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Hanoi was the first city in Vietnam we visited, and we found the local food scene overwhelming.
Taking food tours in Hanoi with local guides helped us understand the cusine and local food culture.
Northern Vietnamese food is distinctive from the rest of the country and it is influenced by China, its northern neighbor.
After spending several weeks in Hanoi and eating our way through nothern Vietnam, we’re sharing 7 of the best Hanoi food tours.
These food tours all offer authentic experiences taking you to the local markets, neighboring villages and historic old quarter.
To help you eat Hanoi like a local, take any of these food tours in Hanoi
Comparison Table Of The Hanoi Food Tours To Choose From
| Hanoi Food Tours | Price ($ USD) | Private | Start Time | Duration (hours) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi Dawn Food Tour | $75 | Yes | 4:00 am | 4 h | Overall |
| Hanoi Old Quarter Walking Street Food Tour | $22 | Small group | Every hour from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm | 3 h | Value |
| Hanoi Food Lovers Walking Tour | $25.5 | Private and small group | 9:00 am or 5:00 pm | 3 h | Largest market visit |
| Private Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour | $41 | Yes | 11:30 am or 6:00 pm | 3 h | Walking |
| The 10 Tastings of Hanoi With Locals | $69 | Yes | Every half hours, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | 3.5 h | Temple visit |
| Hanoi by Night Foodie Motorbike Tour | $70 | Small group tour | 6:00 pm | 4 h | Motorbike experience |
| Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour and Cyclo | $35 | Private and small group tours | Every half hours from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm | 3.5 h | Cyclo experience |
The food tours in Hanoi are shown in Vietnamese Dong (VND). We provide USD conversion at the time of writing. Prices might vary slightly when you book your tour.
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Top Selection Of Food Tours in Hanoi
1. Hanoi Dawn Morning Food Tour – Best Overall Hanoi Street Food Tour
For Vietnamese food lovers looking to dive into the local food, this Hanoi Dawn Morning Food Tour offers the best experience.
Local chef, Duyen, who has cooked with the legendary Gordon Ramsey, is your guide on this culinary adventure.
This Hanoi Dawn tour starts at 4:00 am, and you’ll visit four different food markets and see a side of Hanoi tourists never see.
Chef Duyên will guide you through the markets, introduce you to the traditional dishes and share the origins of the food.
Along the way, you’ll taste 6 different local street foods, along with drinks for a mouthwatering experience.
In Vietnam, the days start really early. While exploring the local food specialties in Vietnam, we were surprised to find local breakfast specialties not available after 7:00 am.
This Hanoi Dawn tour with a local chef will ensure you don’t miss the vibrant morning atmosphere in the city.
You’ll watch the city come alive, see parts of Hanoi you wouldn’t find on your own, and taste unique local specialties.
For a local experience and intimate view into Hanoi’s local cuisine, the Hanoi Dawn tour offers the best overall experience.
Cost: About $75 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Tour starts at 4:00 am
Group Style: Private food tour experience
RELATED: 10 of the Best Authentic Food in Hanoi You Must Eat
2. Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food Tour – Best Price Value Tour in Hanoi
One of the best ways to unlock Hanoi’s hidden culinary gems is to take a street food tour of Old Quarter.
This walking tour takes you away from the tourist trails to the local and popular food stalls for amazing Vietnamese cuisine.
The Hanoi old quarter features iconic streets that bear the names of the artisanal goods and products produced there. For example, Hang Bac street stands for the silver products made by silversmiths.
Hand Ma street for paper products, Hang Go street for wood products and others.
You’ll navigate these meandering streets with your local expert guide who will share their rich history and traditions.
Along the way, you’ll bite into Hanoi specialties at street food stalls and local restaurants.
You’ll make stops for traditional specialies like banh cuon or steamed rice rolls, Pho noodle soup for a total of about six tastings.
For amazing stories about the local culture and delicious Hanoi food specialties, you’ll have unforgettable experiences on this walking street food tour.
