Walking Tours and Cultural Excursions in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Walking Tours and Cultural Excursions in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

G’day, fellow travellers! Aussie Mates here with my better half, Tracy. After calling Vietnam home for nearly two decades, we’ve worn through more pairs of walking shoes than I care to count. There’s something special about exploring Vietnam’s bustling cities on foot that no air-conditioned tour bus can match. Today, I’m sharing our insider knowledge on the best walking tours and cultural excursions in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City that’ll give you Aussie boomers an authentic taste of Vietnam.

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Why Walking Tours Beat Bus Tours Hands Down

Let me tell you, mates, nothing beats exploring Vietnam’s cities on foot. Tracy and I learned this lesson early on. You simply can’t smell the simmering pho, hear the symphony of street vendors, or feel the pulse of daily life from behind a bus window. Walking puts you right in the thick of it—where real Vietnam unfolds around you.

Plus, at our age, it’s a bonza way to keep fit while travelling! We’ve found that walking 5-10km a day exploring these cities is the perfect antidote to all those delicious Vietnamese meals we can’t resist sampling.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter: A Maze Worth Getting Lost In

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a 1,000-year-old trading district that’s essentially an open-air museum. Tracy and I first wandered these streets in 2004, and we still discover something new every time we visit.

• The 36 Streets: Named after the goods once sold there—Silver Street (Hang Bac), Silk Street (Hang Gai), etc.
• Ancient architecture: French colonial buildings beside traditional tube houses
• Street food heaven: Try the bun cha (the same dish Obama enjoyed with Anthony Bourdain)

For first-timers, I recommend booking a “Hanoi Street Food Tour” through companies like Hanoi Free Walking Tours or Vietnam Awesome Travel. These tours typically cost about 20-25 USD and include food tastings. Fair dinkum value, if you ask me!

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Hanoi Cultural Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss

Beyond the Old Quarter, Hanoi offers cultural experiences that’ll give you proper insight into Vietnam’s rich history and traditions.

The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) is Vietnam’s first national university, established in 1070. Tracy and I visit during the less crowded early mornings. The peaceful courtyards and gardens make it hard to believe you’re in a city of 8 million people.

For a sobering but important experience, visit Hoa Lo Prison (nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton” by American POWs). It tells two stories—French colonial brutality against Vietnamese prisoners and later, the housing of American pilots during the Vietnam War.

Don’t miss the water puppet shows at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. These unique performances date back to the 11th century when villagers entertained themselves when rice fields flooded. Book tickets a few days ahead—they sell out quick smart!

Ho Chi Minh City: Where History Meets Modern Hustle

Down south, Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by many locals) offers a completely different vibe from Hanoi. It’s more modern, faster-paced, and showcases Vietnam’s economic boom.

Tracy and I love starting our HCMC exploration in District 1, the historical heart of the city. The French colonial architecture is a beauty to behold—the Saigon Central Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, the Eiffel Tower bloke) and the stunning Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon stand as testaments to the city’s complex history.

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Walking Tours in Ho Chi Minh City Worth Your Time

One of our favourite walking tours is the “Secrets of Saigon” tour by Saigon Free Walking Tours. These tours are led by university students eager to practice English, resulting in some ripper conversations. While technically “free,” we always tip generously—these young guides put their hearts into sharing their city.

For history buffs (which includes yours truly), the War Remnants Museum provides confronting but essential insights into the Vietnam War—or as it’s known locally, the American War. It’s a heavy experience, but understanding this period helps you appreciate modern Vietnam’s resilience.

Afterwards, lighten the mood with a stroll through Ben Thanh Market. Tracy has become a pro at bargaining here over the years. Her top tip: smile, be respectful, and always be prepared to walk away. That’s when the real deals appear!

Off-the-Beaten-Path Cultural Excursions

If you’ve got time up your sleeve, venture beyond the usual tourist trails. In Hanoi, we recommend exploring the West Lake area, particularly the serene Tran Quoc Pagoda at sunset. It’s the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Cholon (District 5) is the city’s Chinatown and one of our favourite spots to wander. The Binh Tay Market and numerous Chinese temples offer a different cultural dimension to your Vietnam experience. Fair warning though—it’s properly chaotic, but that’s half the fun!

[IMAGE:cholon-market]

Tips for Aussie Boomers on Foot in Vietnam

After countless walking tours with visiting friends from Down Under, Tracy and I have compiled these essential tips:

• Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes—Vietnam’s pavements can be uneven and sometimes non-existent
• Start early to beat the heat (and crowds)
• Carry water, a hat, sunscreen, and a small umbrella (for sun or sudden downpours)
• Learn basic Vietnamese phrases—locals appreciate the effort
• Crossing roads is an art form—move steadily and predictably, don’t rush or stop suddenly
• Take regular breaks in local cafes—Vietnamese coffee is world-class

When to Book Guided vs. Self-Guided Tours

While Tracy and I now navigate these cities confidently on our own, we still recommend guided tours for first-time visitors. A good guide provides context that transforms what you’re seeing from interesting to meaningful.

For self-guided adventures, download maps.me or the Vietnam Tourism app before setting out. Both work offline and have saved us from getting properly lost more times than I can count!

Wrapping It Up: Our Final Thoughts

Whether you’re dodging motorbikes in Hanoi’s ancient alleys or admiring French architecture in Ho Chi Minh City, walking tours offer the most authentic way to experience Vietnam’s urban centres. As Tracy always says, “In Vietnam, the journey between destinations often becomes the highlight.”

After nearly 20 years here, we’re still discovering new corners of these fascinating cities. That’s the beauty of Vietnam—it keeps revealing itself layer by layer, especially to those willing to explore on foot.

So lace up those walking shoes, pack a sense of adventure, and prepare to fall in love with Vietnam’s captivating cities. As we Aussies say, it’ll be a rippa of an experience!

Cheers and safe travels,

Aussie Mates & Tracy