Things to do in
Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake: Our most recommended tours and activities

Hanoi: Food, Culture, Sightseeing and Fun – Army Jeep Tour

1. Hanoi: Food, Culture, Sightseeing and Fun – Army Jeep Tour

Tour Hanoi in a vintage GAZ-69, the classic Army jeep from the 50s and 60s during the Soviet Era. Go on a journey through the city’s many neighborhoods and get to know the Hanoi of the past and of today with a private or shared guide. Start off with pickup at your hotel or at a meeting point in Hanoi Old Quarter. Get a safety briefing from your guide before driving off on an adventure. Begin by diving straight into the labyrinth of backstreets and tiny alleyways to find out what everyday life in Hanoi is really like. Get an honest and authentic insight into the good, the bad, and the weird sides of the city. Next, drive past and visit the must-see sights, including Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, the centuries-old Buddhist and Taoist temples of Tran Quoc, the Temple of Literature, the historical train-street, the enchanting French Quarter, the Old Quarter, the romantic West Lake and Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Opera House and the famous Long Bien Bridge. On the final part of your Hanoi Jeep tour, escape the bustling city to the peaceful and alluring villages around West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. Experience first-hand how such contrasting lifestyles can co-exist between the city center and the outskirts. Find hidden tranquil spots beyond the thousands of skyscrapers. Along the way, stop at local restaurants, eateries and food stalls to savor the tastiest dishes Hanoi has to offer. Sample authentic dishes with secret recipes that have been passed down through generations.

Hanoi: Street Food Walking Tour & Water Puppet Show

2. Hanoi: Street Food Walking Tour & Water Puppet Show

The tour guide will welcome you at your hotel lobby, then start the walking tour in the old quarter '36 streets' to visit some famous and specialized food stalls and local restaurants. Watch as it is made and taste some particular dishes (The company can customize vegetarian food or something for other special requirements). The old quarter in Hanoi is over one thousand years old and today retains much of the old flavor that made the area special in earlier times. Each street was the exclusive domain of one trade (guilds) so there are whole streets of blacksmiths, silver shops, paper shops, headstone makers and more. Originally there were just 36 streets in the old quarter but today there are more than 50. Although many of the streets are short and the area is rather compact. It can be very difficult to find local food on your own in the hidden alleys or sidewalks, certainly the best way to experience street food is with a local. In this special tour learn about Vietnamese cuisine, culture, people and language. You will have a unique experience trying the foods of the local Hanoi people; the food is handled hygienically and comfortable venues are provide for the tastings. The benefit also goes back to the vendors or restaurants / families as the food is bought directly from them. Later, the guide will bring you to enjoy a Water Puppet show which is a unique variation on the ancient Asia puppet tradition and is a Vietnamese tradition dating back to the 11th century. Supported by a large rod placed under the water and manipulated by experienced puppeteers, the wooden puppets appear to be dancing over the water, telling folk tales. It’s entertaining and suitable for all audiences. At the end of your Hanoi tour you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you with directions or a taxi back to your hotel.

Hanoi Street Food Tour Visit Train Street Add Old Quarter

3. Hanoi Street Food Tour Visit Train Street Add Old Quarter

Discover what daily life is like for locals as you try some tasty street food on this guided walking tour in Hanoi. Start by meeting at the activity provider's office in the Old Quarter. Learn about local culture and history as you take in the sights of the Old Quarter. Venture through a city that over a thousand years old. Stop at a family restaurant for a steamy bowl of Pho noodle soup. Fill up along the way with delectable dishes like Banh Cuon (rolled pan cake), Nem (Vietnamese fried spring roll), and Banh Duc (hot rice powder soup). Dig in to some scrumptous Tao Pho (sweet tofu soup with jasmine). Head to a Hanoi Train Street is where the railway passes through narrow alleys lined with houses on either side of the track. Houses in the alleys set up cafes to allow people to watch the trains pass by. Have some coffee and wait for the train to pass by

