https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/ Hanoi Journal travel tips, guest stories and real moments from Free Walking Tours Hanoi. en Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/temple-of-literature-hanoi https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/temple-of-literature-hanoi Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Hanoi's Temple of Literature is Vietnam's first national university (1070) with 82 stone stelae honoring Confucian scholars. A complete guide to history, architecture & visiting. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/hanoi-weather-best-time-to-visit https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/hanoi-weather-best-time-to-visit Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT When is the best time to visit Hanoi? A month-by-month breakdown of weather, temperature, rainfall and what to pack — from local guides who walk the city year-round. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/top-10-hanoi-street-food https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/top-10-hanoi-street-food Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Pho, bun cha, banh mi and 7 more — the definitive guide to Hanoi street food, written by the guides who eat their way through the Old Quarter every week. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/bun-cha-obama-hanoi https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/bun-cha-obama-hanoi Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT The grilled pork noodle bowl Barack Obama ate with Anthony Bourdain — what makes Hanoi bun cha unforgettable, and where locals actually eat it. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/o-quan-chuong-gate https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/o-quan-chuong-gate Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT The 1749 stone gate that guarded Thang Long citadel — Old Quarter history, architecture and how to find Hanoi's last surviving city gate. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/banh-mi-in-hanoi https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/banh-mi-in-hanoi Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT The French-Vietnamese sandwich is everywhere in Hanoi — but the best banh mi tells a story of colonial history, local craft and street-side ritual. Where to find it and why it matters. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/best-shopping-places-hanoi https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/best-shopping-places-hanoi Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT From Dong Xuan Market to Hang Gai silk street and the Old Quarter's craft alleys — a local guide to the 10 best places to shop in Hanoi. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/sipping-serenity-cafes-hanoi https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/sipping-serenity-cafes-hanoi Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Hidden Old Quarter coffee houses, lake-side hideaways and the egg-coffee classics — a local guide to where Hanoians actually drink their cà phê. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/lunar-new-year-feasts-hanoi https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/lunar-new-year-feasts-hanoi Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT What's on a Hanoi family's Tet table — banh chung, gio lua, mut and the rituals that turn a meal into the most important moment of the Vietnamese year. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/hanoi-in-spring https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/hanoi-in-spring Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Mild weather, flower markets, Tet aftermath and the soft northern light — why locals quietly think spring is the best time to walk Hanoi. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/buddhism-in-vietnam https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/buddhism-in-vietnam Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT A traveller's guide to Vietnamese Buddhism — Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana — and how to experience it at Hanoi's living temples like Tran Quoc, Temple of Literature and Kieu Lady Temple. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/grilled-beef-northern-style https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/grilled-beef-northern-style Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Bò nướng — Northern Vietnamese grilled beef — is one of Hanoi's defining street-food experiences. A guide to the marinade, the charcoal, the herbs and where the dish fits into local culinary heritage. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/st-josephs-cathedral-hanoi https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/st-josephs-cathedral-hanoi Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Hanoi's St Joseph's Cathedral is a 19th-century Gothic Revival masterpiece in the Old Quarter — and the city's most atmospheric place to experience Christmas Eve. A complete visitor guide. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/hanoi-donut-shop https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/hanoi-donut-shop Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT On a sliver of Thai Thinh Street, Mr Khanh's heirloom donut shop fries more than 5,000 bánh rán a day. A small Hanoi story about family recipes, green-bean fillings and queueing locals. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/kieu-lady-temple-hanoi https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/journal/kieu-lady-temple-hanoi Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT The Kieu Lady Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake honours the mother goddess Lieu Hanh and has stood at the heart of Hanoi for nearly 800 years. A concise guide to its history, architecture and festivals. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-24-william-minh https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-24-william-minh Sun, 24 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT A festive Sunday from Train Street to Hang Ma's lanterns. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-23-hans-hung https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-23-hans-hung Sat, 23 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Quiet Hanoi with Lucas from Germany. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-22-hannah-han https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-22-hannah-han Fri, 22 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT A creative Friday through Phung Hung's mural arches. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-21-luis-phong https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-21-luis-phong Thu, 21 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Carlos and Sofia walk into Vietnam's scholarly past. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-20-julio-hoang https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-20-julio-hoang Wed, 20 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Julio takes Jean, Tom and Luis from Spain through market Hanoi. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-19-tommy-huy https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-19-tommy-huy Tue, 19 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT An evening food paradise with a lively UK group of five. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-18-chris-dzung https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-18-chris-dzung Mon, 18 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Chris opens the week with Thomas and Sarah over the Red River. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-17-william-minh https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-17-william-minh Sun, 17 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT A reflective Sunday across Vietnam's spiritual landmarks. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-16-wendy-uyen https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-16-wendy-uyen Sat, 16 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Marseille meets Hanoi's 'Little Notre-Dame'. