Hanoi is located in the Red River Delta, in the center of North Việt Nam, is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam, the center of culture, politics, economy and trade of the whole country. Throughout the thousand years of its eventful history, marked by destruction, wars and natural calamities, Hà Nội still preserves many ancient architectural works including the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples. Famous sites include the One Pillar Pagoda (built in 1049), the Confucius Temple (built in 1070), Thang Long Citadel, Hà Nội Opera House, President Hồ Chí Minh's Mausoleum and so on.
Itinerary of Hanoi City Tour full day:
08h00-08h30: We will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter or Hanoi Opera House. In the morning, we will visit:
● Tran Quoc Pagoda located on an east side isle of the West Lake (Tay Ho district), It is considered as the most ancient pagoda in Thang Long - Ha Noi with its historical progression in 1500 years. It has a harmonious combination between the majesty, hoariness architecture and peaceful landscape of the West Lake. From the period in the Ly and Tran dynasties, it had become the Buddhist center of Thang Long.
● Visit the complex of president Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (Mausoleum and Stilt house) - Where the great leader lived and worked until the last years of his life. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn about Uncle Ho's simple life. In addition, you will stop by One Pillar Pagoda to admire one of the 4 symbols of Hanoi.
Note: with departure days on Monday and Friday, Mausoleum Management Board will carry out maintenance of the mausoleum, you will visit only outside of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, stilt house and One Pillar Pagoda.
● Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: This is the most recent yet probably the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting Museums in Hanoi and Vietnam. There are both indoors and outdoors sections, while the in - housed exhibition is particularly informative, the outdoors display and activities make the museum stand out from the rest. There are a number of houses modeling after the traditional architecture of ethnic minorities, especially those who live in Northern and Central highlands.
On Monday, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is closed, instead of the Vietnamese Women Museum.
Noon: Return to the Old Quarter to have lunch at the restaurant. After lunch, you will see 36 streets from the car and listen to the guide tell stories about the streets of the ancient urban marketplace.
Afternoon: We will visit:
● The temple of literature (The first university in Vietnam): Being an ancient school of Thang Long and the first university in Vietnam, Temple of Literature is acknowledged as an ancient historical-cultural heritage which gives tourists a deeper understanding about Hanoi's years of culture and tradition.
● Hoa Lo prison: Built in 1899. The French held mainly political prisoners here, along with those awaiting sentencing at the nearby Court of Justice, as well as American pilots who had been shot down and captured as prisoners of war. The pilots sarcastically called it the "Hanoi Hilton. John McCain was held here at various times during his five and a half years as a POW.
16h00: End of Hanoi City Tour, the car will take you back to the hotel or depending on the needs of visitors, the car can take you to Ham Ca Map area to be free to visit and experience (all costs is not included) at one of the locations below, then return to your hotel at your own expense:
● Free go for a walk to visit Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Hoan Kiem Lake, and learn about the architecture of Vietnam and France around the lake area. Visit Ngoc Son Temple to worship Saints Van Xuong and Tran Hung Dao - famous generals in Vietnamese and world history and Huc Bridge.
● Rent a bicycle or tram to explore the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake.
● Buy tickets for the water puppet show.
See you again, visitors!
Included:
● AC Transportation
● English speaking guide
● Lunch
● Water
● Entrance fees
Excluded:
● Beverages
● Personal expenses
● Drinks
● Travel Insurance
● Tips & gratuities, at least $3/person
What to bring:
● A hat & sunscreen
● Appropriate clothing for the season
● Comfortable walking shoes/ clothes
● If you're going to see Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, you should not wear shorts