Overview
Discover Hanoi in one thoughtfully paced day, where history, culture, and daily life come together naturally. This full-day city tour takes you from the serene lakeside setting of Tran Quoc Pagoda to the powerful legacy of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the architectural icon of the One Pillar Pagoda. Gain deeper insight into Vietnam’s diverse heritage at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, enjoy a refined Vietnamese lunch, and step into the nation’s intellectual past at the Temple of Literature. The journey concludes with a moving visit to Hoa Lo Prison, offering a well-rounded introduction to Hanoi’s past and present—ideal for first-time visitors seeking depth without rush.
Itinerary
07h45 - 8h15: Our tour guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel in Hanoi old quarter area.
08h30: Visit The Tran Quoc Pagoda - the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, originally constructed in the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De under Ly Dynasties.
09h15: Arrive Ho Chi Minh complex, The President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a mausoleum which serves as the resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh. You have chance to see the Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969. Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Godess of Mercy – It is the Asia’s most unique piece of architecture.
11h00: Visit Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which focuses on the 54 officially recognized ethnic group in Vietnam.
Note: The Women Museum instead of Ethnology Museum closed on every Monday.
12h30-12h45: Have lunch with Vietnamese cuisine at our Luxury restaurant name “ Mesdames Linh ”.
13h45-14h00: The next destination to explore Hanoi City today is Temple of Literature - the Vietnam’s first national university, the temple was founded and first built in 1.070 at the time of Emperor Ly Thanh Tong.
15h00: We continue to visit Hoa Lo Prison - was built in Hanoi by French in dates ranging from 1886 to 1889 to 1898 to 1901, when Vietnam was still part of French Indochina. The French called the prison “ Maison Centrale ” which originally used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for United States prisoners of war during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1973.
16h00-16h30: Tour ends. Drop you off at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter.
