hanoi Old Quarter, a historic maze of 36 streets, each named after the trade that once flourished there. This tour offers the history, culture, and local life as it represents the timeless charm of Hanoi’s most iconic areas. Let’s join this tour with Impress Travel for unforgettable moments and let experiences be remarkable memories!

Our gallery

The beauty of Hoan Kiem Lake
The beauty of Hoan Kiem Lake
The Huc Bridge
The Huc Bridge
The Old Quarter
The Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter
Bach Ma Temple
Bach Ma Temple
Bun cha
Bun cha
Pho Hanoi
Pho Hanoi
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Giang Coffee
Giang Coffee
The beauty of Hoan Kiem Lake
The Huc Bridge
The Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter
Bach Ma Temple
Bun cha
Pho Hanoi
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Giang Coffee

Tour overview

The history and architecture of Hanoi Old Quarter: Dating back over a thousand years, Hanoi Old Quarter is one of the oldest residential areas in Vietnam. The area and streets have remained probably unchanged since the 13th century, it is the tourism place of Hanoi, a must-visit when you travel to Vietnam. The area was originally organized by guilds, with each street named after the goods sold there, such as Hang Bac (Silver Street) and Hang Ma (Paper Street). The architecture is a unique blend of traditional Vietnamese tube houses, French colonial buildings, and Buddhist temples. 

A deeper dig into local experience: The walking street is also a favorite spot for locals to engage in traditional games, such as tug of war, chess, and badminton. During special occasions, the area hosts cultural festivals, including the Mid-Autumn Festival, Tet (Lunar New Year), and musical performances that highlight Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage. While the Old Quarter is where people often visit to hang out after the busy weekdays, also the place they go shopping for the Lunar New Year. 

Activities and experience of Hoan Kiem Walking Street: It is more than just a place to walk: a cultural hotspot, where you can experience the vibrancy of Hanoi. Street performers, including traditional musicians, dancers, and artists, create a lively atmosphere, while local vendors offer a range of snacks, souvenirs, and handmade crafts. The area is especially popular in the evening, when families, couples, and groups of friends gather to enjoy the cool breeze and the stunning view Hoan Kiem lake at night.

Detailed tour itinerary

Morning

Departure from your hotel to Hoan Kiem Lake

7:45 AM: Good morning, a exciting start with Impress Travel “Hoan Kiem walking street & Hanoi Old Quarter tour”,. You will be picked up at your hotel to move to a meeting point in city centre to start the walking tour.

8:00 AM: Begin your tour with a peaceful walk around Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy the morning tranquility as locals doaerobics, walk, and capture photos of the iconic Turtle Tower (Tháp Rùa) in the middle of the lake.

8:30 AM:  As you cross the red The Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple, you will be able to explore the temple admire the beautiful views of the lake. Ngoc Son Temple is deeply connected to the history of Hoan Kiem Lake because Emperor Le Loi was given a magical sword by the Golden Turtle God to defeat the Chinese Ming dynasty. After his victory, the turtle reclaim the sword, so he gave the lake named as “Lake of the Returned Sword."

9:15 AM: Explore Hoan Kiem Walking Street by going around the pedestrian streets, also you should immerse into the local atmosphere, watch street performances, or maybe enjoy a traditional Vietnamese coffee at a nearby cafe.

10:00 AM: Head to Hanoi Old Quarter, starting at the bustling Dong Xuan Market. Take a look at the various stalls selling everything from fresh fruits to souvenirs, and feel yourself in the local life.

10:45 AM: Take a visit at Bach Ma Temple, one of the oldest temples in Hanoi. Learn about its history and culture while you can cherish the traditional Vietnamese architecture.

Noon

Have lunch by eating local food

11:30 AM: We will stop by some local eateries in the Old Quarter for you guys to enjoy your lunch. The food cuisine here is very diverse, from signature dishes like pho, bun cha, or banh mi to the homecooking dishes of “Cơm nhà”, we will let you choose. Remember to notify us before you started the tour so our guide will take you to lunch.

Afternoon

Visiting the Old Quarter then return to the hotel

1:00 PM: Spend the afternoon exploring the 36 streets of the Old Quarter, each named after the trade that once flourished there. Visit Hang Gai (Silk Street) for quality silk products or Hang Ma (Paper Street) for festive decorations.

2:00 PM: Our next stop in the afternoon will be the St. Joseph’s Cathedral, a Gothic Revival architecture. Take some time to appreciate the patterns and view outside and inside the cathedral and maybe explore its history on the informstive board.

3:00 PM: Visit to some cafes to taste the authentic Vietnamese coffees such as Egg Coffee, Consedense Milk Coffee, Coconut Coffee. We can suggest you to Cafe Giang if you like the classical vintage vibe but more of adult-styled or Hidden Alley cafe if you love the old, trendy vintage vibe more of teenager-styled.

