Checkout Hanoikids for tours. These are conducted by students who want to improve their English, are free - you just pay their travel costs, entrance fees and we also bought them lunch and coffees. There is a similar group in Ho Chi Minh City. You can change their suggested tours to suit you. We had a wonderful day with our guides - visited the Temple of Literature, had egg coffee, visited the Ethnology museum and a very nice lunch. Walked around the streets and red bridge over lake. We stayed at the Hanoi Opera Hotel as this was the hotel for our tour. Was a good location not sure if it is in your price range but if there is a hotel nearby I would consider staying in the area. Loved Vietnam and would like to go back.