Welcome to Vietnam: after long time on airplane, you will reach Vietnam – the S-shaped land, where 54 different ethnic minorities inhabited.
In the morning
You will be warmly welcomed by our guide and driver at the airport and transferred to a local restaurant for lunch.
In the afternoon
After lunch, you will firstly visit Dong Xuan market. This is the largest covered market of Hanoi where the wholesale traders sell everything from clothes, household goods to foodstuffs. (Train street has been closed due to safety issue so you can only see it from afar).
Then, you will sit in front of Cyclo to move around the Old Quarter and experience the local life in 45 minutes. The cyclo tour ends at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square. Then you will visit the Hoan Kiem Lake. Peaceful and quiet, the lake surrounds Ngoc Son, sitting in the center on a small island. The island on which the temple is built is known as Jade Island and is accessible by the iconic The Huc Bridge or Rising Sun Bridge which is a charming scarlet-painted wooden bridge of classical Vietnamese design.
Check in your hotel and refreshen up.
In the evening
Let’s go on a culinary whirlwind tour, sinking your teeth into the flavors of the North on a street food tour through the alleys of the Old Quarter. Here, you will also enjoy an iconic drink: Vietnamese egg coffee. Then, set off into the maze of alleys and eat a fried nem, standing on the street amongst the busy workers.
Continue and stop at a famous Pho stall to slurp up this world renowned beef noodle soup. Next, try some banh ran (sweet fried sticky rice) and a real exotic experience: fried chicken legs (or wings for the less daring travelers).
From these unique delights you can enjoy a cultural stop at Hang Ma Street. This street is a key place for all Vietnamese: all year round, locals buy votive paper, lanterns, Christmas decorations, and more. You will continue to the 'bamboo corner', a spot that has been around for decades.
Complete your foodie tour with a classic Vietnamese sandwich (banh mi), at one of the most famous addresses for locals and travelers alike.
Finally, your local gastronomy immersion will end with the most social activity in Vietnam: Bia Hoi. Grab a stool at the neighboring Bia Hoi Corner and watch the commotion as this spot comes to life in the evening, while sipping a tall glass of cold local draft beer. After your refreshing drink, your tour guide will bring you back to your hotel, or feel free to stay and enjoy more of Ta Hien Street by yourself for a fun evening out.