“Zero-dong” tour guide: Bringing Hanoi closer to international tourists

In addition to helping individuals improve their language communication skills, the tour guides of Hanoi Free Tour Guides - the "0 VND" travel experience tour have contributed to promoting the image of a Hanoi rich in identity and long-standing cultural traditions to international friends.

Hanoi Free Tour Guides is a non-profit organization founded in 2010 by 20 students and alumni in Hanoi. Up to now, the organization's tour guide team has grown to more than 900 members. The tour guides can all be fluent in 1 of 9 languages (English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, French, German, Italian and Spanish).

“Falling in love” with Hanoi at first visit

16 years old and has been to many countries around the world, but Beck Molinary (16 years old, Colorado, USA) felt very impressed when coming to Hanoi. Here, Beck experienced many interesting things about history, culture, and people through the young - dynamic - friendly tour guides.

Beck talks with Truc Anh - tour guide of Hanoi Free Tour Guides at the Temple of Literature.

“I have heard a lot about the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, especially the 82 steles of the Le - Mac Dynasty at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam which have been recognized by UNESCO as a World Documentary Heritage in the Asia - Pacific region. After experiencing and visiting, I feel admiration for the tradition of studiousness of the Vietnamese people passed down from generation to generation,” Beck said.

Ms. Kendra Molinary (Colorado, USA) also said that she and her family had a wonderful time, learning more about the culture and people of "Hanoi", "Vietnam" through the young tour guides.

She shared: “I understand more about the history of the Vietnamese people after visiting the Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison... I hope that I will have more time to explore and learn about Hanoi. During the trip, I had the opportunity to interact directly with the tour guides of Hanoi Free Tour Guides. If I have the opportunity, I will definitely choose to return to Hanoi.”

Ms. Kendra burned incense in memory of revolutionary soldiers at Hoa Lo Prison.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Bob Molinary (Colorado, USA) said that having a tour guide will help the trip be more knowledgeable than experiencing it by yourself. Mr. Bob expressed: “My surprise continued from the first cell to the last cell of Hoa Lo Prison. I was deeply moved and admired the indomitable and resilient spirit of the Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers”.

Mr. Bob was surprised to hold a bill with a picture of Khue Van Cac in his hand.

Eliminate the gap after every trip

Having worked with Hanoi Free Tour Guides for 5 years, Dinh Thi Truc Anh (23 years old, a student majoring in Business English at the Foreign Trade University) said that during her time working with the organization, she has accumulated a lot of experience in practicing English, as well as confidence when communicating with foreigners. Above all, Truc Anh has met international friends and contributed to spreading the cultural traditions of Hanoi.

Revealing the reason why Hanoi Free Tour Guides is always chosen by tourists, Truc Anh emphasized that it is the attitude and dedicated service of the non-professional tour guides. Besides, through each trip, tour guides like Truc Anh make new friends, sharing about the culture and history of the two countries. "I feel that what comes from the heart will come together from the heart," Truc Anh expressed.

After each trip, Truc Anh (second from left) has many new friends, together they share about their culture, people, and country.

Nguyen Linh (student of National Economics University) used to be a Korean tour guide for

a family of three from Korea, currently living and working in Canada. Linh said: “During the tour, I was really impressed by the historical knowledge and political understanding of the Korean boy. Although only 10 years old, he is always curious to learn about everything and is ready to express his personal opinion on each issue.”

Linh calls it “Tour Diary - The tour of understanding” when she becomes a tour guide for a family of 3 Korean tourists (the photo was taken before the train cafe was banned).

Although it is a non-profit organization, to become a member of Hanoi Free Tour Guides, students must pass many tests. In addition to interviews on language skills, communication skills, etc., candidates must undergo at least one month of training on Vietnamese history and culture to ensure the quality of each trip.