About us
Vietnam Backstreet Tours was founded by three young Hanoians. Now we show travelers the Vietnam we know — beyond the tourist routes.
Where we come from
Vietnam Backstreet Tours was founded by three young Hanoians who were born after the Vietnam War and grew up in the subsidized “coupon era” — a unique period before the country fully opened to the world.
Our childhood memories were shaped by old Russian-style apartment blocks, tiny maze-like alleyways barely wide enough for two people to pass, crowded neighborhood markets, roadside tea stalls, and the hidden “black market” culture that once existed quietly inside Hanoi’s backstreets. Those memories became part of who we are — and inspired the spirit behind Vietnam Backstreet Tours today.
Coming from different professional backgrounds but sharing the same deep love for Vietnam, we created the company with one mission: to help travelers discover the authentic side of Hanoi and Vietnam beyond the typical tourist routes. We wanted visitors to experience the real rhythm of local life — hidden alleyways, train street cafés, countryside villages, local families, traditional food culture, and the untold stories that shaped our city and our childhood.
What began as a small local idea has grown into a trusted travel brand known for immersive backstreet adventures by vintage Vespa, Minsk motorbike and Russian Jeep, walking tours and countryside journeys. For us, Vietnam is not simply a destination. It is a living story — and we are proud to share it with the world from the inside out.
We do not simply guide tours.
For us, travel is not about ticking boxes.
Why we do it
At Vietnam Backstreet Tours, our mission is to bring travelers closer to the real soul of Vietnam through authentic, immersive, and meaningful local experiences.
We believe travel should go beyond sightseeing.
It should create human connections, cultural understanding, unforgettable memories, and moments that cannot be found in guidebooks or mass tourism routes.
Through hidden backstreets, local food culture, countryside villages, legendary Vintage Minsk Motorcycles, Russian Jeeps, and everyday local life, we aim to reveal the side of Vietnam that most visitors never truly experience.
Every journey we create is designed with heart, local knowledge, and respect for the people, traditions, and communities that make Vietnam so unique.
We are committed to responsible travel that supports local families, preserves cultural identity, and creates genuine connections between travelers and local people.
For us, the greatest journeys are not measured by distance — but by the stories, emotions, and experiences that stay with you long after the journey ends.
Professionally trained drivers and guides, first-aid certified, with helmets and protective gear for every guest.
Born-and-raised Hanoi guides, carefully selected, who tell the history, culture and food stories first-hand.
Fifteen years of riding the backstreets and more than 1,200 tours completed.
Personal advice before you book and 24/7 support during your trip, so planning stays easy.
The people
Born-and-raised Hanoians who share their own city — its alleys, its food and its history — with every guest.
CEO
Born after the Vietnam War, Chinh grew up in the subsidized “coupon era,” before Vietnam opened to the world. Childhood memories of Russian-style apartment blocks and narrow back alleys are where Vietnam Backstreet Tours began.
Chinh loves experiencing all four seasons and cannot imagine life without travel. The best part of the work, Chinh says, is the smiles and happiness of local people and ethnic minority communities met along the way.
Trust & safety
Vietnam Backstreet Tours is a fully licensed English-speaking travel agency, officially approved by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). Our license is issued under Vietnamese law to protect the rights and safety of every traveler.
Pick a ride, or message us on WhatsApp and we’ll help you choose.
