Hanoi capital is located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake at its heart, Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Sightseeing with a Local Guide; water puppets performance; visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Presidential Palace, and Temple of Literature, take a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter.

Here’s an ideal itinerary for a Hanoi City Tour that covers the key historical, cultural, and scenic highlights. This one-day tour will give you a great overview of the capital city’s rich history and vibrant atmosphere.

1-Day Itinerary: Hanoi City Tour

8:00 AM – Pick-up at Hotel

• Start your day by being picked up at your hotel or meeting point in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

8:30 AM – Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

• Begin your tour with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where you can pay respects to the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s revolutionary leader.

• Explore the surrounding Ho Chi Minh Complex, including:

• Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, where he lived and worked.

• One Pillar Pagoda, an iconic Buddhist temple built in 1049, symbolizing a lotus flower.

• Duration: 1.5 hours.

10:00 AM – Visit the Temple of Literature

• Next, head to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university, originally built in 1070. It is dedicated to Confucius and honors scholars who achieved high status during the country’s imperial exams.

• Walk around the peaceful courtyards, traditional architecture, and beautiful gardens.

• Duration: 1 hour.

11:15 AM – Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda

• Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, located on a small islet in West Lake. This 1,500-year-old pagoda is an important Buddhist site and a peaceful escape from the bustling city.

• Spend around 30-45 minutes admiring the beautiful lake views and the ancient pagoda.

12:15 PM – Lunch at a Local Restaurant

• Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch in the Old Quarter. You can try famous dishes such as pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), or banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich).

• Duration: 1 hour.

1:30 PM – Visit the Hoa Lo Prison Museum (Hanoi Hilton)

• After lunch, visit the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, originally used by the French colonists for political prisoners and later by the North Vietnamese for American POWs during the Vietnam War.

• Learn about the history of the prison and the lives of prisoners through exhibits and preserved artifacts.

• Duration: 1 hour.

2:45 PM – Explore the Hanoi Old Quarter

• Take a stroll through the Old Quarter, a maze of 36 streets each historically dedicated to different trades like silk, silver, or blacksmiths. Here, you can explore vibrant street markets, unique shops, and cafes.

• Option: Enjoy a quick visit to Dong Xuan Market, one of Hanoi’s largest indoor markets.

• Duration: 1 hour.

3:45 PM – Visit the Ngoc Son Temple & Hoan Kiem Lake

• Head to Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of Hanoi, and visit the Ngoc Son Temple located on a small island in the middle of the lake.

• The temple is dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao and is connected to the shore by the iconic red The Huc Bridge.

• Take a walk around the peaceful lake, enjoy the scenic views, and listen to the legend of the famous Hoan Kiem Turtle.

• Duration: 45 minutes.

4:30 PM – Optional Cyclo Ride or Water Puppet Show

• Cyclo Ride: If you have some energy left, take a traditional cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. It’s a unique way to experience the bustling streets from a local perspective.

• Duration: 30 minutes.

• Water Puppet Show: Alternatively, enjoy a Water Puppet Show, a traditional Vietnamese art form that dates back centuries, at the nearby Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.

• Show duration: 45 minutes.

5:30 PM – Return to Hotel

• After a fulfilling day exploring Hanoi, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or the starting point.

Key Points to Remember:

• Dress code: For visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and pagodas, wear modest clothing (no shorts or sleeveless tops).

• Timing: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closes at 11:00 AM, so plan to visit it early in the day.

• Bring comfortable shoes for walking and sunscreen/hat for outdoor visits.

• If you prefer a more laid-back pace, you can omit either the cyclo ride or water puppet show.

Would you like any adjustments or suggestions to this itinerary?

NOTE:

• On Monday and Friday morning, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and museum are closed.
• The itinerary can be changed due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions.
• Special request (diet or vegetarian …) should be sent before your departure date.
• 16-seater bus used for 12-14 passengers
• 24-seater bus used for a maximum of 18 passengers
• 29-seater bus used for 18-20 passengers

Inclusive services:

• Full transfers by shuttle bus (with A/C, purified bottled water, wet tissue)
• Entrance fee
• Lunch
• English speaking guide

Exclusive services:

• Visa arrangement
• Drinks on meals
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses

Children policy:

• Free of charge for children under 5 years
• Surcharge 50% rate of adult for children 5->11 years
• Children 12 years old and over are charged as adults.

* Water Puppet show for deluxe option only, a traditional performance that dates back as far as the 11th century in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. 
* Extra for Vietnam Ethnology Museum, US$ 4.00/person.