What‘s Included

What To Expect

Reviews

• Off the touristy path, behind the scenes

  michellegC55CY,

  Nov 17, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Kien gave us insight into the local life in Hanoi. Super interesting to hear how locals are earning income and creating community. We started with history of the Vietnam War and Kien answered all our questions (in very excellent English). I would 100% recommend this to anyone who wants to do a less touristy activity (although we did see Train Street, which was touristy and fun).

• Great tour very informative

  Mark B,

  Oct 30, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Great guide very friendly has first hand experience good history lesson interesting stories great to see a different side of history

• Explore Hanoi's Alleyso

  martabakunyil,

  Oct 4, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  Interesting experience bcs we got to know hidden alleys in Hanoi with their intriguing stories. Too bad we had to end the tour earlier bcs there would be a parade and the guide was worried about not being able to go home due to road blockage

  

• An amazing, thoughtful, and educational afternoon spent learning about the history of Vietnam — thank-you Dung & team!!

  343gregs,

  Sep 28, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We both really loved this tour — it was easily one of the best things we did on our trip to Hanoi. It takes you through a potted history of Vietnam (over a coffee in a local cafe), taking in more than just the war but putting it into the broader context; through the impact of the war and reunification on local life and livelihoods in Hanoi (through touring the old black market and social housing, which brought this to life perfectly); and then ending on the famous train street to show how Vietnamese spirit continues to build back and grow. Our guide, Dung, was fantastic, and happily took our many questions. We learned absolutely tonnes and had an amazing time, so thank you very much Dung & team!! Would recommend this to anyone. In terms of tips — bring some comfy shoes, and perhaps water, insect repellant and an umbrella/coat just in case. Drinks are provided throughout but perhaps bring some extra cash so you can stay on at train street with some further drinks (we did for a few hours to catch the next train going through, which was great and conveniently also on our wishlist for the trip — two birds, one stone!).

• Favourite tour in all of Vietnam!

  Chloe M,

  Sep 28, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Stunning tour, I learnt so much about the history of Vietnam and details about the war I had no idea about. I’ve been to Hanoi twice before and I feel like I got to learn and see more of the lesser touristy bits of the city. I highly recommend it.

• A True Highlight of our Time in Vietnam

  ToughRalph,

  Jul 22, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  This was a special experience with Kien, learning about the culture of Hanoi and a history of the war from a North Vietnamese perspective. We opted for a private tour and are very happy we did. We spent a morning in conversation with Kien and took away more than we could have hoped. Our morning started with coffee in a local café. Over coffee, Kien shared a thoughtful overview of Vietnamese history and culture – all leading to the neighborhoods we would soon see. The “black market” and the alley neighborhoods are not on most tourist Hanoi agendas, but we would highly recommend you do. Kien brough to life the history of the market, its current merchants, and how it reflects broader cultural dynamics in Vietnam. We learned a great deal. Other neighborhood visits included the memorial of B-52 bombings. With Kien you learn the history and how it is perceived by local people. It is a moving experience. We concluded our time with a visit to an off-the-beaten path train street. We had another beverage at a local café and then were so very close to a passing train! This experience would be first on our list of recommendations in Hanoi. Even better, a portion of your tour cost goes to the Blue Dragon charity to help Vietnamese children.

• lucacF592XN,

  Jul 19, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Doing this tour filled me with new perspectives. I feel immensely privileged to share the beautiful streets of Hanoi today 🌹 I'm grateful for Kien and feel anyone visiting Hanoi would benefit from the contextualisation this tour provides.

• Really enjoyable!

  SaraS358,

  Apr 23, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I booked this tour at the last minute after it was recommended by someone I met in a different tour. It was very interesting in that you went outside of the Old Quarter and you saw areas that you otherwise wouldn’t go to. I would say it’s not really a history tour (despite what the name may suggest) but an illustrated commentary on Vietnamese culture and way of life outside of the touristy areas of Hanoi - although it does involve a brief historical overview, I felt the tour was more focused on people’s stories and this made it really interesting. A nice bonus is that we went to a quieter part of Train Street just in time for a train passing through and we were able to sit down and have a coffee with the train rushing by.

• Fantastic tour

  Eli B,

  Apr 1, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Excellent tour! Kien was lovely and very knowledgeable, his passion for his culture and job is infectious. Would definitely recommend to anyone

• Great History Tour

  janab814,

  Mar 19, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Our tour guide Kien was fantastic. He has a great view of history and gave a great presentation with visuals. His English was flawless and he clearly has a passion for Vietnamese history.

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