Hanoi in 1 Day for Friends - Meet at 3B Hàng Tre in the Old Quarter
In Collaboration with Hanoi Backstreet Tours . Updated on January 31, 2026.
Afternoon Jeep tour around Hanoi’s Old Quarter, backstreets and Red River countryside with a stop at Bat Trang pottery village. Social, photo-ready, and full of local food and hands-on experiences — built from the original Hanoi Backstreet Jeep Tour agenda.
This itinerary was created in collaboration with Hanoi Backstreet Tours , inspired by the tour Hanoi Backstreet Jeep Tour : Hanoi HIGHTLIGHTS and HIDDEN GEMS. Please check the tour information during your booking process.
Highlights
- Meet at 3B Hàng Tre in the Old Quarter
- Jeep ride through Hanoi backstreets and local markets
- Quick visits to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature and Hoan Kiem Lake
- Cross the Red River and explore Bat Trang pottery village
- Local food tastes including egg coffee and bun cha
Itinerary
Day 1
Afternoon start (12:30) — meet in the Old Quarter, explore backstreets by Jeep, sample local food, quick city highlights, then cross the Red River to Bat Trang pottery village before returning to the Old Quarter.
Meet & Briefing — Meeting point at 3B Hàng Tre (Old Quarter)
Meet your guide and driver at the alley entrance on Hàng Tre for quick introductions, safety briefing, and boarding the vintage Vietnam Army jeep. Confirm pickup/drop-off plans and safety gear (helmets/rain ponchos) here.
Tips from local experts:
- Bring a lightweight bag — jeeps have limited secure storage; keep valuables with you.
- There are a few steps down into the alley; if anyone in your group needs level access, ask the guide to meet on the street rather than inside the alley.
- Grab a quick group selfie by the narrow alley entrance — the contrast of colonial-era facades makes an instant social-media favourite.
Jeep ride through Old Quarter backstreets & local alleys (Dong Nhan area)
Drive and short walks through the maze of Hanoi backstreets: tiny alleyways, local homes, neighborhood markets and daily life scenes — ideal for candid photos and discovering hidden corners tourists often miss.
Tips from local experts:
- Keep your camera ready for candid street moments; ask permission before photographing people up close.
- For groups, split into two photo-vantage sides of the jeep for varied shots (left/right views of markets and riverbanks).
- Wear comfortable shoes for 10–15 minute alley walks — surfaces can be uneven and narrow.
Street-food lunch — Bun Cha Hương Liên (quick local favourite)
Short stop to taste bun cha (grilled pork & noodles) — a classic Hanoi dish — and sample the tour’s included egg coffee. Fast service and big flavours make this a perfect social meal for friends.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask for smaller portions if you want to try multiple street snacks later — portions can be generous for groups.
- Egg coffee here is a must-try: mix a bit with the coffee and take a spoonful for the richest taste.
- If anyone in your group has dietary needs, ask for fewer chillies — staff are used to adjusting spice levels for foreign guests.
Quick stop — Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum exterior & Ba Dinh Square
Drive past and take photos of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square. This is a short exterior stop (entrance queues and dress code may prohibit longer visits), good for history-minded friends and iconic photos.
Tips from local experts:
- You can photograph the exterior and the changing-of-guard area; interior access requires strict dress code and longer lines.
- Keep conversations low and observe signs — this is a respectful national site.
- If the mausoleum is closed for maintenance (common on Mondays/Fridays/holidays), your guide will provide historical context and extra photo angles nearby.
Visit — Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) quick tour
A short guided stroll through the Temple of Literature — Vietnam’s first university — highlighting traditional Vietnamese architecture, stone stelae, and serene courtyards.
Tips from local experts:
- This site is surprisingly calm; use the courtyard for relaxed group portraits framed by bonsai and red lacquer pillars.
- Wear respectful clothing (shoulders/knees covered) — it's a cultural site with modesty expectations.
- Listen for local students or families visiting; the temple is an excellent spot for candid cultural photos.
Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngọc Sơn Temple — romantic photo stop
Quick lakeside walk and view of Ngọc Sơn Temple on the little island — a scenic spot for group photos and a short rest before heading to the countryside.
Tips from local experts:
- Aim for the bridge approach for best group photos with the temple and lake in the background.
- If you want to buy small local souvenirs, the vendors near the lake have simple keepsakes perfect for group gifts.
- Keep an eye on your belongings — the area is lively; tuck cameras and phones close when stopping near busy walkways.
Cross the Red River — drive over Long Biên Bridge toward the countryside
Scenic drive across Long Biên Bridge (designed by Eiffel’s company) to reach the Red River’s quieter banks and on toward Bat Trang village — enjoy riverside views from the jeep.
Tips from local experts:
- Seating on the right side of the jeep gives the best outward views of the Red River during the crossing.
- Long Biên Bridge is noisy and photogenic — open-air shots can be dramatic, so hold cameras securely.
- If anyone gets motion-sick on bridges, step out for fresh air on arrival — countryside roads are calm and restorative.
Bat Trang Pottery Village — hands-on visit with an artisan family
Explore Bat Trang, Vietnam’s famous ceramics village: watch pottery demonstrations, try shaping a small piece (hands-on option), and browse local kilns and workshops.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask to try the wheel — artisans often allow a quick demo for groups (bring clothes you don't mind dusting clay on).
- Bring small cash for buying unique pieces; bargain politely and expect packaging for fragile items for safer transport home.
- Great light for photos in the late afternoon — look for barrel kilns and family workshops for the most authentic backdrops.
Return drive across the city & drop-off in the Old Quarter
Head back across the river toward the Old Quarter; end the tour with a drop-off at the original meeting area (or hotel drop-off by arrangement). Say goodbye to your guide and swap photos.
Tips from local experts:
- Confirm your preferred drop-off address with the guide at the start if you want to be dropped at a different Old Quarter street or your hotel.
- Ask your driver to pause for any last-minute souvenir photos along the way — twilight in Hanoi can be atmospheric.
- If you bought fragile ceramics, request extra bubble wrap; many vendors will wrap items for a small fee for safe transit.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 1 |
| Highlights | 5 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Friends |
| Transfers | 3 |
| Restaurants | 1 |
| Total Activities | 6 |
| Total Places | 6 |
| Activities Types | Transfer, Neighborhood, Restaurant, Culture, Outdoor, Experience |