Half Day Hanoi Experiences - Language & Cuisine

Vietnamese Class:

09:30 AM Start your local experience with a guide who will act as your Vietnamese tutor today. You will visit a coffee shop in a quiet corner in the old quarter of Hanoi, where your guide will start to explain to you the basics of Vietnamese language which you will use as a "survival kit" for your time traveling in Vietnam.

11:30 AM Take the next step of the lesson by pulling over a taxi and tell the driver in a proper Vietnamese phrase, to bring you to restaurant for lunch.

After lunch, wander in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, formerly called the "36 streets" where many street names are given according to the commodities made or sold by the people living there. You will find chances to interact with the local Vietnamese sellers and buy the souvenirs you like, order a wooden stamp carved with your own name. Hanoi has many shops displaying nice items but sometimes you need to discuss in order to have the best buys; practice the Vietnamese you have just learnt and catch more vocabularies from the real life language experiences. Your guide will help by giving you some hints on what to choose from.

Street food tour:

16:00 PM It’s time to discover amazing Hanoian’s cuisin by set out for an exciting walk to seek and find Ha Noi delectable street food. Firstly, search for a small alley to hunt for a bowl of noodle soup, locally known as Bun Thang. This “warm-up” give you some energy to stroll alongside Hoan Kiem Lake before reaching Saint Joseph Cathedral. Only a few steps away, find a seat at a small inn to enjoy Bánh Gối (Pillow shaped crispy dumplings) and the delicately made fish sauce will surely make it tastier.

Keep walking through the Old quarter before stopping by a Banh My stand selling thin baguette styled bread with pate. Your eyes will then be by delighted the colorful and flavorful varieties of O Mai (Salted or Sugared Dried Fruits) in Hang Duong (Sweet) street. O Mai are made from the most common tropical fruits such as star fruit, tamarind, kumquat, pineapple, and mango. Taste, buy and take away as a dessert. Finally, grab a plastic stool on the pavement around Ta Hien, so-called International Crossroad and treat yourself with a cold glass of Bia Hoi, popular draft beer. Have some fun time chatting with your local guide about Vietnam eatings and drinking habits.

Return to hotel or stay longer as you may wish.