Hanoi French Quarter: Coffee and Stories

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Our Hanoi French Quarter Walking Tour will take you to discover one of the most beautiful parts of the city. The historical area is located in the southern part of Hanoi and is full of culture and history that sets it apart from the rest of the city.

We will start with an explanation of Vietnamese general history in a French villa coffee shop, accompanied by a cup of authentic Vietnamese Coffee. We will then give a brief overview of French influences in Hanoi, as well as the famous Vietnam War. Our tour will feature St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hanoi Opera House, Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Post Office, Trang Tien Street, Hanoi Metropole Hotel, and the very first university in French Indochina, among many other places.

You will learn about how Vietnamese society changed under French rule and explore the good and bad of this period. We will provide in-depth information (history buffs welcome!) but in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. Think of it as a conversation, rather than a lecture!

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Coffee and/or Tea

We will have an amazing ice cream!

Gratuities

What To Expect

St. Joseph's Cathedral

Address: 40 Nha Chung street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi St Joseph Cathedral Hanoi is considered to be one of the symbols of Hanoi. It’s a late 19th-century Gothic Revival (Neo-Gothic style) church that serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi to nearly 4 million Catholics in the country. The architecture of St Joseph Cathedral Hanoi is designed in the style of medieval Gothic Europe. The church and colonization are inseparable and the church has played an outsize role in Vietnam’s modern history. It is not only a regular place of worship activities of the Archdiocese of Hanoi, but St Joseph cathedral Hanoi is also a popular tourist destination in Hanoi, attracting a large number of tourists inside and outside to visit.

15 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

There is nothing better to learn about the history by trying the iconic "Ca phe sua da"- Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk in a hidden French villa. There are so many interesting stories to tell you.

20 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Hanoi French Quarter: Coffee and Stories

Reviews

4.91

155 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

146

Fantastic walking tour with a lovely coffee break
Amir B,
Aug 23, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Had a great tour with Pinky, she was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and took care to make sure the tour tailoir the tour as much as possible according to my interests. If you’d like to learn more about the history and stories behind the Hanoi French Quarter, as well as visit a truly unique coffee along the way - than this is the tour for you.
Outstanding Private Tour of Hanoi’s French Quarter with Kien Pham
JanHelge M,
May 13, 2025
- Viator
5.00
We had the great pleasure of being guided through the French Quarter in Hanoi by Kien Pham, and we cannot recommend him highly enough. It was just my wife and me on the tour, and Kien made the entire experience both personal and deeply engaging. Kien has a remarkable ability to bring history to life. His knowledge of Vietnam’s past—especially the French colonial period—was outstanding, and he presented it with clarity, passion, and nuance. He gave context to the architecture, culture, and political history of Hanoi in a way that was both accessible and thought-provoking. What made the tour truly special was how tailored and conversational it felt. Kien was attentive to our interests, answered all our questions in depth, and made sure we saw parts of the French Quarter that we might have otherwise overlooked. His English was excellent, and his storytelling skills made the history of Hanoi resonate on a personal level. If you are interested in learning more about Vietnam’s complex past while walking through one of Hanoi’s most charming districts, we highly recommend booking a tour with Kien Pham. It was one of the highlights of our trip!
Lovely stroll through the...
Debbie C,
Apr 25, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Lovely stroll through the French quarter. Mina was very knowledgeable and friendly. Coffee and ice cream were great.
Walking tour with coffee sensational
Vaughn G,
Apr 17, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Great tour with Lily who took us to the local places and very informative about the area we had a great time
Nice tour to learn about...
Phoebe C,
Nov 26, 2024
- Viator
5.00
Nice tour to learn about the history of the city and Vietnam. Our guide Mina was very nice and passionate, meet up was also smooth as they will contact you via WhatsApp the day before with more details, which was nice.