HA NOI CITY TOUR

08:00 – 08:30: Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter or at the Hanoi Opera House.

Morning:

• Tran Quoc Pagoda: Located on a small island in West Lake, this 1,500-year-old pagoda is the oldest in Hanoi. Its ancient architecture blends harmoniously with the tranquil scenery, reflecting the spiritual heart of the Ly and Tran dynasties.
• Ho Chi Minh Complex: Visit the Mausoleum and Stilt House where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Discover his simple lifestyle and visit the One Pillar Pagoda, one of Hanoi’s four iconic landmarks.

Note: On Mondays and Fridays, the Mausoleum is closed for maintenance. You will visit the outside area, Stilt House, and One Pillar Pagoda instead.

• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: Explore fascinating exhibitions showcasing Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, including life-sized traditional houses in the outdoor area.

Note: On Mondays, this museum is closed and replaced by a visit to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum.

Noon: Return to the Old Quarter for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, enjoy a drive through the historic 36 streets, listening to stories about Hanoi’s ancient trading quarters.

Afternoon:

• Temple of Literature: Known as Vietnam’s first university, this historical site offers insight into Hanoi’s rich cultural and educational heritage, dating back to the Ly dynasty.
• Hoa Lo Prison: Built in 1899 by the French to detain political prisoners, and later used to hold American pilots during the Vietnam War — including John McCain. The prisoners ironically nicknamed it the “Hanoi Hilton.”

16:00: End of the Hanoi City Tour. The car will return you to your hotel or, if preferred, drop you off at Ham Ca Map area to explore on your own (additional costs not included). You may:

• Take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, admire the mix of French and Vietnamese architecture, and visit Ngoc Son Temple and The Huc Bridge.
• Rent a bicycle or electric tram to discover the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake area.
• Buy tickets for a Water Puppet Show — a traditional Vietnamese art form.