Exploring a new city can be daunting. We explore why street food tours are amazing on day one and show you the best Hanoi street food tour in the whole city.
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Necessary Spacing
- If you want a more conventional Hanoi street food tour then go with ‘Hanoi Explore Travel’.
- If you’re looking for a little less conventional Hanoi street food tour and to experience where the locals go then check out ‘Crossing Vietnam Tour’.
- All of the Hanoi street food tours in this article are in Old Town so check out this budget accommodation or this nice hotel in Old Town for ultra convenience.
- The Best Hanoi Street Food Tour (There's 2…)
- Hanoi Explore Travel – Guided Hanoi Street Food Tour
- Crossing Vietnam Tour – Old Quarter Food Tour
- Other Hanoi Street Food Tours
- Why Take A Street Food Tour?
- What To Expect On A Hanoi Street Food Tour
- Other Things To Do In Hanoi
- Where To Stay In Hanoi
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Packing List Essentials
The Best Hanoi Street Food Tour (There’s 2…)
Hanoi Explore Travel: Guided Street Food Tour – Check Prices & Book Here
Crossing Vietnam Tour: Old Town Street Food Tour – Check Prices & Book Here
We went on 2 different street food tours in Hanoi to see if there was a big difference between them and we were actually very surprised about how different they were. You would imagine that the best food in Hanoi would be similar, meaning that the tours would also be similar.
However, between the two Hanoi street food tours we went on there was only one meal that was the same and even then it tasted quite different as it was in a different restaurant.
Read More: Like Food?! Then Check Out These Immense Cooking Classes In Hanoi
Not only that, the whole vibe of the tours was completely different. For example, the first tour (Hanoi Explore Travel) was quite a bit of walking, which included famous landmarks of the city and famous well-known places to eat.
Whereas the second street food tour (Crossing Vietnam Tour) was much more of a local experience with small restaurants which were mostly full of locals rather than tourists.
Either way, both were absolutely amazing and I am absolutely sure that you will have an incredible time on either tour. Keep reading though as I go into more detail on both tours individually so you can make your mind up on the best Hanoi street food tour for you.
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Hanoi Explore Travel – Guided Hanoi Street Food Tour
We chose to go on the afternoon Hanoi street food tour. Unlike other tours you may go on, choosing a time actually does alter the tour in some ways. Food in Hanoi is served at particular times and certain food is not served in the afternoon and some are not served in the mornings.
![Tasting The Best Vietnamese Snacks On A Hanoi Street Food Tour! [With Hanoi Explore Travel]](https://twotalltravellers.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FFsaeZsrE1K0%2F0.jpg)
Either way, our guide arrived at our hotel (as we were in Old Town) and the tour started from there which was extremely convenient. We then proceeded to stop at 7 different venues plus a cheeky doughnut purchase as we were walking.
Stops & Food
- Stop 1 – Ban Xeo
- Stop 2 – Ban Pizza/Sticky Roll
- Stop 3 – Pillow Cake/Prawn Pancake/Rolling Pho
- Stop 4 – Bun Cha
- Stop 5 – Ban Mi
- Pit Stop – Street Doughnuts
- Stop 6 – Coconut Ice Cream With Sticky Rice
- Stop 7 – Egg Coffee
If you’re looking at this list and thinking ‘that’s a lot of food’ then you’re completely right! One thing I can say for certainty is you WILL NOT be hungry at the end of this Hanoi street food tour.
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What really impressed me about this tour is how much information we learnt about the city and the food. I’ve always thought that street food tours are a brilliant way to get an introduction to the city but this one really went above and beyond what I was expecting.
Things To Know
A Lot Of Walking – I don’t see this as a negative as it’s a walking tour and you get to see so much of the city. However, if you are mobility impaired then my other top pick has a lot less walking which might be a better option.
Read More: How To Enjoy 1 Day In Hanoi
A Lot Of Food – Do not eat shortly before this tour. You don’t have to wait long until you are bursting at the seams!
Sweet & Savoury – You will be treated to both savoury and sweet dishes so you’ll be sure to find something that you love!
Book this exact tour for some great street food!
Final Thoughts About Hanoi Explore Travel
We thoroughly enjoyed this Hanoi street food tour and it was an absolutely fantastic introduction to the famous Old Town district in Hanoi (my favourite city in the world).
The tour was a very good length and had enough food to feed a whole army. The tour guide gave us so much information about the city and the food that we could comfortably order street food independently after this experience.
I highly recommend this tour and you can look at more reviews, availability and book here.
Read More: Check Out The Best Beaches In Hoi An!