4:00 PM : After moments of drinking and chatting, you will be picked up and returned to your accomodations. We are really glad that you choose Impress Travel " Hoan Kiem walking street & Hanoi Old Quarter Tour” to explore the highlights of the tour and gain more experiences. We hope to welcome you again on your upcoming journey. We will say goodbye to you!

What's included & excluded for this trip?

What’s included in this trip :

  • A/C transfer
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • English- speaking guides as specified (Chinese/ Malaysian speaking guide can be available on request)
  • Entrance fees
  • Mineral water (2 bottles/ per day with sightseeing tour)
What’s excluded in this trip:
  • All international and domestic flights
  • Specified as Chinese/ Malaysian/ Indonesian/Thai speaking guide can be available on request to pay for extra-fee.
  • Travel Insurance
  • Airport taxes
  • All meals not mentioned
  • Tips for tour guides, drivers, crew members
  • Other personal expenses not mentioned.

Tour & Travel Map

Trip reviews

Ranana

You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.

We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.

Ebrahim

Tour of Vietnam

Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!

Solly Pochee

The tour was fantastic

I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee

Bernard Lim

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.

Derek.Schooling

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel

This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.

My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress

What to brings:

Packing sensibly for your Hoan Kiem walking street & Hanoi Old Quarter Tour" in Hanoi can lend daylight hours of comfort and enjoyment on your trip. Below, here are some most necessary ones that shouldn’t be skipped inside the bag:

  • Lightweight Clothing: The climate of the area is rather warm and humid, so it is wise to stay in light, breathable, and comfortable clothing to have a convenient day visiting various spots throughout the area and moving around.
  • Sunscreen and Hat: The sun-ray can be quite strong, so make sure to have that in your luggage. A comfortable hat and sunglasses are also important for the protection your face gets from direct sunlight and also remember to bring sunscreen to prevent your skin from UV light.
  • Insect Repellent: The delta is a very green place, so there is plenty of insect life. It is wise to come prepared with insect repellent, which one may use to let the insects away.
  • Comfortable Footwear: You must walk around and explore; hence, wear your comfortable shoes. Durable sandals, strong sneakers with good support.
  • Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is an essential part of your overall health, and even more so in a hot climate like this. Bring a reusable water bottle to fill when you can and stay refreshed throughout your day.

Practical Tips:

To enjoy our memorable Hoan Kiem walking street & Hanoi Old Quarter Tour"

Taking a sneak preview of what lies ahead on the tour you will be going. A small amount of preparation can make you enjoy along the adventure. Here are some travel advices and pocket tips for traveling around Hoan Kiem Lake & the Old Quarter so that you will capture the most experiences and memories  in this enchanting region:

Discover the Ideal Time to take our “Hoan Kiem walking street & Hanoi Old Quarter Tour"

The following parts will help you see the best time to go on Hoan Kiem walking street & Hanoi Old Quarter Tour. Because the area has a subtropical climate, and the best seasons for the tours are from September to April during the autumn and spring season. More or less, the weather is very nice and cool; perfect for enjoying lush landscapes and outdoor activities.

For instance, it rains pretty often and is extremely hot between May and September, the summer season, and sometimes may cause heavy rains in places. Sometimes rain just contributes to the mystical beauty of landscapes, but it also might have some effect on the trip and getting to some places. If you do come at that time, be sure to be prepared for the possible inclusion of rain and waterproof gear.

Cultural Etiquette:

Preparing yourself with knowledge of the local customs and cultural etiquette can make a big difference in your journey as you go on a Hoan Kiem walking street & Hanoi Old Quarter Tour" while showing respect toward the community you’re visiting.

  • Dress Modestly: Although the area is rather laid back, it is respectful to dress modestly. The same goes for visiting religious places like pagodas. Avoid revealing clothes and wear clothes covering your shoulders and knees.
  • Respect Local Customs: The villages comprise many communities with varying traditions. Always ask for permission to capture images of locals and their cultural activities. Just a friendly smile, aided by basic local Vietnamese expressions such as “xin chao" (hello) and “cam on" (thank you), will go a long way in making interactions positive.
  • Be Mindful of the Environment: Perhaps, the working and living environment is important for local people there. Help in preserving it; properly dispose of wastes, and refrain from actions that may scar it.

Summary:

Your journey through Hoan Kiem Walking Street and Hanoi Old Quarter offers a deep dig into the vibrant culture, rich history, and dynamic daily life of the capital city of Vietnam. From the scenic beauty of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple to the lively streets and historic charm of the Old Quarter, this tour represents the essence of Hanoi. As you walk through these areas, you will experience a unique combination of the ancient and the modern, the old and the new. This itinerary offers everything about Hanoi: culture, food, and entertainment, making for an unforgettable day tour in Hanoi. Thank you for joining us on this enriching cultural journey. Don’t forget to regularly follow our Impress Travel for more interesting information about traveling to Hanoi and to book Hanoi Tours at the best prices.

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