Quang was a great tour guide. I learned a lot about Vietnam that I didn’t know before. He shares an interesting perspective. A bonus was the tour ending on such an exciting note. Highly recommend!
Don’t miss the walking history tour with Kien. Incredibly nuanced and insightful. We received an incredible local explanation about the history and everyday life in Hanoi - one that would have remained invisible without the tour. If we could rate it 11 stars we would !
I am so glad I joined this tour. Kien gave us a great perspective into Vietnam's recent history and about Hanoi. The structure of the afternoon was perfect: the right mix between (light) education, discovering whilst walking and socialising at the end. Thanks Kien for an insightful and enjoyable afternoon.
Try and do this tour. It is more than just a typical Vietnam war tour. It is about life during wartime. My guide was superb from start to finish , smart , engaging and funny. We started off with coffee and a really interesting rundown of Vietnamese history. Then we went and visited some really interesting and unknown places that no tourist could venture into , getting to really see how Vietnamese people lived during the war and now. We got to go inside apartment blocks and black markets then finishing at the famous railway street. This was such a great tour and very off the beaten path that no one. When you are in Hanoi I highly recommend you do this.
We learned a lot about Vietnamese history, politics and culture from this guided tour with the colorful Kien! This was definitely a unique, authentic experience unlike any typical tourist activity. A great part of our adventures in Hanoi!
This is the best tour I had when I was in Hanoi! For a start, Quang gave us a succinct and useful history lesson to set the context for the tour. As it was a scorching hot day, the cold (and free) drinks provided at the start of the tour was also much appreciated. The path of the tour brought us to many areas that we’d otherwise would have missed out. Coupled with Quang’s engaging storytelling, this tour is definitely not one that you should miss out on 🙂
My favorite tour in Vietnam. Quang was an excellent guide and showed us places we never would have gone otherwise. Highly unique experience that you won’t find elsewhere!
This is a MUST DO tour when you are in Hanoi. Quang is a great conversationalist who takes you in areas that aren’t in guidebooks. It’s FASCINATING, EYE OPENING and INSIGHTFUL. You will learn and see how the locals live. My husband and I enjoyed every second of the tour. In all the places, I’ve been to, this is the best tour I’ve ever done.
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.
Jackie verified
Kien is a superior storyteller and helped our little group stay safe as we traversed through a neighborhood adjacent to the tourist-heavy Hanoi Old Quarter where we would otherwise not go to, heard the history of the neighborhood, and how tragic events decades ago continue to impact lives today. Kien shares his experience as someone who grew up in this neighborhood, has witnessed the changes thus far, and the constant threat of change to a way of life that is becoming less and less common. I strongly encourage folks to book this tour before it’s too late – it may be a matter of time that these neighborhoods and communities who are from a different period are lost to the sands of time forever.
Varun verified
Great learning about Vietnam and Hanoi’s history. Many unknown and interesting facts that make the history even more fascinating. Kiên was very knowledgeable and passionate in what he does. I don’t think I would have explored the parts of Hanoi that are covered in this trip . Highly recommend for anyone who wants a unique Hanoi experience. He buys you a coffee and a smoothie/juice during the tour which was a nice surprise.
Joe verified
This was a brilliant way to spend a morning visiting areas of Hanoi wouldn’t otherwise see. Kien was engaging, very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about his city and its history. Don’t hesitate to book this!
Aneek verified
This tour really helped us see Hanoi in a different light. Our host was extremely informative and answered all our questions. Recommended for history buffs.
Corinne verified
Kiên is a very good story teller. he just knew to each question a good answer. very sympathic young men. We saw really hidden places, just a great experience 😁