Crossing Vietnam Tour – Old Quarter Food Tour
The very next day we were booked onto the Old Quarter Food Tour with Crossing Vietnam Tour. We were very much expecting this to be almost identical to the tour above but how wrong we were.
We had to walk to the company office to start the tour, however, this is in Old Town and was literally a 5-minute walk from our hotel so this is not an issue.
We started the tour immediately as we arrived and the first stop was literally on the other side of the road. One of the very first things we were told about this tour was how it was geared much more towards eating where the locals eat.
You could sense this immediately as we walked under tarpaulins to reach our first stop. I, personally, love this approach as these are the places that you always overlook. Tourists are well known to keep walking until a well-lit restaurant with English writing comes into view (ourselves included).
Stops & Food
- Stop 1 – Crispy Pork/Mozerella Sticks
- Stop 2 – Fried Bread
- Stop 3 – BBQ Pork & Sausage
- Stop 4 – Dessert/Fruit/Yoghurt/Sticky Rice
- Stop 5 – Ban Xeo With Pork
- Stop 6 – Egg Coffee
So, nearly every single thing was different from the first tour we went on. This meant that we had a completely new experience. Not just in the type of restaurants we were going to but also in the food that we were trying.
Of course, the egg coffee was the same as this is so famous in Hanoi that no Hanoi street food tour would be complete without it! Definitely try this, by the way, I thought it was going to be horrible but actually, it was immense.
This was actually slightly less food than the previous tour BUT we wasted quite a lot of the first day as we couldn’t finish it all by stop 4 so do not think this is a disadvantage!
Things To Know
Not All Walking – There is a lot less walking on this tour and there is even a section in which you will be taken by motorbike or car to the next location. This means this tour is much more suited to people wanting to prioritise the food over the walking aspect of the tour.
Final Thoughts About Cross Vietnam Tour
I really enjoyed the more local approach of this Hanoi street food tour so if this is the kind of thing you are looking for then look no further.
You also get to try some of the less known/famous Hanoi street food which means you may have a more unique experience than others taking more conventional Hanoi street food tours.
Check out availability, reviews and book here.
Read More: How To Travel To Hoi An From Hanoi
Other Hanoi Street Food Tours
Walking Tour Of Hanoi Old Quarter With Food
This 3-hour Hanoi street food tour tries to incorporate the walking side of the walking tour much more into the tour as a whole. They try to show you loads of the winding streets of Old Town as well as taste the amazing food that this area has to offer.
It’s another Hanoi street food tour with incredible reviews so check it out here.
Street Food Tour With Cyclo
If you don’t know what a cyclo is then it is basically a bike with a large carriage at the front to sit inside to taxi you around. This Hanoi street food tour starts with a 30-minute cyclo tour around the famous Hoan Kiem Lake!
If you are looking to do a cyclo tour whilst you are in Hanoi then this is a fantastic way to tick off two activities in one go. Check out this tour right here!
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Intrepid Urban Adventures Street Food Tour
This is a standard 3-hour Hanoi street food tour in a small group that takes you around the old town and samples the local food. There are a few incredible locations on this tour which you wouldn’t find by yourself.
Check out this very highly rated Hanoi street food tour right here.
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Why Take A Street Food Tour?
If you are wondering if it is worth the price then here are some of the best reasons to take the plunge and book your tour today.
Introduction To The City – Jumping on a street food tour is a very good way to be introduced to any city you visit. You get to build your confidence talking to street vendors and not just the expensive westernised restaurants.
Hassle-Free – When you travel around cities like Hanoi you will be continuously hassled by sellers of various things. On a tour, it is clear you have a guide so you are left well alone.
Learn The Local Food Language – This seems small but in Hanoi nearly all of the writing is in Vietnamese with no English translation available. After our food tours, we realised that this food is literally available everywhere, we just didn’t know what we were looking for.
Find Hidden Gems – Quite a few times we found ourselves walking down small alleyways and into areas we would not even have seen if we were on our own. We would then find out that these places are the most famous in all the city for that particular food or drink.
Not Getting Ripped Off – Before we went on our Hanoi street food tour, we would usually go into restaurants with English translation which is always much more expensive. But even when we tried to go for street food we ended up getting much more food than we actually wanted because of the language barrier (and they do this on purpose sometimes) so we had to pay a lot more than we wanted to.
Finding Famous Landmarks – On some of these Hanoi street food tours, you may actually find yourself being shown some of the incredible landmarks in Hanoi. Just another bonus of the walking aspect of these tours.
Specific To Hanoi – Hanoi Old Town is hectic. I absolutely love it but it can be very daunting and quite intimidating to the new arrival. After one of these Hanoi street food tours, you’ll basically be a pro in Hanoi Old Town which is very important to make the most of this incredible city.
