HANOI OF THE PAST AND PRESENT – 10K

Running Hanoi in 10km – a traditional distance of a Hanoian runner. We’ll pass through the old Down Town, the Sword Lake, touching the West Lake before winding through boulevards full of trees to reach Uncle Ho mausoleum. That route is a time journey as we visit Hanoi from the past to the city of today. Just 10km running but a ton of historic stories to tell. And then, we’ll finish it in a big way: a bowl of Pho – a perfect way of recharging your energy and enjoying one of the symbolic foods that link the past and the present Hanoi.

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HANOI OF THE PAST AND PRESENT - 10K
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HANOI OF THE PAST AND PRESENT - 10K

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Runner on the ground - MINH

The Down Town, where hundreds of centuries-old small houses are located, is the perfect place to start our journey. At that time the city is in its sleep and the houses along the narrow streets look like baby mice nestling peacefully on each other. (But when you come back to finish the circular route, seeing these “rodents” waking up, you might be surprised that the serene scene is replaced by the great hustle and bustle)

On the way running to Sword Lake, you will learn how Hanoi was formed 1000 years ago by a white lie. Reaching Sword Lake, you will see the Turtle Tower standing solemnly in the middle of the lake, listening to the story of how World War II saved the lonely landmark from hosting a miniature version of the Statue of Liberty on the top.

Then you might want to touch the Pen Tower in the same way that Vietnamese students usually do when there are exams. Nowadays examinees visit the site to wish luck, but do you want to hear the story behind it and of the great architect with the ambition to write to the sky?

1000 years of history seems to be packed and buried underground in an area of approximately 10km square with the Sword Lake being its center. Departing the lake, we’ll visit boulevards whose two sides are lined up with century-old trees. You will hear the story of two great commanders who died protecting the old citadel and whose names were taken for the boulevards you are running on.

We soon reach the West Lake with Youth Street running through to split it into two. It is the right time for the legend of how the lake was created by the giant golden buffalo to be told. You might also want to find out why Youth Street had its name and the story of Tran Quoc pagoda which lies along the way.

A trip to Hanoi without visiting Uncle Ho’s mausoleum could be a big miss. The site is, of course, in our route. And I also hope we get there on time to listen to the national anthem while standing still waiting for the red flag being hoisted up as any other Vietnamese. That could be the moment of the day.

We will also pass through other iconic sites such as Lenin Park, the Flag Tower, and the Museum of History where relics of two modern wars can easily be spotted. Other than that, you might be surprised to see a number of dark alleys which are so narrow only one person can pass each time and so deep as peering down to the bottom of a well. Whoever lives in an alley like that must deal with countless problems stemming from poor living standards. Who are they? I’ll tell you along the way.

If you prefer a medium distance running, take this tour. The needed time to cover that distance seems not very long, but I guarantee at the end you will understand Hanoi a little bit more and have something to remember when you go back to your hometown. And at the end, I will show you where the best “pho” restaurants in Hanoi are to finish the tour in a cool style. See you in the Vietnamese capital!

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Facts about the tours

10 km

Private tour

Easy

Individual

English

Flexible

Hotel pick-up or Standard Meeting Point

Price

1 person77.00/person

2 persons60.50/person

3 persons49.50/person

4-20 persons44.00/person

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2 reviews with a 5-star rating

  1. One person found this helpful
    Ashley

    Great run with Minh!

    Ashley

    Minh was a fantastic run tour guide and an absolutely wonderful person to chat with. Our run took us through all the Hanoi sights – we ran past Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ho Chi Minh Monument, the botanical gardens and West Lake (among others). Throughout the entire tour, he provided historical context for the sights, and made sure that I crossed all the streets safely (a feat for Hanoi!). I loved running with Minh and would highly recommend running with him!

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  2. Natalie Tait

    A great start to the day in Hanoi!

    Natalie Tait

    Very efficient communication, and was met at my hotel. Thank you Minh for a great start to my day in Hanoi. Minh was a great host and running partner, taking me to see parts of the Old Qtr and surrounding area I would not have otherwise seen. Minh is a very passionate and knowledgeable local, and I really enjoyed learning some local history as well as things about his life. Highly recommend a run with Minh when you visit Hanoi.

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