Half Day Historic Hanoi Tour

Today’s tour begins at 08:30/13:30. Set off on a half day guided tour of Hanoi’s highlights. A city of contrasts, defies easy categorization, it's both modern and traditional, chaotic and serene, and always full of surprises. 

Dive right in with a visit to the Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam - Vietnam's first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite, for an incredible 800-years.  

Following, chose a museum option (to be discussed on the actual day of the tour):  

Option 1: Vietnam Women’s Museum.  Highly acclaimed, the museum displays highlights of Vietnam’s vast cultural diversity and the significant role women play in Vietnamese society.  

Option 2: Hoa Lo Museum: Step back in time to the days of the Vietnam War at the "Hanoi Hilton." Once home to POWs, the exhibits include photographs, artifacts, and displays. 

Conclude the exploration with a stroll through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. A maze of alleyways and hidden treasures, learn about local life in the ‘36-guilds’ as you weave through the frenetic streets on foot. 

As an alternative option to the museum and Old Quarter, Hanoi’s iconic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex can be visited. The site is fascinating yet expect queues and long walking distances (Note the Mausoleum is closed Monday and Fridays, each afternoon as well as annually from June 12th to Aug 14th).  

Join the long queues before continuing on foot past the Mausoleum to learn about the life and legacy of the nation’s founder. Continue to the ‘house on stilts’ where ‘Bac Ho’ resided from 1958 to 1969. Stroll around the tranquil grounds before completing the circuit at the One Pillar pagoda; built in 1049, the symbol of Hanoi is a unique representation of the city. 

Following the introduction to Hanoi’s highlights transfer back to your hotel.