O Quan Chuong to Hang Bac: Hanoi's 36 Streets by Mouth

The Old Quarter is thirty-six streets, and each one was named for the trade that worked it. Hang Bac is silver. You can still guess which street you are on from the noise coming out of it.

This walk uses that as its shape. It starts at O Quan Chuong, the only city gate of old Hanoi still standing, built as a watchtower under the Nguyen and named for the officer who died defending it against the French.

Then six to eight street food vendors across three hours, some in small restaurants and some on the pavement, which is where most of the good ones are. Egg coffee is included, and there is a secret café with a night view over Hoan Kiem Lake.

It ends on Hang Bac with one of the better desserts in the city.

Everything on the route is Vietnamese cooking with the French and Chinese influences still visible in it, and the guide explains where each came from.

Up to fifteen people, in English. All the food, the drinks and the egg coffee are included. The route is wheelchair accessible.