From Hanoi: Sapa 3 Days 2 Nights With Trekking Village

4. From Hanoi: Sapa 3 Days 2 Nights With Trekking Village

Day 1 : Hanoi - Sapa - Cat Cat Village ( Lunch, Dinner ) 06h10 - 6h30 : Our bus picks you up at the your hotel in Old Quarter or meeting point to depart for Sapa. After 05 hours on the highway, the bus will take you to Sapa 13h00 - 13h30 : Arrive to Sapa town. You go to the hotel, check-in procedures for the group at the hotel and have lunch at the restaurant 14h30: Tour guide and you walk to visit Cat Cat village, start the journey to discover the village Visit Cat Cat village of the H'mong. Visitors will be able to visit and learn about the customs and habits of ethnic minorities. Visit Cat Cat waterfall and hydroelectric power plant built by the French in the early twentieth century, have fun and take souvenir photos… 18h30 : Enjoy dinner at the restaurant, then you are free to explore Sapa Day 2 : Trekking 9km Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van Village Sleeping At Homestay ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ) 07h00 – 08h00 : Having breakfast at the restaurant 08h30 : Start Trekking to Y Linh Ho village and then start hiking through the rice terraces along Muong Hoa Stream to Lao Chai, the village of Black H’mong minority. Here you will enjoy the spectacular landscape of Hoang Lien Son mountain ranges. 12h30 : Have lunch at Ta Van village then check in and rest Afternoon: The tour guide will take you to visit the villages of the local people with terraced fields and streams 16h00 : Come back to homstay to rest, then prepare to learn how to cooking class with the locals. You can prepare and cook dishes 18h30: You enjoy dinner with dishes made by yourself Overnight at homestay in Ta Van village. Day 3 : Trekking 6km Ta Van , Giang Ta Chai , Su Pan Village , Sapa , Hanoi ( Lunch, Dinner ) 07h30 – 08h30: Have breakfast at Homestay 9h00 : Start Trekking to Giang Ta Chai Village and Supan Village will be 2 places that we will visit in the morning of the 2nd day. We have to walk 8 km to visit these 2 villages of Red Dao. Giang Ta Chai is one of the villages of Red Dao. It has become one of the attractive places for travelers who want to experience the colorful traditions and customs 12h30 : Enjoy lunch then rest at the homestay 14h00: Car pick you up back to Sapa 15h30: You get on the bus back to Hanoi 21h30: Arrive in Hanoi, End tour . The bus drops you off at Tran Quang Khai street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Hanoi: Old Quarter Trishaw Cyclo Tour

5. Hanoi: Old Quarter Trishaw Cyclo Tour

Relax as your driver pedals you around the Old Quarter, home to many of Hanoi's highlights and unique architecture from the French colonial times. Enjoy an unobstructed view with your driver behind you so you can take plenty of photos. See the Opera House, Joseph Cathedral Church, and more. Pass By: Dong Xuan Market - Hanoi's largest indoor market, offering a wide range of goods such as fresh produce, souvenirs, accessories, household goods to foodstuffs and clothing... Pass By: St. Joseph's Cathedral is a Catholic church on Nha Chung Street, in the Hoan Kiem District of Hanoi, Vietnam. It is a late 19th-century Gothic Revival church that serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi. The cathedral is named after Joseph, the patron saint of Vietnam. The Church is an architectural marvel with its elegant neo-gothic architecture built during French colonization. Pass By: Hanoi Opera House is a project built by the French government in the early years of the 20th century. Its construction started in 1901 and completed in 1911. Hanoi Opera House proudly stands at the heart of central Hanoi as one of its most famous architectural and cultural symbol. Pass By: The Old Quarter in Hanoi is an intriguing neighbourhood, home to a mix of Vietnamese architecture, green spaces, ancient shops and fresh-as-it-gets street food — all of it easily explored on foot. At first look, these 36 streets can feel frenetic. Don't worry: Constant motion is part of the Old Quarter's charm. Grab a seat at a cafe and enjoy the action from a safe distance. You'll notice bicycle vendors selling fresh flowers and ripe fruit, old friends gathering for games of checkers, and cooks doing a roaring trade in steaming phở and bún chả. The longer you wander, the more you’ll be rewarded with moments in hidden alleyways, secluded pagodas, and cosy coffee shops. Here are some of the best ways to appreciate the Old Quarter’s lively atmosphere and secret spots. Pass By: Take in the beautiful view from Hoan Kiem Lake. Stop at each destination for a short visit or to take photos. Ride at the perfect pace to enjoy some of the 36 shaded streets of this historic district. Admire the products made and sold on each street, such as sugar, bamboo, leather, or silver.

