Hey, I’m Arvind – the curious mind behind Hanoi Guides.
I wanna share something about me. I’m not a full-time traveler. I don’t live out of a backpack or hop between continents every month.
I’m just someone who’s deeply obsessed with one thing:
Exploring Hanoi like it deserves to be explored — deeply, slowly, and with real curiosity.
Why I Started Hanoi Guides
HanoiGuides.com began the day I realized that most travel blogs treated Hanoi like a 48-hour layover. Temples, pho, Old Quarter… and then off to Ha Long Bay.
But Hanoi is more than a checklist. It’s a living, breathing, layered city.
And if you give it time, it reveals things that never show up in guidebooks.
I created this site to help you experience authentic Hanoi — the food stalls hidden down quiet alleys, the stories behind crumbling French buildings, the spiritual quiet of temples at dawn, and the real culture most tourists miss.
Who This Blog Is For
This is for you — the curious explorer.
Not necessarily a backpacker. Not just a foodie or a culture buff. But someone who loves to look deeper.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or living here long-term, my guides are made to help you:
Eat like a local (and avoid the tourist traps)
Understand the “why” behind the culture
Discover destinations worth your time — not just your camera
Plan smarter, skip overwhelm, and actually enjoy your trip
My Style of Travel
Not fast. Not flashy. Definitely not “top 10 lists.”
I’m more about:
Bún chả from a grandma-run shop than Instagram-famous bowls
Random conversations with locals than rushed group tours
Finding meaning in places others overlook
I value authenticity over convenience, and I try to bring that into every article, itinerary, and insider tip I write.
Why I Focus Only on Hanoi?
Most travel blogs hop from city to city. I chose to stay grounded.
By focusing on just one city, I can dig deeper — which means you get more accurate, more insightful, and more honest content.
And let’s be real: Hanoi has more than enough history, food, and culture to fill a lifetime of writing.
Beyond the Blog
I also create:
Ocassional YouTube shorts & reels with real street scenes
Bite-sized cultural explainers
Mini food tours, filmed on the streets of Hanoi
Everything is filmed, edited, and written by me. No teams. No fluff.
Let’s Connect
I’d love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or your own favorite hidden spots in Hanoi.
DM me on Instagram @hanoiguides
Or get free tailored itineraries and local tips to your inbox.
Hanoi deserves more than a bucket list.
Let’s slow down, look closer, and really get to know it — one alley, one bite, one story at a time.