HANOI - CITYTOUR - Cultures. History, and Religions Explored

Tour code: VIG01
Duration: 1 Day

Hanoi

On this fullday excursion you will get to explore and learn about everything Vietnamese, from the oldest pagoda, and the first university of Vietnam, to present day religious practises and ethnic minorities. You’ll hear the foklore tales about the turtle of sword lake, at the Ngoc Son Temple, as well visiting the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh - the leader of the Viet Cong Army, that defeated the americans in the 20 year war, and later became both prime minister and president. With no stones left unturned, this tour is everything you wanted to know about Vietnam, to better understand this exciting country.

Highlight

Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Visit Tran Quoc pagoda
Visit Hoan Kiem Lake
Visit Ethnology Museum
One-Pillar Pagoda
Temple of Literature

Itinerary

07:30 - 08:30 Tour guide and shuttle bus will pick you up at the hotel in Hanoi old quarter and Hanoi Opera House then depart for the Hanoi city full day tour.

09:00 First stop is named Tran Quoc pagoda on the West Lake, the oldest pagoda in Vietnam.

09:30 Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and off to one side of the Mausoleum is the One-Pillar Pagoda which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 - the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi.

11:00 Visit the colorful traditions of the 54 ethnic groups of Viet Nam, in the Ethnology Museum.

13:00 Bus takes you to a local restaurant in Hanoi Old Quarter, have a rest and enjoy some lunch.

14:00 Visit the Temple of Literature, the most famous temple situated in Hanoi, also functioned as Vietnam's first university. It was first constructed in 1070, under King Ly Nhan Tong and dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars. A vast structure that has existed to present day.

15:30 Drive to the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake to visit Ngoc Son Temple, dedicated to Van Xuong Saint and former general commander Tran Hung Dao, for his struggle against Mongolians. You will also see the beautiful Vietnamese and French architecture around the lake.

16:00 - 16:30: Arrive at the hotel in Hanoi old quarter and Hanoi Opera House, where the tour will come to an end.

What's Included

Inclusion

Pick-up and transfer by modern bus with A/C.

- English speaking tour guide

- All entrance fees to the sites indicated in the itinerary

- A bottle of water for each person, on the bus

- Tranditional Vietnamese lunch with several dishes

Exclusion

- Beverages, tax receipts, and any personal expenses

- Tickets for water puppet shows, pedicabs, cyclo,..

- Others not mentioned above

- Tip for tour guide and driver (optional)

Notes

Pick-up from 7:30am
Tour ends 4:30pm
Main points of interest Ngoc Son Temple, Temple of Literature, lunch, Ethnology Museum, One-Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Museum, Tran Quoc Pagoda
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ethnology Museum are closed on Monday and Friday morning.
What to bring: sunscreen/hat/umbrella, small money, camera