Hanoi during the Vietnam War: the dark side of its most famous monuments.
Discover life under the planned economy, the fate(s) of the local people from both sides (the North and the South; and the story of the unification of Vietnam, a country once divided between the communist and anti-communist, on the brink of the COLD WAR)
Our “stroll” will last about 2.5 hours, with a short taxi ride halfway through. The aim of my walk is to make you discover specific areas of Hanoi (far away from the tourist’s eyes) in the light of aspects of our city’s rich history that are rarely touched upon by guidebooks, with in-depth information (history buffs welcome) but in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. A conversation, rather than a lecture!
Places we will visit:
– Cho Gioi area
– Kham Thiem B52 memorial
– Hanoi Train Street
Note: 20% of the profit will be donated to the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agen Orange/Dioxin; Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
Includes
✔️ 3-hour long guided walking tour
✔️ Coffee and/or Tea
✔️ Expert guide
Exclude
❌ Gratuities
What to bring
Hat & sunscreen
Walking shoes
Essential information
You need to give us your WhatsApp number, G-mail or local number so we can find you in the case we do not see you.
Meeting point
24 Chua Vua, Phố Huế, Hai Bà Trưng district
Reasons Why not-to-go-alone TOUR is unique
Away from tourist’s eyes: Discover the not-to-go area
Cho Gioi is a big second-hand market, but it is not a good idea for tourists to go there alone. It is very busy with people who know the area and how it works. Tourists may have trouble getting around and may be tricked by local sellers. It is better to go with someone who knows the area, so they can keep you from getting lost. Cho Gioi is an exciting and fascinating market, and if you take the right steps, it can be a safe and enjoyable experience.
Gaining knowledge about the history of Vietnam is important to understand the country’s culture and traditions
By looking at the events that had an impact on Vietnam, we can get a full picture of the country’s past, from the old kingdoms that were once in the area, to the long and tough fight for freedom from French control, and the later civil war that lasted for many years. Learning about the effects of the Vietnam War and what came after, as well as the country’s transformation into a modern state, gives us a special look into the people and cultures of Vietnam.
Open for questions and discussion
Pose questions and engage in meaningful dialogue with the young hosts. As the tour is a small group, you can have a much deeper conversation with the host on topics such as history, politics, and economics.
We will visit Train Street and the war memorials.
Since the train street in the Old Quarter has been closed for a while due to safety issues, there is only one train street left for visitors to explore. It is much quieter than the original train street, yet still has the same charm that made the original so popular with tourists. You can stroll along the tracks, stopping to observe the beautiful sights and have a cup of Vietnamese coffee.
We donate a portion of our profits to Charity Organizations.
20% of the profit from our tour will be donated to the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin and the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation. In addition, we organize charity events to raise funds for these NGOs.
As of August 2023, we have donated a total of 14,000,000 VND ($600) since launching the tour in March 2023. This is how our young team can give back to the community.










































Adam (verified owner) –
Really nice tour. Quang has access to places and people you would never see/meet on your own. Lots of great knowledge and insight
Jingru (verified owner) –
The few hour we spent with Quang was informative and gave us insight to how Vietnam was affected and continues to be influenced by its past. It was truly an eye opening experience, especially hearing it from someone so deeply rooted in the circumstances.
Antonio (verified owner) –
È stata un’esperienza molto utile per avere un primo approccio al centro storico. La guida parla fluentemente inglese e non si perita a raccontarti anche gli aspetti meno belli della società in cui vive (che d’altronde sono presenti in qualsiasi paese del mondo). Grazie per l’esperienza!
Kanya (verified owner) –
It was good! I wish the wife of the veteran was there because we went to her house but she wasn’t there, it would be nice to hear her story.
Lena (verified owner) –
I signed up for this tour because I wanted to meet people who were affected by agent orange. The tour delivered just that AND more, I got to spontaneously chat with an 80 year old at the Soviet apartment blocks. Cong was an informative and a lovely host.