A Week in Hanoi: Beyond the Stopover

Arrive in Hanoi, where our representative will meet you at the airport for a smooth transfer to your hotel. As the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi offers a vibrant mix of history, culture, and modern energy. From the French-colonial architecture to the bustling streets filled with motorbikes, you’ll immediately feel the pulse of the city. Once settled in, take the chance to relax or explore the area at your own pace.

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Begin with a visit to the Northern Gate of the ancient citadel, one of Hanoi’s most iconic landmarks. Next, head to Cua Bac Church, showcasing the city’s French and Catholic influence. Walk along Truc Bach Lake to Chau Long Market, where you can experience local life and culture. Stop for Pho Cuon, a fresh spring roll variation, before continuing to Hang Than Street, known for its wedding cake shops. Learn about Vietnam’s unique wedding customs. In the Old Quarter, visit the last family still making traditional papier-mâché masks, a craft with centuries of history. End the day with a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter and lunch at a local restaurant. Finish the tour at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, exploring art from pre-history to modern times. (B,L)

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Start the day in Van Phuc, a traditional silk village just outside Hanoi, where you’ll see how silk is still made by hand. Join a fabric recycling activity led by disabled artisans, creating art from textile scraps. On the way back to the city, stop at a lacquer workshop to learn how this intricate craft is produced.

After some free time at your hotel, head to the home of a local chef. In her warm kitchen, she’ll guide you through the techniques behind classic northern Vietnamese dishes. End the evening with a shared meal and conversation about her culinary journey and the deeper stories behind the region’s food culture. (B,D)

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Head out of Hanoi to Chuong Village, where Vietnam’s iconic conical hats are still handmade. Wander past the communal house and market, then visit a local family to watch each step of this centuries-old craft. Continue to Quang Phu Cau, where bright red incense sticks dry in geometric patterns, a photographer’s dream. Learn how incense is made from raw bamboo to fragrant sticks.

Lunch is hosted in a nearby ancient village by a local family, with regional dishes served in a traditional home. Afterwards, explore on foot or bicycle through narrow lanes lined with old wells, wooden gates, temples, and tiled roofs - an authentic glimpse of rural Vietnamese life before returning to Hanoi. (B,L)

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Begin your day with a walk around the peaceful West Lake and along tree-lined Thanh Nien Street. Explore Hoang Hoa Tham, known for its flower shops and bonsai displays. Visit B52 Lake, where the wreckage of an American bomber remains submerged, a quiet reminder of the past. Meet a war survivor and gain firsthand insight into the city's wartime history before ending at the B52 Museum.

Later, dive into Hanoi’s street food scene with a local guide. Learn to make Vietnamese egg coffee, then wind through alleyways for fried nem, beef pho, sweet sticky rice balls, and banh mi. End the night like a local, on a plastic stool at Bia Hoi Corner, sipping fresh draft beer as the city buzzes around you. (B,D)

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Start the day with a short drive to Bat Trang, a centuries-old village known for its ceramics. Wander through quiet alleys lined with traditional houses and visit a local workshop to learn how pottery is shaped, painted, and fired. Try your hand at the wheel, guided by expert craftsmen. Continue to a local ancestor house to learn about Vietnamese spiritual beliefs from a village elder. End with a stroll through the village market, filled with beautifully crafted ceramics.

In the afternoon, visit the home of Mr. Liem, a seventh-generation water puppet master. Watch an intimate performance in his private theatre, hear stories behind the legends, and try operating the puppets yourself - a rare insight into one of Vietnam’s oldest art forms.(B,L)

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Start your day at the Temple of Literature, a serene complex of courtyards and pavilions dedicated to Confucius. Founded in the 11th century, it’s considered Vietnam’s first university and a symbol of learning and respect for scholarship. Continue to a charming tea house tucked away from Hanoi’s busy streets. Here, tea master Nguyen Viet Hung and his wife share stories from their journeys to remote plantations, offering rare insights into Vietnam’s tea heritage. Learn how to brew lotus-scented green tea and try your hand at traditional Vietnamese calligraphy under the guidance of a young master. A fascinating, personal introduction to cultural traditions that still thrive today. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (B)

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Our representative will meet you at your hotel lobby for a smooth transfer to the airport. (B)