Vietnam · Asia

Custom tours to Hanoi

A capital with 36 streets and as many recipes.

From 1,600/person·Best: October–December, March–April
Photo by Ama Journey on Pexels

What is a custom tour to Hanoi?

A custom tour to Hanoi is a private, fully personalized itinerary built around your dates, interests, and budget. Instead of following a fixed group schedule, you work with a local expert to choose experiences like Old Quarter 36-streets walking tour, Water puppetry private show, and Temple of Literature with a historian. Travelers typically spend 7–10 days in Hanoi, visiting in October–December, March–April, with custom tours starting from around €1,600 per person.

A custom tour to Hanoi is not the same trip as a package. It's designed around you — your pace, your interests, your dates — with a local partner who lives there and knows which streets are worth the walk and which are worth skipping. A custom Hanoi tour starts with pho at 7am on a plastic stool in the Old Quarter, books an afternoon with a water-puppet master, and overnights on a Halong Bay junk where you wake to limestone karsts in fog.

Hanoi sits in Vietnam in Asia, and rewards travelers who go beyond the highlights. Our custom itineraries start with the icons — Old Quarter 36-streets walking tour and Pho and bun cha breakfast crawl — then pivot to the kind of local moments that make a trip memorable: a morning with a private guide, a quiet hour at Halong Bay overnight before the crowds arrive, and an evening chosen just for you.

Plan for October–December, March–April as the best window to visit. A one-week custom trip starts from €1,600 per person, including private guides, curated hotels, and flexible transport — peak weeks cost more, shoulder months less. Hanoi still offers excellent value compared to comparable destinations.

When is the best time to visit Hanoi?

Our recommended months are October–December, March–April. Here's a month-by-month view with planning notes.

Jan
Low season — best availability and value.
Feb
Low season; quiet and often cheaper.
Mar
Recommended
Shoulder; weather improves.
Apr
Recommended
Shoulder; ideal weather begins.
May
High shoulder; book early.
Jun
Peak; great weather, higher prices.
Jul
Peak; crowded but vibrant.
Aug
Peak; holiday month in much of Europe.
Sep
High shoulder; our favorite month.
Oct
Recommended
Shoulder; lovely light and smaller crowds.
Nov
Low shoulder; quiet and atmospheric.
Dec
Recommended
Low season except Christmas and NYE.

Top experiences in Hanoi

Hand-picked moments from our local operators. Every custom tour includes a selection of these, or something better if we find it.

Experience 1
Old Quarter 36-streets walking tour
Reserved, not shared. A private expert guide, a pace that matches you, and access that group tours can't book.
Experience 2
Pho and bun cha breakfast crawl
A curated experience at the heart of why travelers choose Hanoi. Tailored to your interests, led by a local expert.
Experience 3
Water puppetry private show
Reserved, not shared. A private expert guide, a pace that matches you, and access that group tours can't book.
Experience 4
Halong Bay overnight junk
The best version of this experience happens after the day-trippers leave. Booked at the golden hour with a local.
Experience 5
Temple of Literature with a historian
A historian-led private visit with skip-the-line access. Context makes the difference between a photo and a memory.
Experience 6
Perfume Pagoda day trip
A full day outside the city with a private driver-guide. Small roads, local lunches, back for dinner.

Sample itineraries

Two starting points — your real itinerary is custom. We build from here.

7-day classic

  1. 1
    Arrive in Hanoi
    Airport meet-and-greet, check-in, and a relaxed orientation walk in the evening. Welcome dinner at a local favourite.
  2. 2
    Old Quarter 36-streets walking tour
    Morning focus: Old Quarter 36-streets walking tour. Afternoon free — we'll suggest the best coffee spots, bookshops, or a spa slot nearby.
  3. 3
    Pho and bun cha breakfast crawl
    A half-day on Pho and bun cha breakfast crawl, with a long lunch stop built in and the rest of the afternoon yours.
  4. 4
    Water puppetry private show
    Full-day experience: Water puppetry private show. Evening at leisure — or we can arrange an off-menu dinner.
  5. 5
    Halong Bay overnight junk
    Halong Bay overnight junk — often the highlight day for most travelers. Private guide and transport throughout.
  6. 6
    Temple of Literature with a historian
    Temple of Literature with a historian, with an optional food- or culture-focused evening to round things off.
  7. 7
    Departure
    Late check-out, farewell breakfast, and a private transfer to the airport.

14-day deep dive

  1. 1
    Arrive in Hanoi
    Private airport transfer, check-in, welcome dinner at a curated restaurant.
  2. 2
    Old Quarter 36-streets walking tour
    Half-day on Old Quarter 36-streets walking tour. Afternoon free to settle in.
  3. 3
    Pho and bun cha breakfast crawl
    Full day: Pho and bun cha breakfast crawl, with a long lunch in a neighbourhood you'd never have found alone.
  4. 4
    Local pace day
    A slower day — coffee, markets, a cooking class, or a spa afternoon. Your call.
  5. 5
    Water puppetry private show
    Water puppetry private show, with time built in for photos and a leisurely stop.
  6. 6
    Half-day leisure
    Sleep in, breakfast slowly, and pick one short activity in the afternoon.
  7. 7
    Halong Bay overnight junk
    A full day centred on Halong Bay overnight junk.
  8. 8
    Regional extension — travel day
    Transfer to a nearby area chosen for your interests (coast, countryside, or another city).
  9. 9
    Regional extension — highlight
    The signature experience of your extension, with a local guide.
  10. 10
    Regional extension — free
    An open day in the extension — beach, hike, market, or just rest.
  11. 11
    Return to base
    Travel back to Hanoi. Afternoon free.
  12. 12
    Temple of Literature with a historian
    Temple of Literature with a historian — saved for later in the trip, now that you know the city.
  13. 13
    Perfume Pagoda day trip
    Perfume Pagoda day trip on your last full day, with a farewell dinner to match.
  14. 14
    Departure
    Private transfer to the airport. We stay in touch after you return.

Practical information

Visa
e-Visa (US$25) for most travelers
Currency
Vietnamese dong (VND)
Language
Vietnamese
Timezone
ICT (UTC+7)

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Hanoi?+

The best time to visit Hanoi is October–December, March–April. These months offer the best balance of weather, availability, and pricing. Peak holiday weeks cost more and get crowded; shoulder months are often our favorite.

How many days do I need in Hanoi?+

Most travelers spend 5–8 days in Hanoi as a single destination, or 10–14 days when combining with nearby regions. A custom tour lets you stretch or compress based on what you want to see.

Do I need a visa to visit Hanoi?+

e-Visa (US$25) for most travelers. Requirements change — always check with the local consulate or your country's travel advisory before booking flights.

How much does a custom tour to Hanoi cost?+

Mid-range custom tours to Hanoi start from around €1,600 per person for a 7-day trip including accommodation, private guides, and transport. Luxury and adventure packages scale from there.

What should I pack for Hanoi?+

Packing depends on season and activities, but always include comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing for temperature shifts, a universal adapter, and respectful clothing for religious sites. Your custom itinerary comes with a tailored packing list.

People also ask

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