Hanoi Train Street

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 half way 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 Agent Orange/Dioxin and Blue Dragon Children's Foundation in Hanoi.

Start the tour while posing at St. Joseph's Cathedral and wandering around the central spots of the Old Quarter. Your professional guide will not only take special and cool shots for you, but also make your picture spectacular and unique. Next to the cathedral, you also can capture a nice shot at the Hanoi House Cafe with its ancient features surrounding you.  After that head on to Hanoi Big Opera House built by the French for 10 years, located near August Revolution Square. And we can't miss out on the Sword Lake with the Temple of Jade Mountain too. The next stop will be the Ceramic Mosaic Mural, the longest and the most colorful street which was built to celebrate 1,000 years of civilization in Hanoi. Keep moving to Long Bien Bridge with its old rustic beauty. Your next scenic spot will be West Lake with the panoramic view of the biggest lake in the city combined with oldest Buddhist temple, the Tran Quoc Pagoda. After that, you will pass by Ho Chi Minh Complex with the noble, sacred mausoleum and the ancient One Pillar Pagoda. Last stop will be the Train street with the train track and coffee shops along the two sides. You can capture some ashtonishing photos here. Some destinations may change or close due to particular reason (weather, holiday,...), but we assure to give you the best photos.

- Option 1: Half Day Tour: Quang Phu Cau Incense Village + Chuong Village 12:00-12:30: Pick up from Old Quarter 13:30: Make a quick visit to Chuong village.We are going to meet a local artisan, quick observe how conical hats are being made 14:00: Depart for the Quang Phu Cau village. We will take a walk to the center of the village, see how people are making incense at family scale 14:20: We are going to stop at a family who specializes in dyeing the incense stick, visit their drying yard and take some cool photos of the incense bundles 15:20: Say goodbye to the incense-dyeing family, we will be having a factory tour at the biggest incense factory in the town. You will have a chance to see how incense is made from scratch by visiting every production section of the factory, as well as learn more about life of manual worker in the countryside. It is also a chance for you to shop some incense for souvenir at the place it is produced 16:00: back to the city center. First place:Hanoi Train Street.If you don't want to visit it, please wait on bus 17:00: Get drop off at your hotel in the Old Quarter - Option 2: Full Day Tour: Quang Phu Cau Incense Village + Ha Thai Village + Chuong Village 7:45 – 8:15: Pick up in the Old Quarter 9:30: Visit Ha Thai village. We will learn more about the traditional artwork as we are going to meet a lacquer painting artisan who is going to host us at his creative space 10:50: Visit Chuong village which has been well-known for the craft of conical hat for over 300 years. We wander around the village, visit an old veteran to listen to him telling his own story joining the Vietnam war, OR visit some other artisans and learn more about their everyday life (All visit depend on if they are at home or not, and only visit 01 family). Later, we will be hosted at home of a female artisan who has been making hats for more than 30 years. The artisan will cook lunch for us, and if you insist, there will be a small cooking class as you join her making the meal. Home-cooking is a great way to feel the real vibes of local countryside. After lunch, we are going to express our creativity and artistic talent by painting on our own conical hat Nón Lá, or join/observe the artisan crafting the conical hat. 13:30: Say goodbye to the artisan, let’s make up our day by visiting the Quang Phu Cau incense village. We are going to walk to the center of the village, visit several old-aged houses, interact with local artisans and take a lot of awesome photos at the dyeing yard 15:00: Have a factory tourat the biggest incense factory in the town. You will have a chance to see how incense is made from scratch by visiting every production section of the factory, as well as learn more about life of manual worker in the countryside. It is also a chance for you to shop some incense for souvenir. We buy something at the place it is produced! 17:00: Drop off at your hotel in the Old Quarter.