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-15-hans-hung https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-15-hans-hung Fri, 15 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Richard from Munich teases Ta Hien's craft beer corner. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-14-tommy-huy https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-14-tommy-huy Thu, 14 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Brazil meets Vietnam on golden-hour Long Bien. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-13-julio-hoang https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-13-julio-hoang Wed, 13 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Rubén called the morning 'stepping into a living history book'. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-12-hannah-han https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-12-hannah-han Tue, 12 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT 'A sensory postcard I will never forget' — Burcu, Amsterdam. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-11-luis-phong https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-11-luis-phong Mon, 11 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Pilar described the morning as 'a meditation in motion'. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-10-william-minh https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-10-william-minh Sun, 10 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT A Sunday across Hanoi's landmarks with Christine and Sukruta. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-09-chris-dzung https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-09-chris-dzung Sat, 09 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Cathedral light and lakeside chats with Garima and Eggi. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-08-hannah-han https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-08-hannah-han Fri, 08 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Friday colour with James from Dublin. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-07-hans-hung https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-07-hans-hung Thu, 07 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Hans and Jennifer trace Hoan Kiem to the Red River. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-06-tommy-huy https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-06-tommy-huy Wed, 06 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Market mornings and Long Bien views with Garima from England. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-05-julio-hoang https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-05-julio-hoang Tue, 05 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Julio walks Elena through Hanoi's city highlights. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-04-william-minh https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/real-moments/2026-05-04-william-minh Mon, 04 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT A sunny Monday at Tran Quoc and Van Mieu with Dayne from Indonesia. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/discovering-hanois-old-quarter-with-guide-mint https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/discovering-hanois-old-quarter-with-guide-mint Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Catharina, Burak, Sonia, Timo and Denise walk the Old Quarter with guide Mint — Ngoc Son Temple, Ta Hien, O Quan Chuong, Thanh Ha and Dong Xuan markets, and Long Bien Bridge. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/friendly-morning-old-quarter https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/friendly-morning-old-quarter Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Angela Stenzel from Germany walks the Old Quarter with guide Hans (Hung) — Ngoc Son Temple, O Quan Chuong, Thanh Ha and Dong Xuan markets, and the historic Long Bien Bridge. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/mariocesar-old-quarter https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/mariocesar-old-quarter Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Mario from Spain and Cesar from the UK walk the Old Quarter with guide Luis (Phong) — Ngoc Son Temple, Ta Hien, O Quan Chuong, Thanh Ha and Dong Xuan markets, and Long Bien Bridge. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/city-highlights-walking-tour https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/city-highlights-walking-tour Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Eight travelers from Australia, the UK, Holland and Spain join guide Mint (Thao) for a Hanoi City Highlights walking tour around Ba Dinh Square and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/french-quarter-hoan-kiem-opera-house https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/french-quarter-hoan-kiem-opera-house Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Charlotte from Brisbane joins guide Anna for a Hanoi French Quarter walking tour around Hoan Kiem Lake and the historic Hanoi Opera House. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/joyful-morning-old-quarter https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/joyful-morning-old-quarter Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Mariane, Paul and Catharina from Australia, the UK and Belgium walk the Old Quarter with guide Chris (Dzung) — Ngoc Son Temple, O Quan Chuong, Dong Xuan Market and Long Bien Bridge. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/long-bien-bridge-kevin-fiona https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/long-bien-bridge-kevin-fiona Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Kevin from Austria and Fiona from Spain cross the historic Long Bien Bridge on a Hanoi Old Quarter walk with guide Zwi. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/old-quarter-long-bien-ta-hien https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/old-quarter-long-bien-ta-hien Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Justin, Paul, Adriean, Maxime and Basia from Germany, the UK, the US and France walk the Old Quarter with guide Chris — Ta Hien Beer Street and the historic Long Bien Bridge. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/old-quarter-o-quan-chuong https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/old-quarter-o-quan-chuong Sun, 08 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Aron, Will and Catherine from Ireland and England visit O Quan Chuong — the last remaining gate of the old Thang Long Citadel — on a Hanoi City Highlights walk with guide Anna. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/city-highlights-ho-chi-minh-mausoleum https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/city-highlights-ho-chi-minh-mausoleum Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Alessia, Melih and Bernardette explore Ba Dinh Square, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Tran Quoc Pagoda, West Lake and the Temple of Literature on a Hanoi City Highlights walk with guide Zwi. https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/old-quarter-group-of-8 https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/old-quarter-group-of-8 Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Bruno, Ann and Tiffany lead a group of eight international travelers through the historic streets of the Hanoi Old Quarter with guide Minh (Mint). https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/city-highlights-ireland-england https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/city-highlights-ireland-england Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Harry, Maria and Kerry from Ireland and England visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, West Lake and Ba Dinh Square on a Hanoi City Highlights walk with guide Minh (Mint). https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/hanoi-old-quarter-tour-guests https://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/stories/hanoi-old-quarter-tour-guests Fri, 27 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT Six travelers join guide Zwi for a 3-hour Hanoi Old Quarter free walking tour through hidden streets, historic landmarks and local culture.