Hanoi Food Tour

A joined Hanoi street food tour usually starts from 25 USD per person. The price normally covers several dishes & drinks with a local tour guide. Some tours also include specialties like egg coffee or local beer, making it a full meal rather than just a snack.

Private Hanoi food tours may cost a little more, but they give you more flexibility and personal care. Group tours are often cheaper and more social, perfect if you enjoy meeting fellow travelers. Moreover, you’ll get great value, since you’re tasting many different dishes that would cost the same if you ordered them separately.

Most Hanoi food tours include 6–8 dishes, from noodle soups to grilled meats and sweet desserts. Drinks like fresh juice, tea, or egg coffee are often offered too. The tour idea is to walk and eat like a local, stopping at different vendors to taste Vietnamese street food.

A local English-speaking guide is also included in a Hanoi food tour. They share the stories behind each dish and explain the ingredients. Sometimes, the guides even take you into the kitchen to see how the food is made. Some tours add fun activities like cooking demos or a short market visit. This kind of food tour is a mix of food and culture.

It's suggested to book Hanoi food tours ahead of time, especially from November to March, when a lot of people are traveling. Group tours fill up fast, so make sure you book early to secure your spot. It also gives the tour guide time to make sure the food is ready for you.

Last-minute bookings are possible in the low season. Booking in advance allows you to avoid stress and simply look forward to the experience. Many travelers say it’s one of the best things they booked ahead of time in Hanoi.

It is safe to go on Hanoi food tours with local guides. They carefully pick stalls that have clean facilities and fresh food. So that you don't need to worry about how clean and safe it is.

At first, it can feel crazy to walk through the busy streets, but guides show you the way and make sure you stay safe. As long as you have a reliable guide, you can enjoy the real Hanoi food and nightlife.

It’s better to wear light & casual clothes and comfortable shoes. On a Hanoi food tour, you’ll walk a lot through busy streets and narrow alleys, so sandals or sneakers are perfect.

If you visit in summer, lightweight fabrics will help with the heat. In winter, especially December and January, a light jacket keeps you warm in the evening. Don’t worry about dressing up. Street food tours are informal and relaxed. The focus of Hanoi food tours is on tasting food and having fun.

Evenings are the most popular time of day for a Hanoi food tour. The streets light up and vendors start cooking. The city feels alive. You can try full dinner dishes like bun cha or sizzling pancakes. And then finish the tour with egg coffee or dessert.

Mornings are also special. They give you the chance to eat breakfast like locals do, with steaming bowls of pho or sticky rice before work. It’s a quieter experience compared to evenings. Both times are good, but if you want the liveliest atmosphere, evening tours are the best choice.

You don't have to tip, but it's always nice to do so. Give 3–5 USD per person if your guide has been nice, told you interesting stories, and taken good care of you.

Sellers don't expect tips, especially for small amounts of food sold on the street. But giving your tour guide a small tip to say thank you is a nice thing to do at the end. It’s not about the amount, but it’s about showing appreciation for their effort.

Most Hanoi food tours last about 3 hours. It gives you enough time to try many different dishes without feeling rushed. It’s also long enough to walk through several neighborhoods and explore the Vietnamese food culture up close.

Some private tours can go longer, up to 4 or 5 hours, if you want a deeper experience. Shorter tours of 2 hours also exist, but they only cover a few stops. For the best balance, we usually recommend a 3-hour evening tour. Because it makes you feel complete and fun.

Pho is the most famous dish. Trying it in Hanoi is a must. This noodle soup with beef or chicken is often eaten for breakfast. It is considered the soul of Vietnamese food.

Another dish that stands out is bun cha, which is grilled pork and noodles, and banh mi, which is a Vietnamese sandwich with meat and fresh herbs. Also, don't miss egg coffee, a sweet drink made with egg yolk that has been whipped. Each of these dishes shows history and culture. Together, they make up the unique food scene of Hanoi, which you can learn about on a tour.