Meet your guide and driver early this morning and head to Hoan Kiem Lake, where locals gather for their daily tai chi and aerobics sessions. Join in or simply observe this peaceful morning ritual. Visit Ngoc Son Temple, set on an island in the middle of the lake, before stopping at a traditional café to try Vietnam’s famous iced coffee, ca phe sua da, or, for the adventurous, the creamy and unique ‘egg coffee.’
Then, visit a bustling street food stall for a freshly made banh mi, a flavorful baguette sandwich filled with a variety of ingredients. Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where French colonial architecture still stands, including St. Joseph’s Cathedral, a striking Gothic structure built in 1886. Walk to Hoa Lo Prison, where both Vietnamese and foreign prisoners, including American and French soldiers, were once held. Then, visit Huu Tiep Lake—better known as ‘B-52 Lake’—where the wreckage of a U.S. B-52 bomber remains.
At noon, stop for a classic Hanoi dish, bun cha, a flavorful combination of grilled pork and rice noodles. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, founded in 1076 as Vietnam’s first university, where royalty, mandarins, and scholars once studied. End the day with a walk along Hanoi’s railway street, where train tracks run just meters from homes. Capture stunning photos before unwinding with a refreshing glass of local draft beer at a bia hơi spot, a perfect place to mingle with locals.
*Since there are opportunities during the tour to try various street and local specialties, it’s recommended to skip the hotel breakfast.
