A Hanoi Food Story, Hanoi

It's the whack of chilli in a Banh Mi, the hit of steam from a bowl of Pho, the crackle of grilled pork, the slippery noodles, the fistfuls of fresh herbs. Vietnamese food, if you'll allow us a cliché, is an assault on all of the senses, and maybe some you didn't know you had.  

Anthony Bourdain said the food here has the power to change your life, and we're certainly not going to quarrel with him. Hanoi is one of the world's great food capitals and it deserves a properly guided exploration.  

Our expert local good guide will take you on a journey through the sights, scents, and sounds of the Old Quarter, a neighbourhood known as ‘36 streets’. Weaving through people and motorbikes you’ll duck into hole-in-the-wall restaurants and hidden markets to meet the cooks, chefs, and characters that bring life to the area. 

Visit a family living in a traditional 'tube house' and sample their roasted peanuts, seasoned with aromatic herbs. Follow your guide down winding alleys to try local favourites Pho or Bun Cha- a bowl of rice noodles, fresh herbs, broth and grilled minced pork. 

Chomp through the crispy crust of a mung bean and coconut donut then finish with a Hanoi cappuccino. This coffee dessert is a creamy soft, yellow egg yolk foam perched on coffee. You won't find that in Starbucks. 

This tour works very well as an introduction to Vietnamese cuisine for adventurous foodies. If you've just arrived in Vietnam, it will stand you in good stead for the rest of your tour, alternatively, it can be a treat at the end of a trip for those wanting to remember the real Vietnam before travelling back home.