Booked 2 tours with HanoiKids, a half-day upon our arrival in Hanoi and then a full-day tour the next day.
The main objective of HanoiKids is to enable the “kids” (usually university students) to practice their conversational English while taking foreigners around Hanoi. You are at liberty to choose your own itinerary or take their recommendations or mix them.
We highly recommend engaging the HanoiKids as you get to meet the future leaders of Vietnam, engage them in conversation and understand their passion for their city. It’s a pity we don’t have this concept anywhere else, even in Ho Chi Minh City.
A special thanks to Mai (nickname) who took care of us on the first day, taught us how to cross Hanoi streets, introduced us to Bun Cha and told us where to buy Vietnamese coffee.
Another big thanks to S (nickname) who showed us how passionate she is about her country and towards children, took us around by taxi, shared a meal at a KOTO training restaurant (for disadvantaged children) with us and then took us to a local iced fruit yogurt stall to chill.
We learnt a lot about Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular and look forward to keeping in touch with them.
Sure, you don’t get professional tour guide (with their corny jokes) 5-star service and move around in air-conditioned transport but you get real Hanoi youths sharing their passion with you. We saw a side of Hanoi that the professional tour agencies will not take us to unless you pay through your nose to get a personal guide to take you around.
For my wife and I, we will choose this way 10 times out of 10 times.
Please do book early to avoid disappointment.
You can book hanoikids tripadvisor
“The best way to explore Hanoi”
Reviewed 16 August 2016
We booked two half day trips with Hanoi Kids and were very impressed by the value and service.
On our first day we explored Temple of Literature and Hoa La Prison with Linh (Pea Pea) and Moon. Both girls were knowledgeable and friendly. They even took us to a great coffee shop called Cong Caphe afterwards and used their own vouchers to save us money on the drinks which I thought was very selfless and kind.
On our second day we went to Ho Chih Minh Complex and Museum of Ethnology with Phoenix and Hye (unsure of spelling of this name). Both were also great guides. We left a camera in a taxi and they managed to get it back to us straight away.
The best thing about using these guides is that they give you a genuine insight into everyday life in Hanoi. You learn a lot more and provide a seamless service without even asking for a profit. They are also very genuinely interested in learning from the tourists and took time to ask us questions about life in England, and seemed to learn from us too which is great. They are truly an asset to the brand and Hanoi more generally!
Highly recommended. Make sure you book well in advance. Not a bad idea to split into 2 half days as you still get a lot done.
“Wonderful hanoikids!”
Tripadvisor Reviewed July 30, 2016
We traveled with young teens and want our boys to interact with local students and choose this tour. And this must be a wonderful experience with them. Our free guide was excellent. She had good knowledge of Hanoi, wonderful English skills. She kept talking about Hanoi and Vietnam history, introducing us best streets food of Hanoi and recommend restaurant, must-see sites basing on our interests. We will recommend this to any to Hanoi!
Visited July 2016
“Free and a Good Way to See City Attractions”
Tripadvisor Reviewed July 18, 2016
I found out about these tours two weeks before I went to Hanoi. Wish I would have found out about them earlier as I was only able to get a half-day tour due to solid bookings. It’s free and a local college student guided me through the Old Quarter visiting an old Vietnamese home, stopping off at the market and a place called Cong for refreshments. It was a great experience for both of us.
My suggestion is to contact them early in your travel planning as they are a very popular free tour that books quickly. All they ask is that you pay their admission fees, buy them coffee, lunch, or dinner and any other small incidentals you might incur on your tour.
Hanoi Free Local Tours
Hanoi Free Walking Tour
Hanoi Motorbike Tour
Hanoi Street Food Tour
