Hanoi's colonial capital is a unique Asian city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes, and traditional pagodas and temples. This morning city tour packed with historical attractions and ancient temples is exclusively designed for those who don't have much free time but still want to experience a cultural and traditional Hanoi.
8:00am (0r 12:30pm) Tour guide and car from Paradise Indochina Travel pick you up at your hotels around Hanoi Old Quarter then start discovering Hanoi.
Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square is one of the most visited attractions in Hanoi. It is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the most iconic and popular leader of Vietnam, known to his people as ‘Uncle Ho’. His body is preserved here in a glass case at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in central Hanoi (albeit against his wishes).
One Pillar Pagoda. Legend claims that The One Pillar Pagoda was built following a dream by the fatherless emperor in which the enlightened being Avalokiteshvara gave him a baby son resting on a lotus flower. Emperor Ly Thai Tong commissioned the pagoda to be created in resemblance of this lotus flower which is also the Buddhist symbol of enlightenment. The Emperor remained in gratitude to the bodhisattva and subsequently to to Quan Am, the Goddess of Mercy following the birth of his son. Inside the temple a richly gilded statue of Quan Am takes centre place at the main altar.
Temple of Literature & National University. Originally built as a university in 1070 dedicated to Confucius, scholars and sages, the building is extremely well preserved and is a superb example of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture.
This ancient site offers a lake of literature, the Well of Heavenly Clarity, turtle steles, pavilions, courtyards and passageways that were once used by royalty. Visiting the Temple of Literature you will discover historic buildings from the Ly and Tran dynasties in a revered place that has seen thousands of doctors’ graduate in what has now become a memorial to education and literature.
Dong Xuan Market, the largest wholesale market in Hanoi was built in 1889. Dong Xuan Market has long been a tourist attraction in Hanoi, thanks to its prime location in the heart of this city as well as the impressive architecture and history. Coming to Dong Xuan Market, you can find a wide range of commodities from fabric, clothing, local handicrafts, souvenirs and street foods.
St. Joseph's Cathedral. Next stop for your trip is Saint Joseph Cathedral. It is located at 40 Nha Chung street and is a Roman Catholic cathedral with neo- gothic style which was built about 120 years ago. In 1882, after the French army conquered Hanoi, the cathedral was constructed and completed in 1886. The cathedral and Nha Chung area were built on the land formerly belonging to Bao Thien pagoda, which was built under Ly dynasty.
Visiting Hanoi Train Street in Hanoi is one of the Best Things To Do to learn and explore Hanoi local life: Rather than being a normal road with car or motorbike traffic, it has actual real railway lines running through it. Homes and businesses literally open out onto the railway lines. For the most part, the locals who live and move through there go about their day as with any other Hanoi street.
Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem lake): The lake is considered the heart of Hanoi, not only geographically but also symbolically. In fact, the more you spend time learning about the lake, the more special it becomes.
The lake is not only special in her history. The water color of Hoan Kiem Lake is not commonly found in other lakes elsewhere in the country: greenish, with dark or light shade depending on the reflection of the sky. The lake is full of tortoise, which is second to none to be found among Vietnamese lakes. If you are lucky, you will catch sight of these giant animals rising out of water.
The Hanoi Opera House (French: Opéra de Hanoï), or the Grand Opera House (Vietnamese: Nhà hát lớn Hà Nội, French: Grand Opéra) is an opera house in central Hanoi, Vietnam. It was erected by the French colonial administration between 1901 and 1911. Hanoi Opera House is one of three opera houses that the French built during their time in Indochina, the others are Haiphong Opera House and Municipal Theatre in Ho Chi Minh city.
12:00 (16:30) Our car and driver will drop you off same pickup place. Say goodbye to tour guide and driver. End of the trip!
Tour included
English speaking guide
Entrance fees
Private transfers during trip
Meals (special beef/chicken noddle soup)
Entry/Admission - One Pillar Pagoda
Entry/Admission - Temple of Literature & National University
Entry/Admission - Dong Xuan Market
Entry/Admission - Train Street
Tour not included
Tips/gratuites
Extra sight-seei
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