Why choose this Hanoi tour ?
1. A good chance to admire Hanoi Old Quarter of long history of 2000 years history.
2. Pass by French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and traditional pagodas and temples that date back hundreds of years.
3. Private Hanoi city sightseeing Half Day tour, led by an experienced tour guide help you see as many things in a half-day tour as full day one.
4. Flexible to choose a morning or afternoon itinerary or any start time you wish during the day.
5. With your limited time, you can explore most of highlights and hidden things; all hidden corners of beautiful Hanoi.
6. See all aspects of Hanoi (modern and old) and a good chance to understand the local life and their history and culture.
7. Experience a unique “train street’ – a new “must-see” place of Hanoi City.
Make the most of your Hanoi adventure
What makes Hanoi City Half Day Private Tour: Hidden Corners & Train Street a unique experience ?
Your tour guide and car from Paradise Indochina Travel pick you up at your hotels then start discovering Hanoi City. The first place is Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (open only in morning time 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM and close on Monday & Friday weekly). 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 mausoleum (albeit against his wishes). Started in 1973, the construction of the mausoleum was modeled on Lenin’s mausoleum in Russia and was first open to the public in 1975. Security is tight and visitors should dress with respect (no shorts, sleeveless shirts and miniskirts) and everyone has to deposit their bags and cameras before getting in. PLEASE NOTE that the mausoleum is closed from June 10 to August 12 yearly for maintenance.
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. Today, the concrete pillar that supports the tiny wooden pagoda is a replacement for the original one which was blown up by the departing French, it remains unclear how much of the wooden temple is the original one.
Another point of interest is a bo tree that grows behind the pagoda which legend state is an offshoot of the one under which Buddha became enlightened – the tree was given as a gift from India in 1958.
The Temple of Literature is often cited as one of Hanoi’s most picturesque tourist attractions. 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.
Originally the university only accepted aristocrats, the elite and royal family members as students before eventually opening its doors to brighter ‘commoners’. Successful graduates had their names engraved on a stone stele which can be found on top of the stone turtles.
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. Read on to explore all the specific things about Dong Xuan Market. When the nationwide war broke out in 1946, Dong Xuan Market witnessed the fierce battles of Vietnamese resistance fighters against the French soldiers, especially the combat of deciding-to-die soldiers (Quyết Tử Quân) to prevent the French attack on the Inter-resistance Zone 1 in February 1947.
For more than 100 years, Dong Xuan Market has associated with many important milestones throughout the history of Hanoi, contained all the material and sentimental value of Hanoi and become one of the inseparable symbols of Hanoi.
In 1882, after the French army conquered Hanoi, the bridge was constructed in 1899 and completed in 1902. A symbol of the tenacity and resilience of the Hanoian people, the Long Bien Bridge was bombed on several occasions during the American War, and each time quickly repaired by the Vietnamese. The bridge, used by trains, mopeds and pedestrians, is undergoing reconstruction to restore its original appearance. It’s colourfully illuminated at night.
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. Nestled in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, this narrow alley attracts travelers hoping to snap a picture on the active train track, and even catch a train whizz by! This alley is actually a residential area – many locals have converted their houses into quaint little cafes where you can sip on traditional egg coffee. It is a very wonderful experience once visting Hanoi city.
The Hanoi Opera House (French: Opéra de Hanoï) was erected by the French colonial administration between 1901 and 1911 (you are allowed to visit the outside of the building). It 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.
It was modeled on the Palais Garnier, the older of Paris’s two opera houses, and is considered to be one of the architectural landmarks of Hanoi. The main architectural style of the Opera House is Neoclassicism. After the departure of the French the opera house became the scene for several political events. as well as the scene of street fighting during the fight for Hanoi. After this place, our car and driver will drop you off same pickup place. End of the service!
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Ho Chi Minh mausoleum opens only in the morning (untill 11:30am) and closed weekly on Monday; Friday. So you will visit outside if you choose tours on Monday, Friday or tours sheduled after 10:00am
- All passengers must dress modestly when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. Passengers’ shoulders must be covered; shorts must be to knee length.
- Hanoi Opera House is closed and only open to public for its ceremony and some special events. The visit to this site is to experience the French style architectures and history information.
- The Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is closed from June 10 to August 12 yearly for maintenance.
- Please contact our operations team via WhatsApp +84-982-804-399 to double check your pick-up location.
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
Hanoi City Half Day Private Tour: Hidden Corners & Train Street Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Tea/coffee (or egg-coffee) while visiting the train street
- Private transfers during trip
- Entrance fees
- English speaking guide
Not Included
- Tips/gratuites
- Extra sight-seeing places
Trending Hanoi Nearby Tours Likely To Sell Out
Special Instructions:
- This Tour is Provided by Paradise Indochina Travel.
- Tour Timezone & Starts at Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- This Tour is Rated 4.5 Stars based on 188 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.
Voucher ticket
You are suggested to contact the local operator via WhatsApp/Call at +84982804399 to confirm the pickup.