Hanoi: Full-Day City Tour and Water Puppet Show

6. Hanoi: Full-Day City Tour and Water Puppet Show

Start with pickup by your guide and begin your exploration of Hanoi. Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish Island at West Lake. Then visit THE Ho Chi Minh complex, you have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where one worships the Goddess of Mercy. Visit the Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam. Enjoy some Vietnamese cuisine for lunch Continue to visit the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11 century. Enjoy a final stop at the Water Puppet Theater where you will get to witness a 50-minute show. The puppet theater is right near the Sword Lake, in the center of the Old Quarter.

Hanoi: Half-Day Guided City Tour on Vintage Minsk Motorbike

7. Hanoi: Half-Day Guided City Tour on Vintage Minsk Motorbike

The tour starts by picking up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter or the meeting point. Choose to have a private guide or go on a fun group tour. You will be greeted by the guide and driver for a safety briefing and introduction to your Soviet-era Minsk bike. Then, begin your urban adventure to the best sights, neighborhoods, and food spots in Hanoi. Dive into the real Hanoi and visit the more hidden parts of the city. Taste a slice of Hanoian life in the maze of backstreets, tiny alleyways, local homes, schools, and markets, experiencing where and how locals live, work, and play. Next, move onto the second part of the tour, where you’ll pass by and stop at the must-see sights. You’ll see many places, including: Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (which is considered the Mecca of the Vietnamese), The 1000-year-old Buddhist and Taoist temples of Tran Quoc, the Temple of Literature, the historical training track, the enchanting French Quarter, the hustling and bustling Old Quarter, the romantic lakes of Hoan Kiem, West Lake, the Hanoi Opera House, and the famous Long Bien bridge. You will also visit the poetic and peaceful villages and floating community along the Red River. Enrich your experience with the harmonious contrast between the city and the countryside of Hanoi. The last part of your Hanoi Motorbike Tours is all about food! We’ve got authentic, healthy and organic Hanoi Food at the Hidden Gem Cafe where we savor the tastiest dishes of Hanoi. And if you’re vegan or vegetarian, don’t worry – our menu has ample options for everybody.

Hanoi: City Highlights Tour with Train Street & Hidden Gems

8. Hanoi: City Highlights Tour with Train Street & Hidden Gems

Explore Hanoi and see its highlights on a morning or afternoon city tour by van. Discover the famous destinations such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and also the hidden corners around Hanoi like Ma May Ancient House, Hang Buom Culture and Arts Center, and most especially the Train Street. Begin your tour at the Ancient House and wonder at the old style 19th century architecture. Then head to Hang Buom Culture and Arts Center, with variety series of exhibitions to honor Hanoi contemporary artists. A unique experience for those who loves art and beauty On the way to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, an important place for the Vietnamese. The complex is a traffic-free area full of botanical gardens, monuments, memorials and pagodas. Stop outside Ba Dinh Square and take a look outside the mausoleum, then continue to explore the One Pillar Pagoda. (Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays, and for at least 2 months (June 15-August 15) for annual maintenance but you can still take pictures of the Mausoleum and walk around the area) Our last destination is the famous train street! Order yourself a cup of coffee while watching the train pass by right in front of your face! It's a life time experience that you will never forget that thrill rush feeling. Sometime the train schedule might be delayed so if you're lucky enough, you'll get to see the train. (The itinerary may change due to weather and operating conditions)

