The 12 Best Walking Tours in Vietnam for History and Culture Appreciation
If you want to have a better understanding of a place, the best way to explore is by foot. And by doing so, you’ll only realize that there’s more than meets the eye, and every street tells a story.
That’s especially true in Vietnam. There’s just a lot to see and appreciate that you can never fully catch from a car window.
That’s why walking tours in Vietnam are popular. They’re slower, more immersive, and you’ll get your steps in for the day, too!
1 Crossing Vietnam Tour – Hà Nội
Media credit: Crossing Vietnam Tour
Website: http://www.crossingvietnamtour.com/
Address: 12 P. Hàng Vải, Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Phone: +84387665555
Crossing Vietnam Tours offers walking tours from Hà Nội’s Old Quarter to Saigon, led by English-speaking guides with deep knowledge of Vietnam’s heritage and culture.
The best part? You can choose your preferred destination and focus—it can be food, architecture, hidden spots, or even wartime history; it’s up to you!
Many tourists love this feature because it gives them more freedom compared to group options.
They also offer package tours where they’ll take you to different landmark locations. Some of these package tours even last for days and even weeks!
Pro tip:
You can ask for lesser-known routes or attractions if you want to discover hidden spots or vibrant neighborhoods tourists usually miss.
2. Hanoi Free Walking Tours – Hà Nội
Media credit: Hanoi Free Walking Tours
Website: https://www.hanoifreewalkingtours.com/
Address: 23 P. Mã Mây, Phố cổ Hà Nội, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone: +84933190483
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Free Walking Tours Hanoi is run by local university students who want to share their love for Hà Nội. It’s a great way to explore the city without spending much.
Despite being free and run by students, the guides are professional. They always bring quirky and interesting facts with them about the stories of daily life, student culture, and the “living city” perspective.
And since the tour is free, feel free to leave them a tip!
The areas covered in this tour are the Hà Nội Old Quarter, War Sites, and various old temples.
Pro tip:
While the tour itself is free, the entrance to temples and museums is not, so don’t come with an empty pocket.
3. Free Walking Tours Hà Nội
Media credit: Free Walking Tours Hanoi
Website: http://freewalkingtourshanoi.com/
Address: P. Cảm Hội/8B5 P. Lò Đúc, Đống Mác, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội
Phone: +84971986466
Operating hours: 24 hours
Not to be confused with the student-led group above, Free Walking Tours Hà Nội is another dedicated team that takes travelers on an enriching experience through the city’s memorial spots.
They offer professionally guided walking tours and food tours at no upfront cost, so everyone can enjoy sightseeing regardless of budget.
One tour cycle lasts for 2.5 to 3 hours, and you’ll get to see the city’s architecture, bustling markets, and old temples. Impressively, the tours are offered in English, Spanish, and German.
Pro tip:
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes; the walking paths in Hà Nội can be painfully uneven.
4. Hue Free Walking Tours – Thành phố Huế
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Website: https://www.huefreewalkingtour.com/
Address: 26 Võ Thị Sáu, Phú Hội, Huế, Thành phố Huế
Phone: +84376712924
Operating hours: 24 hours
Hue Free Walking Tours offers the chance to explore Hue, the ancient imperial capital, on foot. It’s led by students and volunteers who will take you on a trip to learn more about the city’s royal past – including stops at the Imperial City and Thien Mu Pagoda.
It’s a slow-paced tour, and the guides are well-versed in the facts about their hometown.
They also offer a walking food tour that lasts for three hours and starts at 6 pm daily.
Pro tip:
The Imperial City Tour is only hosted twice a day: 9 am and 2 pm. The whole tour lasts for three hours, so make sure to wear comfortable clothing, as the city gets hot and humid.
5. Free Walking Tours by Detour Asia – Hồ Chí Minh
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Website: https://detourasia.com/tour/ho-chi-minh-city-walking-tour/
Address: 36 Đ. Hồ Tùng Mậu, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
Phone: +84912388676
This tour will provide a comprehensive guide to the rich history and insights into the city’s transformation over the past decade, including many interesting routes that visitors usually miss.
People love this tour because the guides are fun and interactive. And during the tour, they will give you a list of recommendations on places to eat and visit.
One of their popular tours is the “Vietnam War Essentials,” where tourists will be taken to explore and delve into the city’s wartime past. You’ll be guided through hidden bunkers, sacred monuments, and iconic landmarks.
Pro tip:
If you’re unsure about which tour to take, you can get in touch with them and they’ll give you a proposal based on your travel style and preferences – for free!
6. Hanoi Street Food Tour – Hà Nội
Media credit: Hanoi Street Food Tour
Website: https://www.hanoistreetfoodtour.com/
Address: 78a Đ. Trần Nhật Duật, Đồng Xuân, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone: +84966960188
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
If you’re a foodie and want to explore the street food scene in Hà Nội, this tour will take you through Hà Nội’s Old Quarter, where you’ll find local delicacies such as phở, bánh mì, and egg coffee.
The guides will not only explain the ingredients and preparation methods but will also share the history of each dish.
In addition to food tastings, you’ll also get to visit local markets and street vendors. And the best thing is, you can choose whether to take a private tour or join a group for the tours.
Pro tip:
We don’t recommend bringing children on this tour. The tour involves walking back and forth across streets, and it also includes a stop at the famous train street. It could be risky to bring them along.