Cost: About $22 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Starting time every hour from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm
Group Style: Intimate small group size up to 8 people
3. Hanoi Food Lovers Walking Tour – Street Food Experience with 5 Food Stops
The name, Hanoi Food Lovers Walking Tour could not more accurately describe this Hanoi street food tour experience.
Accompanied by a local passionate gastronomy guide, you dive right into the food at the largest covered market in Hanoi, Dong Xuan.
This local market can be quite overwhelming. Having a local guide makes all the difference as you meander through the live seafood area and exotic fruits and vegetable stands.
You’ll try some seasonal dishes as you learn about the ingredients that make up delicious northern Vietnamese food.
From the market, you’ll make your way through Hanoi’s bustling old quarter, learning about local daily life.
You’ll stop for classic dishes like bun cha, grilled nem chua fermented pork rolls and other delicacies.
A visit through the old quarter would not be complete without stopping for banh mi, the most famous Vietnamese sandwich.
To end your Hanoi food tour experience, you’ll visit Hoan Kiem Lake, a symbol of Hanoi, also known as Sword Lake.
At a hidden cafe with magnificent views over the lake, you’ll unwind with a luscious Vietnamese egg coffee treat.
For a focused Hanoi street food experience with a foodie guide, this is one of the best food tours in Hanoi.
Cost: About $25.50 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Starting at 9:00 am or 5:00 pm
Group Style: Private or small group tour conducted in English
4. Private Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour – Best Street Food Tour for Foodies
Created by a knowledgeable guide with over 10 years of experience, this private Hanoi street food experience is indepth and professional.
For over three hours with your private guide, you’ll explore the culture and history of Hanoi and Vietnam in general.
As this is a private tour, the menu and tastings can be tailored to suit your needs. This food tour in Hanoi generally consists of 10 different dishes at local food stands, family eateries and cafes.
While the tasting menu changes regularly depending on the season, you can expect to try noodle soups, grilled pork, snails and more.
Beverages like the local beer, coffee along with a variety of desserts are also sampled.
On this walking tour, you’ll explore the culinary delights in the old quarter and also stop at important local monuments.
Enthralling stories about the many legends surrounding Hoan Kiem lake is where this immersive private street food tour ends.
For visitors to Hanoi looking for a tailored private food tour experience, this is one of the best Hanoi food tours to take.
Cost: About $41 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Starting at 11:30 am or 6:00 pm
Group Style: Private food tour experience
RELATED: Banh Mi – The Best Vietnamese Sandwich to Fall in Love With
5. The 10 Tastings of Hanoi With Locals – Private Street Food Tour
With the undivided attention of your local food guide, this private 10 Tastings of Hanoi takes you to the best spots for traditional eats.
Your culinary journey starts off in one of Hanoi’s four biggest temples. This ancient Chua Ba Da, is one of most important Buddhist temples in the city.
Then it’s off for some classic Hanoi street food hand picked by your passionate guide.
You’ll discover the local favorites and the best places to have them for Bun Cha, pho rolls, fried shrimp pancakes and more.
Right after sampling banh mi sandwiches, you take a journey into traditional Vietnamese medicine at the oldest streets known for traditional medicine.
This is a fascinating stop where you’ll learn about traditional Vietnamese herbs and cures and ancient secrets worth adopting.
You’ll head to the old quarter for fruity flavored desserts while making cultural stops in between.
We love the combination of street food, culture and history. This delicious 10 tastings with locals is a great way to get a true taste of Hanoi.
You certainly will not go hungry on this tour. And, you do have the ability to choose vegetarian options or customize it to your tastes.
The three hours on this street food tour fly by quickly as you’ll be having fun with locals.
Cost: About $69 per person, price varies by group size
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Starting times every ½ hour from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Group Style: Private food tour experience
6. Hanoi Motorbike Tours by Night – Best Motorbike Food Tour in Hanoi
Have you ever wanted to try riding a motorcycle in Vietnam? This Hanoi motorbike tour for foodies, led by women, takes you on an thrilling adventure through the city.
Offering a safe and fun adventure, you’ll travel like locals while discovering hidden gems in the city.
