Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show
Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show

Outty Ranking 55 4.3 · 6 traveler reviews3.5 hoursFrom $30
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Outty Ranking

55/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.3/5

Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show worth booking?

Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show is a 3.5-hour experience in Hanoi, Vietnam, from $30 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
55 / 100
Rating
4.3/5 (6)
Duration
3.5 hours
From
$30 per person

If you are a little worried about eating food in the old Quarter in Hanoi, this is an absolute must. With hundreds of food vendors in this area, it's difficult to know which are good to enjoy. Your guide will help you make the right choices.  - Sample delicious Vietnamese cuisine just like the locals do - on the street - Learn more about Hanoi’s unique food culture - Take in a spectacular night view of Hoan Kiem lake - Enjoy the water puppet show

What you get

    About this experience

    If you are a little worried about eating food in the old Quarter in Hanoi, this is an absolute must. With hundreds of food vendors in this area, it's difficult to know which are good to enjoy. Your guide will help you make the right choices.  - Sample delicious Vietnamese cuisine just like the locals do - on the street - Learn more about Hanoi’s unique food culture - Take in a spectacular night view of Hoan Kiem lake - Enjoy the water puppet show

    What's included

    Included

    • Bottled water
    • Lunch
    • Tea and coffee
    • English -peaking guide
    • Meals
    • 1 bottle of water, coffee or beer

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • All other drinks
    • Extra food portions
    • Tips for local guide

    What you'll see and do

    1. Street Food Tours Hanoi

      The tour guide will welcome you at your hotel lobby, then start the walking tour in the old quarter '36 streets' to visit some famous and specialized food stalls and local restaurants. You will watch as it is made and taste some particular dishes (The company can customize vegetarian food or something for other special requirements). The old quarter in Hanoi is over one thousand years old and today retains much of the old flavor that made the area special in earlier times. Each street was the exclusive domain of one trade (guilds) so there are whole streets of blacksmiths, silver shops, paper shops, headstone makers and more. Originally there were just 36 streets in the old quarter but today there are more than 50. Although many of the streets are short, and the area is rather compact. It can be very difficult to find local food on your own in the hidden alleys or sidewalks, certainly the best way to experience street food is with a local. In this special tour learn about Vietnamese cuisine, culture, people and language. You will have a unique experience trying the foods of the local Hanoi people; the food is handled hygienically and comfortable venues are provide for the tastings. The benefit also goes back to the vendors or restaurants / families as the food is bought directly from them. Later, the guide will bring you to enjoy a Water Puppet show which is a unique variation on the ancient Asia puppet tradition, and is a Vietnamese tradition dating back to the 11th century. Supported by a large rod placed under the water and manipulated by experienced puppeteers, the wooden puppets appear to be dancing over the water, telling folk tales. It’s entertaining and suitable for all audiences. At the end of your Hanoi tour you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you with directions or a taxi back to your hotel.

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Street Food Tours Hanoi

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Duration: 3.5 hours
    • Pick-up at your hotel in old quarter or at 24 au trieu Street (next to Cathedral)
    • Departure Time: 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm
    • Drop off location: Water Pupet Theater by the side of Hoan Kiem Lake

    Photos

    Bun Cha, Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet ShowHanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show, photo 3Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show, photo 4Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show, photo 5Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show, photo 6Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Food and drink

    5 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    6 verified traveler reviews for Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
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    Mike_J · April 2026

    Hanoi Food Tour!

    Jewel was a great person to show us around Hanoi's food scene. The water puppet show was really fun. Highly recommend.

    via Viator

    Emma_L · June 2025

    Best food walking tour

    Long was an amazing tour guide. Very knowledgeable and experienced. The food was delicious, highly recommended this tour

    via Viator

    Jane_B · March 2025

    Disorganized and disappointing

    This was (sadly) my first poor experience with a Vietnam tour or anything I've booked thru Viator in any country. My pickup was late and disorganized and needed me to tell them multiple times where I was. The first half of the food was not street food but was some cooking school that served us their own "version" of pho - which didn't have any broth at all, so really wasn't pho in fact. The "walking tour" was definitely walking but I wouldn't call it a tour- we got basically no information about anything but just walked silently behind a guide. The street food we did have was fine (in my personal opinion) but not great - I had better banh mi for example from several other places during my trip so far. Some of the places we went to they clearly hadn't prepared in advance and there wasn't a table for the group. And to top it all off, they didn't have tickets for the water puppet show and didn't tell me that until after the tour started. Then they refunded me 100,000 vnd to make up for not having water puppet show tickets - except those tickets START at 150,000 according to the website. All in all very disappointing and the only bright spot was that our guide was nice and calm and clearly just trying his best.

    via Viator

    Julie_B · October 2024

    Amazing tour!

    This was a very informative and fun tour. The guide, Sarah, was really great. Personable and knowledgable. She was very fun to be with and took us to interesting, authentic places. I also really enjoyed the other traveler. It was a wonderful introduction to Hanoi and Viet Nam. Sarah told us about the food and the culture. I learned a lot. She is born to be a tour guide.

    via Viator

    Cassandra_P · May 2024

    Friendly guide

    Puppet show was excellent and Hannah our guide took good care of us and explained what we ate and helped us understand eat dish we were eating!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Street Food Tours Hanoi, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 52.2.

    See everything Street Food Tours Hanoi runs

    Why this scores 55

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)80
    Review evidence (18% weight)30
    Booking momentum (14% weight)21
    Value for money (12% weight)37
    Listing quality (10% weight)75
    Local standing (8% weight)34
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Hanoi.

    How much does Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show cost?

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    Prices start at $30 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Hanoi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show take?

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    Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Hanoi is not rushed.

    Is Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Hanoi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show?

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    Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Hanoi can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Hanoi and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Hanoi within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Hanoi?

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    On Outty we rank every Hanoi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Ha Giang Loop 3-Day Small Group - from Hanoi, (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR, Incense Village Quang Phu Cau, Hat Village and Hanoi City Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Hanoi?

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    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Hanoi?

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    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show?

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    Included: Bottled water; Lunch; Tea and coffee; English -peaking guide; and Meals. Not included: Gratuities; All other drinks; Extra food portions; and Tips for local guide. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 379 listed pickup locations in and around Hanoi.

    What languages is Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show offered in?

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    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Hanoi. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show?

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    Across 6 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

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