Things to do in Hoa Lo Prison Museum

absolutely worth a visit, you visit two villages . it's takes around 1 hour to reach.

The light show is amazing, and there is VR to play with👍You can also write calligraphy

Our tour guide Lele was Lele-legendary! I was so entertained and educated at the same time. he had so much passion sharing about Vietnam's history and culture, and people. if you don't book this tour you are missing out! such a fun concept to make a historical and cultural tour more interesting. We had beers along the way in the bus and we had packed Bahn Mi. beer was good and food so yums!

My 3D2N Ba Be - Ban Gioc tour from Hanoi went smoothly and followed the itinerary perfectly. True to the reviews, the tour catered more to local tourists, which gave me the rare chance to interact closely with Vietnamese people from both the north and south. I was lucky to be joined by three warm families and a solo traveler from the south who could speak English—her help in translating made the trip even more meaningful. The families looked after me like their own, making this tour not only about Vietnam’s stunning landscapes but also its incredible hospitality. The food throughout was delicious and generous. Bac Kan is a hidden gem—less touristy but full of charm. While the hotel there wasn’t too fancy, it was clean and comfortable. In contrast, the hotel in Cao Bang was really nice. I requested a separate room and was pleasantly surprised with a spacious and beautifully kept one. Ban Gioc Waterfall, although not at peak flow during my visit, still looked majestic. It was a bit touristy due to the holiday, but well worth it. This trip was a beautiful blend of nature, culture, and genuine human connection.

A truly great time to enjoy Hanoi places together with delicious local dishes. Obama's bun cha place rocked, and the pho rolls were equally good. The walk into local streets and around Ho Chi Min Mausoleum and the square really presented me both the excitement and the peacefulness. The train street, as always, cool and scary at the same time. Today's guide Phong spoke excellent English, was super kind and informative with where we visited and also regarding many questions I asked. Driver Mr. K a true veteran - know what he is doing. And for the ladies - Phong is tall, good looking + nice voice :) Summary this is tour is two thumbs up - wish I had more thumbs!!!!

We signed up for a small group tour, but since we were the only ones there, we went on a private tour. It was an English tour. It was great to learn more about Hanoi and Vietnamese history. The incense village was great for taking pictures. The guide was really passionate about taking pictures. It was a place that was just starting to become known, so there weren't too many people. The temples we went to by boat in Trang An were really beautiful. Tyler's English was excellent, so it was very easy to talk to him.

Our tour guide Finn was very friendly and informative. The tour is compact and well planned. She picked us up from our hotel, and took us on the tour around Hanoi. We learnt about the touristy side, political side and the local side of this city. We also learnt a lot about the history of Vietnam. Food at lunch was delicious. We even got some restaurant recommendations from Finn. One of a kind experience.

Visiting Incense Village was one of the most captivating and memorable experiences during my time in Hanoi. Located just outside the city, Quang Phu Cau Village is a photographer’s dream – with vibrant bundles of red incense sticks laid out like blooming flowers, creating a stunning sea of colour against the rustic village backdrop. Beyond the visuals, it’s a deeply cultural experience. You get to witness the traditional incense-making process up close – from dyeing and drying to bundling and shaping – all done by hand by local artisans who have preserved this craft for generations. The locals were incredibly warm and welcoming, happy to share their stories and explain the significance behind the incense in Vietnamese spiritual life. Whether you’re into culture, photography, or simply want to explore something unique and off the tourist trail, Incense Village is absolutely worth the visit. Make sure to go in the morning when the light is perfect for photos, and the drying incense is on full display. Highly recommended!