Option HALF DAY: Visit 2 Villages: Conical Hat and Incense Craft Village + Train Street (optional) Duration: 4~5 hours Morning from 7:30~12:00 Afternoon from 12:00~17:00 Discover Vietnamese handicrafts on an immersive, guided tour from Hanoi that will take you to meet a local artisan, discover a historical incense-making village, and learn about the conical hat-making process. Get a unique look at the local culture with this discovery of detailed artisanal crafts. Start with a pickup from Hanoi’s Old Quarter and head to Chuong, a village that has been well-known for the craft of conical hat-making for over 300 years. Meet your tour guide at the house of a local artisan and observe how conical hats are made. Depart for the Quang Phu Cau village, which has been producing incense for more than 100 years. Take a walk to the center of the village and see how locals make incense on the artisanal, family scale. Meet a family who specializes in dyeing incense sticks and take in the colorful bundles of incense. See the next level of incense production with a tour of a nearby factory. Learn how incense is made from scratch and more about the lives of manual workers. Take home memories of your visit with incense souvenirs from the place they’re produced before returning to Hanoi. Back to the city center. First place for drop off: Hanoi Train Street. If you don't want to visit it, please wait on bus . Please note: This half-day tour does not include lunch, so we recommend eating beforehand or bringing snacks to keep you energized throughout the afternoon. Option for Drop off at the famous train street or hotels then you could enjoy your time in train street then take taxi/grab back to hotel at your own. * Option FULL DAY: Visit 3 Villages with home cooked lunch: Lacquer, Conical Hat and Incense. 7:45 - 8:15: Pick up time. After pickup from your hotel, meet your tour guide and head to your first stop, the incense stick-making village. Learn more about the techniques from local artisans as you walk through the village. Stop at some places in the village to take some awesome photos. Then, get back on the bus, and hop to your next destination, just 15 minutes away, the traditional conical hat-making village. Not only observe but also get involved in the process of making and painting your own hat, a souvenir to remember your day. Continue to a local artisan’s house or a riverside restaurant for a meal. After bidding farewell to a hat-making village, depart for the last stop, the lacquer art-making village. Observe and learn the quintessence of local artwork from the artisans as you visit a large family-run factory. Visit the local artist house in the village to know the process of producing lacquer art products and have chance to paint a lacquer. Finally, get back on the bus and head back to Hanoi city center. This full-day tour offers a comprehensive immersion into Vietnam's living craft traditions, combining hands-on experiences, cultural insights.

Overview: Embark on a delicious journey through the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where you’ll discover the rich culinary heritage of Vietnam. This food tour will take you to local stalls, hidden gems, and vibrant markets, allowing you to savor traditional dishes and learn about their cultural significance. What to Expect: 1. Guided Experience: Local Guide: Your knowledgeable guide will share stories and insights about the food, the neighborhoods, and the cooking techniques used in Vietnamese cuisine. Small Groups: Enjoy a more intimate experience with a small group, allowing for personalized attention and interaction. 2. Sample menu: Phở: Start your tour with a steaming bowl of this iconic noodle soup, made with fragrant broth, fresh herbs, and tender meat. Bánh Mì: Try a Vietnamese sandwich filled with a delightful mix of meats, pickled vegetables, and herbs, all in a crusty baguette. Self-made spring roll: filled grilled pork sausages that are savory, rice noodles, fresh vegetables, and dipping sauce Papaya salad (Nộm đu đủ): The salad is typically dressed with a tangy mix of lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar. Crushed roasted peanuts are sprinkled on top for crunch and nutty flavor. Streamed rice paper (Bánh cuốn): a thin, translucent pancake made from rice flour and water, which is steamed to create a soft and slightly chewy texture. Bún chả: a quintessential Vietnamese dish that originated in Hanoi, celebrated for its delicious combination of grilled pork, rice noodles, and fresh herbs Desserts: Indulge in local sweets, such as chè (a sweet dessert soup) or fresh fruit with coconut milk. 3. Train street: Timing: Trains typically pass a few times a day. It's best to check the schedule or ask locals to catch the trains, as they create a thrilling experience. Close Encounters: As the train approaches, you’ll see locals move their belongings, set up chairs, and clear the tracks, making way for the train to pass just inches away. Colorful Backdrops: Capture stunning photos of the train as it weaves through the quaint streets, framed by charming homes and vibrant street life. Unique Perspective: The juxtaposition of trains and daily life creates a remarkable and photogenic setting. 4. Atmospheric Setting: Historic Locations: Dine in charming eateries and street stalls that reflect the vibrant culture of the Old Quarter. Engaging Environment: Experience the hustle and bustle of Hanoi, filled with sights, sounds, and aromas that define the city. Duration: Typically, food tours last around 3 to 4 hours, giving you ample time to enjoy each dish and learn about its origins.

