Hanoi’s Historic Landmarks & Distintive Cusine

Description

Discover Hanoi’s History, Hidden Landmarks and Distinctive Cuisine

Experience Hanoi’s history, culture and celebrated cuisine on this immersive four-hour journey by electric scooter or private Jeep. Travel through the atmospheric Old Quarter and elegant French Quarter before visiting Hoa Lo Prison, tasting some of Hanoi’s signature dishes and discovering important wartime landmarks.

With an experienced local driver and English-speaking guide, you will explore both the celebrated highlights and lesser-known stories that have shaped Vietnam’s capital.

Tour Highlights

• Explore Hanoi by electric scooter or private Jeep
• Travel through the historic Old Quarter and elegant French Quarter
• Visit Hoa Lo Prison and learn about its complex history
• Taste authentic bun cha, banh mi and banh cuon
• Finish the culinary experience with Hanoi egg coffee
• Visit B-52 Lake and discover its wartime story
• See the John McCain Monument beside Truc Bach Lake
• Learn about Hanoi’s history from an experienced local guide
• Enjoy convenient hotel pickup and drop-off

Tour Information

Duration: Approximately 4 hours

Suggested Start Time: 4:00 PM

Activity Level: Easy to moderate

Tour Style: Cultural, historical, culinary and immersive

Transport: Electric scooter with an experienced driver or private Jeep

Pickup and Drop-off: Hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter and French Quarter

Tour Itinerary

4:00 PM – Hotel Pickup and Safety Briefing

Your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel. Electric-scooter guests will receive a helmet fitting and safety briefing before beginning the journey through Hanoi’s vibrant streets.

Explore the Old Quarter and French Quarter

Travel through Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter, the historic heart of the city. Its narrow streets are filled with traditional shops, local markets, street-food vendors and centuries-old houses, offering a fascinating glimpse into the everyday life of local residents.

Continue through part of the elegant French Quarter, where tree-lined boulevards and colonial-era architecture reveal another important chapter in Hanoi’s history.

Visit Hoa Lo Prison

Stop at Hoa Lo Prison Historical Relic, originally constructed by the French colonial administration and later known to American prisoners of war as the “Hanoi Hilton.” Explore the exhibitions and learn about the prison’s complex history during both the French colonial period and the Vietnam War.

Enjoy Hanoi’s Distinctive Cuisine

Continue to carefully selected local eateries and taste several dishes that have shaped Hanoi’s culinary identity.

Bun Cha

Enjoy grilled pork served with rice vermicelli, fresh herbs and a balanced sweet-and-sour dipping broth. Bun cha gained international recognition when former US President Barack Obama shared the dish with chef Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi in 2016.

Banh Mi

Taste Vietnam’s celebrated banh mi—a crisp, airy baguette filled with savoury meat, fresh herbs, vegetables and pickles. This popular street food reflects the meeting of Vietnamese flavours and French culinary influence.

Banh Cuon

Sample delicate steamed rice rolls filled with seasoned minced pork and wood-ear mushrooms, traditionally served with fresh herbs and Vietnamese dipping sauce.

Hanoi Egg Coffee

Finish with Hanoi’s signature egg coffee. Created in the city during the 1940s, this rich speciality combines robust Vietnamese coffee with a smooth, custard-like topping made from whipped egg yolk and sweetened condensed milk.

B-52 Lake

Visit Huu Tiep Lake, commonly known as B-52 Lake, where part of a B-52 aircraft remains visible in the water. Your guide will explain the site’s historical context and its place in Hanoi’s wartime memory.

John McCain Monument and Truc Bach Lake

Continue to the John McCain Monument beside Truc Bach Lake. Learn about the events connected to the capture of US Navy pilot John McCain in 1967 and how his later political career became associated with reconciliation between Vietnam and the United States.

8:00 PM – Return to Your Hotel

After exploring Hanoi’s cuisine and historic landmarks, your guide and driver will accompany you safely back to your hotel, concluding a memorable journey through the city’s culture, food and complex history.

Tour Prices

• Electric Scooter: USD 62 per person
• Private Jeep: USD 300 per vehicle for up to six guests

Tour Includes

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hanoi Old Quarter and French Quarter
• English-speaking local guide
• Electric scooter or private Jeep, according to the selected option
• Experienced local driver
• Helmet for electric-scooter guests
• Rain poncho when required
• Drinking water and seasonal tropical fruit
• Admission to Hoa Lo Prison Historical Relic
• All food and drinks specified in the programme
• All visits and activities described in the itinerary

Tour Excludes

• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Additional food and drinks not specified in the programme
• Gratuities for the guide and driver

Gratuities are optional. If you enjoyed the experience, a tip for your guide and driver is always appreciated.