Snapshot Report · May 18 – 24, 2026

Snapshot Report: Hanoi Walking Tours, May 18 – 24, 2026

Seven walks — Old Quarter mornings, a Street Food evening and the City Tour landmarks — as presented in the published weekly diary for May 18–24, 2026. Routes, guests and stories below follow those published entries; photos illustrate the scenes shown and do not by themselves confirm every stop.

Read the original weekly diary presentation

Cover · Monday 18 May 2026

Walkers on a stone balustrade above a Hanoi street.

Walks: 7
Guides: 7
Guests: 16
Origins: 6

Overview of the week

Between Monday 18 May 2026 and Sunday 24 May 2026, Free Walking Tours Hanoi operated 7 walks led by 7 different local guides. The walks welcomed 16 guests from 6 different origins: Australia, England, Germany, Spain, USA, United Kingdom. The tours moved between the Hanoi Old Quarter, the city's historical landmarks and — where noted — the evening street-food trail.

Tours operated

Hanoi Old Quarter Tour — 5 walks this week
Hanoi Street Food Tour — 1 walk this week
Hanoi City Tour — 1 walk this week

Guides featured

Chris (Dzung) — 1 walk
Hannah (Hân) — 1 walk
Hans (Hùng) — 1 walk
Julio (Hoang) — 1 walk
Luis (Phong) — 1 walk
Tommy (Huy) — 1 walk
William (Minh) — 1 walk

Guest origins represented

Australia · England · Germany · Spain · USA · United Kingdom

Route highlights

The week's walks passed through 20 distinct stops, including Ba Dinh Square, Dong Xuan Market, Food Walking Tour, Hang Ma Street, Hoan Kiem Lake, Long Bien Bridge, Ly Quoc Su Street, Ngoc Son Temple, Nguyen Huu Huan Street, O Quan Chuong Gate, Phung Hung Mural Street, Phung Hung Street, and 8 more.

Notable moments, day by day

Each entry below matches the published Real Moment for that day, drawn from the weekly diary presentation. Photos illustrate those entries; routes and narratives remain as originally published.

Walkers on a stone balustrade above a Hanoi street.
Day 1 · Monday 18 May 2026
Chris opens the week with Thomas and Sarah over the Red River.
Guide Chris (Dzung) · Tour Hanoi Old Quarter Tour
Route ·Ngoc Son Temple · The Huc Bridge · Dong Xuan Market · Long Bien Bridge
Guests ·2 · Germany, Australia
The week began with beautiful weather as Chris guided Thomas and Sarah through the cultural heart of Hanoi. After discovering the legends surrounding Ngoc Son Temple and admiring the iconic red The Huc Bridge, the tour continued into the bustling atmosphere of Dong Xuan Market. The highlight came at Long Bien Bridge, where stories of Hanoi's resilience and history brought the century-old landmark to life. The panoramic views of the Red River offered the perfect backdrop for memorable travel photos.
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Group at a sidewalk street-food stall with plastic stools and bowls at night.
Day 2 · Tuesday 19 May 2026
An evening food paradise with a lively UK group of five.
Guide Tommy (Huy) · Tour Hanoi Street Food Tour
Route ·Tam Thuong Alley · Ta Hien Street · Nguyen Huu Huan Street · Food Walking Tour
Guests ·5 · United Kingdom
Tommy led a lively group through Hanoi's maze of hidden alleys before the city transformed into an evening food paradise. The guests discovered secret corners of Tam Thuong Alley, explored the vibrant energy of Ta Hien Street, and sampled authentic Vietnamese street food loved by locals. Sitting on small plastic stools while tasting traditional dishes became one of the most talked-about experiences of the evening. The combination of local flavours, stories, and laughter made this tour unforgettable.
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Walkers on the pedestrian walkway of Long Bien Bridge, with the iron truss beside them.
Day 3 · Wednesday 20 May 2026
Julio takes Jean, Tom and Luis from Spain through market Hanoi.
Guide Julio (Hoang) · Tour Hanoi Old Quarter Tour
Route ·O Quan Chuong Gate · Thanh Ha Wet Market · Long Bien Bridge
Guests ·3 · Spain
Wednesday offered an authentic look into daily life in Hanoi. Julio guided the Spanish guests through the historic O Quan Chuong Gate before entering the colourful world of Thanh Ha Wet Market, where local vendors and traditional ingredients showcased Hanoi's culinary culture. The journey continued toward Long Bien Bridge, revealing stories of trade, community, and resilience that have shaped the city for generations. The vibrant atmosphere left the guests fascinated by Hanoi's unique character.
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Group portrait in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum façade.
Day 4 · Thursday 21 May 2026
Carlos and Sofia walk into Vietnam's scholarly past.
Guide Luis (Phong) · Tour Hanoi City Tour
Route ·Tran Quoc Pagoda · Ba Dinh Square · Temple of Literature
Guests ·2 · Spain
Carlos and Sofia explored some of Hanoi's most important historical and spiritual landmarks. Beginning at the peaceful Tran Quoc Pagoda beside West Lake, the tour continued to the impressive Ba Dinh Square, where Vietnam's modern history comes alive. At the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university, the guests learned about centuries of scholarship and Confucian traditions. The day provided a deeper understanding of the country's rich heritage and cultural identity.
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Group inside a multi-level indoor market hall.
Day 5 · Friday 22 May 2026
A creative Friday through Phung Hung's mural arches.
Guide Hannah (Hân) · Tour Hanoi Old Quarter Tour
Route ·Phung Hung Mural Street · Dong Xuan Market · Ta Hien Street
Guests ·2 · USA
Friday's adventure combined Hanoi's creative spirit with its vibrant street culture. Hannah introduced David and Elena to the colourful murals of Phung Hung Street, where artwork tells stories of Hanoi's past and present. The tour continued through the busy lanes of Dong Xuan Market before ending amid the lively atmosphere of Ta Hien Street. Along the way, meaningful conversations with locals and plenty of photo opportunities made the experience especially rewarding.
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Group portrait beside Hoan Kiem Lake with the red The Huc Bridge in the background.
Day 6 · Saturday 23 May 2026
Quiet Hanoi with Lucas from Germany.
Guide Hans (Hùng) · Tour Hanoi Old Quarter Tour
Route ·St. Joseph's Cathedral · Ly Quoc Su Street · Hoan Kiem Lake
Guests ·1 · Germany
Lucas enjoyed a peaceful exploration of Hanoi's most beloved landmarks with Hans. The Gothic architecture of St. Joseph's Cathedral offered a striking contrast to the traditional atmosphere surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake. Along Ly Quoc Su Street, the pair discovered charming cafés, local eateries, and fascinating stories about the Old Quarter's evolution. The walk concluded beside the lake, where Hanoi's timeless beauty was on full display.
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Walkers on the red bridge over Hoan Kiem Lake.
Day 7 · Sunday 24 May 2026
A festive Sunday from Train Street to Hang Ma's lanterns.
Guide William (Minh) · Tour Hanoi Old Quarter Tour
Route ·Hoan Kiem Lake · Train Street · Phung Hung Street · Hang Ma Street
Guests ·1 · England
The final tour of the week blended iconic attractions with local charm. William guided Efrata from the tranquil surroundings of Hoan Kiem Lake to the famous Train Street, where visitors experienced one of Hanoi's most unique urban scenes. The journey continued through Phung Hung Street and the colourful displays of Hang Ma Street, known for its festive decorations and traditional crafts. It was a wonderful ending to a week filled with discovery, cultural exchange, and unforgettable Hanoi experiences.
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