Overview
08:00 – 08:30
Our tour guide and luxury bus will pick you up at your hotel and begin an unforgettable day exploring Hanoi.
08:45 – Ho Chi Minh Complex & One Pillar Pagoda
Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, the final resting place of “Uncle Ho” – Vietnam’s beloved national hero. You’ll have the chance to view his preserved body and explore the peaceful garden and two simple houses where he lived and worked between 1954 and 1969.
Continue to the nearby One Pillar Pagoda, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy – one of the most unique pagodas in the world.
Notes:
- Modest clothing is required (shoulders and knees covered).
- The Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays (you can still take photos and visit the surrounding area).
- It is also closed annually for maintenance from June 15th to August 15th.
10:15 – Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Discover the cultural diversity of Vietnam through exhibits on 54 ethnic groups. Gain fascinating insights into traditional crafts, clothing, and daily life.
Special note: On Mondays, when the museum is closed, you’ll visit the Vietnamese Women’s Museum instead.
12:30 – 12:45 – Lunch
Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese set menu at a local restaurant. Vegetarian options are available upon request.
13:30 – Tran Quoc Pagoda
Located on a small island in West Lake, this 6th-century pagoda is the oldest in Hanoi. Its tranquil setting and stunning views make it a favorite spiritual stop for locals and visitors alike.
14:30 – Temple of Literature
Explore the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam), Vietnam’s first national university, founded in 1070. This beautiful complex honors Confucius and generations of scholars, and remains a symbol of Vietnamese education and culture.
15:30 – Hoa Lo Prison Museum
Built by the French between 1886 and 1901, Hoa Lo Prison, or “Maison Centrale,” once held Vietnamese revolutionaries and later American POWs during the war. Often called “Hell on Earth,” today it stands as a powerful reminder of the country’s turbulent past and resilience.
16:30 – Return to your hotel. End of the tour.
Optional Add-ons:
Enhance your Hanoi experience with one of the following activities (additional cost applies):
- Option 1: Cyclo Ride (45 minutes) – USD 5/person
→ Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter by traditional cycle rickshaw. - Option 2: Water Puppet Show (50 minutes) – USD 5/person
→ Recommended showtimes: 16:10 or 17:20 - Option 3: Cyclo Ride + Water Puppet Show – USD 10/person
→ Recommended showtimes: 17:20 or 18:30