Option HALF DAY: Visit 2 Villages: Conical Hat and Incense Craft Village + Train Street (optional) Duration: 4~5 hours Morning from 7:30~12:00 Afternoon from 12:00~17:00 Discover Vietnamese handicrafts on an immersive, guided tour from Hanoi that will take you to meet a local artisan, discover a historical incense-making village, and learn about the conical hat-making process. Get a unique look at the local culture with this discovery of detailed artisanal crafts. Start with a pickup from Hanoi’s Old Quarter and head to Chuong, a village that has been well-known for the craft of conical hat-making for over 300 years. Meet your tour guide at the house of a local artisan and observe how conical hats are made. Depart for the Quang Phu Cau village, which has been producing incense for more than 100 years. Take a walk to the center of the village and see how locals make incense on the artisanal, family scale. Meet a family who specializes in dyeing incense sticks and take in the colorful bundles of incense. See the next level of incense production with a tour of a nearby factory. Learn how incense is made from scratch and more about the lives of manual workers. Take home memories of your visit with incense souvenirs from the place they’re produced before returning to Hanoi. Back to the city center. First place for drop off: Hanoi Train Street. If you don't want to visit it, please wait on bus . Please note: This half-day tour does not include lunch, so we recommend eating beforehand or bringing snacks to keep you energized throughout the afternoon. Option for Drop off at the famous train street or hotels then you could enjoy your time in train street then take taxi/grab back to hotel at your own. Option FULL DAY: Visit 3 Villages with home cooked lunch: Lacquer, Conical Hat and Incense. 7:45 - 8:15: Pick up time. After pickup from your hotel, meet your tour guide and head to your first stop, the incense stick-making village. Learn more about the techniques from local artisans as you walk through the village. Stop at some places in the village to take some awesome photos. Then, get back on the bus, and hop to your next destination, just 15 minutes away, the traditional conical hat-making village. Not only observe but also get involved in the process of making and painting your own hat, a souvenir to remember your day. Continue to a local artisan’s house or a riverside restaurant for a meal. After bidding farewell to a hat-making village, depart for the last stop, the lacquer art-making village. Observe and learn the quintessence of local artwork from the artisans as you visit a large family-run factory. Visit the local artist house in the village to know the process of producing lacquer art products and have chance to paint a lacquer. Finally, get back on the bus and head back to Hanoi city center. This full-day tour offers a comprehensive immersion into Vietnam's living craft traditions, combining hands-on experiences, cultural insights.

Option HALF DAY: Visit 2 Villages: Conical Hat and Incense Craft Village + Train Street (optional) Duration: 4~5 hours Morning from 7:30~12:00 Afternoon from 12:00~17:00 Discover Vietnamese handicrafts on an immersive, guided tour from Hanoi that will take you to meet a local artisan, discover a historical incense-making village, and learn about the conical hat-making process. Get a unique look at the local culture with this discovery of detailed artisanal crafts. Start with a pickup from Hanoi’s Old Quarter and head to Chuong, a village that has been well-known for the craft of conical hat-making for over 300 years. Meet your tour guide at the house of a local artisan and observe how conical hats are made. Depart for the Quang Phu Cau village, which has been producing incense for more than 100 years. Take a walk to the center of the village and see how locals make incense on the artisanal, family scale. Meet a family who specializes in dyeing incense sticks and take in the colorful bundles of incense. See the next level of incense production with a tour of a nearby factory. Learn how incense is made from scratch and more about the lives of manual workers. Take home memories of your visit with incense souvenirs from the place they’re produced before returning to Hanoi. Back to the city center. First place for drop off: Hanoi Train Street. If you don't want to visit it, please wait on bus . Please note: This half-day tour does not include lunch, so we recommend eating beforehand or bringing snacks to keep you energized throughout the afternoon. Option for Drop off at the famous train street or hotels then you could enjoy your time in train street then take taxi/grab back to hotel at your own. Option FULL DAY: Visit 3 Villages with home cooked lunch: Lacquer, Conical Hat and Incense. 7:45 - 8:15: Pick up time. After pickup from your hotel, meet your tour guide and head to your first stop, the incense stick-making village. Learn more about the techniques from local artisans as you walk through the village. Stop at some places in the village to take some awesome photos. Then, get back on the bus, and hop to your next destination, just 15 minutes away, the traditional conical hat-making village. Not only observe but also get involved in the process of making and painting your own hat, a souvenir to remember your day. Continue to a local artisan’s house or a riverside restaurant for a meal. After bidding farewell to a hat-making village, depart for the last stop, the lacquer art-making village. Observe and learn the quintessence of local artwork from the artisans as you visit a large family-run factory. Visit the local artist house in the village to know the process of producing lacquer art products and have chance to paint a lacquer. Finally, get back on the bus and head back to Hanoi city center. This full-day tour offers a comprehensive immersion into Vietnam's living craft traditions, combining hands-on experiences, cultural insights.

