';Hidden Hanoi'; walking tours

...has anyone done one of these? What are they like?

They seem quite interesting but also a bit pricey for Vietnam - USD20 per person for a 2 hour tour?

';Hidden Hanoi'; walking tours

Dear Nettle,

It%26#39;s very nice to experience the local life in Hanoi, you will have a good chance to know how to cross street %26amp; some memorable photos. Baybe some strange foods also. The price still depend how many people in your group ? if you suppose that it is not suitable cost. You can search Google to find other one, for instance '; Walking old quarter tour ';

Hope that you will have a great time.

';Hidden Hanoi'; walking tours

Nettle,

my wife and I enjoyed a wonderful walking tour of the Old Quarter, Jan 7, 2009. To us, it was well worth the price-- extremely well prepared and insightful. Our guide was personable and willing to speak about her personal experiences as well as the historical and cultural perspective. She showed us places we would have simply walked by without a notice. We arranged this tour for our first day, and for the remaining six days in Hanoi, constantly referred back to what we had discovered with our guide the first day. Also, we had signed up for one of their (Hidden Hanoi) cooking classes and again it was most informative and a great delight- hands-on cooking and you enjoy the fruits of your labor! The best deal I found after a comprehensive internet (and guidebook) exploration. We were not disappointed. I discovered, however, that it is wise to book ahead. We tried to book an additional walking tour with a three day advance, and were disappointed that they were over scheduled for those days. BTW: We were enthralled with Hanoi, and would highly recommend staying in the Old Quarter. (We stayed at the Elegance 2 on Ma May Street and have nothing but wonderful things to report. But there are many such small hotels from which to choose.) Hope this helps. ROBB

Nettle,

I also have done a Hidden Hanoi walking tour (West lake/ Kim Lien Pagoda - with a theme of literature and the symbolic meaning and stories behind plants in Vietnamese gardens) and a cooking class.

Both were great - both as activities and value for money.

Do it!

Martin