7. Hoi An Walking Tour with Bao – Hội An
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Website: https://web.facebook.com/HoianwalkingtourwithBao
Address: 109 Bà Triệu, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam
Phone: +84368311458
Bao is a local guide who leads small groups through Hội An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sharing stories and insights that bring the town’s heritage to life.
Bao is also a culture lover and loves to explore places wherever he goes, and he took that passion to guide people through the rich heritage of the town.
The tour cost VND 650,000 and includes the tour guide fee, entrance tickets, water, and a free lunch where you’ll have Quảng Noodles (a local dish made of rice noodles, pork, and fresh veggies).
At the end of the tour, you’ll get the chance to try the local delicacies in town. It’s also a great opportunity to converse with the guide and ask questions you may have about the town.
Pro tip:
The tour only occurs once a day, starting at 8:30 am until 12:00 pm. It can get hot, so make sure to wear comfortable clothes and bring some shade. (Don’t forget your sunscreen!)
Hoàng Walking City Tour – Hồ Chí Minh
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Website: http://hoangvantravel.com/
Address: Tao Đàn park, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
Phone: +84389724480
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
This tour will take you to see the French colonial architecture and the Vietnamese heritage in the city of Hồ Chí Minh.
You’ll go through iconic landmarks including the Central Post Office, the Notre-Dame Central Basilica of Saigon, and the Independence Palace.
And as you stroll through the streets, you’ll encounter villas, local markets, and beautiful parks. You’ll also get to engage with local vendors and artisans, and if you get lucky, you might even score free samples of local delicacies!
It’s a great opportunity to learn about how many locals earn their living; it’s surely a heartwarming and educational experience.
Pro tip:
If you want a seamless transition from the walking tour to your accommodation, you can also hire the agency to provide you with hotel services. They’ll offer you options according to your preference and budget.
9. Saigon Back Alley Tours – Hồ Chí Minh
Media credit: Harry Asnien
Website: https://saigonbackalleytours.com/
Address: 200/25A, Xóm Chiếu, Phường 16, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
Phone: +84909553106
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 7:30 am – 9:00 pm
You might be thinking this is another tour in Saigon, but hear us out – this one’s a little different.
This is not a tour across the popular spots and landmarks in the city, but instead, it will take you to explore the underrated places that many tourists tend to overlook during their visit.
The walking tour is a private food tour at night, where your guide will take you to try the local delicacies.
The menu also changes depending on the date, time, and availability of the food stops. Some of the delicacies that you will never miss are the rich noodle dishes and Vietnamese sandwiches.
Pro tip:
If you’re staying within Districts 1, 3, and 4, the agency offers a free pickup and drop-off. For other districts, the agency will charge a small fee.
10. Xin Chao Private Vietnam Tours – Nationwide
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Website: https://privatevietnamtourguide.com/
Address: 502/11/22, 502/11/44 Huỳnh Tấn Phát, Bình Thuận, Quận 7, Hồ Chí Minh
Phone: +84989600511
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
If you want a walking tour that’s tailored to your preferences, we suggest considering Xin Chao.
Xin Chao provides customized private tours with professional service at reasonable prices. It’s up to you if you want a multi-day or just a half-day trip.
Just tell them what you want, and they’ll make the perfect itinerary for you!
This is a solid choice if you want full control of your destinations, but if you’re unsure of your itinerary, they also have a list of their own packages.
Pro tip:
Make sure you communicate in advance with the agency. Not just about the destinations but also about your dietary preferences, mobility needs, and interests.
11. Ramble Worldwide – Nationwide
Media credit: Ramble Worldwide
Website: https://www.rambleworldwide.co.uk/asia-and-australasia/vietnam
Phone: 01707 818902
If you want a more structured walking tour, Ramble offers special tours that will traverse Vietnam’s diverse landscapes.
Expect moderate to challenging hikes, as you will not only take on the streets but also some of the natural wonders, such as the terraced rice fields of Sapa. It’s not only the views, but the activities will literally take your breath away.
The tours are led by professional guides, and the best thing about this is that they commit to responsible tourism. This means they make sure that local communities benefit from these tours.
If you’re flying to Vietnam, you can get a complete package with Ramble, which includes round-trip tickets, ensuite accommodation, airport transfers, and more.
Pro tip:
Make sure you’re physically ready for the hikes and have quality walking gear for a comfortable journey. And don’t forget to book early! You’ll get a special discount if you book six months in advance.
12. Saigon Walks – Hồ Chí Minh
Media credit: Saigon Walks
Website: https://saigonwalks.com/
Address: 55 Bis Đ. Nguyễn Văn Thủ, Đa Kao, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
Phone: +84834391331
Operating hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
The “Tales of Cho Lon” 2-hour tour is the most popular among tourists. It explores the history, food, and culture of Chợ Lớn and how the Vietnam-influenced Chinese culture is different from the Chinese cultures in other countries.
Aside from the educational sightseeing of the landmarks, you’ll also get to experience coffee tasting at the old market and food tasting at Bến Thành Market.
It’s a great way to dive into the multi-faceted history of Hồ Chí Minh City. And if you love Saigon and want to learn more about the history, remarkable landmarks, and hidden spots, taking this tour is a great start.
Pro tip:
Choose your theme wisely, the one that aligns most with your personal interests. They keep the groups small, sometimes just 2–6 people. So if you want to secure a spot, it’s best to book early.