Day 01
Hanoi Markets, Old Quarter and Street Food Discovery
- Meet with a local food expert for a mouth-watering food tour of Hanoi and awaken all five senses through its fascinating markets.
- Start with a trip to Thanh Ha market, a busy and eclectic market alive with the sounds and smells of Hanoi. Capture the essence of Vietnamese culture while browsing the food stalls, hearing about local culinary traditions, and sampling unusual Hanoi delicacies.
- Carry on to Dong Xuan market where, amid the stalls selling handbags, clothes, and other goods, you will find popular noodle shops. Sample treats such as "Pho Sot Vang", noodle soup with pork and herbs, and bun dau, tofu served in soup with rice noodles and fermented shrimp paste. The guide will share the secrets of these dishes and explain Vietnamese meal times.
- Meander onwards to the Old Quarter and explore the maze of laneways in this historic neighbourhood.
- See ceremonial cake stalls and stop to taste a special French-influenced dessert. An explanation of traditions and food gifts for celebrations will be given.
- Continue walking along Hang Cot Street, where popular preserved fruits are sold, and move on to other streets with unusual special items for sale.
- Wrap up the tour at a busy but small coffee shop. Sit down and enjoy a sweet iced coffee or a slow-dripped hot brew while watching the passing scenes of local life. This is the perfect way to end a wonderful culinary and cultural Hanoi tour.
