Hanoi Free Walking Tour – The Elegance of the French Quarter
We are a passionate team with a vision of delivering to travellers the best and most exciting experiences in Hanoi. We deliver a platform for professional, fully licenced, tour guides to lead walking and food tours at no upfront cost. Enjoy a quality sightseeing experience whatever your budget. Everyone should be able to enjoy a guided tour for a price they consider appropriate – even free. We believe that all of our representatives offer our unique style of guiding; mixing culture, tradition, history and engaging storytelling, allowing the guides own ability and personality to shine through.
Pickup
Our guide will be waiting for you wearing a green hat with the Free Walking Tours logo and a visible name tag At the statue of the Fallen Heroes, located opposite The Huc Red Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple.
Description
Tour Description
Your Free Tour of Hanoi starts at the Fallen Heroes Monument (Tượng Đài Quyết Tử), a memorial to young Vietnamese who gave their lives in the struggle for independence. Meet your guide here and get a quick orientation to Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem area.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Walk around the legendary lake and hear the tale of the magical Golden Turtle that shaped Hanoi’s myth and memory.
Ngoc Son Temple (view from outside)
Admire this lakeside gem and learn about its spiritual role in local life.
Ly Thai To Statue
Stand before the monument honoring the emperor who founded Hanoi nearly 1,000 years ago.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Pass by the city’s most iconic hotel, where colonial elegance meets history—once host to royalty, writers, and even secret wartime bunkers.
Hanoi Opera House
Marvel at this neoclassical jewel built by the French, a stunning slice of Paris in the heart of Vietnam.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Step into the shadow of Hanoi’s neo-Gothic masterpiece that echoes the grandeur of Notre-Dame in Paris.
And more…
From hidden alleys and quiet courtyards to local legends, this walk peels back the layers of Hanoi’s old-world charm.
Why travelers love this tour
- A clear storyline that connects history, culture, and daily life.
- Insider context you won’t find in guidebooks, shared by a passionate local guide.
- A compact route that covers must-see icons plus meaningful hidden corners.
Practical info
- Duration: ~3 hours.
- This is a free walking tour based on tips—pay what you feel it was worth.
- Please share your WhatsApp so your guide can stay in touch before departure.
- Ngoc Son Temple is viewed from the outside (no entrance fees required).
At the end of the Free Tour of Hanoi, we will either return to our starting point or finish at one of the charming Egg Coffee shops overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake.
Our local guides always keep your best interests in mind. Each tour includes Hanoi’s main highlights, but the route may vary depending on what the guide considers best for the group.
Note: The tour lasts approximately 3 hours. Please share your WhatsApp contact so our guide can easily reach you with important updates before the tour.
- In exceptional cases when participation is very low, the tour might not run. If that happens, you will be informed in advance and we will always do our best to suggest alternatives.