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What To Expect On A Hanoi Street Food Tour
No Fancy Establishments – You will not be going into air-conditioned restaurants with chairs and tables. This is a street food tour and you will stay on the street. Be this on small plastic chairs on the pavement or not sitting down at all for the quick stops!
No Fancy Establishments – You will not be going into air-conditioned restaurants with chairs and tables. This is a street food tour and you will stay on the street. Be this on small plastic chairs on the pavement or not sitting down at all for the quick stops!
A Decent Amount Of Walking – Be prepared for at least 4km of walking. It can be less and more than this but it’s a walking tour as well as a food tour so I don’t recommend flip-flops.
Lots Of Food – These tours come with A LOT of food. Do not eat just beforehand as you will ruin your appetite…and you’re gonna need it.
Water Throughout – The guide will not order water for you but many of these restaurants offer free drinking water. Make sure you either bring water or tell your guide you need some as they will not order it without you asking.
Lots Of Information – You will get a lot of information about the town, the streets and the local food throughout your tour.
Read More: The Best Cooking Classes In Siem Reap – CAMBODIA
Packing List Essentials
Other Things To Do In Hanoi
Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Caves Full-Day Trip
Some people might find being in the Hanoi Old Town a bit too much after a couple of days. So, what better way to escape the hustle and bustle by taking a tour through the gorgeous and tranquil countryside surrounding Hanoi.
If this sounds like your kind of thing then check out the price and reviews here.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is an absolute must-visit when you are in Hanoi. You can pre-book your tickets here or save some money and get them at the venue on the day.
Halong Bay
Halong Bay has to be the most famous activity in Hanoi, even though it is a 2.5-hour drive away from the city. The most famous thing at Halong Bay has to be the cruises around the bay. You can get a single-day tour or a multi-day tour on a luxury boat.
I highly recommend at least checking out both options as it will be the highlight of your trip. Take a look at our review of an incredible luxury overnight cruise in Halong Bay. You can also take a look at these great hotel options in the area.
Read More: Our Review Of This 1 Day Halong Bay Tour
Hanoi Old Town
All of the Hanoi street food tours in this guide are situated in the Old Town so hopefully, you’ll be well acquainted after your Hanoi street food tour.
If you decide not to do a Hanoi street food tour then you simply must make sure to walk through these winding streets at least once whilst on your trip to Hanoi!
One minute you will have discovered a hip bar down a hidden alleyway and be sipping on cocktails overlooking the bustling street and the next you’ll be ordering 30cent beers on a plastic chair with karaoke and partying all around.
Hanoi Night Market
This is a great little market on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, however, I would highly recommend going on Saturday. Check out our full guide here or watch the video below!
Read More: Check Out The Phu Quoc Night Market Here & The Hoi An Night Market Here!
Where To Stay In Hanoi
There really is only one place to stay in Hanoi and that is the Old Town. This is where all of the main attractions are located (including all of these Hanoi street food tours).
Budget Accommodation – Old Quarter View Hostel
The best hostel in the whole of Hanoi has to be the Old Quarter View Hostel. It has everything you would expect from a seriously high-rated hostel, including; clean bathrooms, clean rooms, comfortable bunks and good facilities.
It only has mixed dorms so if you are looking for single-gender rooms then look here.
Hotel Accommodation – Hanoi Hotel Royal
There are so many hotels in Hanoi that it is difficult to choose the best one for this article. However, make sure to check out the Hanoi Hotel Royal as this is one of my absolute favourited available right now.
Boutique Acommodation – Oriana Boutique Hotel & Spa
Boutique? Spa? Need I say more? Check Out Oriana Boutique Hotel & Spa for the absolute pinnacle of comfort and style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Hanoi Steet Food Tour Worth It?
Absolutely. Not only do you get to learn about the incredible food of Hanoi but you also get a brilliant introduction to this incredible city which really set you up for the remainder of your stay.
How Much Is A Hanoi Street Food Tour?
Currently around $25 – $40. If it is more than that there are probably better options.
How Long Is A Hanoi Street Food Tour?
Nearly always 3 hours.
How Much walking Is On A Hanoi Street Food Tour?
I would say that they average around 4km but this can be much less and somewhat more than this depending on the tour.
How Much Food Do You Get On A Hanoi Street Food Tour?
If it’s a good tour (which the two in this article are) then absolutely LOADS! Always too much to actually eat, for me anyway.
That’s it, folks. Let me know if this article has been helpful and if you decided to take any of the tours discussed in this article. Also, let us know if you have taken a different one so we can add it to this list!