Thirteen experiences

Walks, workshops and day trips

Eight guests at most, a guide who walks with you, and a start time the city keeps: before dawn, mid-morning, at dusk.

All 13 experiences

A print of the lake path under old trees: pink branches leaning out over green water, a pink paved path and a few early walkers.

A photograph of the lake path under old trees: pink branches leaning out over green water, a pink paved path and a few early walkers.

Before the city wakes

Hoàn Kiếm at dawn, then phở for breakfast.

Length: 3 hours
Starts: 05:15
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 45

A print of tall, narrow Old Quarter houses side by side: balconies and railings in black line, indigo shutters, red doors, an ochre gable and a green street tree under a tangle of wires.

A photograph of tall, narrow Old Quarter houses side by side: balconies and railings in black line, indigo shutters, red doors, an ochre gable and a green street tree under a tangle of wires.

Thirty-six streets

The guild streets, a tube house from the inside, Bạch Mã temple, coffee.

Length: 3.5 hours
Starts: 08:30 or 15:30
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 49

A print of two ochre wooden cake moulds hung on a plank wall, each carved with a carp with jade fins.

A photograph of two ochre wooden cake moulds hung on a plank wall, each carved with a carp with jade fins.

Print the line, paint the colour

A woodblock and hand-colouring workshop with a printmaker. Your print comes home with you.

Length: 2.5 hours
Starts: 09:30 or 14:00
Group: Up to 6
From: USD 65

A print of the Red River in mist from high up: the long iron bridge in clay red across the distance, a few boats, and a green sandbank with a dark channel in front.

A photograph of the Red River in mist from high up: the long iron bridge in clay red across the distance, a few boats, and a green sandbank with a dark channel in front.

Over the iron bridge

Long Biên at dusk, then down to the banana fields on the sandbank.

Length: 3 hours
Starts: 16:30
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 39

A print of three glasses of beer with white heads on a red plastic stool, seen from above, on a deep indigo ground.

A photograph of three glasses of beer with white heads on a red plastic stool, seen from above, on a deep indigo ground.

The city eats on stools

Eight stops on an evening walk. Bia hơi included.

Length: 3.5 hours
Starts: 18:00
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 59

A print of coffee dripping through a steel phin filter set on a glass, on a white saucer with two slices of lemon: the filter and the saucer's shadow in ochre, the coffee in clay brown, all in black line.

A photograph of coffee dripping through a steel phin filter set on a glass, on a white saucer with two slices of lemon: the filter and the saucer's shadow in ochre, the coffee in clay brown, all in black line.

Coffee, five ways

Phin, egg, coconut, yoghurt, and a roaster.

Length: 2.5 hours
Starts: 09:00
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 35

A print of the Constellation of Literature pavilion: a red timber upper storey with a round window and curled eaves on four white pillars, framed by dark green and ochre leaves.

A photograph of the Constellation of Literature pavilion: a red timber upper storey with a round window and curled eaves on four white pillars, framed by dark green and ochre leaves.

The first university

Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, then the lacquer and silk rooms of the Fine Arts Museum.

Length: 4 hours
Starts: 08:30
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 55

A print of the tower at Trấn Quốc pagoda rising over palms and temple roofs on the far shore of West Lake, in jade, clay brown and dark green, its reflection broken into patches on the water below.

A photograph of the tower at Trấn Quốc pagoda rising over palms and temple roofs on the far shore of West Lake, in jade, clay brown and dark green, its reflection broken into patches on the water below.

West Lake by bicycle

Trấn Quốc pagoda, lotus ponds in summer, the flower villages before Tết, bánh tôm.

Length: 4 hours
Starts: 07:00
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 45

A print of a water puppet standing in dark indigo water: a pale face with red lips under a gold lotus headdress, a red tunic and an ochre sash.

A photograph of a water puppet standing in dark indigo water: a pale face with red lips under a gold lotus headdress, a red tunic and an ochre sash.

Puppets on the water

A water puppet performance, after a talk on how the puppeteers work from behind the screen.

Length: 2 hours
Starts: 17:00
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 30

A print of a tall ceramic lamp stand from Bát Tràng: two ochre dragons coiling up either side of a white column carved with jade lotus flowers, over a patterned white base.

A photograph of a tall ceramic lamp stand from Bát Tràng: two ochre dragons coiling up either side of a white column carved with jade lotus flowers, over a patterned white base.

Clay and fire

Bát Tràng, a village that has fired clay for centuries. Throw a bowl.

Length: Half day
Starts: 08:00 or 13:30
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 55

A print of a narrow village lane between old walls: a clay-red laterite wall on the left, an ochre wall on the right and a paved path running away to a few roofs and a palm.

A photograph of a narrow village lane between old walls: a clay-red laterite wall on the left, an ochre wall on the right and a paved path running away to a few roofs and a palm.

Laterite and rice

Đường Lâm, an old village of laterite walls and wooden halls.

Length: Full day
Starts: 07:30
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 85

A print of limestone peaks rising straight out of a river, jade green with one indigo peak behind, and three small rowing boats on the water.

A photograph of limestone peaks rising straight out of a river, jade green with one indigo peak behind, and three small rowing boats on the water.

Limestone and rivers

Tràng An by rowing boat, then Hoa Lư.

Length: Full day
Starts: 07:00
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 110

A print of a wooden boat moored under a wall of dark green forest, its hull jade and its cabin ochre, with its reflection broken up on the still water below.

A photograph of a wooden boat moored under a wall of dark green forest, its hull jade and its cabin ochre, with its reflection broken up on the still water below.

The quiet bay

Lan Hạ Bay overnight, on a small boat.

Length: 2 days
Starts: 07:00
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 290