Hanoi Old Quarter: Vegan street food tour with local guide

Summary

Let Hanoi’s vegan flavors & stories surprise you

You’ll taste up to ten different vegan dishes across Hanoi’s Old Quarter, wander tiny alleys with a local guide, hear stories of language and history, and share laughs over sugarcane juice or fresh beer—moments you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

You know that moment when you’re not sure if you’re lost or just somewhere new? That’s how I felt stepping into the Old Quarter with our guide, Linh. The air was thick with the smell of fried onions and something sweet — maybe sugarcane juice. Scooters zipped past, and Linh just grinned, waving us down a lane so narrow my shoulders brushed both sides. She said this was the “longest alley in Hanoi,” but honestly, it felt more like a secret passage than a street.

First stop: sticky rice from Xoi Yen. It came in a little bowl, warm and soft under crispy onions. I tried to say thank you in Vietnamese (Li laughed — I probably butchered it), and we sat on tiny stools watching people haggle over fruit at the market next door. There was this old man selling papaya salad who winked at us as we passed by. The salad was tangy and cold, with herbs I couldn’t name but still think about now.

We wandered between bites — banh mi with chili sauce here, doughnuts dusted with sesame there — and Linh told us about the Vietnamese language, how words change tone depending on mood or context. At some point she pointed out a hidden temple tucked behind laundry lines. I wouldn’t have noticed it if she hadn’t stopped mid-sentence to gesture at the faded doorway.

I didn’t expect to feel so connected just by sharing food and stories with strangers (and a few locals who joined in for sugarcane juice). By the end, my hands were sticky from coconut ice cream and my head full of new words. If you’re looking for a vegan street food tour in Hanoi that actually feels real — not just photos for Instagram — this is it. I still remember the way Linh smiled when she handed me that last bowl of noodles.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Vegan Street Food & Hanoi Stories

• Visit local vegan-friendly street food spots
• Taste up to 10 unique vegan dishes
• Walk through Hanoi Old Quarter
• Explore tiniest and longest alley
• Visit hidden temple
• Learn about Vietnamese language and history

Top questions

How many vegan dishes do we try on this tour?

You’ll try up to ten different vegan dishes unique to Hanoi.

Is all food included in the price?

Yes, all food and drinks are included along with your local guide.

Does this vegan street food tour include drinks?

Yes, drinks like sugarcane juice, green tea, lemonade, fresh beer are included.

How big is each group on this tour?

This is a small-group experience for up to eight people.

Is pickup included for this day trip?

No hotel pickup; you meet in the Old Quarter where the tour starts.

Are infants or children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; strollers are allowed.

Is this vegan street food tour suitable for solo travelers?

Yes, solo travelers are welcome—you’ll be in good company.

Do we visit any hidden places during the tour?

Yes, you’ll explore hidden alleys and even visit a tucked-away temple.

What’s included

Your experience includes all snacks and meals (up to ten vegan dishes), drinks like sugarcane juice or fresh beer, plus stories and guiding from a friendly local as you walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter—no extra costs along the way.