We love street food and we are not shy eaters, but Hanoi’s old quarter is a maze and half the best stuff seems to be down alleys with no English signs.
Is a guided street food tour actually worth the money, or can two adventurous eaters do just as well wandering on their own? I am worried a tour would rush us through the touristy spots while the real gems stay hidden.
If you did a tour and loved it, what made it good? And if you went DIY, what was your strategy?
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We went DIY for our first two days and honestly missed half the good stuff. Then we did a small evening tour with a local student guide and she took us down alleys we would never have found, including a bun cha place with no sign at all. If you go DIY, at least do one tour on your first night, then revisit your favourites on your own.
Replying to FascinatingGiraffe7015
That is a good strategy, one tour to learn the map then DIY. Were the student guides legit though? I have seen some sketchy offers around Hoan Kiem lake and I do not want to end up on a commission tour.
Replying to inquizzitive
Fair concern. Ours was booked through our homestay, a university student doing it for tips plus a small fee, no commission stops at all. She ate with us at every stall. Avoid anyone who approaches you on the street around the lake, those are the commission ones.