Unique flavor of the capital

Hanoi Pho has become a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. (Photo: CTV/Vietnam+) — Hanoi Pho has become a national intangible cultural heritage.

Not only famous as the land of thousand years of civilization, Hanoi Capital also leaves its mark as a destination for domestic and international food enthusiasts. In particular, in recent times, some spaces in the inner city and suburban areas of the Old Quarter have been planned to develop attractive night food tours.

This is also an activity to promote tourism development and night-time economy towards the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital (October 10, 1854 - October 10, 2024).

Bustling night food street in the inner city

For generations, the people of the capital have been creative and prepared famous dishes such as pho, bun cha, bun oc or many other unique dishes... to create a unique cuisine imbued with the essence of the capital. Notably, in recent years, night tours to explore Hanoi cuisine have attracted a large number of young people as well as tourists.

Tong Duy Tan – Cam Chi night food street is located on the corner of Hang Bong street, which has long been famous for dishes such as stewed chicken noodles, lemongrass and chili chicken feet, fried chicken rice, snails, etc. With dozens of shops located close together, diverse menu, this "small but mighty" street has become an attractive destination for young people.

Not only is it a famous “culinary rendezvous” typical of Hanoians, but it is also often chosen as a stopover by out-of-towners and international tourists. Nhu Tung Pham (a tourist from Quang Binh) said he just chose the chicken rice dish for his first day back in Hanoi.

vnp_bun cha.jpg — Hanoi vermicelli with grilled pork

“I find the rice here delicious, firm and has the right consistency, very fragrant, rich in flavor with chewy, firm chicken meat, golden skin, you can tell the chicken is fresh and authentic. Although I rarely have the opportunity to go to Hanoi, every time I return to the capital, I eat at this food street and every time I feel happy because I love the vibrant atmosphere here,” Tung shared.

Phan Linh (Doi Can, Ba Dinh, Hanoi) said that last weekend, she and her group of friends had a memorable night food tour in Hanoi. The first place the group chose was Tong Duy Tan Street, meeting at 6:30 p.m. and choosing the famous stewed chicken noodles here for dinner, then walking to explore the food street and enjoy some snacks.

Leaving the food street, Phan Linh’s group went to enjoy egg coffee at a long-standing shop on Nguyen Huu Huan Street – a “memorable” destination because of its delicious and distinctive egg coffee flavor and the old space with a small alleyway imbued with the old Hanoi style. The nostalgic stories of the group continued to flow along with the melodious, gentle music.

Linh’s group’s night “food tour” ended at Ta Hien night street with snacks and cold beer. Phan Linh said: “When experiencing a night food tour in Hanoi, you definitely cannot miss Ta Hien street. Because this place will let you clearly feel the vibrant, bustling nightlife of a Hanoi that ‘never sleeps.’”

In addition to snacks such as chicken feet, chicken wings, grilled meat, around Ta Hien street there are also many shops selling fresh yogurt, mixed fruit, etc. that tourists should try when exploring the night tour. Although these are all simple dishes, they are enjoyed in the vibrant night space of the old town.

Foreign tourists at a beer house in Hanoi's Old Quarter

In 2023, Hanoi tourism industry announced 15 unique night tour products, creating a breakthrough for the development of the capital's night economy. Notably, the night tour "Thang Long - Hanoi Cycling" departs from the Vietnam National Museum of History to the Opera House, the Bac Bo Palace Revolutionary Relic, the North Gate Citadel, the Hanoi Flag Tower, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the National Assembly Building, the Presidential Palace, Quan Thanh Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda and the final stop is the walking street combined with the culinary street of Dao Ngoc - Ngu Xa (Ba Dinh District, Hanoi) to enjoy the famous pho cuon and pho chien phong dishes.

This new culinary space is organized at two intersecting streets in the center of the island, including Ngu Xa and Nguyen Khac Hieu, about 120m long, contributing to the entertainment, shopping and culinary destinations for the capital's residents and tourists.

Chairman of Truc Bach Ward People's Committee (Ba Dinh), Mr. Nguyen Dan Huy assessed that Dao Ngoc - Ngu Xa walking street has the advantage of space with many surrounding lakes, convenient bus routes for people and tourists to travel. In addition to coordinating with the district's functional units in organizing cultural and artistic activities, the Ward People's Committee pays special attention to maintaining environmental hygiene and security and order so that the walking street space truly brings many experiences to people and tourists.

Duong Lam ancient village "lights up" with night food tour

After the Tong Duy Tan culinary street and Ngu Xa - Dao Ngoc culinary street have become the brand of the inner city's ancient town, the new culinary tour "Ancient Village Night" in Duong Lam ancient village (Son Tay town, Hanoi) is attracting the attention of tourists.

Starting from May 2024, “Ancient Village Night” has become an attractive destination for locals and tourists every weekend. The main venue is at the village gate, with the highlight being local products processed and sold by the villagers themselves such as: Che Lam cake, Gai cake, peanut candy, Doi candy, Banh Te, Banh San, Roasted pork, Sugarcane chicken, etc. to serve the needs of tourists to explore local cuisine.

Performing arts for tourists visiting Duong Lam ancient village

The dishes seem simple but are elaborate in preparation, requiring the “village artisans” to be truly skilled to preserve the full flavor of the countryside. In addition to enjoying the cuisine of the ancient village, visitors can also watch traditional folk performances, experience making clay figurines, wood carvings, etc. And after only a short time in operation, the “Ancient Village Night” culinary tour has left a special impression on visitors.

Notably, not only stopping at new tourism products, the activities of "Ancient Village Night" have contributed to supporting and promoting other overnight tourism services, while creating livelihoods for more than 50 local households with the opportunity to develop.

According to information from the Management Board of Duong Lam Ancient Village, the People's Committee of Duong Lam Commune and the Management Board of Duong Lam Ancient Village have connected with neighboring resorts and resorts to bring guests to experience new products. As a result, it is estimated that hundreds of guests stayed overnight thanks to the weekend night tour of the ancient village.

It can be said that Hanoi tourism has changed dramatically in recent times. With the determination of the management agencies at all levels to help the capital's tourism "take off", a new and vibrant look is gradually emerging. In particular, the culinary tour "Ancient Village Night" is contributing to reviving traditional cultural values, enhancing the experience for tourists when visiting Duong Lam ancient village in particular and Hanoi in general.