From Hanoi: Ban Gioc Waterfall 2-Day Tour with Local Guide

9. From Hanoi: Ban Gioc Waterfall 2-Day Tour with Local Guide

Begin day 1 with pickup in the morning at your hotel in Hanoi. Then, sit back in a limousine van on a long drive through the countryside. Arrive at Cao Bang City in the afternoon to have a delicious Vietnamese lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, head to Ma Phuc Pass in the Global Geopark. Pass through countryside villages and see old houses on stilts. Later on, go to Angel Mountain and marvel at the lush greenery in the valley and see the flowing stream. In the evening, check in to a homestay on the Quay Son River, then swim in the clear water of the river if you feel like it. Afterward, eat dinner in the evening and then sleep in the homestay. Wake up on day 2 and eat breakfast. Visit Nguom Ngao Cave, also called Tiger Cave. Look at the colorful stalactites, which get their color from the minerals inside they contain. Continue to Ban Gioc Waterfall. Watch the flowing water that sits next to a rice field. After that, ride a boat to get up close to the waterfall. Following this, head to Lam Zen Monastery and climb up the pagoda to take in a panoramic view of the waterfall and the beautiful mountainous countryside that surrounds it. Return to Cao Bang by a different route and then eat lunch at a famous local restaurant. Try duck noodle soup or sour noodle soup. After eating, get back into the van. Drive through the countryside on the way back to Hanoi. Finally, arrive in Hanoi to complete the activity.

Hanoi Old Quarter & Red River Delta Cycling Half Day Tour

10. Hanoi Old Quarter & Red River Delta Cycling Half Day Tour

The ultimate Hanoi Old Quarter & Red River Delta 1/2 day cycling tour. Morning tour commences at 8.00am till 12pm / Afternoon tour commences at 1.30pm am till 5.30pm Meet up at 7:45am or 13:15am at our office located at 24 Hang Buom Street for a brief introduction of the trip as well as safety instructions on how to navigate safely through Hanoi on a bicycle. We set off towards the famous Street Murals, along the Train Street and our journey starts. On this cycling tour we will take you through the most interesting parts and markets of the Old Quarter. Our ride will take us through some very old street so you can get a real feel of how life has been here for centuries. We continue along beautiful treelined streets and breath in the fresh air around the West Lake area, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Truc Bach lake. Experience how tranquil and peaceful it is just 15-minutes from the buzzling Old Quarter of Hanoi. We adventure on narrow paths through impressive banana plantations and vegetable gardens on Banana Island that cover the fertile grounds of the Red River Delta. The noisy city suddenly seems to be so far away. We will B52 lake and pass the Mausoleum of (former) President Ho Chi Minh and visit the North Gate. We admire the old train railway with impressive old heritage buildings Hanoi is so famous for. The trip winds down with a local home-made egg coffee at the popular Giang café and will end whilst cycling back through the Old Quarter. Should you wish to include and experience a local Hanoian food (pho) or lunch (bun cha), our guide can accommodate this at an additional cost (to be paid directly to the restaurant). Tour ends at 24 Hang Buom about 12.00 pm in the morning and 17.00 pm in the afternoon.

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What people are saying about Hoan Kiem Lake

Overall rating

4.6
(450 reviews)

It was a marvellous experience. Beautiful scenerey of the valley and the waterfall. You get to go swimming in one of the rivers. The homestay was nice and surrounded by a beautiful landscape. Staff was also very kind. Anthony was the perfect guide. He was very friendly and knowledgeable about the surroundings and the history of the area. He guided us through all the nice places at the best times, avoiding overly crowded tourist spots. All in all we were very happy and would recommend this tour to everyone who wants to visit this area. Thank you!

The tour is simply amazing! In half a day you can see some very special things about the city that otherwise would not have been seen! And you certainly have another observation point on board the motorbike! The driver was really great

Ria was so sweet and it was so interesting to see the backstreet of Hanoi and the food was delicious! Thanks Ria!

Very satisfied :) always happy to come back, Anna was super nice and we tried a lot of new things to eat :)

Alex was a wonderful guide. we had an amazing evening and a safe trip .