Safety is a priority. You’ll get picked up from your accommodations and equipped with helmets and start your four hour nighttime excursion.
You’ll get off the beaten path with your female driving crew and stop for the best banh cuon, according the locals.
The glow of colorful lanterns in the old quarter will mesmerize you as you head out to the Red River.
This thrilling culinary adventure also takes you to Ngu Xa village for freshly grilled seafood and other local Vietnamese delights.
You’ll ride by the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and watch the guards perform their nightly ceremonies.
Then you’ll stroll down Hanoi’s crowded Train Street, near active train tracks where locals cook, relax and sell their crafts.
The final bite is a sweet experience of Mango Pudding. Banh ran Ngot, and caramel dessert, alongside the exceptional Vietnamese egg coffee are other treats you’ll savor.
This nightime motorbike tour is a unique experience, which allows you to eat your way through the streets of Hanoi, and see many places at once.
Cost: About $69 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Starting at 6:00 pm
Group Style: Small group tour conducted in English
7. Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour and Cyclo
Experience Hanoi via cyclo. These are traditional rickshhaw vehicles invented by the French in the late 1930s.
You’ll cycle around the old quarter, which dates back to the 11th century, to get an overview of this historic district.
After exploring Hanoi for about ½ hour on a cyclo, you’ll begin the walking part of this tour at Dong Xuan market.
You’ll stroll through the alleys in the bustling market, trying popular northern dishes. You’ll stop for Banh Cuon at a local eatery and watch in amazement, how this tasty dish is put together.
Grilled meats are another popular dish and you’ll try surprisingly delicious meat on a stick as you eat at various barbecue stalls.
The last stop is for desert. It’s from a vendor down a narrow ally, and you’ll sample Vietnamese che desserts. These are typically fresh fruits with condensed milk served with crushed ice.
The che dessert culture in Vietnam is quite strong and your local guide will introduce you to the many variations available.
A brief exploration of the ancient buildings and temples around Hoan Kiem Lake is where the tour ends.
You’ll enjoy a delicious egg coffee treat to close this sumptuous Hanoi walking street food tour and cyclo.
For a mix of walking and traditional cyclo tour experience, this 3.5 hour tour covers a lot of ground.
Cost: About $35 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 3.5 hours. Start time between 8:00 am to 6:30 pm
Group Style: Private or small group tour conducted in English
What To Consider When Choosing A Food Tour in Hanoi
Taking food tours in Hanoi is one of the best ways to get a sense of the local culture. As navigating the language is challenging, a local expert guide can help you make the most out of your culinary experiences.
As you consider booking your Hanoi food tour, here are some things to consider.
What Kind Of Hanoi Food Tours Experience Do You Want?
First, decide whether you want to take a private or small group tour.
Private Hanoi tours offer more personalized experiences. While small group tours provide an opportunity to make new friends with other foodies.
Next, consider when you would like to see the city. Are you are a morning person? If so, the Hanoi Dawn tour starts at 4:00 am. Other tours take place during the day or in the evening.
Do you prefer you want to walk around the city or navigate by cyclo or bike.
While walking is a great option, biking allows you to cover more distance while offering a unique way to see the city.
How much time do you have for your food tour. Do you want a more compact Hanoi food tour for 3 to 4 hours. Or, do you want an immersive 6-hour culinary adventure?
Finally, think about whether you want to have a particular experience like visiting a local market?
All these Hanoi food tours cover the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, but others go to different neighborhoods.
With these considerations in mind, simply select the Hanoi food tours that suit your preferences and travel itinerary.
What Is Your Budget for Your Hanoi Food Tours
The kind of culinary experience you choose will definitely depend on your budget and itinerary.
The best Hanoi food tours range in price from about $22 USD to $75 USD.
However, depending on the size of your group, you may be able to negotiate discounted rates.
All tours featured continue to adhere to Covid safety guidelines.
However, if you prefer some offer personalized tours that you can take enjoy at your own pace.
On a positive note, all these tours have a free booking cancellation policy up to 24 to 72 hours before the event.
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Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest