Hanoi tours

Things to do in Hanoi

Hanoi is a dynamic blend of hustle and charm, where the buzz of motorbikes mingles with the aroma of pho from street vendors. The city’s Old Quarter and peaceful lakes create a vibrant living tapestry, alive with stories waiting to be told. On Hanoi tours, your local guide becomes the narrator, peeling back the city’s layers with each step you take. From the energy of bustling markets on a walking tour to the tranquility of ancient temple courtyards, your guide ensures you capture the city’s essence. Dive into a food and wine tour, discovering flavours that captivate your senses. With your guide, accessing Hanoi’s heart becomes a journey of finding the remarkable in the routine. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Hanoi. Explore Hanoi your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Hanoi tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Hanoi for every interest, including: Food and Drink tours: Taste your way through the Old Quarter with pho at a family shop, bun cha at a charcoal grill, and egg coffee at Café Giang. Cap it with bia hơi on a tiny stool while your guide explains how to order like a local. Nature and Wildlife tours: Cycle the Red River dyke out to Bãi Giữa’s gardens and sandbars to spot kingfishers and watch farmers at work. Or take a day trip to Ba Vi National Park for a shaded forest walk and views from the old French ruins. History tours: Visit the Temple of Literature to trace imperial exams, then step into the French‑built Hoa Lo Prison to understand its layered past. Continue through the French Quarter to see the Opera House and stately villas that shaped the city’s look. Getting around: The Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake are very walkable, and the Cat Linh–Ha Dong metro plus buses cover longer hops. For farther sites like Ba Vi or evening itineraries, book a chauffeured tour or ask your guide for a private car. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Hanoi inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Experience Hanoi on a private walking tour and explore its diverse neighborhoods with the guidance of a local. - Old Quarter: Wander through narrow streets bustling with local shops, ideal for cultural tourists and history buffs. - Hoan Kiem Lake: Enjoy a peaceful walk around this iconic lake, perfect for families and those seeking a calm retreat in the city. - French Quarter: Explore grand boulevards and colonial architecture, a must-visit for architecture enthusiasts and cultural tourists. Day trip ideas from Hanoi From Hanoi, plan a few day trips to nearby cities and natural spots that match what you like, and build your tour around history, food, culture, or time outdoors without a long drive. - Ninh Binh (Trang An or Tam Coc): Boat between limestone cliffs, float through low caves, and see Hoa Lu’s old temples; your tour can add a slow countryside bike ride and a simple rice-field lunch if you want more time outside. - Ha Long Bay: A day cruise gets you among the karst islands, with time for a short kayak or a cave visit, and your tour can focus on quiet corners of the bay or a seafood lunch on board if food is your thing. - Perfume Pagoda (Huong Son): Ride a small sampan on a calm river to a mountain pagoda complex, hike or take the cable car to Huong Tich Cave, and shape your tour around Buddhist sites or light walking in nature. - Duong Lam Ancient Village: See laterite houses, village gates, and Mia Pagoda, meet local makers, and use your tour to spend extra time with family-run kitchens or a gentle bike loop through the fields. - Bat Trang Ceramic Village: Watch potters at work, try the wheel, and browse kilns and small studios; your tour can dig into hands-on workshops or photography in the alleys lined with clay and glaze. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Hanoi most travellers miss.