Why choose this Hanoi tour ?
The French-colonial era has left a legacy of beautiful buildings, with the Old Quarter a fascinating area to explore on foot.
Hanoi has always been a symbol of culture and a source of pride throughout the history.
This tour is designed aiming to give you an opportunity to enjoy an absolute and adorable Hanoi.
Small streets with old houses, friendly people with typical Vietnamese smiles offer you the true feeling of this capital city.
Make the most of your Hanoi adventure
What makes Hanoi Half-Day Private Tour: Must-see Attractions & Train Street a unique experience ?
After you get picked up, the tour guide and the vehicle will take you here for the first place called 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.
On program we will also visit One Pillar Pagoda where people worship the goddess of Mercy. 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.
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.
The Hoa Lo Prison was a prison in Hanoi originally built in dates ranging from 1886 to 1901 when Vietnam was still part of French Indochinaand. It was used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this later period, it was known to American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton”. Following Operation Homecoming, the prison was used to incarcerate Vietnamese dissidents and other political prisoners, including the poet Nguyen Chi Thien. The prison was demolished during the 1990s, although its gatehouse remains a museum.
Legend claims that, in the mid-15th century, heaven sent Emperor Le Loi a magical sword, which he used to drive the Chinese from Vietnam. After the war a giant golden turtle grabbed the sword and disappeared into the depths of this lake to restore the sword to its divine owners, inspiring the name Ho Hoan Kiem (Lake of the Restored Sword). In its original form, Hoan Kiem Lake was much larger than the lake of today. In the past, especially under the time of the French Colony, many parts of this lake were filled to expand Hanoi City. The lake is also full of tortoises, 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. And because the tortoise is considered a sacred animal in Vietnam’s culture (along with dragon, phoenix and unicorn), Hoan Kiem Lake then became a holy place that nurtured the tortoise.
Situated on the northern shore of the lake, the Temple of the Jade Mountain (Ngoc Son Temple) stands on the Jade Island. Built in the 18th century, it is dedicated to Tran Hung Dao, a national hero who defeated Mongolian invaders 3 times. Inside, you can find the altars, some artifacts and a 250 kg preserved specimen of a giant turtle. Jade Island is connected to the shore by The Huc Bridge.
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.
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.
You will have a chance to taste a very special and famous dish in Hanoi called Pho Bo – Rice Noodle soup with beef (in case you are not eating beef, it will be replaced by chicken or a similar dishes). After that, our vehicle will drop you at the same hotels/address in Hanoi Old Quarter where we picked up in the morning. 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
- All passengers must dress modestly, shorts wearing must be to knees length when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum
- Ho Chi Minh mausoleum opens only in morning time and closed weekly on Monday
- All passengers shoulders must not be open when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum
- The Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is closed from June 10 to August 12 yearly for maintenance
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
Hanoi Half-Day Private Tour: Must-see Attractions & Train Street Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Tea/coffee while waiting the train passing by.
- One bottle of water / per person
- Private transfer with good Air-con
- Light meal: Noodle Soup with Beef/Chicken
- English speaking guide; Entrance tickets
Not Included
- Drinks during lunch
- Tips/gratuties
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 Stars based on 17 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.
Please provide us your hotel name and address in Hanoi old quarter on your voucher booking.
This will take note for tour guide and car for pick up – drop off.