Morning: Tour guide and car pick you up at your hotels then start for Hanoi city tour. + Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square. It is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the most iconic and popular leader of Vietnam, known to his people as ‘Uncle Ho’. His body is preserved here in a glass case in the Mausoleum in central Hanoi (albeit against his wishes). + The One Pillar Pagoda was built following a dream by the fatherless emperor in which the enlightened being Avalokiteshvara gave him a baby son resting on a lotus flower. Emperor Ly Thai Tong commissioned the pagoda to be created in resemblance of this lotus flower which is also the Buddhist symbol of enlightenment. + Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda and West lake – the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi which built in the 6th century and West lake is the biggest lake in Hanoi. * Having lunch in the local Vietnamese restaurant Afternoon: + Visit Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam (Its closed on Monday and we will change to visit Hoa Lo Prison) + The next destination is Dong Xuan market, the largest wholesale market in Hanoi was built in 1889. Dong Xuan Market has long been a tourist attraction in Hanoi. Coming to Dong Xuan Market, you can find a wide range of commodities from fabric, clothing, local handicrafts, souvenirs and street foods. + Saint Joseph Cathedral, located at 40 Nha Chung street, is a Roman Catholic cathedral with neo- gothic style which was built about 120 years ago. In 1882, after the French army conquered Hanoi, the cathedral was constructed and completed in 1886. The cathedral and Nha Chung area were built on the land formerly belonging to Bao Thien pagoda, which was built under Ly dynasty. + Hanoi Train Street in Hanoi is one of the Best Things To Do to learn and explore Hanoi local life: Rather than being a normal road with car or motorbike traffic, it has actual real railway lines running through it. Homes and businesses literally open out onto the railway lines. This is also a highlight of out Hanoi city tour. Our tour guide and driver will drop you off same pickup place. Say goodbye to tour guide and driver. End of the Hanoi city tour. %

• We will meet you at the meeting point, we will visit The B-52 Victory Museum • First of all, The B-52 Victory Museum and the drowned B52 in Hanoi displays the wreckage of a U.S. B-52 bomber shot down during the Vietnam War in 1972. The museum features key military artifacts, including the remains of a downed B-52 bomber, as well as exhibits on Vietnam's air defense systems. • Secondly, The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi is a solemn, iconic structure where Vietnam's founding leader rests. Here, the guide will tell you all about the VIETNAM war. • Thirdly , The One Pillar Pagoda. The One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi is a unique, lotus-shaped temple perched atop a single stone pillar. • Fourthly, Hanoi Train Street is a narrow street in Hanoi where a railway track runs directly through a residential area. The people watch the trains pass and enjoy the vibrant, close-knit atmosphere of the area. • Finally , enjoy special Vietnamese beverages • Come back to the meeting point. • TIP-WHAT-YOU-WANT-CONCEPT Each person gives a tip at the end of the tour for the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 ).

Option HALF DAY: Visit 2 Villages: Conical Hat and Incense Craft Village + Train Street (optional) Duration: 4~5 hours Morning from 7:30~12:00 Afternoon from 12:00~17:00 Discover Vietnamese handicrafts on an immersive, guided tour from Hanoi that will take you to meet a local artisan, discover a historical incense-making village, and learn about the conical hat-making process. Get a unique look at the local culture with this discovery of detailed artisanal crafts. Start with a pickup from Hanoi’s Old Quarter and head to Chuong, a village that has been well-known for the craft of conical hat-making for over 300 years. Meet your tour guide at the house of a local artisan and observe how conical hats are made. Depart for the Quang Phu Cau village, which has been producing incense for more than 100 years. Take a walk to the center of the village and see how locals make incense on the artisanal, family scale. Meet a family who specializes in dyeing incense sticks and take in the colorful bundles of incense. See the next level of incense production with a tour of a nearby factory. Learn how incense is made from scratch and more about the lives of manual workers. Take home memories of your visit with incense souvenirs from the place they’re produced before returning to Hanoi. Back to the city center. First place for drop off: Hanoi Train Street. If you don't want to visit it, please wait on bus . Please note: This half-day tour does not include lunch, so we recommend eating beforehand or bringing snacks to keep you energized throughout the afternoon. Option for Drop off at the famous train street or hotels then you could enjoy your time in train street then take taxi/grab back to hotel at your own. Option FULL DAY: Visit 3 Villages with home cooked lunch: Lacquer, Conical Hat and Incense. 7:45 - 8:15: Pick up time. After pickup from your hotel, meet your tour guide and head to your first stop, the incense stick-making village. Learn more about the techniques from local artisans as you walk through the village. Stop at some places in the village to take some awesome photos. Then, get back on the bus, and hop to your next destination, just 15 minutes away, the traditional conical hat-making village. Not only observe but also get involved in the process of making and painting your own hat, a souvenir to remember your day. Continue to a local artisan’s house or a riverside restaurant for a meal. After bidding farewell to a hat-making village, depart for the last stop, the lacquer art-making village. Observe and learn the quintessence of local artwork from the artisans as you visit a large family-run factory. Visit the local artist house in the village to know the process of producing lacquer art products and have chance to paint a lacquer. Finally, get back on the bus and head back to Hanoi city center. This full-day tour offers a comprehensive immersion into Vietnam's living craft traditions, combining hands-on experiences, cultural insights.