4-Day Hanoi Cultural and Culinary Tour for Friends

Day 1: Old Quarter Exploration

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 4, 2025

6:00am

Arrival and Hotel Check-in

Arrive early morning in Hanoi and check into your hotel located in the lively Old Quarter, convenient for exploring the city on foot.
0, 1h

7:00am

Breakfast at Pho Gia Truyen

Enjoy an authentic bowl of Hanoi Pho at Pho Gia Truyen, open from 6:00am, known for flavorful broth and tender beef in the Old Quarter.
VND60000, 1h

8:00am

Walking Tour of the Old Quarter

Explore the historic streets, bustling markets, and vibrant street life of the Old Quarter, perfect for getting a feel of Hanoi’s heritage and local culture.
0, 2h

10:30am

Visit to Bach Ma Temple

Visit the 11th-century Bach Ma Temple, a quiet and beautiful spiritual site amidst Old Quarter’s busy streets.
0, 1h

12:00pm

Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien

Try the famous bun cha, grilled pork with noodles, open from noon, a meal later made famous by President Obama’s visit.
VND70000, 1h

1:30pm

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, an iconic lake in central Hanoi, and visit the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple located on a small island in the lake.
VND3000, 1h30m

3:00pm

Explore Dong Xuan Market

Shop and browse at Dong Xuan Market, the largest indoor market in Hanoi, great for souvenirs and experiencing local daily life.
0, 1h

5:00pm

Coffee Break at Cafe Giang

Try the famous egg coffee at Cafe Giang, open until evening, a unique Hanoi specialty.
VND45000, 45m

7:00pm

Dinner at Cha Ca La Vong

Dine at Cha Ca La Vong, a restaurant famous for its turmeric fried fish served with herbs and noodles, open until 9pm.
VND150000, 1h30m
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Day 2: Cultural Heritage Day

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 5, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Xoi Yen

Try traditional sticky rice dishes at Xoi Yen, a popular breakfast spot open from early morning.
VND40000, 45m

8:30am

Temple of Literature Visit

Visit the ancient Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070, open 8am–5pm.
VND30000, 2h

11:00am

Vietnam Fine Arts Museum

Explore Vietnamese fine art heritage through traditional and contemporary pieces, open 8am–5pm.
VND40000, 1h30m

12:45pm

Lunch at KOTO Restaurant

Enjoy a meal at KOTO, a social enterprise restaurant serving Vietnamese cuisine with a mission to train disadvantaged youth, open midday to evening.
VND120000, 1h15m

2:15pm

Hoa Lo Prison Museum

Historic museum showcasing Vietnam’s history during colonial times and the wars, opening hours 8am–5pm.
VND30000, 1h

3:30pm

West Lake Visit & Tran Quoc Pagoda

Relax by West Lake and visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, open all day.
0, 1h30m

6:00pm

Dinner at Madame Hien

Enjoy refined Northern Vietnamese cuisine at Madame Hien, open 6pm–10pm.
VND200000, 1h30m
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Day 3: Perfume Pagoda Day Trip

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 6, 2025

7:00am

Early Breakfast at Hotel

Have a quick breakfast at your hotel before the day trip.
Included, 30m

7:30am

Departure for Perfume Pagoda

Travel approx. 2 hours by car to the Perfume Pagoda area, a vast complex of Buddhist temples built into limestone cliffs.
VND500000 (transport), 2h

9:30am

Boat Ride to Pagoda

Enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Yen River towards the main pagoda.
VND80000, 1h

10:30am

Climb and Explore Perfume Pagoda

Ascend to the main Huong Tich Cave pagoda and explore the serene surroundings and temples.
VND30000, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Local Restaurant

Enjoy authentic local Vietnamese dishes near the pagoda area at a local restaurant.
VND90000, 1h

1:30pm

Return Boat Ride and Drive Back

Take the boat back to the river port and drive back to Hanoi.
Included, 3h

5:00pm

Rest at Hotel

Rest and refresh after the full day trip.
0, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Home Hanoi Restaurant

Delight in a mix of traditional and modern Vietnamese dishes in a cozy setting, open till 10pm.
VND150000, 1h30m
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Day 4: Shopping & Relaxation

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 7, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Cong Caphe

Enjoy a hip coffee and light breakfast in this well-known cafe chain, open from 7am.
VND50000, 45m

8:30am

Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

Visit the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh and surrounding sites such as the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda; mausoleum open 8am–11am (closed Monday and Friday).
0, 2h

11:00am

Explore Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural & French Quarter

Walk along the world’s largest ceramic mosaic mural and explore the elegant French Quarter with colonial architecture.
0, 1h

12:30pm

Lunch at Quan An Ngon

Feast on a diverse selection of regional Vietnamese street food in a stylish setting, open all day.
VND120000, 1h

2:00pm

Shopping in Old Quarter

Spend the afternoon shopping souvenirs, handicrafts, and local products in the bustling streets of the Old Quarter.
Varies, 3h

5:00pm

Street Food Snack Tour

Take a short food tour sampling Hanoi’s famous street food specialties in the evening market area.
VND100000, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Home Vietnamese Restaurant

Enjoy a final group dinner at a restaurant offering traditional Vietnamese dishes with great atmosphere.
VND150000, 1h30m
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Day 5: Departure Day

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 8, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Have an early breakfast at the hotel to prepare for departure.
Included, 30m

8:00am

Last Minute Walk in Old Quarter

Take a short final stroll to soak up the atmosphere and pick up any last-minute souvenirs.
0, 1h

9:30am

Check-Out and Transfer to Airport

Check out from your hotel and take a taxi or arranged transport to the airport, ensuring you arrive well before your 6pm departure.
VND350000 (taxi approx.), 1h
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