Beyond the Guidebook: Hanoi with the Locals of Hanoikids
A decade ago when we arrived in Hanoi for the very first time, we were incredibly fortunate to stumble upon the voluntary English tour-guide club run by young students looking to share their love for their city. We didn’t know what to expect with Hanoikids, except that we would be met by our guides in the morning who were ready to take us on a walking tour of the city’s sights. We were met by two lovely ladies in their final years of university, passionate about practicing their English, sharing their knowledge of famous attractions in the city (Old Quarter, Hoa Lo Prison, Ho Chi Minh Complex, Museum of Ethnology) and taking us to their favourite street eats.
Hanoikids is a free tour that offers two options: City Tours and Food Tours. Tours are customizable, so, sign up on their website and let them know if you have specific things you want to see or taste. While the tours are free, you are expected to cover any entrance fees, transportation, and meals for both yourself and your guides.
Exploring the city together with locals not only gives you an opportunity to discover hidden gems, the immense cultural insights and conversations we were able to have with our student guides was unforgettable. From university life to love lives, we shared insights and stories, learning from each other in a two-way cultural exchange. Fast forward to today, we are still in touch with our guides, Nhat and Janey, who have gone from new found acquaintances to life-long friends.
This year, when visiting Vietnam again in 2025, we met two new ladies who took us out on a street food tour and was once again reminded how fantastic it is to share a day exploring new tastes, with locals. We spent a few hours walking down hidden alleys finding street food we would not have discovered on our own and learning more about student life and our new friend’s future aspirations.
If you are going to Hanoi, we highly recommend this unique, authentic experience, exploring the city through the eyes of local students with Hanoikids.
