Hanoi Jeep Tour: Old Quarter, Train Street & Red River Island

Roll through Hanoi's hidden corners in a vintage Jeep, exploring Old Quarter streets and a working railway line.

A 4-hour Jeep tour of Hanoi with an English-speaking guide covers the Old Quarter, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Train Street, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, B-52 Lake, Tao Sach Pagoda, and Red River Banana Island, ending with a Vietnamese meal at a local restaurant. You ride in an open-air Jeep with a dedicated driver. Choose between a shared group tour or a private Jeep for the same route and inclusions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Hanoi city highlights and local gems

• Visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral
• Explore Hanoi Old Quarter
• Watch trains at Train Street
• Pass by Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area
• See John McCain Monument
• Visit Red River Banana Island
• Visit Tao Sach Pagoda near West Lake
• See B52 Lake wreckage
• Enjoy lunch at Bun Cha Ta restaurant
• Try Hanoi’s famous egg coffee

The experience

The tour starts in an open-air Jeep and moves through Hanoi's most layered neighborhoods without the constraint of a walking pace. St. Joseph's Cathedral, built in 1886 with neo-Gothic towers and stained glass, sits in the heart of the Old Quarter: a district where each street once specialized in a single trade, and the narrow lanes still hold that character. Train Street is the stop most people come for: a working railway runs inches from local homes and cafés, and you watch the train pass while sitting at street level, coffee in hand, experiencing the rhythm of daily life that tourists rarely see from a distance.

The route then moves through the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, where the Presidential Palace, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and National Assembly Building cluster around the mausoleum itself: the political and historical center of the city. B-52 Lake (also called Huu Tiep Lake) holds the wreckage of an American B-52 bomber shot down in 1972, still visible in the water. It's a stark reminder of Hanoi's wartime past. Tao Sach Pagoda, a peaceful ancient temple near West Lake, offers a shift in pace: traditional Vietnamese architecture and a serene atmosphere where locals come to pray and meditate.

Red River Banana Island is the rural counterpoint: a green oasis in the middle of the river where you meet local farmers tending banana farms and vegetable gardens, a quiet pocket of village life minutes from the Old Quarter's noise. The tour wraps with an authentic Vietnamese meal at a Michelin-selected restaurant, serving bún chả (grilled pork with rice noodles, fresh herbs and dipping sauce) a dish that defines Hanoi's street food culture. The 4-hour pace means you move without rushing, and the open-air Jeep keeps you close to the sights and sounds instead of sealed behind glass.

What’s included

• Open-air vintage Jeep with an experienced driver.
• English-speaking guide throughout the tour.
• Vietnamese meal at a local Michelin-selected restaurant.
• visits to St. Joseph's Cathedral, the Old Quarter, Train Street, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, B-52 Lake, Tao Sach Pagoda and Red River Banana Island.

Options for this experience

4 options

Shared jeep tour of the city, 2 hoursGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 17:002-hour tour where meals and coffee are not included but snacks and tea at a local farmhouse are, covering city highlights, a visit to Train Street and hidden gems, in a military jeep with an English-speaking guide, and pickup included

Shared tour by jeep lasting 4 hoursUp to 15 people · Guide in English · 08:00, 12:30 and 17:00Small group tour with a maximum of 7 people, lasting 4 hours, with a local lunch and a drink, a military jeep and driver, an English-speaking guide, and pickup included

Private 4-hour jeep tourUp to 6 people · Guide in English · 08:00, 12:30 and 17:004-hour tour with one local meal (lunch or dinner) and one drink, with tickets included, covering city highlights, Train Street and the countryside, in a vintage jeep with driver, an English-speaking guide, and pickup included

3-hour jeep city tour, privateUp to 6 people · Guide in English · 08:00, 09:00, 13:00 and 17:00Private city highlights and countryside tour lasting 3 hours, covering city highlights, Train Street and the countryside, with snacks, a military jeep and driver, an English-speaking guide, and pickup included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 17:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (6 to 90 years) · Child (under 6): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by VIBE HANOI TOURS

Is this one for you?Choose the shared group tour if you're comfortable with other travelers and want the standard route at a lower price. Pick the private Jeep if you prefer the flexibility to move at your own pace and have the guide's attention focused on your group alone. Both cover the same stops and include the meal, so the choice is really about whether you want company or solitude on the ride.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 6): free.

What is Train Street in Hanoi and why do people visit it?

Train Street is a working railway that runs just inches from local homes and cafés in Hanoi. Visitors sit at street level, sip coffee, and watch the train pass by. It's a rare chance to experience daily life up close in a spot where the city's rhythm is visible and immediate.

Does the tour include a meal, and what will I eat?

Yes, the 4-hour tour includes an authentic Vietnamese meal at a Michelin-selected restaurant serving bún chả (grilled pork with rice noodles, fresh herbs and dipping sauce) one of Hanoi's signature dishes.

Can I book this tour as a private Jeep instead of a shared group?

Yes, you can choose between a shared group Jeep or a private Jeep for the same 4-hour route, stops and meal. The private option gives you the Jeep and driver to yourself.

What is Red River Banana Island and what happens there?

Red River Banana Island is a peaceful rural area in the middle of the Red River, known for banana farms and vegetable gardens. On the tour, you visit to meet local farmers and experience village life (a quiet contrast to the Old Quarter) just minutes away from the city center.

Does the tour visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum itself?

The tour covers the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, where you see the mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly Building (the city's political and historical center), though the focus is on the landmarks and architecture rather than entry to the mausoleum.

What is B-52 Lake and why is it on the tour?

B-52 Lake (Huu Tiep Lake) holds the wreckage of an American B-52 bomber shot down during the Vietnam War in 1972, still visible in the water. It's a historical landmark that reflects Hanoi's wartime past and resilience.