🍄 Meeting point: 27 Chua Vua ( Get direction )
🗺 Available: every day | 👟 Walking | ⌚ 3 Hour Tour | 💬 English
Hanoi not-to-go-alone areas & stories from Vietnam war
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 the both side (the North and the South; and the story of the unification of Vietnam, a country once was divided between the communist and anti-communist, on the brink of the COLDWAR)
Discover life under the planned economy, the fate(s) of the local people from the both side (the North and the South; and the story of the unification of Vietnam, a country once was divided between the communist and anti-communist, on the brink of the COLDWAR)
Our “stroll” will last about 3 hours, with a short taxi ride half way-through. The aim of my walk is to make you discover specific areas of Hanoi (far away from the tourist 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!
“A very unique experience walking along a neighbourhood that one would never go alone. Saw the lives of some Hanoians that we never knew. The host had great knowledge of the place and his city. A highlight for us was to catch the train as it passed through some houses and being literally arm’s length away from the train.
” – Shagen November 2022
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“Quang was my host and his English was excellent. Knew a lot about Vietnamese and Hanoi’s history and carried many old pictures so he could show what areas we were walking through looked like before (many from the early 1960’s). Very nice way to get immersed in the Hanoi experience – don’t miss it!
” – Lee, October 2022
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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.
7 Reasons Why our Stories from Vietnam War at not-to-go-alone areas 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.
Visit a veteran’s home to hear their stories and gain insight into how the war affected their lives.
On our trip, we will go to veterans’ homes to listen to their stories of bravery and strength. We will listen with respect and admiration, and pay tribute to the sacrifices these incredible individuals have made for our country. If the veteran we plan to visit is not there, we will still make the most of our time and have a cup of coffee or tea at the nearby train street cafe. We will relax and appreciate the scenery, and be reminded of the courage of the veterans we have met on our journey.
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 host. As the tour is a small group, you can have a much deeper conversation with the host on topics such as history, politics, 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 will donate a portion of our profits to the veteran’s widow.
By joining the tour, our team and you can help the widow by splitting the tour’s profits with her. This will make a huge difference for her grandchild’s education and daily expenses.
Our reviews on Airbnb are outstanding.
Here is what Edward said:
“My husband and I went on this tour (my second with Quang in 2 days haha). It was really interesting and really authentic as Quang actually knows a lot of local people. The visit to a train street was my favorite part – both the train and the visit to the widow’s house. We could ask any questions we had and Quang would translate them – even rather provocative questions. I can totally recommend this tour for a more raw and emotional experience of Hanoi.” – Eve joined the experience on December 2022.
29 reviews for Hanoi not-to-go-alone areas & stories from Vietnam war
Note: for review to be approved, please refer to Terms and conditions
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verified account
Great tour! We started at a coffee shop and had tea while talking about Vietnam's history. Then we visited some markets, buildings, and memorials. I learned a lot and got to hear from a local. The unique stories shared by our guide really made the experience special. The knowledge and insight I gained into Vietnam's culture and history was invaluable, and I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting the country. Thanks again for the wonderful experience!
verified account
My husband and I went on this tour (my second with Quang in 2 days haha). It was really interesting and really authentic as Quang actually knows a lot of local people. The visit to a train street was my favorite part - both the train and the visit to the widow’s house. We could ask any questions we had and Quang would translate them - even rather provocative questions. I can totally recommend this tour for a more raw and emotional experience of Hanoi.
verified account
It was great learning more about Vietnam, and going to places foreigners normally would not go. He gave a real authentic feel to my visit to Vietnam. The tour took us to interesting places, and Cong did a nice job of explaining everything to us. I highly recommend if you want something a little different.
verified account
can't recommend it highly enough. I have discovered a little bit more of Hanoi, real life, past history. In a nutshell, don't miss it.
verified account
Really great tour with Quang. We learnt lots about the difficulties and struggles of the Vietnamese people across more than three centuries. Definitely recommend to anyone wanting to learn a bit more about Hanoi and Vietnam in general
verified account
I booked this tour because it took us to a unique part of Hanoi that we otherwise would never have explored - the thieves' market, the commemoration statue of the Dec bombings in 1972, a train street where we met a war veteran's wife, etc. Tour also starts in a nice coffee place and it covers the short Grab ride between stops. So it definitely did what it said it would do and we were generally satisfied.
Quang spoke English fairly well and told interesting stories, shared interesting facts wherever we went, was generally helpful and knowledgeable. Wish he could have used his visual aids more and showed bigger pictures in telling his stories.
if you are looking for something that is off the beaten track of your usual Hanoi walking tour, then do consider this one!
verified account
This was such a great experience and one I’ll never forget. Everything from Quang’s personal story and his perspective as a young people on the wars and Vietnam’s future, to his sense of empathy and personal connection with people still bearing the scars of war. Our visit with a survivor of agent orange was heart wrenching and truly powerful. Would highly recommend it. Made some great friends too
verified account
Highly recommend this tour for three reasons. First, Quang and Cong have setup a tour that tells a story about Vietnam and Hanoi. It takes the traveler through town from the Vietnamese perspective of the “American War.” Secondly, the tour and storytelling involves going to areas and visiting places that tourists normally don’t go. Some of these areas cannot be accessed without local knowledge. Finally, the business of these tours supports great charitable work by Quang and Cong. Highly recommend for old and young.
Question and Answer
1 Comment
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M Mike
Hi Mike,
My friends and I are interested in the tour “Stories from the Vietnam War”. We have a question: Is the meeting point far from the Hanoi Old Quarter?
Thank you very much.
Best,
Mike-
CT Cong Trong Administrator
Hi Mike,
This is Cong from OneTrip with the local team.
The meeting point is at 27 Chua Vua Street. Here is the Google Map link: [https://goo.gl/maps/WANkJf7H5y4RP9uF8].
It is approximately 3 km away from the Old Quarter. It should take around 15 minutes by taxi, or 40 minutes if you walk.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Best,
OneTrip with the local team.
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Arantxa verified account
can’t recommend it highly enough. I have discovered a little bit more of Hanoi, real life, past history. In a nutshell, don’t miss it.
James verified account
It was great learning more about Vietnam, and going to places foreigners normally would not go. He gave a real authentic feel to my visit to Vietnam. The tour took us to interesting places, and Cong did a nice job of explaining everything to us. I highly recommend if you want something a little different.
Eve verified account
My husband and I went on this tour (my second with Quang in 2 days haha). It was really interesting and really authentic as Quang actually knows a lot of local people. The visit to a train street was my favorite part – both the train and the visit to the widow’s house. We could ask any questions we had and Quang would translate them – even rather provocative questions. I can totally recommend this tour for a more raw and emotional experience of Hanoi.
Le verified account
Great tour! We started at a coffee shop and had tea while talking about Vietnam’s history. Then we visited some markets, buildings, and memorials. I learned a lot and got to hear from a local. The unique stories shared by our guide really made the experience special. The knowledge and insight I gained into Vietnam’s culture and history was invaluable, and I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting the country. Thanks again for the wonderful experience!
Adrian verified account
We saw a different side to Hanoi, with really interesting insights into the lives of war veterans in Hanoi. Standing up against a wall in train street as a train goes through is an experience, but not for the faint hearted.